Why Visit the Ngorongoro Crater?

The Ngorongoro Crater is located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which itself is a part of the wider Serengeti ecosystem. A far cry from the dry and endless plains of the Serengeti National Park, however, Ngorongoro is an African Eden of lush green vegetation, shallow lakes and rolling mists in the heart of Tanzania's famous northern circuit.

The steep descent into the crater, with tall trees emerging from the thick trees all around you, elephant droppings in the road, and the odd buffalo in the vegetation, is exciting in itself. However, it is once you stop at the crater gates and catch your first proper sight of the crater bottom, that your breath is really taken away.

You will behold an impossibly beautiful watercolour panoramic of a shimmering lake, pale green plains and thick forest, all surrounded by sheer walls, topped with thick cloud-like mists - surreal yet stunning, the Ngorongoro Crater is a haven for the wildlife which dwell here.

There is a thriving population of lions at the crater bottom, which feed on the abundant wildebeest, zebra and gazelle which graze the green grasses. You might see a thick-maned lion lazing in the sun, or a powerful lioness stalking into the distance in search of food.

In fact, all the other members of the Big Five can be found at the crater bottom. Elephants crash through the dense forest, buffalo stick together in large herds, ruminating slowly and thoughtfully, leopard favour the tall trees, and rhino hide in the taller grasses.

The lake is also a scene of wildlife activity. The heat shimmers in front of the lake, as hundreds of flamingo crowd together in the shallow waters, occasionally flapping their wings in alarm, being spooked by something in the distance. Hyenas are found in abundance here - sometimes in large groups, sometimes along, lolloping through the tall grasses clutching carrion meat in its large and powerful jaws.

Even lunching at one of the picnic sites can be a tremendously exciting experience. Guests tend to dine in their safari cars - since swooping kites might snatch a sandwich or a chicken leg from an unsuspecting picnicker!

Other birds such as helmeted guinea fowl and superb starling hand around the vehicles, hoping to catch a stray crumb from the ground. After eating, it's a simply fantastic experience to wander over to the hippo pool and snap the huge hippos wallowing in the cool water.

By : Tom_V_Powell