How big is Ngorongoro Crater?
Ngorongoro crater, is located within larger Ngorongoro Conservation Area in the northern Tanzania, so often hailed as a true safari attraction of the natural world. Its vast size and then unique ecosystem make it a breathtaking safari destination for the travelers and then a crucial site for conservation. While the name ‘’crater’’ might bring to mind a small, bowl-shaped depression, Ngorongoro is, in fact, an enormous volcanic caldera, which is the collapsed mouth of a massive volcano. It’s also impressive that is can be difficult to comprehend without a detailed breakdown of its dimensions and what they contain.
Size of the crater floor.
The floor of the Ngorongoro Crater is the central feature that captures the imagination of the visitors. This massive, grassy plain in the heart of the area’s incredible wildlife spectacle. To put its size into perspective the crater floor covers an area of approximately 260 square kilometers, which is equivalent to about 100 square miles. To visualize this, imagine a space that is roughly 16 to 19 kilometers (or 10 to 12 miles) across. This immense area provides a permanent home for a staggering number of the animals, estimated to be around 25,000 to 30,000 large mammals. Unlike the migratory herds of the nearby Serengeti, many of the animals within the crater live there year round, due to the continuous availability of water and then lush, fertile grasses. The mineral rich volcanic soil, a legacy of the volcano’s explosive past, has created a vibrant and then self-sustaining habitat that supports an incredibly dense population of herbivores and in turn one of the Africa’s highest concentration of the predators.
Unbroken walls and impressive depth.
What makes Ngorongoro unique among the world’s calderas is the walls are almost completely intact and unbroken. These towering walls rise dramatically from the crater floor, creating a natural barrier that has helped to contain the animals and form a ‘’natural enclosure’’. The rim of the crater is at elevation of about 2,286 meters (7500 feet) and the floor lies some 610 meters (2000 feet) below. This significant difference in height, which is more than 1.5 times the height of the Empire State Building, creates a stunning, panoramic view from the top and a feeling of entering a secluded world once you descend to the bottom. The forested slopes of the crater rim are a world unto themselves, providing a different habitat for animals like elephants and baboons before the landscape opens up into tie wide plains below.
Context of the larger conservation area.
It’s important to understand that the Ngorongoro crater is just one part that is very well protected. Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is covers an area of over 8292 square kilometers (about 3200 square miles). This expansive area, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a unique example of a multi-land use area, where conservation of wildlife is practiced alongside the traditional pastoralist lifestyle of the Maasai people. The crater is the most famous part of the NCA, but the conservation area also includes other volcanic peaks and craters, such as Olmoti and Empakaai, as well as the Olduvai Gorge, a world important archaeological site that is often called the ‘’cradle of mankind.’’ The size of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area as a whole is what allows it to be an important part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem, and it plays crucial role in the annual wildebeest migration, as herds move through the area’s plains in search of the fresh grazing and then water.
A self-contained Ecosystem.
The immense size of the crater floor and the protective walls have created a unique, self-contained ecosystem. The various habitats within the crater from the open grasslands and acacia woodland to the permanent swamp and then shallow, saline Lake Magadi-supports a wide variety of the wildlife. Here, you can find almost all the major African plains animals, including the ‘’Big five’’ (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and then critically endangered black rhinoceros). The abundant herbivores such as wildebeest’s zebras and then gazelles provide a constant food source for the carnivores, leading to a remarkable balance of life within the crater’s walls. The presence of the permanent water sources means that the animals do not need to leave the crater in search of the sustenance, which contributes to the dense and then visible wildlife population that makes Ngorongoro such a popular safari destination. The diversity of the landscape and then the density of the wildlife crater an unparalleled safari experience, a testament to the immense and then vibrant size of this natural wonder.
Best time to visit Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The best time to visit Ngorongoro Conservation area largely depends on your safari priorities. The most popular time is during the long dry season that is from late June to October. During this period, the weather is consistently sunny and dry making it easier to spot the wildlife. The grass on the crater floor is shorter and animals tend to congregate around the limited water sources, providing excellent viewing opportunities for the resident population of the big cats and other plains animals. The dry roads also ensure easy movement and then perfect safari experience. However the aware that is also the peak tourist season, meaning the crater floor can become crowded with the safari vehicles.
For a more intimate and then scenic safari experience, consider visiting during the wet season. The ‘’short rains’’ in November and then December and especially the ‘’long rains’’ from March to May, transform the landscape into the lush, green paradise. The lack of dust and the dramatic skies make for stunning photography. While wildlife viewing can be slightly more challenging due to the longer grass, and animals are just as abundant and the resident birdlife is at its peak with the arrival of the migratory species. Additionally these’’ green seasons’’ are considered the low season, so you will encounter fewer tourists and often benefit from the lower prices for the flights and accommodations with African Vacation Safaris.