Ngorongoro Crater is situated within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and it holds the distinction of being the world’s largest intact caldera, home to several globally threatened species. The formation of the Ngorongoro Crater is believed to date back approximately 2.5 million years when an active volcano collapsed inwards after a catastrophic eruption, resulting in the creation of this remarkable natural wonder.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which encompasses the Ngorongoro Crater, covers an expansive area of 8,094 square kilometers and has been designated by UNESCO as a mixed cultural heritage site. Remarkably, the Ngorongoro Crater attracts over 400,000 tourists annually.
This exceptional crater is approximately 400 to 610 meters deep, 16 to 20 kilometers wide, and covers an area of 264 square kilometers. Unlike many other small calderas in the world that have been filled with water, the Ngorongoro Crater remains unfilled since its formation. It has earned the distinction of being one of the seven natural wonders of Africa and has also served as a lion conservation unit.
The word “Ngororongo” is believed to originate from the Masai pastoralists who reside in the vicinity of Ngorongoro. They use it to describe the sound of a cowbell that typically hangs around the lead bull or cow that leads the rest of the herd.
The unique intact nature of the Ngorongoro Crater has given rise to its own ecosystem, making it challenging for wildlife to migrate out of the crater. Consequently, this area boasts one of the densest populations of wildlife in the world, with approximately 30,000 large mammals residing within its boundaries.
Over the years, scientists have dedicated significant time to studying the lions of the Ngorongoro Crater, gaining valuable insights into their behavior. As of 2020, research indicated the presence of 65 to 75 lions inhabiting the crater, equating to roughly 1 lion for every 3 square kilometers. Travelers eager to spot lions during their safari can be assured of exciting encounters in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The combination of a high lion population density and the crater’s manageable size has facilitated efficient lion tracking and research efforts.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is believed to have been inhabited by hunter-gatherer communities in its early history. Today, the Hadza, Masai, and Datooga peoples inhabit the surrounding areas. Notably, old stone burial mounds found on the western shores of Lake Magadi are believed to have belonged to the Datooga people.
Wildlife Watching
Ngorongoro Crater is unquestionably one of the best places on Earth for wildlife viewing. The intact crater walls keep animals within the crater floor, limiting their ability to exit. Visitors can expect to encounter the Big Five, including elephants, rhinos, buffalos, lions, and leopards. Other animals found in the crater include the African golden cat, African wild dog, spotted hyena, caracal, serval cat, blue wildebeests, Grant’s gazelle, Thompson’s gazelle, Coke’s hartebeests, elands, bushbucks, defassa water buck, warthogs, hippos, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, zebras, African civets, black-headed and golden jackals, cheetahs, and bat-eared foxes, among others. However, giraffes and impalas are not found in the Ngorongoro Crater. One adventurous way to explore the crater is by taking a hot air balloon safari.
Bird Watching
Ngorongoro Crater is an incredible haven for bird enthusiasts, with a recorded total of 550 bird species. Some notable examples of birds you can observe in the crater include the southern pochard, white-faced whistling duck, African black duck, crested francolin, scaly spur fowl, red-necked spur fowl, gray-breasted spur fowl, little grebe, speckled pigeon, chestnut-bellied sand grouse, Schalow’s turaco, speckled pigeon, Hartlaub’s bustard, red-chested cuckoo, purple-crested turaco, African emerald cuckoo, Eurasian nightjar, mottled spinetail, African rail, white-rumped swift, African palm swift, water thick knee, black-winged stilt, black crake, African swamp hen, black-bellied plover, blacksmith lapwing, chestnut-banded plover, crowned lapwing, African jacana, common ringed plover, wood sandpiper, gray-hooded gull, African skimmer, whiskered tern, lesser black-backed gull, African open bill, African darter, saddle-billed stork, long-tailed cormorant, great white pelican, little bittern, cattle egret, African harrier hawk, bearded vulture, African fish eagle, long-legged buzzard, African scops owl, bar-tailed trogon, white-fronted bee eater, red-fronted barbet, cardinal woodpecker, Nubian woodpecker, golden-tailed woodpecker, pygmy falcon, black-throated wattle-eye, rosy-patched bushshrike, cape crow, chestnut-backed sparrow lark, red-fronted warbler, desert cisticola, fan-tailed grass bird, eastern mountain greenbul, pale white eye, red-billed oxpecker, violet-backed starling, African dusky flycatcher, collared sunbird, red-billed buffalo weaver, pin-tailed whydah, oriole finch, yellow-crowned canary, and red-throated pipit, among others.
