ABOUT THE BIRDING

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area covers some 8500 SqKm adjacent to the Serengeti Plains. It's main feature is theNgorongoro Crater, the largest unbroken volcanic caldera in the world. The caldera is surrounded by steep walls rising 610 m above the caldera floor. It's a must-visit place on any tour to Tanzania. The grasslands within the caldera are the permanent home to 20-25,000 large mammals. The predominant grazing species are Wildebeest, Coke's Hartebeest, Cape Buffalo, Plains Zebra, Thomson's Gazelle, Grant's Gazelle, and Eland. A sizeable population of Lions is also present. Swamps and forests within the crater are home to Hippopotamus, Elephant, Black Rhinoceros, Waterbuck, Bushbuck, Baboon, Vervet Monkeys, and the rare Bohor Reedbuck. The steep slopes are home to Dikdik and the rare Mountain Reedbuck. Mammals regularly move in and out of the crater in search of water, but these are local movements and resident mammals are non-migratory. While a major attraction is the mammals, birding within the caldera and on the top of the crater rim is very good. A number of specialty birds are best seen there or at nearby Gibb's Farm, which is nestled outside the steep forested slopes of the crater. Notable species include Schalow's Turaco, Hunter's Cisticola, Rueppell's Robin-Chat, Tacazze Sunbird, and the beautiful Golden-winged Sunbird.

LOCATION OF SITE

Ngorongoro Crater and Conservation Area are located 180 km west of Arusha.

OTHER LOCALES

• Arusha National Park
• East Usambara Mountains
• Engikaret Lark Plains
• Katavi National Park
• Kilimanjaro National Park
• Lake Manyara National Park
• Lake Natron
• Mkomazi National Park
• Ngorongoro Crater Rim
• Northern Serengeti Plains
• Olduvai Gorge
• Selous Game Reserve
• Serengeti National Park
• Serengeti Plains - Seronera
• South Pare Mountains
• Speke's Bay
• Tarangire National Park
• Udzungwa Mountains
• Uluguru Mountains
• West Usambara Mountains