Jambo rafikis! That’s Swahili for ‘hello friends.’

When I was 17, I spent 5 weeks in Tanzania. I traveled with The Experiment in International Living (EIL). This global nonprofit specializes in experiential learning, which is learning through experiences (as opposed to learning exclusively in a classroom). EIL has been connecting students with host families abroad since 1932. Learn more about The Experiment here.

At the end of our trip, my group and I went on a daylong safari in Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This park is home to Ngorongoro Crater, which is the largest volcanic crater in the world. The enormous crater has been voted one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. Additionally, Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to the Olduvai Gorge, which is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the world. Human fossils found in the Olduvai Gorge are some of the oldest fossils ever found. The oldest fossils are estimated to be 3.6 million years old.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is massive. It covers over 3,000 square miles! I liked this design because the animals are in their natural habitat and they have plenty of room to spread out. Best of all, the animals in Ngorongoro Conservation Area are completely protected. Hunting is forbidden in the park and tourists must stay inside their safari Jeeps at all times. The park’s philosophy is that people are intruding on the animals’ way of life, and we should do our best to minimize our intrusiveness.

I had an amazing time on the safari. We saw flamingos, ostriches, baboons, zebras, hippos, giraffes, lions, and elephants. We even saw a baby elephant with its mother. It was wonderful to see the animals roaming freely in their natural habitat instead of being locked up a cage.

Here are 6 photos to inspire you to visit Ngorongoro Conservation Area:

View of the vast crater. It was breathtaking.

I never realized just how tall giraffes are until I saw them in person towering over the trees!

Ostrich

Zebra

Elephants hugging!

Our safari car

Ngorongoro is definitely worth a visit if you’re in Tanzania. I had an amazing time on the safari, and I wholeheartedly support the park’s mission of promoting animal rights and environmental sustainability.

Asante sana (thank you) for reading! Do you have any questions about going on a safari in Tanzania?

– Travel Alli