The Ngorongoro Conservation Area: A World Heritage Site

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, and now its cultural heritage is also being recognized. It is the only site in the world where human communities and a high concentration of wildlife coexist harmoniously. The NCA’s multiple land use systems are among the earliest established worldwide to reconcile natural resource conservation with human development.

 The area also boasts numerous archaeological, paleontological, and anthropological sites of exceptional quality. If you’re interested in the cultural experiences of traveling in Tanzania, especially the Ngorongoro Crater, you should explore our unique Tanzania safari trips. These trips offer opportunities to meet the people of Tanzania, engage in activities that positively impact their lives, or simply learn about their culture firsthand in a sensitive and responsible manner.

Your Holiday in the Ngorongoro Crater

If it had not become the world’s largest inactive, unbroken, and unfilled volcanic caldera, what is now known as the Ngorongoro Crater could have been a towering volcanic mountain as high as Kilimanjaro. The crater, a flagship feature of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, was formed when a giant volcano exploded and collapsed approximately three million years ago. It descends to a depth of 610 meters and covers a base area of 260 square kilometers. 

The original volcano is thought to have stood between 4,500 to 5,800 meters high. Besides the main caldera, Ngorongoro also has two other volcanic craters: Olmoti, famous for its stunning waterfalls, and Empakai, known for its deep lake and lush green walls. On the leeward side of the Ngorongoro Highlands is the iconic Ol Doinyo Lengai, 

Tanzania’s third-highest peak after Kilimanjaro and Meru, and an active volcano. Known to locals as the Mountain of God, it last erupted significantly in 2007. At the mountain’s foot lies Lake Natron, East Africa’s major breeding ground for flamingos. Check our guide to Lake Natron to learn more.

Wildlife on a Ngorongoro Safari

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to over 25,000 large animals, including approximately 26 black rhinoceros (the exact number is kept confidential for their protection). The rainforests of the crater rim host large elephants, leopards, mountain reedbuck, buffalo, rare wild dogs, spotted hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, and other felines. The crater also has the densest known lion population.

The area witnesses the annual zebra and wildebeest migration, where approximately 2 million ungulates move south into the area in December and head north in June. This migration includes 1.8 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra, and 350,000 gazelles. The Lake Ndutu area in the west is known for its large population of cheetahs and lions. Over 500 bird species have been recorded in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, including white pelicans, ostriches, and greater and lesser flamingos at Lake Magadi within the crater and Lake Ndutu.

The NCA’s cultural heritage is further enriched by its numerous rock art sites and traditional Maasai bomas (villages), which provide visitors with insights into the region’s historical and contemporary human presence.

Conservation and Management Challenges

The dual mandate of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area—to conserve biodiversity while allowing human activity—presents unique challenges. Balancing wildlife conservation with the needs of the growing Maasai population and their livestock is a complex task. Overgrazing and human-wildlife conflicts are ongoing issues, as is the pressure from tourism, which, while economically beneficial, can strain the fragile ecosystem.

In response to these challenges, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) has implemented policies aimed at sustainable management. These include restricting cultivation, managing grazing practices, and promoting ecotourism initiatives that minimize environmental impact. Collaborative efforts with the Maasai community also focus on preserving cultural traditions while addressing modern socio-economic needs.

Tourism and Activities

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, drawn by its unparalleled opportunities for wildlife viewing, cultural interaction, and adventure. The Ngorongoro Crater itself is a major highlight, offering safari experiences where visitors can spot the “Big Five” (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros) in a single day.

Other activities include:

• Hiking: Trails around the Empakaai and Olmoti Craters offer stunning views and encounters with unique flora and fauna.
• Cultural Tours: Visiting Maasai villages provides a firsthand understanding of their traditions, crafts, and way of life.
• Archaeological Exploration: Guided tours to Olduvai Gorge and nearby Laetoli footprints, which preserve ancient hominid tracks, offer a glimpse into human history.

Global Significance

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area serves as a model for integrated conservation and sustainable development. Its recognition as a Man and Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO underscores its global importance. By protecting biodiversity and cultural heritage while accommodating human activity, the NCA exemplifies innovative approaches to preserving natural and cultural treasures.