Ngorongoro Crater
Maybe it was Mark Twain who said there are lies, dammed lies and
statistics. This seems to be the case concerning statistics for
Ngorongoro crater. As I checked my figures for accuracy for this
article I could find no two sources that agree. So I will
endeavor to keep statistics to a minimum.
This aside Ngorongoro Crater is a true marvel and I believe
unique in Africa; it is located between the lake Manyara
National Park and the Serengeti. It was formed from an ancient
volcano that erupted and then collapsed into the craters we see
today. This is called a caldera and Ngorongoro Crater is the
world's largest [unbroken] caldera. It is thought that this
volcano, before it erupted and collapsed, stood taller than its
close neighbor Mt Kilimanjaro.
The crater floor is spread across one hundred square mile and is
home to many thousands of animals. Ngorongoro Crater enjoys a
year round water supply and so nearly all animals remain here as
permanent residents. It has the densest population of game in
the whole of Africa; and it is possible to see the big five in
one day. It is often referred to as a mini Serengeti as it
shares many of the habitats of this huge neighbor. Although rich
with game the crater has no giraffe, impala or topi. There are
only a small number of tall acacia trees, this lack of grazing
can explain the absence of the giraffe but the absences of
impala and topi is a mystery; especially as they are present in
large numbers in the nearby Serengeti.
There are five habitats on the crater floor, which as mentioned
have echoes of the habitats of the Serengeti. In the south west
is the Lerai Forest which gets its name from the tall yellow
barked acacia. This Forrest is home to baboons and vervet
monkeys. There is also a small population of giant tusker bull
elephants. These elephants are the biggest you will see in
Tanzania. There are no breading herds of elephants here; in fact
there are no female elephants in the crater. If you are lucky
you may also catch a glimpse of the shy leopard lying along the
branches of the acacia trees in this forest.
The best time to visit this forest is early in the morning. We
recommend a 6h30 start, if you are up to it, to be amongst the
first into the crater. The animals are at their most active in a
morning and an early start will be well rewarded. The Ngorongoro
crater has been likened to a giant deep freeze in the early
morning so wrap up warm for this early start.
Just off-centre is Lake Magadi - this is a soda lake and home to
thousands of [migratory] flamingo's. The central region is an
area of short grass plains which is home to wildebeest, zebra
and Thompson's gazelle.
In the south eastern and the north western areas of the crater
floor are seasonal swamps where hippo and many water birds
abound.
The eastern section has the longer grasses where buffalo are
present. These buffalo have dramatically increased over the past
few decades; this is a direct result of humans leaving the
crater and it reverting to its natural state. The grasses in
this section are particularly suited to the buffalo.
There are over one hundred bird species found here which are not
present in the nearby Serengeti. The crater is also home to one
of Tanzania's last heads of black rhino. The other herd is found
in the Serengeti. You are more likely to see the black rhino
here in this small area, than in the vast Serengeti. There are
just twenty-five rhino here but we been told numbers are
increasing slowly.
Of the carnivores Ngorongoro Crater boasts lion, cheetah, hyena,
seval, ratel, jackal and the bat eared fox. Cheetah have thrived
here; especially over the past few years due to the increase of
buffalo and the decrease in wildebeest. The regeneration of this
area has been particularly favorable to the cheetah.
>From 2006 the park fees double for this destination and also for
the Serengeti and the Kilimanjaro National Park. Half day
safaris will be enforced for Ngorongoro crater. This will result
in most safaris taking two half-day safaris to visit Ngorongoro
Crater. We would recommend you take one morning safari and start
as early as possible. All the lodges in this area are perched
high on the rime of the crater. These lodges make and ideal spot
for relaxing and enjoying the view of the crater far bellow you.