View allAll Photos Tagged Ngorongoroconservationarea
The Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax) is a large bird of prey and is a pretty common sight all over Africa and parts of Asia.
The call of the tawny eagle is a crow-like barking, it is a silent bird except when on display.
Photographed in the Lake Ndutu area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania.
The village weaver (Ploceus cucullatus), also known as the spotted-backed weaver or black-headed weaver, is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae found in much of sub-Saharan Africa.
This often abundant species occurs in a wide range of open or semi-open habitats, including woodlands and human habitation, and frequently forms large noisy colonies in towns, villages and hotel grounds. This weaver builds a large coarsely woven nest made of grass and leaf strips with a downward facing entrance which is suspended from a branch in a tree. Village weavers are colonial breeders, so many nests may hang from one tree.
Village weavers feed principally on seeds and grain, and can be a crop pest, but it will readily take insects, especially when feeding young, which partially redresses the damage to agriculture.
This beautiful Weaver sitting on an Acacia Thorn Tree was captured during a photography safari on an early morning game drive in the Ndutu Plains of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania.
Another shot of a young lion with a full belly up a tree in the Ndutu, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, of Tanzania (vertical format). Apparently climbing trees is a learned behaviour in lions and only occurs in a very few areas of Africa. Ndutu is not far from Manyara, which is famous for its tree-climbing lions. Maybe the Ndutu lions are related to the Manyara lions.
14/08/2025 www.allenfotowild.com
The white-winged widowbird (Euplectes albonotatus) is a species of passerine bird in the family Ploceidae native to Africa south of the Sahara. It is highly sexually dimorphic in its breeding season, during which the male's yellow plumage turns dark and he gains more white feathers, contrasting with the female's predominantly pale coloration.
The breeding male is black with a pale blue bill, brightly-colored shoulder epaulets (chestnut in northeast Africa, yellow elsewhere), and diagnostic white wing panels that are most obvious in flight. The distinctive display is a slow butterfly-like flapping. The non-breeding male is buffy and streaky, but retains the shoulder epaulets and wing panel. The female lacks the wing pattern and has a pale unstreaked belly. Pairs and flocks are resident with local movements in open savanna, brushy grassland, swamps, and cultivated areas.
This beautiful White-winged Widowbird is a lifer and was photographed during a photography safari on an early morning game drive in the Ndutu Plains of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania.
The steel-blue whydah (Vidua hypocherina) is a species of bird in the family Viduidae. Also known as the Steel-blue Widow, Steel blue Whydah, Steely-blue Pin-tailed Whydah.
It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Its natural habitat is dry savannah plains.
This beautiful Steel-blue Whydah is a lifer and was photographed during a photography safari on an early morning game drive in the Ndutu Plains of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania.
Hyenas aren't big but they're vicious, especially in packs, and the animal herds they wander past all know it. These zebras are wary of the four hunters -- two with heads visible, two with just tails above the grass -- in Ngorongoro Crater in northern Tanzania. ©2019 John M. Hudson | jmhudson1.com
A pair of cubs snuggle up to their pride's lead lioness in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. ©2019 John M. Hudson | jmhudson1.com
Featured on Flickr Explore #394 on 2021-07-08
The violet-backed starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster), also known as the plum-coloured starling or amethyst starling, is a relatively small species (17 cm) of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is the only member of the genus Cinnyricinclus. This strongly sexually dimorphic species is found widely in the woodlands and savannah forest edges of mainland sub-Saharan Africa. It is rarely seen on the ground, but instead found in trees and other locations away from the ground.
The diet of the violet-backed starling includes fruits, seeds and arthropods. It sometimes hawks for insects in a manner similar to flycatchers. It largely feeds in the canopy, seldom foraging on the ground.
This beautiful Starling was captured during a photography safari on a game drive inside Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.
A large group of lesser flamingos gather together and are reflected in the waters of saline Ndutu Lake in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania. Both greater and lesser flamingos live on the lake. The lesser flamingos are smaller, pinker and have large dark red/black beaks, which makes them easily distinguishable from the greater flamingos (best larger).
