Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a well-known national park in northern Tanzania. Known as the source of life, the conservation area is the only place where humans and wildlife coexist.

Ngorongoro probably has the highest animal concentration per square kilometer on the whole continent. The area is a notable natural reserve. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the many volcanic peaks in Tanzania. It is believed by nature experts and geologists that the peak was once the highest, even higher than Kilimanjaro.

After a huge volcanic explosion, a big canyon was created in the region, and the height decreased. The conservation area was named after this caldera. The caldera is called Ngorongoro, hence the place’s name, Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

The conservation area is managed by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority. Established in 1959, the area covers 8,292 km2. The national park welcomes 500,000 visitors every year, which is 60% of the total number of visitors coming to the country.

The conservation area is a World Heritage Site protected under UNESCO. The location is 180 kilometers west of Arusha and is easily accessible by road from the city.

The origin of the name of the area is interesting. The name was given by a Maasai pastoralist and doesn’t have any particular meaning. It is a sound produced by the bell of their cattle.

The conservation area contains eight volcanoes. The Crater area is bordered by Gregory Rift and Lake Eyasi in the east and south-west, respectively.

While visiting the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, visitors can explore Masai Bomas, which are the traditional villages of the Masai tribal community. Exploring the culture, history, and just sitting beside them and listening to their lion hunting stories can be a truly amazing experience.

The caldera in the conservation area is the largest unbroken caldera in the world. The caldera was created about 2 to 3 million years ago. It is 610 meters deep and covers 260 square kilometers of land. Due to the stunning caldera, it is listed in the list of 7 natural wonders of Africa.

The black rhinos are the most popular of the 25,000 large animals that live in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The conservation area, however, attracts tourists for its large concentration of animals. The area is great for spotting big game. A few notable species are: