Flamingos in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are one of the most popular wildlife attractions in this area. The main type of flamingos found here are Lesser Flamingos, known scientifically as Phoeniconaias minor. These birds are well adapted to the conditions found inside the Ngorongoro Crater.
Flamingos in Ngorongoro survive in salty and alkaline water. This type of water is common in places where flamingos live. Similar conditions are found at Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha in Kenya. In Tanzania, flamingos are also found at Lake Manyara.
There are four flamingo species in the world, but only two are found in Africa. These are the Greater Flamingo and the Lesser Flamingo. As the name suggests, the Greater Flamingo is taller and heavier. It can weigh up to four kilograms and grow to about 150 centimeters tall. In the Ngorongoro Crater, only Lesser Flamingos are found. These birds are smaller and live in large groups. They are very social and are rarely seen alone. Their bills are shaped in a special way that helps them separate food from water.
Flamingos in Ngorongoro are mostly seen around Lake Magadi, a small alkaline lake on the crater floor. The word Magadi means salty in the local Maasai language. The salty water and algae in the lake attract flamingos in large numbers.
Flamingos feed on plankton, small crabs, brine shrimp, and algae. These food sources are common in alkaline lakes like Lake Magadi, which is why flamingos stay in this area.
Best Time to Visit
Ngorongoro can be visited all year. The best time depends on your budget and available time.
Peak season is from mid June to September and from December to February. The longer dry period from June to September also matches the wildebeest movement.
The rainy season runs from March to mid June and from October to November. There are fewer visitors during this time, and rain does not fall all day.
How to Get There
Visitors must first meet Tanzania entry requirements. Flights arrive through Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Municipal Airport. From Arusha, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is about a four hour drive using a 4×4 vehicle.
Visit Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania with these reputable Tanzania safari companies or reach out to us below to book your Tanzania safari holiday directly through this Ngorongoro website.