20/08/2025 www.allenfotowild.com
The kori bustard (Ardeotis kori) is arguably the largest flying bird native to Africa. It is a member of the bustard family, which all belong to the order Otidiformes and are restricted in distribution to the Old World.
Kori bustards are the heaviest flying birds in Africa, with males weighing 10 to 19 kilograms and females weighing 5.5 to 5.7 kg. They range in length from 105 to 128 cm and have a wingspan of 75 to 76 cm in males and 60 to 65 cm in females. The sexes have similar plumage, although individual patterns may differ. Females are about half the size of males. Juvenile males have shorter head crests, paler eyes, and a darker mantle than adult males. Juvenile females also have shorter crests and paler eyes as compared to adult females.
Kori bustards are usually found alone or in small groups, but occasionally associate in larger flocks. They prefer not to fly and are commonly seen walking quickly with large strides or hiding from the hot sun under trees. They lack a hind toe and thus are restricted to terrestrial habitats. They have no preen gland, but instead produce powder down and practice dust bathing. Although Kori bustards don’t seem to make regular migrations, they are thought to make small migrations in response to rainfall and food supply. Additionally, adult and juvenile males move after breeding season, whereas females don’t appear to do so.
This handsome male Kori Bustard was captured during a Photography Safari and was photographed on an early morning game drive in Ndutu plains of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Grandi mandrie di zebre e gnu si dividono i pascoli del Ngorongoro.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Large herds of zebras and wildebeests share the pastures of Ngorongoro.
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The Ngorongoro crater is one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world. It was formed when a giant volcano exploded and collapsed two or three million years ago. The caldera is a huge bowl with walls of more than 600 meters high, covered with forests, plus a flat ground and land of about 260 km2. This particular natural world is organized in several ecosystems - forests, savannas, lakes and marshes, salt ponds, arid lands ... -, embedded in an area that does not exceed 20 kilometers in diameter.
The crater houses about 25,000 animals of very different species. It is considered one of the smaller areas where it is possible to see the big five, the five most representative animals of Africa: the lion, the leopard, the elephant, the buffalo and the rhinoceros (if the hippopotamus is included, then it should be enlarged the denomination to the big six). In addition, in the circle it is possible to observe, with a bit of luck, the exotic black rhinoceros, possibly the biggest attraction of the park.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania, February 2016
Front Page - Perfections in Pictures. January 2019
In an unusual example of rim lighting, the manes and tails of a zebra family are tipped with red from the rising sun. The family of six, including a small colt, are visiting a muddy pond in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania.
03/08/2025 www.allenfotowild.com
The speckle-fronted weaver (Sporopipes frontalis) is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae. It is found in Africa from Mauritania and Gambia in the west to Ethiopia and Tanzania in the east. Its natural habitat is dry savanna.
The Speckle-fronted Weaver is one of the smallest weavers. It is finch-like, with a short stubby bill. The head pattern is distinctive, the black feathers on the crown are tipped white, giving a speckled effect, which gives rise to its name. The nape is chestnut and there is a black moustachial streak surrounding the broad pale grey face. The sexes are alike.
The Speckle-fronted Weaver inhabits dry bush and open thorn-scrub savanna, and thickets, often around villages. It roosts in groups in old nests throughout the year. When not breeding, it is generally gregarious.
This beautiful Weaver was photographed on an early morning game drive in the Ndutu area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania.
The Ngorongoro crater is one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world. It was formed when a giant volcano exploded and collapsed two or three million years ago. The caldera is a huge bowl with walls of more than 600 meters high, covered with forests, plus a flat ground and land of about 260 km2. This particular natural world is organized in several ecosystems - forests, savannas, lakes and marshes, salt ponds, arid lands ... -, embedded in an area that does not exceed 20 kilometers in diameter.
