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The United Republic of Tanzania

NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA AUTHORITY

The United Republic of Tanzania

NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
AUTHORITY

WILDLIFE HABITATS

Diverse wildlife species are found in the NCA because of the diversity of its habitat. Among these habitats are wetlands, riverine areas, woodlands, dispersal areas, and foraging grounds that are linked by corridors and migratory routes.

Wetlands include Ndutu marsh, Lake Masek, Ngoitoktok, Lake Makat, Mwandus swamp, Gorgor swamp, Olmot crater, Empakai crater, Lerai swamp.

Riverine areas: Oldogom (Endulen), Munge, Endamagha, Lemala, Endoro, Mama Hhawu, Marera, Sahhata, Sea’y, Har-o’ (From the NHFR). 

Woodlands: Acacia woodlands (Crater, Ndutu, Olbalbal, Kakesio, Endulen), Commiphora woodland (Esere – Osinoni).

Dispersal areas: Olbalbal depression, Olduvai, Embulbul depression, Malanja, Kakesio, Endulen.

Foraging Grounds: Ndutu, Crater, Malanja and Northern Highland Forest Reserve.

Corridors: Upper Kitete – Selela, Laja Corridor, Lake Manyara – Lake Eyasi – Yaeda valley landscape, Lake Natron Game Controlled Area – Engaruka area –  lake Magadi – Arusha National park, Serengeti National park – Pololeti Game Reserve – Masai Mara landscape.

Migratory Routes: Crater – Malanja-Ndutu, Crater – Misigyo – Endulen – Ndutu, Ndutu – Maswa, Ndutu – Moru(Serengeti), Crater – Olmot, Olbalbal Crater – Layanai – Olbalbal, Empakai – Olmot- Ngorongoro crater.

Breeding sites

Are areas with favorable for the growth and development of wildlife and avian species. Examples of these breeding sites include the Olkarien Gorge for vultures, the Northern Highland Forest for Large Mammals like Elephants, Buffalo, Black Rhinos, and Leopards. 

The Serengeti Plains are distinctively considered favorable for migratory wildebeests, while Lake Natron, Lake Makati and Lake Empakaai, are excellent breeding sites for Flamingoes.

Wildlife Corridors

Are routes used by animals to migrate between two or more protected areas including; The Upper Kitete wildlife corridor which connects the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, the Selela and Mto wa Mbu game controlled areas, and Manyara Ranch. 

Second, the Laja/Eyasi wildlife corridor links the Lake Manyara National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area through Ayeda-chini and other parts of the Maswa Game Reserve. Elephants, buffaloes, and giraffes are the most popular creatures to move around the area to access natural resources such as water, salt, food, habitat, and to exchange genetic makeup with others in various protected areas. This is ecologically significant.

Dispersal areas

Are areas within Ngorongoro Conservation Area that are seasonally utilized by wild animals as foraging grounds, water sources, and spacing. 

The ecological significance of these dispersal areas is to give foraging herbivores enough space and to minimize overgrazing.

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