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Ngorongoro is a conservation area that is very rich in history. It is situated in the highlands of Tanzania, and the area is ran by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, a part of the Tanzanian Government. Fossil evidence revealed that the area had been occupied by various hominid species more than 3 million years ago. They were hunter gatherers, who live on what the land provided them with - wildlife and plants. Only a few thousand years ago were they replaced by pastorialists. The pastorialists were more advance technologically. They were able to plant their own crops and rear domestic animals. It wasn't until 1892 that the Europeans arrived in the area. It was said that the first European who visited Ngorongoro was a man by the name of Dr. Oscar Baumann. Ngorongoro used to be a part of the Serengeti National Park back in 1951. The original natives - the Maasai - continued to live in the area until 1959. However, due to conflicts with park authorities, they were evicted by the British government. Today, Ngorongoro has become a unique piece of land in Africa. Usually, conservation land is used for the protection of wild life. However, since the land is already inhabited by human beings, the issue is more tricky in Ngorongoro. A peaceful solution has to be worked out so that both man and animals can live together - and that is exactly what happened. It is very rare to see a piece of conservation land being shared by human inhabitants. But it does seem like it's the best solution for everyone. Because the land is shared by both animals and man, land use is strictly controlled by the authorities. For example, farming is allowed but only for subsistence. Any type of farming that is above the level of subsistence is unlawful. For travelers, Ngorongoro offers an irresistible treat. The land is covered with great valleys. Within these valleys, beautiful lakes and plant life can be seen. When viewed from the top, the scenery is spectacular. The most common wildlife that is seen in the area is the zebra, the wildebeest, and the gazelle. They can be seen passing through the land in great numbers during the annual ungulate migration. In December, the animals are moving South. In June, the migration takes place once more and the animals are seen moving North. The presence of such animals presents great opportunities for the carnivores living in Africa. Hence, it is not uncommon for meat eating animals like lions and Cheetahs to appear during the migration period. This is the time when food is abundant. Where big cats hunt, scavengers follow. Every now and then, sharper travelers can catch the sight of spotted hyenas and jackals. Sadly, the African Wild Dogs have declined to such dwindling numbers that no one has been able to spot them. For animal lovers and for all those who are interested in wild life, Ngorongoro is a must-visit destination.
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