Visiting the Ngorongoro Crater
Are you looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience? Do you want vacation that is also an adventure?
Have you always dreamed of going on safari, and seeing giraffes, lions and elephants in their natural
habitat? Then you need to take a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater!
While the nearby Serengeti National Park is more well known, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
offers an experience unlike any other. If you are planning a trip to Africa, this should be on the top of
your list of attractions. If you go through your entire life without seeing this incredible wonder of the
world, you will sorely regret it. You will not such a quantity and diversity of wildlife anywhere else.
What Is the Ngorongoro Crater?
The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact caldera in the world that isn't filled with water. A caldera,
for those who don't know, is created when a volcano has such a ferocious eruption that it caves in on
itself, leaving a crater. The eruption that caused this crater is estimated to have occurred three
million years ago, when what was likely the tallest mountain on the continent violently erupted, and
then collapsed in on itself. This left an indentation about 12 miles wide and 2,000 feet deep.
Over the next couple million years, this indentation slowly began filling with life. First plants began
growing, which then attracted grazing animals, which in turn attracted predators. Today, it is one of
the most biodiverse places on the planet. As one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and one of
the Ten Natural Wonders of the World, it attracts a half million tourists a year from every continent.
Although the area feels like a pristine paradise untouched by humans, the truth is that humans have
been coexisting with wildlife there for millennia. There are human footprints and fossils dating back
three million years or more, some of which can be seen in the nearby museum. It is currently home
to a semi-nomadic pastoral tribe known as the Maasai, who still practice their traditional method of
livestock grazing.
Where Is the Ngorongoro Crater?
The crater is in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania. The park spreads from the
east end of the Great Rift Valley to the plains of the Serengeti National Park. In addition to the crater,
the Ngorongoro Conservation Area consists of vast plains, savannahs, and forests, and is also home
to a long, deep ravine known as the Olduvai Gorge.
The Conservation Area was established as a multi-use area in 1959. It is a globally important area
for biodiversity due to the density of wildlife in the area, including threatened species. Because of
this, it was protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site twenty years later, in 1979.
Wildlife
Biodiversity
The Ngorongoro crater has been nicknamed the “Garden of Eden” because of its lush beauty and
rich biodiversity. Estimates of the number of wild creatures living in the crater range from 25,000 to
40,000. Some of the species that call the crater home include wildebeest, elephants, cheetahs, lions,
rhinoceros, hyenas, and gazelles. It has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the world.
There are also over 500 bird species that can be found in the crater, including ostriches, secretary
birds, kori bustards, and pink flamingos. If you're a bird watcher, November through April are the
best time to catch glimpses of the numerous migratory birds.
Migratory Animals
The Ngorongoro Crater is an important part of the migratory path of not only birds, but mammals as
well. The Great Wildebeest Migration passes through the area every year from about December to
March. This is the largest ungulate migration in the world, with over two million wildebeest, gazelles,
and zebras.
The Big 5 Mammals of Africa
The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the only places in the world where you can find all five of what are
known as the Big 5 Mammals of Africa: buffalos, elephants, lions, leopards and rhinoceros. The
crater has the highest density of lions in the world and is the best place to catch a glimpse
of the extremely rare black rhino.
Endangered Species
The Crater is home to many globally threatened species, including the aforementioned black rhino.
There are about 20 or 30 of these nearly extinct rhinos living in the park. As a conservation area,
endangered species are protected here from human interference.
Visiting
When to Visit
The best time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater depends on what you are hoping to see. Are you more
of a bird watcher, or are you interested in seeing the massive mammal migration? However, it is
recommended to avoid it during the rainy season, as the roads can become slippery and impassible,
and many of the animals will be hiding in shelter. The dry months are usually June to September and
December to February.
Safaris
By far the most popular activity for visitors to the Ngorongoro Crater is safaris. Indeed, it is quite a
popular destination for vacations and honeymoon safaris. Nowhere else in the world will you be able
to see such a dense concentration of wild animals, and it draws hundreds of thousands of tourists
per year.
Not surprisingly, there is a booming industry in safari tour companies. Safari packages can run from
two to five days, with the details of the trip planned from beginning to end. Because of this, it will
take some research to decide which is the best safari package for you.
Many tour operators offer safari packages that include accommodation and transportation as well
as meals and all park entry fees. This all-inclusive packages make planning your safari trip easy, as
you just pay the tour company and they handle the rest. Make sure the company you go with is
reputable, and book well in advance. The safari tours are extremely popular and do fill up.
Accommodations
With so many tourists visiting over the year, a number of accommodation businesses have sprung
up. You have your choice of budget lodges, midrange lodges, and luxury hotels. These can be
found throughout the park, but the best ones face the crater, giving a fantastic view. That's right, you
can sleep on the rim of the caldera itself, and potentially wake up to giraffes or elephants right at
your doorstep!
Park Fees
Keep in mind that if you are not using an all-inclusive package from one of the tour companies, you
will have to pay the park fees yourself, which can be quite steep. The park is managed by the
Ngorongoro Conservation Authority, and the fees go to maintaining the park and to the development
of the surrounding communities. All parks and conservation areas in Tanzania are subject to these
fees.
The fees for visiting the Ngorongoro Crater currently run about $70 for adults and $25 for children 15
and under. These are just the fees for visiting the park or passing through it on the way to Serengeti
National Park. If you want to be able to actually descend into the crater itself, there is an additional
$295 fee per car. The fees are valid for 24 continuous hours inside the park, but they expire as soon
as you leave.
It is a rule in all Tanzania parks and conservation areas that no cash is accepted at the gate. You
can pay with a credit card, but this may incur additional processing fees in addition to charges from
your bank. You can also go into a local bank to pay your park entrance fees. They will give you a
receipt to keep with you that you can then present at the gate.
Self-Driving
Because of the fees, many people prefer to use tour companies rather than self-drive in the park. In
addition, it is easier to explore with an experienced driver who knows the area and the rules
regarding self-driving. However, if you are the adventurous type, you can rent your own vehicle and
drive around the park yourself, enjoying the sights. If you intend on driving into the crater itself, it is
imperative to have a 4WD vehicle in good mechanical condition, or you will not be able to make the
steep climb back out.
Camping
Yes, there is an option to camp inside the park, although there are additional fees for doing so.
There are designated campgrounds, and it is not permissible to camp anywhere else. This is a
delicate conservation area, and the primary reason for its existence is preserving the animal species,
not human enjoyment. You can camp there on your own, or as part of a safari tour group.
Conclusion
If you are looking for the wildest vacation of your life—in more ways than one—look no further than
the Ngorongoro Crater. A safari in the majestic park will be unlike anything you have ever seen.
It's like being transported to another world, or to a time in our planet's primordial past. You'll be
telling the stories of what you see and experience to your friends and family members for many
years to come.