Around Ngorongoro Crater: Lake Natron.

Lake Natron, an extremely alkaline lake is located outside the Ngorongoro to the northeast and it is noted to be the largest breeding ground in East Africa for flamingos which even thrive on the algae that grows there.

Around Ngorongoro Crater: Gol Mountains (Oldonyo Hills).

With their pink granite cliffs, the remote and ecologically fragile Gol Mountains are divided by the grassy pass of Angata kiti. This area lies in the rain shadow on the Ngorongoro highlands and it is believed to be barren and dusty, yet it is exceptionally fertile and only a small amount of moisture produces mineral rich grass that attracts large herds of animals during the shifting period to occupy it.

Around Ngorongoro Crater: Nasera Rock.

Nasera Rock, a granite monolith rising 80 meters above the plains, lies in the shadow of the Gol Mountains and shelters wildebeest that romp across the green grass during the wet season, plus baboons that climb up the steep grass during the wet season, plus baboons that climb up the steep sides of the rock.

Olkarien gorge.

The Salei plains lead to Olkarien Gorge, a spectacular, narrow rocky cut at the eastern edge of the Gol Mountains, and the nesting site of the Ruppel’s griffon vulture.

Northern Highland Forest Reserve:

Located in a wide band along the outer southern and the eastern slopes of the Ngorongoro, the Northern Highland Forest Reserve a montane- (not rain forest) is a very important source of water for the animal life and people of Ngorongoro plus the farmland to the south. It is important to note that many animals like buffalo, elephants, elusive leopard plus many birds do stay in this area.

The Shifting Sands.

The Shfting Sands are black dune, composed of volcanic ash from Oldonyo Lengai, is being blown slowly westwards across the plains at the rate of about 100 metres long in its curvature, it can be found to the north of Olduvai Gorge.

Oldeani Mountain.

Situated in the South West of the Ngorongoro, Oldeani Mountain is the source of the stream that falls into the Ngorongoro Crater and supports the Lerai Forest.

Around Ngorongoro Carter: Acacia Woodlands.

The red acacia covers the north wall of the Ngorongoro Crater that is gradually taking over from the high montane forest in the east. Around this area, you are very likely to spot giraffe, which never risks going into the crater itself, you may also view elephant and steinbok. There is a band of acacia woodland in the south west of the Ngorongoro, between the treeless plains of the Serengeti and the escarpment near Lake Eyasi. This area is well known for supporting giraffe and many other shifting plains game animals, and this is basically because the area is fed by the Kakesio and other small rivers.