Ngorongoro conservation area gates

Ngorongoro conservation area gates

Ngorongoro conservation area gates : Ngorongoro conservation area is one of the most scenic destinations in Tanzania famous for Ngorongoro crater a world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera of 2000 meters of depth and 260 square kilometers of width. Ngorongoro conservation area is an area of 8,292 square kilometers hosting many animals such as wildebeests, lions, elephants, African golden wolves, leopards, cheetahs, caracals, servals, African wild cats, hippos, spotted hyenas, black-backed jackals, hartebeests, bushbucks, waterbucks, buffaloes, and many more.

Ngorongoro conservation area is also a home for many bird species habiting over 550 recorded bird species, these birds include ostriches, kori bustards, crowned cranes, goshawk, African spoonbill, capped wheatear, anteater, fan-tailed widow bird and many more.

Ngorongoro conservation area has two entry points which are used by tourists and, officials and other service providers to access the park, these gates include Lodoare gate situated south of Ngorongoro crater and Naabi Hill gate situated on border of Serengeti national park. Ngorongoro conservation area also has mini gates such as Lemale mini gate and Seneto mini gate.

Lodoare gate             

Lodoare gate is the southernmost gate used by tourists to access Ngorongoro conservation area, the gate is one of the most popular and most used gates of the conservation area since it is the closet gate to Arusha the main city where tours begin. Lodoare gate is situated in the southern base of Ngorongoro caldera in a distance of 140 kilometers west of Arusha, the gate is also situated close to hippo pool in a distance of 9.8 kilometers, Lake Magadi in a distance of 13.7 km and NCAA headquarters in a distance of 13.1 km.

Lodoare gate you can get the following services as a tourist

• Getting your permits allowing the get into the conservation area at NCCA office situated at the gate
• Pay for the permits and at the gate payments using VISA, MASTER CARD and other cards or debit cards are accepted
• Get information concerning Ngorongoro conservation area and its wonderful aspects
• The gate hosts onsite canteen where you can get to buy drinks and meals
• The gate hosts a kiosk which sells souvenirs.
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Naabi hill gate

Naabi hill gate is another main entrance gate of Ngorongoro conservation area, unlike Lodoare gate Naabi hill gate is used to access both Ngorongoro conservation area and Serengeti national park. The gate is an administrative checkpoint and the location for TANAPA and NCCAA offices located on the eastern part of Serengeti national park.

Naabi hill gate is situated in a few kilometers from the border of Serengeti national park and as you use this gate to access Ngorongoro conservation area, the gate offers services like

• Pay and get your safari and entrance permits from the gate
• It is both an entrance and exit gate to Ngorongoro conservation area and as you exit your permit can be scanned at the gate
• Both a coffee shop and canteen where you can buy stuff you need for the safari and souvenirs
• There is a view point at the gate where you get 360 views of the surrounding endless plains of both Ngorongoro conservation area and Serengeti plains.
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 Lemale mini gate

Lemale mini gate is one of the security gates allowing entrance to tourists in Ngorongoro conservation area, unlike other gates referred to as main gates Lemale mini gate is called a mini gate because it is situated inside the conservation area. Lemale mini gate is both an entrance and exit gate of Ngorongoro conservation area and at the gate you are required to have a permit to allow you entrance and all your belonging go through a thoroughly inspection.

Lemale mini gate is situated in the north eastern rim of Ngorongoro crater and along the route leading to Olmoti, from Lodoare gate it is a drive of one hour t Lemale mini gate

Seneto mini gate

Seneto mini gate is one of the mini gates of Ngorongoro conservation area, like other mini gates of the conservation area the gate is situated inside Ngorongoro conservation area. Seneto mini gate is situated on the western crater rim of Ngorongoro and clearly visible on the right hand of the road as you drive from Lodoare gate heading Olduvai Gorge, the gate is reachable in a drive of 30 minutes from Lodoare gate and one hour and a half to Olduvai Gorge Museum. Seneto mini gate is also located next to a ranger post along with hotels, campsites and an airstrip.

As a tourist at Seneto mini gate you get to do the following things such as

• Getting permits allowing to enjoy safaris in Ngorongoro conservation area
• At the gate your vehicle and belonging are thoroughly inspected from this point
• There is a viewpoint opposite the gate which offers magnificent views of the crater