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Ngorongoro Crater Safari
A Ngorongoro crater safari is likely to be one of the most memorable and exciting wildlife safaris you will ever undertake in Africa, or indeed in the world and that’s quite a bold statement to make. This famous World Heritage site is truly a unique and spectacular safari destination. Imagine staying at one of the beautiful Ngorongoro crater safari lodges high on the ridge with spectacular views. In the early morning, you will be picked up by your private wildlife safari vehicle and then quickly descend to the bottom of the crater to commence your Ngorongoro safari game drive. This is where the magic happens and you are likely to see many of the famous big cats which attract wildlife photographers from around the world.
Popular Itineraries in tanzania
Can you really wish for more than three dream wildlife destinations in the same safari? This amazing private big cat safari in Tanzania and Kenya, combines a 3 night stay in the northern Serengeti to coincide with the great wildebeest migration, with a full day drive into the world famous Ngorongoro crater, before heading back to Arusha via a quick visit to Tarangire national park. You then fly to Nairobim where you have a night to catch your breath, before driving to the Masai Mara for a 4 night stay at the dearly loved Mara Bush Camp – where you will stay in the private wing. All your safaris will be in a Covid-19 secure vehicle, with just yourself and the driver/naturalist heading out on the game drives.
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After a nice nights sleep in a quality hotel in Dar, it’s time to start the adventure with your private naturalist with a visit to the world-famous Selous game reserve – famous for big cats and the chance to see African wild dogs. From Selous, we visit Mikumi and it’s large lion prides, before ending up in a beautiful camp on the Great Ruaha River, where big game regularly walks through the camp to the excitement of all visitors.
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The Wildebeest Migration through the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem is one of the largest mass movements on earth. Thousands of wildebeests, zebras and Thompson’s gazelles migrate throughout the year always seeking for fresh grass and water. They follow an annual pattern through both Ecosystems, with broadly predictable timing, however their movement does depend on rain.
Tanzania has two rainy seasons – the ‘long rains’ between March and May and the ‘short rains’ between November and December. After the short rainfalls, the wildebeest migration is expected to arrive from the north in late November / early December on the short-grass plains of the south. These grass plains include southern Serengeti, located in Serengeti National Park; and Ndutu Area, located inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Through January, February and March, the wildebeest migration is expected to stay on these southern plains as the grasses are very nutritious and most wildebeest calves will be born in a coordinated bound of calving during February and into early March. Many regular safari goers to Tanzania consider this the best time to visit Tanzania for wildlife.
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tanzania's Animals
Wildlife to see in the Ngorongoro Crater?
The crater floor of the crater is simply a paradise for wildlife and when you consider there are lots of different habitats within the crater itself, from salt lake attracting Flamingoes to the dense Lerai Forest providing ideal leopard habitat and then just when you are marvelling at the sheer density of big cats during your Ngorongoro crater safari tour, you will suddenly come across eastern black rhino, lion prides and increasingly regular sightings of a cheetah. This is a paradise for all wildlife, like an upturned Noah’s Ark for African wildlife and one of the best places to see the Big 5 in Africa.
Best wildlife lodges in the Ngorongoro Crater
So, it’s probably a good thing that there are no wildlife lodges inside the crater itself and that means no disturbance to the amazing wildlife there. However, when you consider that the best wildlife lodges in the Ngorongoro Crater are situated on the crater rim with spectacular views of the entire Ngorongoro conservation area, you are very definitely spoilt for choice. When considering Ngorongoro crater accommodation we would suggest you focus on three main criteria. The size of the Ngorongoro crater safari lodge you would prefer to stay in, how close it is to the main entrance gate and what is your budget for the safari experience? Due to the high cost of both the wildlife lodges at the Ngorongoro crater and the safaris themselves, some visitors choose to stay at the accommodation a little further from the crater itself, such as Gibbs Farm and Bougainvillea safari lodge. However, in an ideal world, we would always choose to stay on the crater rim itself and our choice would be the intimate Entamanu Ngorongoro tented camp on the Ngorongoro Crater rim. If you know of a better wildlife lodge at the Ngorongoro crater then let us know.
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