The Ngorongoro Crater is a large, extinct and unfilled Volcanic Caldera within the Great East African Rift Valley, in northern Tanzania. Set within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, this is one of the most beautiful places on Earth and is referred as the “Garden of Eden”. It is also one of the seven Natural Wonders of Africa.
Location of Ngorongoro Crater
The stunning Ngorongoro Crater is located in northern Tanzania within the Crater area, approximately 120 kilometers west of Arusha Town. It features a heavily forested rim towering to 610 meters (2000 feet) above sea level while its floor extends to an altitude of 2286 meters (7500 feet) above sea level. The floor of this Caldera is made up of primarily savannah grassland.
Size of Ngorongoro Crater
This Volcanic Caldera measures about 16 to 19 kilometers, making it the largest intact Caldera in the whole World. It is about 610 meters deep and also has an area of over 264 square kilometers (102 square miles). The Crater floor is approximately 1800 meters above sea level while the entire Ngorongoro Conservation Area covers an area of over 8292 square kilometers and is managed by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority.
Formation and History of Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater was named by Masai pastoralists after the cowbell sound (Ngoro ngoro) and is believed to have existed for over 2.5 million years. It was formed from a large active Volcano, whose cone crumbled inwards after a substantial eruption, leaving behind the present-day large, intact, unbroken caldera as its prime remnant.
The eruptions and collapsing of cones that brought about the formation of the Ngorongoro Crater also happened during the formation of Empakai and Olmoti much as they were in smaller impact and magnitude.
Of the two latest Volcanoes found in the north-east of Empakai Caldera-Kerimasi and Ol Donyo Lengai, the latter is still active with the most recent and major eruptions to have occurred in 2007 and 2008. Interestingly, smaller ash eruptions as well as lava flows still flow and continue to fill the present Crater.
The Olmoti Crater to the North of the Ngorongoro Crater is drained by Munge Stream, making it the major water source flowing into Lake Magadi, the seasonal Salt Lake in the middle of the Crater. This Lake is locally known as “Makat” in the Maasai dialect to mean salt. The lush humid forests to the south of the Crater are drained by the Lerai Stream, which also feeds into the Lerai Forest on the floor of the Crater.
The beautiful Ngoitokitok Spring is the main source of water for the Crater and adjacent to it you will see the eastern Crater wall. No Europeans had set foot in the Ngorongoro Crater until the early 1890s when it was visited by Oscar Baumann, followed by two German brothers (Friedrich and Adolph Siedentopf) during the First World War.
Visitors started flocking this Caldera in the 1930s after accommodation facilities were erected at its rim and it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 after being incorporated into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in 1959. This outstanding area has received prominent visitors such as Bill Clinton, Prince William and the Queen of Denmark. It is also popular for featuring scenes from the Oscar-winning film “Out of Africa”.
MAGNIFICENT ATTRACTIONS AROUND NGORONGORO CRATER.
Animals.
The floor of the Ngorongoro Crater is mainly characterized by savannah grassland in addition to highland plains, forests and savannah woodlands that are haven to a wide array of wildlife species that include the endangered black rhinoceros, Oribis, lions, Defassa waterbucks, Golden cats, wildebeests, Grant’s zebras, spotted hyenas, African bush elephants, Hippopotamus, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, East African Wild dogs, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, blue monkeys, Serval cats, the elusive leopards, impalas, Topis, common elands, the highest concentration of lions you ever encountered, Hippos, common warthogs, Cape buffaloes and many others.
Birds.
The Ngorongoro Crater and other surrounding areas of the Ngorongoro Conservation Ares are haven to over 500 bird species that include the silvery-cheeked hornbills, grey-crowned cranes, secretary birds and lesser flamingos mainly found in Lake Magadi, Kori bustards, golden-winged sunbirds and many others.
Prehistoric sites.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where Ngorongoro Crater is housed is one of the most important and beautiful prehistoric (archaeological) sites in the World. Some of the fossils found here were said to be evidence of evolution of Homo sapiens.
This area also shelters early hominid footprints that date back to over 3.6 million years. Fossil evidence at the Olduvai Gorge shows that hominid species are connected to human existence. The Olduvai is characterized by a steep-sided gorge within the Rift Valley region extending along East Africa. The Gorge is found in eastern Serengeti plains of northern Tanzania and approximately 50 kilometers long.
Evacuation works at the Olduvai Gorge were started in the 1950s by Louis and Mary Leakey.
Springs and swamps.
