Birding Safaris in Ngorongoro Crater

Birding Safaris in Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater in northern Tanzania is a spectacular birding site in East Africa. The crater is well known around the world as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is usually touted as having a high population of large mammals and dramatic scenery. Birdwatchers, however, also find it quite rewarding, in the caldera being home to a large number of bird species, both migratory flocks and endemics.

Ngorongoro is home to more than 500 bird species, making a birding safari in the region a unique experience that presents sightings of waterbirds, raptors, and even elusive grassland and forest species that live in the various habitats of the crater.

Biodiversity in the Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro offers birding safaris that are complemented by the geography of the ecosystem. The crater floor consists of lakes, grasslands, marshes, and acacia woodlands, and the crater rim is covered by montane forest. Each of these areas harbours a different set of birds, so it is a haven for a novice or experienced birder. The crater is home to the alkaline Lake Magadi, which attracts thousands of flamingos, which at times create a pink glimmer in the water.

There are also wading birds such as stilts, avocets and pelicans, which are also common along its shores. The grasslands are home to secretary birds, kori bustards, and ostriches-the largest birds in the world-and the woodlands harbour turacos, hornbills, and barbets. There are also a lot of raptors, including crowned eagles, augur buzzards and vultures.

Migratory and Seasonal Bird Watching

The greatest thing about birding in Ngorongoro is that you get to see resident and migratory birds. Between November and April, migratory birds come to the crater in Europe and Asia. These are Eurasian rollers, northern wheatears, and swallows. This is also the time when birdwatchers get the extra thrill of observing birds that have only come to visit during the season.

The wet season, when the crater lakes and marshes fill with food sources, is the most active time of year to find waterbirds. Conversely, the best period to see raptors is during the dry season (June-October) when many of them congregate to hunt when visibility is good and prey is more readily available in the short grass.

Endemic and Notable species of Ngorongoro

Although there are common savannah and water species in the crater, there are also rare and endemic birds. Birders hope to see Tanzanian endemics here, such as the Hildebrandt starling, Rufous-tailed weaver, and Fischer lovebird. The forested rim is especially worthwhile in terms of spotting such species as the Schalow turaco and the golden-winged sunbird.

Raptor enthusiasts should make Ngorongoro one of their must-visit destinations in Tanzania, as this is one of the few places where they can see the Verreaux eagle. The crater is also a good destination for bird photographers since the open habitats and tame animals that abound in the area present a good photographic opportunity to photographers.

Best Birding Locations within and Around the Crater

The crater floor itself is the main attraction, but the highlands surrounding the crater should not be overlooked by birders. The Lerai Forest within the crater is a good attraction to forest birds, which include woodpeckers, cuckoos and pigeons. The swamp of Gorigor is home to cranes, herons and ibises, and the open plains are home to kori bustards and secretary birds.

Beyond the crater, the Empakaai Crater is home to thousands of flamingos, whereas the highland forests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area offer a completely different range of species, including highland endemics and Afro-montane birds.

Birding with Wildlife Safaris

A birding safari in Ngorongoro is not always about birds; it is always mixed with the usual wildlife safaris. The crater is where the Big Five (lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhino) are found, and thus, birdwatchers get a chance to view both feathered and big game species in the same Tanzania safari. This combination of birding and large mammal watching is what makes Ngorongoro very different when compared to other destinations. It is also an ideal destination when going on a family safari, as different members of the group can have different interests such as birding, photography as well and game drives.

The best time to visit Ngorongoro to take a birding safari is during the dry months of the year (mid-June to early October).

It is important to time your birding safari. Those who are interested in migratory species should visit it from November to April. This season also coincides with the birth of wildebeest in Serengeti, and thus, birders can combine their birdwatching activities with the predator-prey drama. The dry season between June and October is more suitable for getting a clear view, accessibility to the various regions of the crater and the likelihood of seeing raptors. Because Ngorongoro is located at a high altitude, it is cooler than other parks in Tanzania, so birders should bring warm clothes in case of morning drives.

Useful Advice to Birdwatchers

Visitors intending to go on a birding safari in Ngorongoro ought to carry binoculars, bird field guides particular to the bird species in East Africa, and a good camera with zoom lenses to capture photographs. It is strongly recommended to hire an experienced birding guide who can recognise species by call, and that will help find hard-to-see birds in the forest.

The access route to the Ngorongoro that most birders use is through Arusha, a three-hour drive to the crater. The crater should be incorporated in a northern Tanzania safari circuit, and a combination of Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Tarangire will make the circuit the richest birding combo in Africa.

Birding Accommodation and Safari Packages

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area provides a variety of accommodations, including luxury lodges on the rim with spectacular views of the crater, to tented camps that put the visitor in touch with nature. Birding safaris can be customised to involve longer periods of time in the crater, early morning game drives or walks in the surrounding highlands. Most Tanzania safari companies offer birding-specific tours that include Ngorongoro with other birding hotspots like Lake Natron (flamingos) and Tarangire National Park (hornbills).

Conclusions: Ngorongoro is a Birding Haven

Ngorongoro Crater is not only a wildlife wonder but a paradise for birders. The variety of habitats, seasonal migrations, endemic species and the magnificent topography make it one of the best birding safari destinations in Africa.