| Ngorongoro is a conservation area that is very rich in | | | | the best solution for everyone. |
| history. It is situated in the highlands of Tanzania, and | | | | Because the land is shared by both animals and man, |
| the area is ran by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area | | | | land use is strictly controlled by the authorities. For |
| Authority, a part of the Tanzanian Government. | | | | example, farming is allowed but only for subsistence. |
| Fossil evidence revealed that the area had been | | | | Any type of farming that is above the level of |
| occupied by various hominid species more than 3 | | | | subsistence is unlawful. |
| million years ago. They were hunter gatherers, who | | | | For travelers, Ngorongoro offers an irresistible treat. |
| live on what the land provided them with - wildlife | | | | The land is covered with great valleys. Within these |
| and plants. Only a few thousand years ago were | | | | valleys, beautiful lakes and plant life can be seen. |
| they replaced by pastorialists. The pastorialists were | | | | When viewed from the top, the scenery is |
| more advance technologically. They were able to | | | | spectacular. |
| plant their own crops and rear domestic animals. | | | | The most common wildlife that is seen in the area is |
| It wasn't until 1892 that the Europeans arrived in the | | | | the zebra, the wildebeest, and the gazelle. They can |
| area. It was said that the first European who visited | | | | be seen passing through the land in great numbers |
| Ngorongoro was a man by the name of Dr. Oscar | | | | during the annual ungulate migration. In December, |
| Baumann. Ngorongoro used to be a part of the | | | | the animals are moving South. In June, the migration |
| Serengeti National Park back in 1951. The original | | | | takes place once more and the animals are seen |
| natives - the Maasai - continued to live in the area | | | | moving North. |
| until 1959. However, due to conflicts with park | | | | The presence of such animals presents great |
| authorities, they were evicted by the British | | | | opportunities for the carnivores living in Africa. Hence, |
| government. | | | | it is not uncommon for meat eating animals like lions |
| Today, Ngorongoro has become a unique piece of | | | | and Cheetahs to appear during the migration period. |
| land in Africa. Usually, conservation land is used for | | | | This is the time when food is abundant. Where big |
| the protection of wild life. However, since the land is | | | | cats hunt, scavengers follow. Every now and then, |
| already inhabited by human beings, the issue is more | | | | sharper travelers can catch the sight of spotted |
| tricky in Ngorongoro. A peaceful solution has to be | | | | hyenas and jackals. Sadly, the African Wild Dogs |
| worked out so that both man and animals can live | | | | have declined to such dwindling numbers that no one |
| together - and that is exactly what happened. It is | | | | has been able to spot them. |
| very rare to see a piece of conservation land being | | | | For animal lovers and for all those who are interested |
| shared by human inhabitants. But it does seem like it's | | | | in wild life, Ngorongoro is a must-visit destination. |