Ngorongoro Conservation Area Highlights
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BEST KNOWN FOR
- Referred to as the 8th wonder of the world.
- World’s largest intact volcanic caldera.
- Densest concentration of large animals.
- Rhinos, bull elephants and black-maned lions.
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TOPOGRAPHY
Short Grass Plains, Forests, Swamps, Hills, Riverine Areas, Lakes
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SIZE
100 square miles
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MAIN SPECIES
Rhino, Lion, Hyena, Elephant, Warthog, Cheetah, Jackal, Eland, Serval Cat, Hippo, Flamingo
ABOUT
Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area stretches from the Crater Highlands up to the Serengeti and the northern shore of Lake Eyasi. The Ngorongoro Crater was created by the same volcanic movements which also formed the Great Rift Valley, was once as high as Mount Kilimanjaro. Approximately 3 million years ago Ngorongoro erupted, covering the Serengeti with ash, leaving a large crater in the centre of the mountain. The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact caldera in the world, with a diameter of about 18 km and an area of 260 km2. The steep crater ridge is more than 600m at its highest point.
The crater floor is an earthly paradise and, with about 30,000 animals, one of the most populous wildlife areas in the world. Because the area is enclosed and the flat crater floor is mainly open grassland, it is easy to manage, with the result that it is a stronghold of endangered species, including the black rhino and the cheetah. There are no giraffes, topi or impala in the crater. These animals find the rocky areas too difficult to use and there is insufficient grass for large herds of antelope. The main prey animals are wildebeest, zebra and buffalo and the main predators are the lions and spotted hyenas. In the open savannah a hunt can be followed quite easily, and is especially interesting as it seems that in Ngorongoro, contrary to what one might expect, the hyenas are the aggressive hunters and the lions are the carrion eaters. Lake Magadi, located in the southwest, is a large shallow soda lake where countless flamingos and other water fowl live alongside the hippopotamuses.
Magnificent as it is, the Ngorongoro Crater is only a small fragment of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and among the areas other attractions are two lesser-known craters, Olmoti and Empakaai. The added attraction of visiting these craters is that you can either walk or drive all the way to the foot of Olmoti, or the rim of Empakaai. Olmoti rises to 3073m at its western rim, which can be reached by walking through bush and grassy tussocks often bedecked with flowers. An additional highlight of the area is the Munge Falls, which flow through a cleft on the Crater’s southern side. The stream cascades down steep cliffs, hundreds of metres into a ravine.
From the edge of the crater the road twists downwards towards the Serengeti through rolling grass plains and acacia forests. About 30 kilometres from the crater, there is a narrow road to the Olduvai Gorge. At the site of the gorge, which is approximately 90 metres deep, there was once a lake. Over the years, the lake was covered with thick layers of volcanic ash, which preserved the remains of early humanity. To be so close to where mankind may have begun is an inspiring experience, especially when you see the famous Laetoli footprints, made by early humans some 3.6 million years ago.
Weather & Climate
Dry season –June to October
June, July, August, September & October – Afternoon temperatures are usually around 19°C/66°F on the crater floor. Sunny, cloudless skies are normal, but if the ‘short rains’ arrive early, they could begin in October. It gets cold at night, and it can freeze on the crater rim.
Wet season –November to May
It gets warmer during the day when compared to the Dry season, but mornings are still cold. Afternoon temperatures are usually around 23°C/73°F on the crater floor, while night temperatures are around 6°C/43°F on the crater rim. There is a chance for freezing temperatures.
November & December – ‘Short rains’ – These rains are highly unlikely to impact your safari as it won’t rain all day. Showers usually happen in the afternoon. The ‘short rains’ last about one month and can occur anytime between October and December.
January & February – It isn’t possible to guess when it will happen with accuracy, but there is usually a time of dry weather between the Wet seasons.
March, April & May – ‘Long rains’ – This is when wetness is at its peak. Most days will have rain, but it will not last the entire day. The average maximum and minimum temperatures are 21°C/70°F on the crater floor and 6°C/43°F on the crater rim. April and May could experience colder weather due to cold fronts.
Location & Getting There
How to get to Ngorongoro crater
BY AIR
One needs to fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport at Moshi, situated at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. From there one can get a charter flight, take a taxi or make use of the free shuttle service. The distance from Moshi to Arusha is about 55km.
BY ROAD
Take note: The road from Arusha to Lodoare Entrance Gate is 160km long. As of recently, the entire journey is on tarmac and it takes about two hours. Unless you stay on the main roads, which are graveled, a 4×4 vehicle is essential when entering the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti National Park.
What To See And Do
Activities inside the Ngorongoro Crater itself are limited to game driving only. There are also picnic spots in the park. A full range of activities is however on offer in the wider Ngorongoro Conservation Area, including walking, trekking, excursions to Olduvai Gorge and visiting the Masai and other tribes.