The crater houses about 25,000 animals of very different species. It is considered one of the smaller areas where it is possible to see the big five, the five most representative animals of Africa: the lion, the leopard, the elephant, the buffalo and the rhinoceros (if the hippopotamus is included, then it should be enlarged the denomination to the big six). In addition, in the circle it is possible to observe, with a bit of luck, the exotic black rhinoceros, possibly the biggest attraction of the park.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania, February 2016
Young lionesses in a tree in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. ©2019 John M. Hudson | jmhudson1.com
The time to see Abdim's stork (white bellied stork) in Tanzania is the dry, non-breeding season from Oct-April when it forages for insects in the dry savanna grasses. It is the smallest of the storks and it migrates north of the equator during its breeding season for the remainder of the year. Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
21/07/2025 www.allenfotowild.com
Lake Madagi is the largest lake in the Ngorongoro cauldera (crater). It is a soda lake (alkaline) and the home to large numbers of lesser flamingos Phoenicoparrus minor). In this image you can see the rim of the crater in the background and reflections of the clouds in the surface of the lake.
21/05/2018 www.allenfotowild.com
The Maasai tribal peoples live in traditional bomas in the Ngorngoro Conservation Area (NCA) where they herd large flocks of goats, sheep and cattle. This is outside the famous Ngorongoro Crater (the crater rim is at the top of the photo) where herding of domestic animals is prohibited. A herd of goats raises dust as a Maasai herder runs behind them. Pastoralism is an integral part of the Maasai culture but the herding of large flocks is stressing this area and causing environmental degradation from overgrazing. Although highly controversial, the relocation of residents to areas outside the NCA is being explored.
16/07/2025 www.allenfotwild.com
Big male lion at Ndutu, south of Serengeti, Tanzania.
All rights reserved. © Thomas Retterath 2013
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The Ndutu plains is indeed a magical place during the annual long rains and wildebeest calving season. The sighting are numerous and the photo opportunities are excellent.
These four Zebra's where very cautious entering the water incase of any hidden predators but the desire to quench there thirst was the eventual winner.
Photographed in the Ndutu Plains of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania.
Please left click with your mouse to appreciate the photograph at maximum resolution.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Due elefanti nella pianura interna del cratere Ngorongoro.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Two elephants in the inner plain of the Ngorongoro Crater.
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During my recent trip to Lake Ndutu in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania we were delighted to see this huge male Leopard lounging in a tree and it had its eyes open for a change.
Leopards are mostly nocturnal and spend most of their day sleeping either in trees or rocky enclaves.
Please left click with your mouse to appreciate the photograph at full resolution.
The straw-tailed whydah (Vidua fischeri) is a species of bird in the family Viduidae. It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Its natural habitat is dry savanna. Like all other whydah species, the straw-tailed whydah is a brood parasite.
The long-tailed whydahs are distinctive in breeding plumage.
Straw-tailed Whydah's are less charismatic but they make up for any deficiencies with their equally striking plumage. The male in breeding condition shows off his long tail quite elegantly while singing sweet songs. The female is displaying her colourful beak which also indicates she is in breeding form.
This beautiful Whyday is a lifer and was photographed on an early morning game drive in the Ndutu area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania.
... for a Happy Sunday !
Hundreds of Blue Wildebeest / Weißbartgnus (Connochaetus taurinus)
at the banks of Lake Masek, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
Featured on Flickr EXPLORE #65 on 2021/05/18
Lions are believed to climb trees as a behavioral adaptation to protecting themselves from the constant irritation of insect bites while lazing on the ground under trees. Some animal behaviorists claim that these lions have perfected the art of climbing trees as a way of escaping the sweltering heat on ground level. This way, they can enjoy a cool breeze and blissful nap without worrying about the happenings on the ground. Moreover, this position is an excellent vantage point from which to observe the movement of prey as they cross the plains in search of grazing opportunities and water.
While lions are not physically adapted to climbing trees, these distinct groups have been able to master this skill over time and teach their young to do the same; a great example of learned behaviour as opposed to natural instinct.
The Queen of Ndutu was captured during a photography safari on a late evening game drive in the Ndutu Plains of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania.
A well-fed young lioness heads for the shade of the bushes as the sun rises and starts to strike the area where she had been resting. The dappled spots on her coat that provided camouflage when she was a cub have started to fade. Near Ndutu Lake, Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
18/08/2025 www.allenfotowild.com
Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Un piccolo gruppo di zebre componenti una mandria di alcune decine di capi.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
A small group of zebras forming a herd of several dozen animals.