There are many springs and swamps near the Ngorongoro Crater floor. These are significant water sources for the wildlife within the Conservation Areas as well as local Masai communities.
TOURIST ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED AROUND NGORONGORO CRATER.
Picnics.
There is a picnic site near the Ngoitokitok Spring and eastern crater wall, where visitors can enjoy picnic lunch after hours of exploring this conservation area.
Game drives.
Game drives are the most popular way of viewing the numerous wildlife species that roam around the Ngorongoro Crater. They are mainly conducted in the morning as well as afternoon and by 4:00pm vehicles are expected to be out of the crater.
During each game driving experience, visitors are introduced to the big five animals-lions, leopards, Black rhinoceros, cape buffaloes and elephants as well as common elands, giraffes, Defassa waterbucks, for forgetting the colorful feathered beauties.
Walking safaris.
Guided walks are conducted around the rim of the Crater, nearby Lerai forest, around springs and savannah grasslands/woodlands, rewarding visitors with rich views of wildlife and bird species.
The commonly spotted wildlife species during walking safaris are black rhinos, elephants, lions, giraffes, warthogs and leopards. Guided walks also lead to the Empakai Crater, the Olmoti Crater and many other breathtaking sites in or around the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Bird watching.
You cannot leave Ngorongoro Crater without encountering at least 100 bird species, hence making the area “one of Tanzania’s Important Birding Areas”. The lesser flamingos, Kori bustards, grey-crowned cranes and silvery-cheeked hornbills are some of the must-see bird species during these expeditions.
Cultural Tours.
The Masai people have one of the most intriguing cultures and visitors to Ngorongoro Conservation area can get a chance to explore their unique way of life, taste their delicious foods and participate in their energetic cultural dances in addition to purchasing some of their traditional artifacts.
Photographic tours.
The Ngorongoro Crater and surrounding areas is one of the most beautiful places in Africa for photography. These tours are about the numerous wildlife, bird species, the nearby Masai people and the Crater itself.
Hot air balloon safaris.
Hot air balloon safaris add vigor and adventure into exploring Ngorongoro Crater and surrounding areas. During these adventures, you will see buffaloes and elephants roaming across the savannah, predators-cheetahs, lions and leopards hunting or hiding in the thickets and many other wildlife species around the Crater.
Visiting Olduvai Gorge.
Make sure to explore the “Cradle of mankind” during tours of Ngorongoro Crater where you will see the hominid footprints dating to over 3 million years at Laetolil. Your tours can also lead to the nearby Museum to see more excavated remains of humankind.
BEST TIME TO EXPLORE NGORONGORO CRATER.
Majority of the wildlife in Ngorongoro Conservation Area live in or around the Crater, which can be visited all year round. Nonetheless, game drives are more pleasant and interesting during the dry season when majority of the animals converge around water sources. Visitors interested in birding are advised to visit during the wet season when water levels of Lake Magadi increase and more migratory birds roam the area.
ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES AROUND NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA.
Visitors planning to explore the Ngorongoro Crater can stay within the stunning accommodation facilities that include the following;
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge.
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is a luxurious accommodation facility at the rim of the Crater comprising of 3 intimate camps with wooden walls and floors. Each of these camps features a main area with dining and lounge, wooden decks that look into the spectacular landscapes.
Ngorongoro Serena Lodge.
This Lodge is nestled on the jagged rim of the Crater with 74 guest rooms and one suite. This beautiful Lodge has a rock-built dining area and cozy bar with central fireplace. Rooms also have satellite TVs, safe deposit boxes, free Wi-Fi, coffee/tea makers and vast viewing terraces.
Other amazing accommodation facilities here include Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, the Entamanu Camp, Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp, Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge, Kirurumu Ngorongoro, Kitela Lodge, Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge, The Manor at Ngorongoro, Farmhouse Lodge, Lemala Ngorongoro, Country Lodge, Gibb’s farm, Lemala Ngorongoro Camp and many others.
HOW TO GET TO THE INCREDIBLE NGORONGORO CRATER?
The incredible Ngorongoro Crater is about 120 kilometers from Arusha Town and can be accessed through air and road transport. Driving, the most popular means to get to the Crater is cheaper and involves pick-up from the Town of Arusha for a 3 hours’ drive on a murram road. The strategic location of this Crater makes it possible and more rewarding to include it as part of the longer Tanzanian safari that also include Serengeti and Lake Manyara National Parks.
Domestic chartered flights can be arranged from Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport to the Ngorongoro Crater.
