Birding in Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Birds of Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The Ngorongoro highlands together with the crater provide wonderful bird watching experience, with more than 500 species that have been recorded. The birdlife within the highland forest is very interesting. Some of the birds that you will be able to see here include: the white-eyed slaty flycatcher plus the Livingstone turaco. There are also several resident  specialized grassland bird species within the crater. Most visible are the Ostriches, Kori bustards, crowned cranes plus the secretary bird. From the start of November up to the finish of April, you will be rewarded with views of various migrant bird species.
Birds To See in Ngorongoro

Kenya rufous sparrow which is Endemic to Tanzania as well as Kenya, Rufous chatterer, Hildebrandt’s spurfowl, Black kite, Black-winged lapwing, as well as the Lesser flamingo

Birding specials

African spoonbill, Anteater chat, Augur buzzard, Capped wheatear, Eastern double-collared sunbird, Egyptian vulture, Fan-tailed widow bird, Greater flamingo, Hartlaub’s turaco near endemic to Tanzania, Hildebrandt’s spurfowl, Hildebrandt’s starling, Jackson’s widowbird near endemic to Tanzania, Kenya rufous sparrow, Kori bustard, Livingstone turaco, Namaqua dove, Red-and-yellow barbet, Rosy-throated longclaw, Rufous chatterer, Rufous-tailed weaver  endemic to Tanzania, Scarlet chested sunbird, Schalow’s wheatear, Speke’s weaver, Verreaux’s eagle,White-eyed slaty flycatcher and the White-naped raven

The Best time for watching birds

Although the bird life is amazing all year round, we also recommend that you visit from November up to April as the various migratory birds that come from Europe as well as Northern Africa can be seen, and several resident birds here are in breeding time. During those months, you will be rewarded with very unique views of rare bird species. On the other hand, the best time to view wildlife is in the dry season that commences in June up to October.

Best parks for watching birds

All the renowned safari parks provide wonderful opportunities for birding and specials may be easily seen anywhere. The usually ignored, Arusha National Park has a remarkable variety of habitats, that host an amazing list of about 400 species within that area. Lake Manyara provides a great diversity of water birds.

Covering three beautiful volcanic craters, the internationally renowned Olduvai Gorge, wide areas of bush-land, forest plus savannah, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is Tanzania’ leading tourism destination in the whole of the northern part of the country and it is the only destination where man and wildlife have been able to coexist harmoniously for  several years.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area in total covers an area of 8288 square kilometers with an altitude range between 960 meters to 3648 meters on Mount Loolmalasin. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is located about 190 km west of Arusha city. Back in 1971 this Ngorongoro Conservation Area became a human and Bio-sphere wildlife Reserve and in 1979 was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The crater is the major tourism feature in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It is a very large intact, not caldera, that was formed following the explosion of a huge volcano which collapsed approximately three million ago. This crater is 610 meters deep and covers a bottom area of 260 square kilometer. The approximated height of the original volcano was between 4500m and 5800m. Besides the caldera, this Ngorongoro also has two extra volcanic craters; that include the Olmoti best known for its impressive waterfalls as well as the Empakai that has a deep lake as well as thick green impressive walls.
Ngorongoro Safari

How To Get To Ngorongoro

When To Visit Ngorongoro

Birding in Ngorongoro