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Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
L'area di conservazione di Ngorongoro è un'area naturale protetta della Tanzania che si estende nella zona della caldera di Ngorongoro situata nella pianura di Serengeti, a nord-ovest della città di Arusha e ad est del parco del Serengeti, con il quale forma un territorio ininterrotto.
L'area attorno al cratere costituisce la riserva naturale di Ngorongoro.
Il cratere di Ngorongoro si trova a 2.200 metri sul livello del mare, misura oltre 16 chilometri di diametro e occupa un'area di circa 265 chilometri quadrati.
Si tratta della più grande caldera intatta del mondo.
Sulla corona del cratere corre un'unica strada, sul versante meridionale.
Quattro strade collegano la corona con l'interno del cratere; la discesa richiede circa 30 minuti in fuoristrada.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a protected natural area in Tanzania that extends in the area of the Ngorongoro caldera located in the Serengeti plain, northwest of the city of Arusha and east of the Serengeti Park, with which it forms an uninterrupted territory.
The area around the crater constitutes the Ngorongoro Nature Reserve.
The Ngorongoro Crater is located at 2,200 meters above sea level, measures over 16 kilometers in diameter and occupies an area of about 265 square kilometers.
It is the largest intact caldera in the world.
On the rim of the crater runs a single road, on the southern side.
Four roads connect the rim with the interior of the crater; the descent takes about 30 minutes by off-road vehicle.
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Kirk's dik-dik are dwarf antelope, adapted to live in waterless bush country, such as the savanna of Tanzania. They are a shy herbivorous, nocturnal animal with large eyes and a vestigial tail. The best time to see them out in the open is very early morning, such as here, grazing on small plants. The backward slanting horns identify this one as a male. Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania.
01/08/2025 www.allenfotowild.com
A flamboyance of lesser flamingos taking flight near the shoreline of Ndutu Lake, showing the dark underside of their wings. Something must have startled the rear birds and that triggered the mass flight. I like that I was able to catch their reflections in the saline water. If you look closely you can see that 3 birds were a little slower than the rest.
21/08/2025 www.allenfotowild.com
Explored #17 2020-04-21
This beautiful female cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) having tried to hunt all day unsuccessfully finally led her two cubs down to the lake to quench their thirst after which they went back to rest in the mid-day heat of the day.
Photographed on a game drive in Ndutu region of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania.
This photograph is not in the public domain and may not be embedded or used on websites, blogs, or in other media without advance permission from Bruce Finocchio.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a protected area and a World Heritage Site located in the Crater Highlands area of Tanzania. The area is named after Ngorongoro Crater, a large volcanic caldera within the area.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area has a healthy resident population of most species of wildlife. Common in the area are hartebeest, spotted hyena, and jackals amongst other wildlife.
The annual ungulate migration passes through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with 1.7 million wildebeest, 260,000 zebra, and 470,000 gazelles moving south into the area in December and moving north in June. This movement changes seasonally with the rains, but the migration traverses almost the entire plains in search of food.
This beautiful Lioness was photographed on the hunt on a late evening game drive inside the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Crinum macowanii è una specie di pianta da fiore della famiglia delle Amaryllidaceae.
È una specie di pianta bulbosa decidua originaria dell'Africa che è stata utilizzata nella medicina tradizionale in tutta l'Africa meridionale.
In inglese, Crinum macowanii è chiamato Cape Coast Lily o River Crinum, Sabie Crinum in Sud Africa, Common Vlei-Lily in Mozambico e Pyjama Lily in Tanzania.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Crinum macowanii is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae.
It is a species of deciduous bulbous plant native to Africa that has been used in traditional medicine throughout southern Africa.
In English, Crinum macowanii is called Cape Coast Lily or River Crinum, Sabie Crinum in South Africa, Common Vlei-Lily in Mozambique, and Pyjama Lily in Tanzania.
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A male yellow-throated sandgrouse has a distinctive black-bordered yellow throat; females lack the black border. Sandgrouse are a short-legged, pigeon-like bird that prefer grasslands and open savanna. Photographed in the Ngorongoro Conservation area, which is outside the famous crater in Tanzania.
31/07/2024 www.allenfotowild.com