Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater

Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater

Are you fantasising about a place that is untouched by civilised man, a place where elephants have to tread through ancient baobab trees, a place where the grandeur of volcanic craters is seen through the eyes of the lion, then it is only here at the Tarangire National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater in Northern Tanzania. The two safari gems provide tourists with a front-row seat to some of the most spectacular wildlife experiences on the planet and tend to slip under the radar in the Serengeti.

Whether you have never been to Tanzania or you are a safari veteran, the two sites will give you a mix of nature, wild animals, and culture that you will find nowhere else. In this guide, we will analyse why both Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater should be included on your list of tours in Tanzania.

Best Things to See and Do in Tarangire and Ngorongoro

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire national park is the largest habitat of elephants in Tanzania, and it is referred to as the Land of Giants. Imagine herds of 300 elephants cruising slowly over dusty plains as they dodge here and there around ancient baobab trees that seem the timeless sentinels of the earth.

Elephants are not the only stars, though. The park is absolutely alive—zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, and more than 550 bird species. The Tarangire River, which is like a lifeline in the dry season, attracts animals up to a mile away. June until October is one of the best times in Africa to observe dramatic predator-prey interactions as the lions, leopards and cheetahs stalk thirsty herds.

Don’t miss:

Evening game drives across baobabs, which look like they are glowing in the evening light.

Night safaris (served by some of the camps) where you may come across some nocturnal mammals such as the aardvark or the bush baby.

To have a closer and down-to-earth view of the ecosystem, take walking safaris.

Ngorongoro Crater

It is only several hours in the northwest direction to the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Ngorongoro Crater, that is commonly referred to as the African Eden. The bowl-like topography formed by this volcanic, 2,000-foot-deep crater houses an incredible amount of wildlife in a surreal and impressive scenery.

Here, one can observe the Big Five in one day, including lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard. The crater walls are home to about 25,000 animals, including some of the rarest black Rhinos in Tanzania. The mosaic pattern of habitat is made up of open grasslands, soda lakes, and dense pockets of forest.

Best features are:

Spending time in the morning, watching the lions laze in the rays of the rising sun on the crater floor.

You can catch a glimpse of flamingos as they flock along Lake Magadi.

Watching birds in the Lerai Forest with its crowned cranes, Eagles and hoopoes.

There is little chance of spotting a rare black rhino anywhere in the wild—one of the best opportunities is in Kenya.

Local Culture and History

Meet Maasai

Any safari in Tanzania is incomplete without an understanding of the Maasai people and their coexistence with the wildlife that dates back centuries. You easily notice them, in bright red shukas, with spears in their hands and flocks of cattle at their heels—on the roadside or on the brim of the crater.

Quite a number of Tanzania tours will take you to the traditional Maasai bomas (homesteads), where you will have a chance to observe dances and listen to the stories of their ancestors and how they have maintained their lifestyle despite modernisation. These are not mere performances but rather a source of pride in who they are, what they can endure, and how they can take care of the environment.

Historical Scenery

Ngorongoro is not only animals. It also forms part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where Olduvai Gorge is situated, which is among the paramount archaeological foundations of the world. In this case, fossils and stone tools have been effective in enabling scientists to reconstruct the history of the early development of human beings. Visit to the Olduvai Museum makes your outing more meaningful—you will go home knowing that this is not just a safari place; this is the cradle of mankind.

Travel Tips

Best time to visit

Dry Season (June to October): This is the time when wildlife sightings are enhanced in Tarangire, as animals move close to the river. This is high season too, so be sure to book in advance.

Wet Season (November till May): Eco-green sceneries, less tourists and superb bird watching. April and May are muddy but the most photogenic—the most green.

Getting There

The north of Tanzania is the safari capital of Arusha, from which most tours launch. Tarangire is a 2-hour drive away, and Ngorongoro is a 4-hour ’drive away, in Arusha. The roads are bumpy yet scenic and their guided safari is provided with the comfortable 4×4 cars with the pop-up roof to see more of the wildlife.

Secret Places to discover

Overnight in a camp located near the main gate to Tarangire so that one can get to the game in time before the big crowds get there.

In Ngorongoro, you may reserve a lodge on the rim of the crater to enjoy the exciting sunrise sights and be the first person on the crater floor.

Include your Tanzania safari with a cultural trip to Mto wa Mbu, a colourful village market town between the parks, where there is local cuisine, banana beer and unique crafts.

Budgeting

Although it is possible to make luxurious Tanzania safaris, they need not be bank-breaking. Group tours and mid-range lodges offer budget packages that are not only comfortable but also less luxurious. Find tour and travel companies that can package transport, accommodation, national park fees, and guides in one package—this makes organisation easy and saves money most of the time.

Visiting parks, especially Ngorongoro, can be costly, so please ensure your budget is adequately prepared. Don’t worry, we use all your money for conservation and local development.

Conclusion

Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater are not mere passages on a chart but two of the most soul-stroking destinations on this planet. Be it the impressive elephant herd of Tarangire or the breathtaking depths of the Ngorongoro volcanic rim, this region of Tanzania will alter your perception of the natural world.