Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is part of the larger Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which spans 809,440 hectares and includes vast highland plains, savanna woodlands, and forests. This area stretches from the plains of Serengeti National Park in the northwest to the eastern arm of the Great Rift Valley. Established in 1959 as a multiple-use area, it allows wildlife to coexist with semi-nomadic Maasai pastoralists who practice traditional livestock grazing. The Ngorongoro Crater is renowned as the world’s largest caldera, and nearby lies Olduvai Gorge, a 14-kilometer-long deep ravine. This region is globally significant for biodiversity conservation, featuring threatened species such as the black rhino, a high density of wildlife year-round in the crater and surrounding areas, as well as the annual migration of wildebeest, zebras, Thomson’s gazelles, Grant’s gazelles, and other ungulates into the northern plains.

 

Location of Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is located in the northern part of Tanzania, within the Great Eastern Rift Valley. It is managed by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority and is situated near the villages of Olorobi district, which have seen development due to the presence of the national park. Park fees collected are reinvested in the surrounding communities, leading to improvements in infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals, roads, and access to water and electricity.

 

Best Time to Visit Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, making it an attractive destination throughout the year. However, certain seasons are particularly appealing for tourists. The most exciting time to visit is during the dry seasons, from June to September and December to February. These months typically feature dry conditions, while the wet season can drive animals to seek shelter, and the roads may become slippery, making access more challenging.

 

12 Facts About Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is considered one of the eight wonders of the world, offering spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities with over 25,000 animals. Here, travelers have the chance to spot the “Big Five” species. These are just a few reasons why a visit to the stunning Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area is a must for travelers worldwide

 

 

 

 

 

1. The stunning landscape of Ngorongoro Crater, combined with its spectacular concentration of wildlife, is one of the greatest natural wonders of the planet. Spectacular numbers of wildebeest—well over 1 million—pass through the area as part of their annual migration across the Serengeti ecosystem and calve in the short grass plains that straddle the boundary of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park. This constitutes a truly remarkable natural phenomenon.

 

2. Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken caldera in the world.

 

The crater, along with the Olmoti and Empakai craters, is part of the eastern Rift Valley, whose volcanism dates back to the late Mesozoic and early Tertiary periods and is renowned for its geology. The area also includes Laetoli and Olduvai Gorge, which contain an important paleontological record related to human evolution.

 

3. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to a population of approximately 25,000 large animals, mostly ungulates, alongside the highest density of mammalian predators in Africa. This includes the densest known population of lions, estimated at 68 in 1987. The area supports a variety of endangered species, such as the Black Rhino and the African Wild Dog, along with around 500 species of birds. It also supports one of the largest animal migrations on Earth, including over 1 million wildebeest, 72,000 zebras, and approximately 350,000 Thompson and Grant gazelles.

 

4. The crater features several ecosystems.

 

The Ngorongoro Crater boasts a wide range of habitats that support its diverse wildlife. Some of the most prominent ecosystems include the steep, forested crater wall; the alkaline and seasonal salt lake Magadi; the Mandusi and Gorigor swamps; and the Hippo Pool and Lerai Forest, all of which provide magnificent views of the area.

 

5. The crater has the highest density of lions in the world.

 

According to Kope Lion statistics, as of August 2020, there were 65-75 lions in Ngorongoro Crater, divided into eight prides, surpassing the nearby Serengeti National Park.

 

6. The lions of Ngorongoro Crater are the world’s best-studied population.

 

Over the years, studies have shown that most lions born in Ngorongoro Crater remain there throughout their lives. Occasionally, a roaming male lion will enter the crater, and some may stay permanently while others move on. This has led to an increase in incestuous lion populations, with male lions mating with aunts, sisters, and even mothers, daughters, and grandmothers.

 

7. Over 550 bird species can be spotted here.

 

The Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area is home to a large variety of both migratory and resident birds, which are a delight for many visitors. Some of these birds are rare species found only in this area, including eagles, buzzards, hawks, kites, and vultures. Other species include greater and lesser flamingos, swans, storks, pelicans, geese, plovers, teal, gallinules, pheasants, lapwings, spurfowls, sparrows, larks, wheatears, pipits, cranes, bustards, coots, and rails. Migratory birds can typically be seen between September and April.

 

8. The area is home to historic tribes with a deep connection to the land.

 

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the few regions in Tanzania that allows community practices within a protected area. The communities living in the area can reside there without practicing agriculture; they are permitted to do livestock farming. However, no one is allowed to stay in the crater itself. Three main groups inhabit the conservation area: the Maasai, who make up 98% of the resident population, and the Datooga and Hadza, who constitute the remaining 2%.

