Facts about Ngorongoro Crater

Facts about Ngorongoro Crater : The Ngorongoro Crater is often referred to as ‘the Garden of Eden’ because it is a true paradise for animals. The crater is important for global biodiversity because it contains threatened species and high concentration of animals. It is the largest unfilled volcanic caldera in the world. The Crater was formed about 3 million years ago when a large volcano (about 19,000 feet) exploded and collapsed on itself.  The Ngorongoro crater is unique because it is the world’s largest intact volcano caldera, meaning it has unbroken walls and is the biggest unfilled caldera, making its a remarkable sight with a high density of diverse wildlife, including endangered black rhino, all contained within its vast crater floor, which feature diverse ecosystems like grasslands, forests a soda lake.

The Ngorongoro Crater can be accessed by road and air. Most tourists arrive at Arusha International Airport using one of the major airlines and then proceed to Ngorongoro by road or smaller charter flights. Visitors planning to discover the real facts and explore the hidden gems of this unique place are advanced to plan for their Tanzania safari during the dry season between June and October.  Here are the unique interesting features about Ngorongoro crater facts that might surprise you.

1. The world’s largest Intact Volcanic Caldera

Ngorongoro Crater is home to the world’s largest Intact Volcanic Caldera. There are a few calderas around the world, but the Ngorongoro Crater is unique because it’s the biggest one with fully intact (unbroken) walls and hasn’t filled up with water. The crater cover about 10-12 miles (16-19 kilometers) across and 200 ft (610 m) deep.  This stunning volcanic caldera was formed when the volcano collapsed on itself bout 2-3 million years ego. The cater floor is 5,900 feet (1,800m) above see level.  The original volcano may have been 14, 800- 19,000 feet (4,500-5,800m) high.

2. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa

 The Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania is one of the seven natural wonders os Africa because of its unique geological structure, diverse ecosystem and abundant wildlife. the other six Natural Wonders includes red sea, Nile River, Sahara Desert, Mount Kilimanjaro, wildebeest migration and Okavango Delta. The crater, together with the Olmoti and Empakaai craters are part of the eastern Rift Valley, whose volcanism dates back to the late Mesozoic / early Tertiary periods and is famous for its geology.  More so, this crater s located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a protected territory in Tanzania’s Arusha region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

3. A home to Africa’s Densest Populations of Predators

The Ngorongoro Crater is a unique place where fresh volcanic soil creates rich, grassy plains, perfect for large herds of herbivores. These animals thrive here and attract many predators, making the Crater one of the best spots in Africa to see wildlife hunters up close.

Among its notable inhabitants are the lions, which have one of the highest populations of prides found anywhere on Earth. Visitors often get the chance to see these magnificent creatures stalking their prey just a short distance away from safari vehicles or lounging in the shade, showing how relaxed they are around people.

But lions aren’t the only predators in the Crater. The area also hosts a range of other fascinating animals, including spotted hyenas, cheetahs, leopards, jackals, and bat-eared foxes. This variety makes Ngorongoro a dream destination for wildlife lovers and photographers looking to capture the beauty of nature.

4. A wildlife paradise

 The Ngorongoro Crater is a unique destination where fresh volcanic soils create rich grassy plains, prefect for a large herd of wildlife.   The crater is home to over 30,000 Large Mammals Live in the Ngorongoro Crater which you can expect to see while on a safari in the Ngorongoro Crater. The Crater is also described as a “garden of Eden” for wildlife. They include waterbucks, African leopards, black rhinos, buffaloes, cheetahs, crocodiles, East African wild dogs, elands, grant’s gazelle, zebra, hippopotamus, impala, lions, oribi, Thomson’s gazelles, topi and wildebeest. Most of these animals remain in the natural enclosure without migrating except for a few wildebeest and elephants. This has led to significant inbreeding in some species like lions.

The Crater is also known for its thriving hippo population, particularly dwelling in the Gorigor swamp and Ngoitokitok springs, where hippos can be seen lounging in the water. Ngorongoro Crater is also a fantastic bird-watching destination, home to over 500 species including ostriches, guinea fowls, flamingos, grey crowned cranes, Kori bustards, yellow billed storks, saddle bills, herons, white pelicans, black winged lapwing, plovers, secretary birds, martial eagles, bee eaters, kingfishers, woodpeckers, falcons, lesser krestel, the European swallow, European bee eater, pallid harrier, caspiar lapwing among others. 

5. The best place in east Africa to see the Big Five Animals. 

This is a breathtakingly beautiful setting and the best place in East Africa to see the Big Five (lions, buffalos, leopards, elephants and rhinos) and arguably one of the best-known Ngorongoro Crater facts. The Elephants are commonly seen in large numbers during the wetter months (November, December, April, and May). More so, its mall number of endangered black rhinos that makes it such a   best place to visit while on a Tanzania wildlife safari. These rare creatures are closely monitored by park rangers and can often be spotted grazing in the open grasslands, adding a special touch to any safari experience.

6. The crater holds One of the World’s Most Important Prehistoric Sites

The crater is home to One of the World’s Most Important Prehistoric Sites, making it another interesting fact about Ngorongoro crater. Olduvai Gorge in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area holds some of the most comprehensive history of any place on Earth. This Gorge is situated in-between the Serengeti plains and the Ngorongoro Crater. Archaeologists consider it to be the seat of humanity because remains of the very earliest known humans were first discovered there. Fossils have been discovered in Olduvai’s volcanic rock that dates back to about 3.6 million years ago, which have been instrumental in understanding human evolution. These hominid fossils are believed to be the earliest known evidence of the human species. Olduvai Gorge is visited by thousands of tourists who are interested in learning about the work of the Leakey family and understanding how the earliest humans evolved. There is a small museum at the sight where fossils dating back to about 3 million years ago are kept.