Ngorongoro Crater Activities
Ngorongoro Crater Activities are some of the ventures in which travelers can engage in when they are on a Ngorongoro Tanzania Safari to explore the wildlife. The Ngorongoro crater is one of the tourist destinations located in the northern part of Tanzania that is famous for its amazing wildlife viewing opportunities. This crater is found within the Ngorongoro conservation area.
This crater is one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world and is among the world’s greatest wonders. It comprises of habitats for the different wildlife species. The Ngorongoro crater is characterized by lush grasslands, swamps, forests and a lake which are among the reasons why the crater is known for its outstanding natural beauty and abundance of wildlife.
A variety of wildlife species that can be seen during a visit to the Ngorongoro crater includes the big five such as lions, elephants, buffalos, rhinos, leopards. Other wildlife species that can be seen during the game viewing activity include wildebeest, zebras, cheetahs, jackals, serval cats, gazelles.
The wildlife can be seen all year round around the crater. The crater walls are comprised of montane forest in the steep, eastern walls and euphorbia trees on the western boundaries which provide habitat for the wildlife.
Other attractions at the Ngorongoro crater include Lake Magadi where flamingos can be seen in big numbers along the shores of the lake. This lake is found in the center of the crater and hippos can be seen in the swamps.
The enclosed nature of the Ngorongoro crater provides a form of a natural boundary that keeps the animals from straying to other locations outside the Ngorongoro conservation area which makes them immune to illegal practices such as poaching.
During the annual wildebeest migration, however, the wildebeest and zebras move from the Ngorongoro crater to other locations in search of water and greener pastures.
Duration of crater activity
The activity of exploring the Ngorongoro crater and its attractions such as the large numbers of wildlife takes about 2 to 4 hours.
Formation of the Ngorongoro crater
Ngorongoro crater was formed as a result of volcanic activity when a giant volcano exploded and then the cone of the caldera collapsed inwards forming the crater. Nearby volcanic peaks and valleys include Empakai, Olmoti and Oldonyo Lengai which can also be explored.
Activities at Ngorongoro crater
- Birding in the Ngorongoro crater area is very rewarding and the bird species which can be seen include flamingos, secretary birds, hammerkops, gray herons, pelicans, long-tailed lapwing, gray crowned crane, starlings, kori bustard, weavers, vultures among others.
- Game viewing is the major tourist activity that takes place during safaris in the Ngorongoro crater. The crater has various wildlife species which can be seen when tourists descend to the crater area and the wildlife species include predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs and other wildlife species such as elephants, buffalos, rhinos, gazelles, kobs, hartebeest, wildebeest, waterbucks, zebras among others.
- Nature walks take place around the lodge and crater rim following different trails with beautiful views of the open grasslands where the wildlife species can be seen grazing and drinking from the water points. The nature walk trails include the crater rim walk, Eyasi viewpoint, Empakaai crater among others. The Maasai villages can also be seen during these nature walks. During these nature walks, the Maasai act as guides as they provide information about the natural wonders within the Ngorongoro crater area. The tourists are also accompanied by armed rangers for protection during their wildlife viewing activity which takes place on foot in the wilderness.
- Picnics are also Ngorongoro Crater Activities that are carried out in the wild during the different tourist ventures within the Ngorongoro crater which provides the tourists with a unique experience of dining in the open savannah while watching the wildlife and enjoying the scenery around. There are different picnic spots around the crater and some of them are found near the Gorigor swamp. This picnic spot provides sightings of hippos around the swamps.
- Cultural excursions involve interacting with the local community which consists of the Masai people who live within the neighboring villages. The Masai can be seen grazing their livestock within the crater area. The cultural visits engage tourists in getting an insight into the nomadic way of life of the Masai as well as learning about their culture and traditions, local jewelry and other traditional arts and crafts, the Masai houses known as “manyattas” among other cultural aspects.
Best time to do the Ngorongoro Crater Activities
The best time to visit the Ngorongoro crater for different activities can be based on different factors such as the activities the tourist wishes to engage in during their visit to the Ngorongoro crater.
- Birding is better in the areas of Lake Magadi during the rainy seasons when the water levels are high and many flamingos can be seen along its shores. Many migratory birds can also be seen during this time especially in the months of November to May.
- Wildlife viewing activity at the Ngorongoro crater is at its best during the dry seasons of June to September when the grass is shorter and the wildlife species can be seen along the shores of the lake and at the different water points as well as in the open grasslands. Even in the rainy season, wildlife viewing at the Ngorongoro crater is very rewarding.
How to get to Ngorongoro crater
Before visiting any destination, it is important for the tourists to know how they will reach the destination. Tourists can access the crater by road and air means in order to enjoy the wildlife viewing activity in the following ways;
- By road, the Ngorongoro crater can be accessed by driving from Arusha.
- By air, there are airstrips that provide a flight for tourists who prefer flying excursions during their safaris to the Ngorongoro crater. Airstrips include Lake Manyara airstrip.
The towns near Ngorongoro crater include Karatu where tourists can engage in cultural experiences with the Masai, experience coffee brewing and visiting the coffee farms as well as learning about how the local brew is made, fermented and bottled.
The crater rim walk involves exploring the forests and other wildlife habitat and this trail which provides a view of the crater floor below.
Another location that is explored by the tourists visiting the Ngorongoro crater is the elephant caves which can be visited on foot or hiking through the forested slopes.
Visit the Ngorongoro crater for amazing wildlife viewing and enjoy the beautiful scenery as you descend to the crater area.
