NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA . . . News!

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The gift of late showers in the west of Ngorongoro in early to mid- May helped to show the NCA to its best advantage for the tourist fair held in Arusha this May.
This well attended annual event attracted fast growing international interest from many countries and Tanzanian businesses from all areas were represented. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area stand was very well placed and quickly became a popular meeting place for one and all. Information was readily available for the asking and the representatives were busy every day of the fair. Meanwhile, to the north west of Arusha in The Conservation Area, the migration lingered on the short grass plains of Ndutu and further east on the Salei plains into the last days of the month. These areas are in the rain shadow of the crater highlands. Normally this time of year, the same plains can appear to be emptying fast of game and greenery. As sometimes happens wild animals seem to know more than the people in the area and the criss-crossing of game trails were unused until early June when the herds made their way west following the dwindling clouds.
Their wavering route took the endless and looping trails of gnu and zebra past what is known as the Shifting Sands. These crescent shaped, black sand dunes or Barchans, march across the plains to the north of Oldupai Gorge, at the stately pace of about 17 metres a year. The pause in this progress that is sometimes bought about by the rains, has etched this lone, black dune along the powder blue horizon and made it visible for miles around. Olbalbal depression, lying at the bottom of an escarpment on one side and the lower reaches of the highlands on the other, has held its seasonal water longer than one can expect.

The Maasai are also taking advantage of the unusual situation and the herds fattening for the long dry and lean times ahead. Travelling is a pleasure at this time of year, the heavy rains have stopped and the dry season winds are yet to blow with the full force of their annual journey across the hot savannah. The high plains air is still clear of dust and the smoke of the early burning fires is yet to come. Ngorongoro has much to offer. Vast plains laced with an ancient network of game trails and dotted with the last of the migration abut acacia woodlands drenched in the scent of flowering canopies. These are stretched between The Northern Highland Reserve with trails just begging to be walked with knowledgeable NCAA guides and the fascinating soda lakes of Ndutu already edged with a stark white crust barely covering the bleached remains of animals which failed to see another migration.
This huge, pristine ecosystem, overflowing with life down to the smallest detail, is a must for both a 'once in a life time visit' and continued 'many times in a life time visits'. It can never lose its gripping fascination for all of us lucky enough to come to see for ourselves, join us and take a little of its magic away with you as a keepsake.

Ngorongoro was the chosen home of world famous photographer and film-maker Hugo van Lawick. He lived and worked out of his camp at Ndutu for 25 productive years before being laid to rest there by the Tanzanian Government, in a very moving ceremony early this June. Hugo was born in Indonesia and discovered in childhood a great and lasting love of animals. This eventually led to a career as a respected, independent and imaginative filmmaker. Hugo the photographer wrote and produced a large number of books in which he heightened international awareness of Tanzania's continuing efforts in preserving their unique and famous wildlife areas. Not only his films and books but also his life long commitment to conservation made Hugo van Lawick a 'living legend' in his own time.His highly acclaimed films earned him 4 Emmys amongst other film industry awards. Furthermore both the Tanzanian Government and the Dutch Government awarded Hugo civil honours of which he was justifiably proud.
Professionally and personally Hugo not only inspired and encouraged a whole new generation of filmmakers but he also unsparingly passed on his vast experience and unsurpassed knowledge of wild life.

May - June 2002