 

9. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

The Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area is recognized as a world natural and cultural heritage site due to its many threatened species, including the Black Rhino, African Wild Dog, and Golden Cat, along with its high animal density. This rich biodiversity makes it a sought-after destination for visitors.

 

10. The crater is home to the Big Five species, but no giraffes.

 

Few protected national parks in Africa can boast both the Big Five and giraffes. One reason for the absence of giraffes is the critically endangered status of black rhinos. In the past two centuries, black rhinos have been hunted to near extinction, and the remaining populations require constant protection from poachers. It is speculated that giraffes also do not inhabit the crater area due to the steep walls that make it difficult for them to descend.

 

11. The Oscar-Winning Movie *Out of Africa

Part of *Out of Africa* was filmed in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. One notable scene features Denys taking off from the Olkurruk airstrip and flying over the Masai Mara and Ngorongoro Crater.

 

12. Historical Context of the Volcano

When it was still an active volcano, it is believed to have been comparable in size to Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the world’s highest mountains. Estimates of the volcano’s original height range from 4,500 to 5,800 meters. The crater itself is approximately 610 meters deep and covers an area of about 260 square kilometers.

Activities and Attractions in Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is renowned for its high wildlife concentration and a variety of exciting attractions. It is one of the few places in Tanzania that allows for human habitation alongside wildlife. Masai herdsmen are permitted to graze their livestock within the crater, providing visitors with an impressive cultural experience during their safari.

 

Game Drives and Wildlife Viewing

 

The Ngorongoro Crater is home to a diverse range of wildlife, making it a prime location for viewing various species. Game drives are conducted in regular tour vans, with morning and afternoon shifts available. Since the animals do not migrate, wildlife viewing remains excellent year-round. The dry seasons, from December to March and June to September, offer the best opportunities to see wildlife, including the “Big Five.”

 

Visiting the Masai People

 

The Masai are one of Africa’s most fascinating tribes. While they reside outside the crater, they are allowed to graze their animals around the crater rim and bring them into the crater for water during the dry months. Visitors to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area can experience the unique interaction between the Masai herdsmen and the wildlife. Special arrangements can be made for tourists to visit less-visited villages to learn about the Masai lifestyle. Such visits may include traditional dance performances, opportunities to take photos, buy souvenirs, and meet local elders.

 

Nature and Crater View Walks

 

Taking a nature walk along the crater ridges offers a remarkable experience. Visitors can observe the interaction between the Masai herdsmen and wildlife, witnessing how the herdsmen protect their cattle from predators like lions and leopards. The open vistas provide ample opportunities for birdwatching and photography, creating unforgettable memories.

 

Bird Watching

 

The Ngorongoro Crater is one of Tanzania’s premier birding locations, boasting over 500 recorded bird species. The highland forest and crater area are home to many intriguing birds, including the African Citril, Forest Buzzard, Golden-Winged Sunbird, and Slaty-Edged Flycatcher. This makes the Ngorongoro area an ideal spot for bird enthusiasts.

 

Hiking to the Summit of the Gol Mountains

 

The Gol Mountains, located within Serengeti National Park and near the Ngorongoro Crater, feature excellent slopes for wildlife viewing and cultural encounters with the Masai herdsmen. At the base of the Gol Mountains lies the famous Nasera Rock, where tourists can spot various birds and hundreds of baboons. The Leakey family conducted excavations in this area, uncovering remnants of humans from the Stone Age. For those dreaming of exploring the remote African wilderness, the Gol Mountains will be truly captivating. After this adventure, you can also consider hiking up the active volcano known as Oldoinyo Lengai, offering a unique blend of cultural and adventurous experiences.

 

Visit Olduvai Gorge

Olduvai Gorge is a significant archaeological site in Tanzania that provides the earliest evidence of human ancestors. Paleoanthropologists have discovered hundreds of fossilized bones and stone tools in the area, dating back millions of years. These findings have led researchers to conclude that humans evolved in Africa.

In the 20th century, Dr. Louis Leakey and his team made groundbreaking discoveries in Olduvai Gorge, uncovering the remains of some of the first hominids, many of which are over 2 million years old. The fossils found here include not only those of ancient humans but also of extinct animals that once roamed the region.

Visitors to the gorge can register for guided walks, which offer a closer look at the area. Be sure to check out the hominid footprints in Laetoli, which were discovered on volcanic rock and are over 3 million years old. There is also a small museum at the site that showcases excavated remains and artifacts for tourists to view.