​Birds – Ngorongoro Crater

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Bradt guide to Tanzania.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

There is excellent birding to be had in the Ngorongoro Crater. Even from a great distance, you’ll see flocks of pink flamingos in Lake Magadi. Come closer, and you’ll also spot ducks, herons, storks and waders. The crater’s most noticeable grassland residents include ostrich, kori bustard, grey crowned crane, secretary bird and rosy-throated longclaw. Be careful at the picnic spot: black kites are adept at swooping down to steal people’s lunch out of their hands. The forested crater rim has its own birdlife. Specials include white-eyed slaty flycatcher, Schalow’s turaco and several high-altitude sunbird species. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

Notable Birds in Ngorongoro Crater
› ‹
Augur buzzard
Common
Black kite
Common
Grey crowned crane
Common
Kori bustard
Common
Capped wheatear
Common

Birding Rating

Birding Specials –Treats for Avid Birders

(E) endemic = only lives in Tanzania
(NE) near-endemic = lives in Tanzania and neighboring countries

Facts & Figures

Birds in Ngorongoro Crater
Bird Species
500+
Migratory Birds
Nov to Apr

Best Time for Bird Watching

Although the birdlife in the Ngorongoro Crater is good throughout the year, the variety is greatest from November to April when Palearctic and intra-African migratory species are present, and many resident birds are in breeding plumage. The best time to watch wildlife is during the Dry season, which is June to October.

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Birding Rating

Facts & Figures

Birds in Ngorongoro Crater
Bird Species
500+
Migratory Birds
Nov to Apr