NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA . . . News!

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Ngorongoro representatives have been busy on the international market spreading the word of the unending possibilities of travel in not only Ngorongoro but also all the wonderful extensions that can be added to a safari in The Conservation Area. The Retosa Road Show held workshops in Munich, Milan and Paris and excited the interest not only of many agents but of private travellers and journalists from all over Europe. London's World Travel Market was as usual very well attended and Tanzania is a very popular destination.
While at these events, the question asked most often is when is the best time to travel to Ngorongoro. It is also the most difficult to answer because both the dry season and the wet season have special sights unique to their months.
Two weeks ago, horizons were drifting in dust and the plains dramatically silver under clear skies. The sunsets were red and hazy, melting behind an unseen western horizon.
Now with the coming of the wet, vast cloud formations make the skyscapes just as dramatic as the landscapes. The sun, glowing orange, drops behind broken clouds that turn gold in its wake.The first rains have come. The dust is settling and the dry short grass plains abandon themselves to an astonishing growth rate, which will bring forth the nutritious grasses needed to tempt the migration back from their dry season areas.

It won't be long before walking safaris which are becoming more and more popular in Ngorongoro, will be threading their way through the great herds of zebra and wildebeestes.

If the warnings of a reoccurring El Nino this season are right, then we can expect to see some extraordinary sights again.
Four years ago when we were visited by El Nino, every day presented the lucky visitors to Ngorongoro with unique sights.
Fantastically huge flocks of migrating birds mingled with the migration on The Conservation Area's plains.
Elephants turned up in areas previously unknown to be haunts normally used by them. Hippo's were seen trailing across the green plains, making use of the new of waterholes strung across the foothills of the highlands. Even more outstanding, a crocodile was also seen on the plains.
It is no wonder walking safaris have become so popular.
Whatever we call it, a wetter than usual rainy season is a boon to many animals and birds.
It is an exciting and varied time to enjoy the many wonders of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and memories guaranteed to thrill you long after your safari and hopefully ensure your speedy return to Tanzania.

November - December 2002