10 Facts About Ngorongoro Crater You Should Know

Ngorongoro Crater is approximately 16 to 19 kilometers in diameter, and the height of its walls range between 400 and 610 meters. There are a few calderas around the world, but the Ngorongoro Crater is unique because it’s the biggest one with fully intact/unbroken walls and hasn’t filled up with water.

Along with the Red Sea, Mountain Kilimanjaro, Sahara Desert, Wildebeest Migration, Nile River and Okavango Delta, Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders. The crater is located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a protected area in Arusha region of Tanzania and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ngorongoro Crater is home to the densest population of predators thanks to the mineral-rich volcanic soil, the short-grass plains grow lush on the Crater’s floor providing nutritious grazing for a plethora of herbivores. These big herds in turn attract a remarkable number of predators which is the densest population found anywhere in Africa.

The resident lion population in the Crater is arguably one of the highest densities of prides in the world, this is one of the interesting facts that make Ngorongoro Crater a popular safari destination. Consequently, the lions here have a complete disregard for safari vehicles, they will hunt within metres of a vehicle and even seek respite from the sun beside one.

To complete the list of predators in the Crater, other predators such as cheetahs, leopards, spotted hyenas, jackals and bat-eared foxes.

In Ngorongoro Crater safari, you are guaranteed to see a lot of animals. The fertile floor of the caldera is mostly flat, open and covered in nourishing grasses that support large numbers of grazers like zebras, wildebeests, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, buffalo and tsessebe.

East of Lake Magadi a shallow soda lake in the Crater, you will find the Ngoitokitok Springs and Gorigor Swamp where pods of boisterous hippo marinate the days away. Ngorongoro Crater is also a fantastic birding destination, home to over 500 species including secretary bird, kori bustard and great flamingoes.

Ngorongoro Crater offers visitors a high chance of seeing all the members of the Big 5 in one place, this is one of the best known fact of Ngorongoro Crater. The resident lion population is prolific, buffalo herds are healthy, leopards are generally seen around the forested area and large herds of elephants are present during the wetter months (November, December, April and May).

But, the small number of endangered black rhinos make Ngorongoro Crater a special place to visit. These odd-toed ungulates live in a section of the caldera that is protected by park rangers but can often be seen on the open grasslands.

With over 25,000 mammals, giraffes and impalas are the only absent in the crater. The lack of open woodlands and certain tree species fancied by these animals is believed to be the reason for their death.

Ngorongoro Crater is perfect destination for travelers with a keen interest in archaeology, Ngorongoro Conservation Area’s Olduvai Gorge holds some of the most comprehensive history of any place on Earth. Fossils have been discovered in Olduvai’s Volcanic rock that dates back to about 3.6 million years ago, which have been instrumental in understanding human evolution.

These hominid fossils are believed to be the earliest known evidence of the human species.

Replicas of some of the fossils discovered in the area can be found in the Olduvai Museum, as well as the Laetoli footprints (the oldest footmarks ever found). Actual fossils of some of the extinct animals that used to live in the area can also be seen at the Olduvai Museum.

In addition to the gorgeous scenery and abundant wildlife, the Ngorongoro Crater also boasts an impressive variety of natural habitats. Some of the most notable systems include

• Crater wall, most covered with thick montane forest which is a favorite domain for leopards
• Lake Magadi – a seasonal alkaline lake surrounded by soda flats, home to numerous waterbirds
• Gorigor and Mandusi swamps are sanctuaries for hippos, elephants and lions
• Hippo Pool – a popular spot to stretch your legs during a game drive, have a picnic and be entertained by the antics of chortling hippos
• Lerai Forest – a small woodland that is popular with Fisher’s loverbirds, baboons, monkeys, leopards and elephants.
• Expansive grasslands characterizes most of the Crater’s floor, populated by large numbers of wildebeests, zebras, hyenas, elands and lions among others.

As a way of controlling traffic and protect the delicate environment, the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area’s Authority only issues six hours permits to visit the Crater’s floor. This means there are no accommodation options available inside the caldera.

However, various safari lodges and camps are set on the rim of the Crater, with some boasting among the most spectacular views in the world. Visitors can also stay on the Rift Valley Escarpment, or in the nearby town of Karatu where you will find more affordable Ngorongoro Crater Accommodation options, but you will travel for about one hour before reaching the Crater.

Staying on the Crater’s rim means you will be among the first to descend into the caldera for your morning game drive.

Most visitors to Ngorongoro Crater will maximize their safari by booking for a Tanzania Safari itinerary that combines the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Tarangire and Lake Manyara which are some of the best places to visit in Tanzania.

Kilimanjaro International Airport serves these destinations with help of an extensive road network. The famous Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit makes it easy for visitors to experience Tanzania’s incredible diversity of wildlife and landscapes in a single itinerary.