Steven Ndukwu has explored wildlife in a Ghanaian reserve, Safari Valley. Join him as he visits the world-class destination that is Northern Tanzania: the natural parks and reserves, the breathtaking landscapes, and, of course, the unique wildlife found at the edge of the Tanzanian border. Steven Ndukwu takes us into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, through the 600-meter-deep crater found in the heart of the reserve, up the Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, and over Tanzania’s beautiful but deadly red lake, Lake Natron.

Home to the Serengeti and one of East Africa’s oldest tribes, Tanzania offers a myriad of activities and viewing pleasures to its visitors. From a thrilling hot-air balloon ride to a delicious bush breakfast in the national park to even a lucky chance to observe the wildlife beast migration and a night experience at the Nyota Luxury Camp nestled in the protected region of the Serengeti.

Steven Ndukwu takes us through a most precious African safari adventure where he showcases all that Northern Tanzania has to offer. This article delves into this unrivaled experience and, hopefully, leaves you wanting to visit one of nature’s best destinations.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area 

Prior to his first stop at Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Steven Ndukwu chartered a Pristine Trails truck in Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania. Pristine Trails helps tailor-make your personal tour itinerary to suit your tourism objectives. They also offer you a tour guide and a driver. It costs $60 for foreigners to access this park and $250 to enter with a safari truck.

The first thing the tour guide wanted Steven to experience was the quick change in temperature on the crater floor compared to in the forest. The Ngorongoro Crater is the major feature of this reserve. It was formed some 2 to 3 million years ago when a massive volcano collapsed on itself. The crater is the world’s biggest intact, unfilled volcanic caldera. The floor of the Ngorongoro crater is now a wide grassland, while the eastern wall highland is a montane forest.

At the top of the crater, white fog circled through the atmosphere, giving it a rather spooky or eerie ambiance. Visibility was low, and the chills were high. Steven Ndukwu and his tour guide went down from their truck to observe the vast lowland under them, 21km wide and 600m deep. Crested at 2300m above sea level, cloudy air suspensions floated around while the benevolent sound of peacefulness drifted through the ecosphere. This was nothing compared to the Tanzanian sights and sounds waiting to be explored.

The safari continued into the grassland, where a dense variety of wildlife lives and breeds. Some zebras wallowed, while others stationed themselves in a criss-cross direction, all watching out for attackers likely to ambush from any angle. A small family of elephants traversed the plains, and lions were not far off. Altogether, the Ngorongoro area is blessed with a variety of 250 wildlife species. The crater is among the many wonders of Africa.

The Serengeti National Park

Following the bumpy dust trail that locals call the African massage, Steven Ndukwu, led by his tour guide, took to the Serengeti National Park. Serengeti in the Maasai tongue means “endless plains,” which describes the vast plains that spread some 14,000 sq km through Northern Tanzania into Southern Kenya, to the west of the Great African Rift Valley. Best known to be teeming with wildlife species, the Serengeti sees a year-round great beast migration, 2 million ungulates, 4000 lions, 1000 leopards, 550 cheetahs, and some 500 varieties of bird species.

Steven Nudkwu was lucky to gaze upon some large lions, giraffes, and elephants in their numbers. Even the impalas, the McDonalds of the wild, were seen in their hundreds. He learned that giraffes have adapted to running on less than half an hour of sleep per day. They have to stay awake to fight off predators, so their resting position is usually standing up.

Arriving in Serengeti under the faint glow of the setting sun in the evening sky, Steven Ndukwu booked a room in the Nyota Luxury Camp to spend the night. In the Serengeti, the roars of the lions and the howling of hyenas are a tourist’s companion at night. Steven had to go to bed early because, in the morning, he had a hot air balloon to ride.

The Hot Air Balloon Ride

Another interesting way to enjoy the Serengeti experience is from a bird’s-eye view in a hot-air balloon. The ride started at 6 a.m., and unlike other hot air balloon rides in the world, passengers lie down in the astronaut position in the basket while the balloon is being inflated, awaiting takeoff.

Buffalo and hippos were spotted from the high altitude, along with the few trees that dot the Serengeti grasslands. The balloons flew so high and so well that nature joined them in laughter and sent them back into the loving arms of Mother Earth. After the ride, Steven and the others touched down to a delicious bush breakfast arranged on the table in the middle of the wild.

Instead of the usual cheers, the captain said “maisha marefu” to the opening of a wine bottle, which translates to long life in Swahili.

Lake Natron 

The journey continued after the tantalizing breakfast at East Africa’s deadliest lake. The crew passed by the Great Rift Valley to Lake Natron which has an attractive red color and mirrorish appearance yet kills living organisms like birds who dive into it or drink from it, turning them to ashes (stones).) due to the presence of cyanobacteria that release harmful chemicals. Steven and the rest of the crew had to stand a great distance away to observe this wonder.

Lake Natron is located in the valley of Ol Doinyo Lengai, the only active volcano in East Africa. The mountain is seen as the abode of the god of the Maasai people, which gives it its name, the mountain of God.

Conclusion

This ends Steven’s journey through North Tanzania, but this can be where yours starts. Find the beautifully documented YouTube video of Steven Ndukwu’s safari in Northern Tanzania here, and get to see these amazing natural landscapes and wildlife through his camera lens and on your screen. You can also find other awe-worthy African destinations on his YouTube channel.