Covering approximately 8,288 square km, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area consists of the Ngorongoro Crater itself, the Olduvai Gorge and Ndutu, the Empakai crater and the Oldonyo Lengai Mountain. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a pioneering experiment in multi-purpose land use where people (the Maasai), their livestock and wildlife coexist and share the same protected habitat. Wild animals are protected as in the National Parks. The craters of Ngorongoro and Empakai are reserved exclusively for wildlife, while the rest of the Conservation Area is shared by wildlife, people and livestock.

The Maasai, the main residents of Ngorongoro, are pastoralists who move widely with their herds of cattle, sheep, goat and donkeys in search of pasture and water. In recent years the Maasai have been encouraged to work on the land and supplement their traditional diet of milk, blood and meat. The Ngorongoro Crater, which is the central attraction in the area, is the largest Caldera in the world that has its walls intact. The Ngorongoro Crater floor, a sheer drop of 610 metres below the crater rim, has an area of 265 sq. km, with a diameter of 19 km. The sight of the Ngorongoro Crater is simply stunning.

HISTORY

Ngorongoro Crater is one of seven World Heritage Sites designated in Tanzania and it is the world's largest unflooded caldera. This means the entire rim of the old volcano is intact. The Crater is a memorable experience, while only 100 square miles in total, it also offers six distinct habitats: acacia forest, swamp, short -grass, long grass, riverine and woodland. Each habitat attracts a variety of animals.

NCA is also the world's first multi-purpose land use experiment, combining tourism, research, archeology, wildlife management, grazing rights and farming. The rim of the Crater sits at 7,800 feet in altitude and the Crater floor descends to 5,000 feet above sea leave. The Crater is home to almost 30,000 animals in an area naturally enclosed by the slopes of the volcano.

The Crater is the best location for viewing black rhino and the huge old bull elephants. There is not enough vegetation to support the large cow and calf herds, but the old males "retire" to the Crater for the wonderful swamp grass and acacia forest. The only animals you will not see in the Crater are the impala and giraffe. It is not known why impala do not inhabit the Crater, but giraffe are unable to descend the steep grade without lowering their heads, which raises their blood pressure to dangerous levels.

“There is nothing with which to compare, It is one of the wonders of the world....” once wrote Professor Bernard Grzimek. The crater floor is covered with plains animals, including wildebeest, zebra, gazelles, elands, rhino, and a large predator population of lions, hyena and jackal which can all be viewed at close quarters. Cheetah and leopard can also be seen here. The rainy season is between November and May. The altitude at the crater rim is about 2286 metres above sea level, and temperatures can get quite chilly in the evening.

Ndutu Plains and Gol Kopjes(serengeti) January - March
For People who have been in Tanzania from December to March they know these places. From a normal tourist and journalist to photographer. They will always tell stories about this area. The migration is there as I’m sending this post. It is green and animals are spreading all over the area.

Is like carpet of wildebeests decorated with zebras. Cats and hyena are playing rough drama. If you stay here for an hour you will be amazed by this nature and animal movement. Because has been raining here you will see clean animals health and happy. It is famous as Maternity for Zebras and wildebeests. The new calves are born and every mother is nursing a baby here. Is not a safe place for babies so every wilderbeests mama is very careful as Killers are everywhere. Animals are in action all the time. If you have been in Ndutu in Dry season you should see this now. This makes you see a new life of the dead. Ndutu Lake is full of water and flamingos are dancing and singing. Flat top acacia welcome giraffe from all corners. Small creature are also there, the dung beetle fertilize the land and mix the soil. This is the most beautiful place in Africa. A place to nature, a place to see ecosystem, a place you will need to conserve and a place you will need to stay. I wish everybody could visit this area. Here is the only place you will see beautiful Africa sunset and drinking giraffe love birds. I can still hear the voice of running wildebeest and the voice of ground hornbill.