Ngorongoro Crater: The Perfect Spot For An African Safari
Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Tanzania. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to this UNESCO World Heritage Site to admire its unique and beautiful landscape and to take part in a Ngorongoro Crater safari. But what can you hope to see there and when’s the best time to visit? Read on as we cover this and more below.
What is Ngorongoro Crater and how was it formed?
Located in northern Tanzania, Ngorongoro Crater is one of the largest, unbroken volcanic calderas in the world. Once a huge volcano that exploded and collapsed inwards around 3 million years ago. It measures approximately 20km wide and 600 meters down. Within the crater’s steep walls, you’ll find an array of wildlife and plant life that benefits from its rich soil. Here, a number of traditional Maasai tribes that have grazed cattle there for centuries.
4 reasons to take a Ngorongoro Crater safari
1. Africa’s largest concentration of wildlife
Despite being free to move in and out of Ngorongoro Crater as they please, around 25,000 animals call this natural enclosure their permanent home. Thousands more migrate there each year. As a result, Ngorongoro Crater wildlife boasts the highest density of big game in Africa. This includes 30-50 critically endangered black rhino (one of its main draws), as well as lions, elephants, leopards and numerous Cape buffalos. Other predators you may see include cheetahs, serval cats, jackals, bat-eared foxes and ferocious crocodiles.
On top of that, the crater houses countless plains herbivores, including blue wildebeest, zebras, elands, Thomson’s gazelles, waterbucks and elephants. You can also spot hippos bathing in the freshwater pools dotted across the crater floor. Giraffes graze around the crater rim too, though the ascent/ descent roads are too steep for them to enter.
2. Awe-inspiring natural scenery
As well as marveling at its dramatic walls, Ngorongoro Crater safari goers can expect to see a range of stunning scenery during their trip. Thanks to a permanent water source provided by Ngoitokitok Springs and the nearby Munge River. The crater floor boasts all kinds of eco-systems, from lush grasslands and dense bush to acacia forests and swampy marshland. But the star attraction has got to be Lake Magadi which helps this varied landscape flourish.
Taking its name from the Maasai word for salt, Lake Magadi. A soda lake based in the southwestern corner of the crater that covers 7 square miles of its floor. Its alkaline water feeds the region’s plains and the blue-green algae that draws thousands of lesser flamingos to it shores. In fact, during the rainy season when the water is at its highest. The vast sea of pink wading birds there is quite a sight. As are the golden jackals stalking them close by.
3. Hundreds of thousands of bird species
But it’s not just lesser flamingos that flock to Ngorongoro Crater. Believe it or not, around 550 different bird species have been identified in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Many of which descend into the crater on a regular basis to find food and water. The soda lake and swamps in particular attract Great White Pelicans looking for fertile breeding grounds.
Hornbills, white-eyed slaty flycatchers and Livingstone turaco, on the other hand, prefer the relative safety of the area’s forest canopies, while raptors like black kites, harriers, goshawks and Augur buzzards are often seen soaring over the open plains in search of their next meal.
4. Unforgettable Maasai tribe experiences
Scenery and wildlife aside, a trip to Ngorongoro Crater would be incomplete without a visit to a Maasai village. Having resided in the conservation area for over 200 years, several tribes have been allowed to remain and graze cattle there, as their way of life has proven largely compatible with the crater’s wildlife. And some tribes now welcome visitors!
These unique experiences give you the chance to immerse yourself in Maasai culture and find out all about a tribe’s semi-nomadic lifestyle and traditions. From how they build their huts and create family bomas to the method used to create their distinctive red Shuka robes, you’ll never forget what you learn during your visit. You may even get to take part in a Maasai dancing ceremony with some of the locals.
When to visit Ngorongoro Crater
While opinion is divided on the best time to visit Ngorongoro Crater, the good news is that there is a plethora of wildlife to be viewed there each season. Plus, the high temperature averages a comfortable 19-23°c all year round thanks to the crater’s relatively high altitude.
Many people prefer to visit during the dry season between July-August. The grass is shortest, the foliage has thinned out and animals gather in large groups around water holes. However, this time of year is the busiest and you’ll need to book your accommodation up to a year ahead to secure your place. As such, June and September are good alternatives, when the region is typically slightly quieter.
Meanwhile, the mass wildebeest calving takes place between January and March. So if you want to see new-borns taking their first steps, this is the best time to visit. But be warned – it’s also prime time for predator attacks! Alternatively, November and December are popular months for birdwatchers. This is the time of year when migratory birds start to arrive.
The wettest months are April and May due to the annual long rains, but they’re also the quietest for those who dislike crowds. This is when the grasslands are at their greenest and most beautiful.
Ngorongoro Crater safaris with Brady’s Wildlife Adventures
If we’ve inspired you to book a Ngorongoro Crater safari, look no further. At Brady’s Wildlife Adventures, we offer tours of this breathtaking caldera as part of our 8 day Serengeti and longer 11 day Tanzania group safaris. Each one includes game drives to view Ngorongoro Crater wildlife, chef-prepared picnics to enjoy while overlooking the lake and luxurious accommodation at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge which offers panoramic views from the rim.
With tours available throughout the dry and rainy seasons, there’s something to suit every preference. Learn more about our available 2023 tour dates and itineraries on our dedicated Tanzania safaris page or book a call to discuss your trip with us before making a decision.