Hippo Pool
During your game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, you can visit the Hippo Pool area and enjoy a picnic at a designated spot while watching hippos wallowing in the pool, accompanied by various species of birds.
Best Time to Visit
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area can be visited year-round, with certain months being more favorable depending on tourists’ interests. Here is a breakdown:
- December to March: This period is ideal for visitors interested in witnessing the great Wildebeest migration. Wildebeests begin arriving at the Ndutu Plains in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area from late November to December. This time also corresponds to calving season, and you are likely to witness the birth of countless wildebeest calves. Predators are also prevalent during this time as they target vulnerable calves.
- June to September: These months mark the longest dry season in the Ngorongoro Crater, resulting in thinner vegetation that facilitates wildlife spotting. Water becomes scarcer in the park during this time, leading wildlife to concentrate around permanent water sources.
- November to April: This is the prime time for bird enthusiasts to visit the park, as migratory birds from North Africa and Europe are present. Additionally, this period is ideal for photography enthusiasts.
Where to Stay
There is no accommodation available for tourists within Ngorongoro Crater itself. However, you can find lodging at several lodges located on the crater rim or seek accommodation in the nearby town of Karatu. Some of the places you can stay include Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp, Gibbs Farm, and Lemala Ngorongoro.
Location
Ngorongoro Crater is situated within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in the eastern rift valley. It is located 185 kilometers from Arusha town.
Visit the People
Masai Tribe
The famous Masai people have lived in the areas around the crater, although not within the crater itself. The Masai people have coexisted with the animals at the crater for hundreds of years and have been allowed to graze their cattle around the crater rim. Sometimes, they take their cows inside the crater for water during the dry seasons. While visiting Ngorongoro Crater, tourists can also explore Masai culture and traditions. The Masai have a unique way of traditional dressing and hold distinct beliefs. At the Masai village, you can enjoy African music and dance performances by the Masai warriors. They typically sell handmade crafts to visitors in their villages, so supporting the local community by purchasing their items makes for memorable souvenirs to take back home.
Hadzabe
The Hadzabe bushmen were the first inhabitants of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area before the arrival of the Masai tribes hundreds of years ago. The Masai tribes eventually drove out the Hadzabe bushmen to other areas within Ngorongoro. However, one interesting fact is that the Hadzabe bushmen have maintained their traditional hunter-gatherer way of life. There are now fewer than 2,000 Hadzabe people living today.
Olmoti Crater
One of the intriguing features you can explore near Ngorongoro Crater is Olmoti Crater. The word “Olmoti” is derived from a Masai word that translates to “boiling pot.” Explore the magnificent Olmoti Crater and witness Masai pastoralists grazing their animals alongside some antelopes.
Lerai Forest
The beautiful Lerai Forest is found within Ngorongoro. The word “Lerai” is derived from a Masai word that means “yellow-barked acacias.” The forest is home to several species of birds, African bush elephants, leopards, and primates.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area was established as a multiple land-use area, which includes the Ngorongoro Crater. It is characterized by savannah grasslands, forests, woodlands, and more, providing a safe habitat for wildlife. The conservation area covers 8,292 square kilometers, was established in 1959, became a World Heritage Site in 1979, and received mixed heritage status in 2010. Ngorongoro Crater, along with Serengeti National Park, forms the Serengeti ecosystem, hosting thousands of wildlife species such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffalos, zebras, wildebeests, warthogs, impalas, olive baboons, elands, topis, Grant’s gazelle, Thompson’s gazelle, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and many more.
Olduvai Gorge
Olduvai Gorge, also known as “The Cradle of Mankind,” is located around the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It is one of the most important paleontological sites in the world and has contributed significantly to our understanding of human evolution. This steep-sided ravine is approximately 295 feet deep and 48 kilometers long. It has yielded remains of over 50 hominins that cover a time span from 15,000 to 2,100,000 years ago.
