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The Ngorongoro Crater and Conservancy
is a wildlife haven and, as such, well visited but it
is virtually a ‘must’ on any first visit to
Tanzania. A breathtaking sight, and an extraordinary place,
the unique appeal of the Ngorongoro Crater is the sheer
abundance of wildlife permanently resident on the crater
floor. Lions stalk the grasslands in search of vulnerable
game; flamingos grace the shallow lakes, and yet the Masai
still bring their cattle down into the crater to graze
alongside huge herds of wildebeest, zebra and buffalo
as they always have done.
Ngorongoro is a truly fascinating and unusual Conservation
Area which includes the mystery of the Ngorongoro Crater
at its centre, and then extends through the Crater Highlands,
in which local tribes are permitted to maintain their
traditional lifestyles in as natural environment as possible.
This extraordinary volcanic landscape is rich and fertile,
with stunning craters and lakes, and the high altitude
creates a malaria-free micro climate.
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| Tanzania,
Ngorongoro Crater - Basic Facts |
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| The Ngorongoro Crater is the
world's largest intact caldera in an exceptional geographical
position, forming a spectacular bowl of about 265
square kilometres with sides up to 600m deep, the
stalking ground of around 20,000 to 30,000 wild animals
at any one time.The crater floor consists of a number
of ecological environments that include grassland,
swamps, forests and |
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Lake Makat, a central soda lake
filled by the Munge river. All these various habitats
attract various wildlife to drink, wallow, graze, hide
or climb. Although animals are free to move in and out
of this contained environment, the rich volcanic soil,
lush forests and spring source lakes on the crater floor
tend to incline both grazers and predators to remain here
throughout the year.
Ngorongoro Crater is also presently one of the most likely
areas in Tanzania to see the endangered Black Rhino, as
a small population are thriving in this idyllic and protected
environment one of the only areas where they continue
to breed in the wild. The crater protects a microcosm
of East African wildlife within its boundaries, said to
be the most densely packed wildlife concentration in Africa.
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| Ngorongoro Crater
and Wildlife Attraction |
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Today, Ngorongoro's
caldera shelters the most beautiful wildlife haven
on earth. The rich pasture and permanent water of
the Crater floor supports a resident population of
some 20,000 to 25,000 large mammals. They are not
confined by the Crater walls, and can leave freely;
they stay because conditions are favourable. Since
most of the Crater floor is grassland, |
grazing animals predominate: gnu,
zebra, gazelles, buffalo, eland and kongoni (Coke's hartebeest)
and warthogs. The swamp and forest provide additional resources
for hippos, some of Tanzania's last remaining black rhinos,
giant-tusked elephants, waterbucks, reedbucks and bushbucks,
baboons and vervets. The steep inner slopes provide a habitat
for dikdiks and the rare mountain reedbuck. Towering euphorbias
cling to the crater walls and on the floor, Fever tree and
Fig tree forests give shade to an awe-inspiring array of
creatures. All these animals in turn support large predators
such as Lion and Leopard, and scavengers such as Hyena and
Jackals. For the best viewing and photography, approach
the animals slowly and quietly and stay on the official
tracks. |
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| Birdlife
in the Ngorongoro Crater |
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What you can see of
birdlife depends greatly on the season of the year, because
there are resident birds and migrant birds. You are certain
to see many residents, like ostriches, bustards and plovers
all year round. In wet season they share the Crater with
European migrants such as White Storks, Yellow Wagtails,
swallows, etc.
The migrants pass through from November through May, coinciding
with the rains in Africa and the winter in Eurasia. There
are also local migrants such as flamingos, storks and ducks
which come and go depending on the state of the lake and
ponds. Other birds you can see are Stonechat, Anteater Chat,
Schalow's Wheatear, Fiscal Shrike. Augur Buzzards, Verreaux's
Eagle and other raptors live in the Crater. |
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| Ngorongoro
Crater Climate and Visits |
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The Crater rim, over
2,200 metres high, touches swathes of clouds for most days
of the year, with cool high altitude vapours that seem to
bring a clean lightness to the air, and also a chill. These
highlands wake up to a misty fog in most months, other than
the high dry season during December and January. The weather
is usually dry from June to November.
July is the coldest month and highland temperatures may
fall below freezing. It rains anytime from November to May,
with the longer rains in April to May. The amount and pattern
of rainfall varies and a dry period in January and February
may split the rainy season into short and long rains. The
forested eastern slopes get much more rain due to their
elevation than the arid country to the west. The rain arrives
in stormy showers usually during afternoons and nights,
which cleanses the air to reveal clear views.
Ngorongoro safari lodges are situated
on the rim of the crater, which is 2,235 metres (7,264
feet) above sea level. It can get quite fresh up here,
and gets very cold at night in the winter months of June
to August, but is opposingly hot down in the crater during
the day. The recommended Lodges and hotels around the
Ngorongoro Crater include Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge, Ngorongoro
Sopa Lodge , Ngorongoro Serena Lodge and Ngorongoro Farm
House among others.
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| Further
Information and Booking |
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| Memorable visits to
the Ngorongoro Crater and Conservation Areas are featured
within various Tanzania safari itineraries featured in this
site. We have a wide range of carefully designed tours and
safaris to Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania that will reveal
to you the true meaning of a Tanzania wildlife safari. Your
safari consultant will always be at your assistance should
you need a tailor-made holiday to any of these locations.
For more information regarding this attraction, please DO
NOT hesitate to contact
us. |
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