Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is a distinctive natural feature located in Tanzania. This U-shaped caldera was produced by the collapse of an extinct volcano. The crater is the largest unfilled caldera globally. It supports a substantial population of predators and other animals. The caldera’s uniqueness led to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. It possesses a remarkable biodiversity ecology globally. It is a component of the world’s oldest ecosystem, the Serengeti ecosystem, which stretches to the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

In the early 2000s, the crater was designated as the eighth natural wonder of Africa in Arusha. The Ngorongoro Crater is located within the renowned Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It is managed by the Ngorongoro Conservation Authority. The crater has a diameter ranging from 16 to 19 kilometers and encompasses a total land area of 264 square kilometers (103 square miles). The rims are elevated to approximately 2,000 feet, or around 610 meters, above the crater bottom. The walls of the Ngorongoro Crater are predominantly enveloped by a bamboo forest. The elevation of the Ngorongoro Crater is 2,286 meters (7,500 feet).

The Ngorongoro was named by the Maasai inhabitants after the sound of a cowbell, “Ngoro ngoro,” which the British subsequently amalgamated into a single term, Ngorongoro. The region has been inhabited for years by the Maasai, who supplanted the indigenous hunters and foragers that had been there for an extended period. The Maasai pastoralists continue to inhabit the region to this day.

The Ngorongoro Crater is situated within the renowned Eastern Great Rift Valley in the Northern Tourist Circuit. The destination is located 120 kilometers from the tourist hub of Arusha, requiring a trip of approximately 2 to 3 hours along a well-maintained asphalt road. The drive is more picturesque as it traverses the local coffee farms within the valleys of the Great Rift Valley region. You will also traverse the habitat of tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara National Park. The park is readily accessible by car. The closest town to the park is Karatu, which accommodates the majority of the lodges situated outside the park. The road to Ngorongoro Crater is direct and straight until you reach the junction, where you should take the right fork and disregard the continuation toward Tarangire National Park. Access to the park is also possible by air travel, with numerous domestic flights operating from Arusha Airport. Numerous airstrips are situated within the conservation area for visitor landings.

Ngorongoro Crater is one of the premier tourist destinations globally, housing thousands of wildlife species. Would you like to observe all of the African Big Five within a little timeframe? The Ngorongoro Crater is the premier site to visit. It is accessible year-round as all the animals are permanent inhabitants. The park is home to large felines (lions, leopards), rare black rhinoceroses, elephants, hyenas, wildebeests, buffalo, zebras, gazelles, topis, and warthogs, among others. Wildlife observation is exceptional throughout the entire year. Visit the historical landmark of Oldupai Gorge, where the remains of the oldest human child were discovered, and experience the wildebeest migration along with numerous other action-packed adventures in the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area. The northern section of the conservation area serves as the delivery ground for millions of baby wildebeests annually. At the beginning of the year, Ndutu accommodates the calving season of the wildebeest. This is a notable season for wildebeest migration. Daily, about 1000 calves are born, necessitating their survival against predators, as numerous big cats congregate in this region during this time. Ndutui is the initial location of the wildebeest migration before they advance to the Serengeti, continuing in a clockwise direction until they reach the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Attractions in Ngorongoro crater

Mammals and Animals

Fauna are the primary attractions in Ngorongoro Crater. The park is considered one of the world’s isolated wilderness areas, featuring a large concentration of species. The crater is renowned for its lion populations. It is one of the small regions with a high lion population density globally.

The park contains all five members of the African Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo. Additional fauna at the park comprises wildebeests, cheetahs, hyenas, bushbabies, topis, dik-diks, civets, African wildcats, duikers, gazelles, zebras, hippopotamuses, crocodiles, hyraxes, impalas, jackals, mongooses, elands, and several others.

Game viewing can occur year-round because to its favorable climatic conditions. The fauna predominates the attractions of Ngorongoro National Park, drawing about 90% of the visitors to the area.

Birds

The park’s distant location and sparse canopy significantly enhance the diversity of bird species in this Crater. The park hosts about 500 bird species that can be readily cataloged during your visit. Birders refer to the area as a minor avian paradise owing to its rewarding birding expeditions. The unexploited habitats with a tranquil environment have rendered birdwatching a primary activity in this park. Even novice birders will have the confidence to engage in birdwatching after compiling an extensive bird list in a short timeframe. The park is situated along the migratory pathways of numerous European species, providing them an opportunity to rest before resuming their journey. The avian list comprises: Starlings, Kestrels, Ostriches, Buzzards, Weaver birds, Hornbills, Kingfishers, Herons, and the Secretary bird. Lovebirds, doves, common bulbul, little egret, hammerkop, open-billed stork, crowned cranes, and more. Birdwatching is most optimal during the rainy season, from March to May, when avian species are in their mating period.

The depression

The world’s largest fractured caldera is a distinctive attraction for visitors. You will have the opportunity to observe an aerial view of the crater at the viewpoint before to descending into the crater. The residences of various inhabitants offer picturesque vistas that draw greater interest. It also possesses historical significance, such as the remnants of the oldest human skull found at Oldupai Gorge.

Maasai culture

This is the only conservation area in the world where humans are permitted to coexist with wildlife within the protected zone. The villagers evicted from Serengeti National Park have been resettled in the conservation area, where they currently coexist together with animals.

A visit to Ngorongoro Crater provides an opportunity to engage with the distinctive culture of the Maasai people residing within the protected area. The Maasai culture remains the sole distinctive culture that has resisted the influences of contemporary civilization.

Guests partake in numerous activities at the park, including game viewing, birdwatching, nature walks, cultural excursions, visits to Olduvai Gorge, and more.