Is the Ngorongoro Crater Area in Tanzania Worth Visiting?.
The Ngorongoro Crater is a must-see. It is known to be one of the great natural destinations in Africa and also in the world, according to many reports.
This article looks at what makes the Ngorongoro Crater a unique travel destination in terms of its ecological value, wildlife density, cultural heritage, access and related costs, which we present to arm the reader with in-depth information on these points.
What Is the Ngorongoro Crater?
The Ngorongoro Crater, which is the world’s largest unflooded and intact volcanic caldera, is in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area of the Crater Highlands in northern Tanzania. It came into existence about 3 million years ago after a great volcano collapsed into the crater, which has a diameter of 19 km, which in turn covers a floor of 260 square km and drops to a depth of 600 m at its base.
The design at present is that of 1979, which declared the Ngorongoro Conservation Area a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is recognised for its universal value of both a natural and a cultural kind. The crater also functions as a self-contained ecosystem which supports a very high density of large game in Africa and which at the same time provides for an amazing diversity of flora and fauna throughout the year.
The Case for Visiting: Key Issues that Make Ngorongoro Crater Worth It.
- Unmatched Wildlife Abundance and Big Five Access.
The best argument for a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater is that it has wildlife which is unlike anywhere else. In the crater, a visitor will find over 25,000 large game, including the lion, African elephant, African buffalo, leopard, and black rhino, which make up the famous Big Five. The natural walls of the crater, which are a part of its structure, keep the wildlife in a defined area which is accessible all year round, thus removing the need to search out vast open spaces.
Of great importance is the black rhinoceros, which is a dying-out large mammal. The Ngorongoro Crater is home to one of the few stable black rhino populations in Tanzania, which is at a count of between 20 and 30 individuals. To see this species in their natural environment, which is a privilege in very few places around the globe, is to have a very special and almost surreal travel experience.
The chance of seeing all five elements of the Big Five on a single full-day game drive in the crater is very real, which is a feat that few African safari destinations may lay claim to.
- Outstanding Natural Beauty and Landscapes.
Beyond in terms of wildlife, the Ngorongoro Crater also presents a landscape that is of unique drama and beauty. The drop-off from the crater rim, which is at an elevation of about 2,300 metres above sea level, into the caldera below is a panoramic view of exceptional scale, which includes open plains, acacia woodlands, freshwater springs, and the alkaline waters of Lake Magadi at the crater’s centre.
The rim, which at times is blanketed in early morning mist and which is framed by montane forest, presents a sight which is very different from the open crater floor, a feature which does not often present itself within the same setting. Throughout the day, as light and mist play upon the landscape, the Ngorongoro Crater becomes a photographer’s and aesthetic lover’s paradise, which no other Tanzania safari destination can match.
- Archaeological and Cultural Value.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area has a flavour of the past, which sets it apart from what are basically game-viewing safari destinations. In its area is Olduvai Gorge, which is of great paleontological and archaeological importance to the world. It is there that the groundbreaking work of the Leakey pair produced fossil records of early man, which date back almost 2 million years. The site also has its museum, which is a great resource for what was found there and is worth a visit in itself.
Also in East Africa, we see a unique conservation area which has developed as a multiple-use zone into which the Maasai people still live and practise their traditional pastoral ways. What we have here is a very different dynamic of human communities living with wildlife in a protected area, which in turn enriches the experience for the visitor with elements of culture and society which are very much a part of the visit.
- Bird Diversity.
With a record of over 500 bird species, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area presents a great birdwatching experience, which goes well with a large mammal safari. Within the crater floor, highland forests, and outer savannah zones, different avian communities are found, which also include threatened species like the grey-crowned crane (Balearica regulorum) and large flocks of flamingos at Lake Magadi. For the bird watchers, the crater and its environs are a productive and very visual environment all through the year.
Practical Considerations: Cost issues, Access, and Logistics.
Entry Fees and Associated Costs
Visitation of the Ngorongoro Crater is a financial issue, which we ask that travellers put thought into in advance. Foreign non-resident visitors to the area will see that fees are organised by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) in this way:
- Conservation fee: Around $70 per person per day.
- Crater service fee: About $70 per vehicle.
- Camping fees (public campsites): Approximately 70 per person per night.
Accommodation in the area ranges from the ultra-luxurious, like the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, to mid-range options, which include the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge and the government-run Rhino Lodge. For the budget traveller, we have public campsites within the conservation area.
All fees are subject to change at any time and should be verified with the NCAA or a licensed tour operator before you travel.
Access and Transportation
From Arusha, the main northern safari entry point in Tanzania, which is also a 3-hour, well-maintained road trip, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area can be accessed. For international travellers, we see that they usually get to Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, which in turn have connections via Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The crater is a stop in what is usually a larger tour of Northern Tanzania, which also includes the Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and Tarangire National Park. This itinerary, which we present, is put forth as the most in-depth and rewarding of what is available in Africa.
Key Practical Recommendations
Visitors will see that at any time, there is a daily cap on the number of vehicles which are allowed on the crater floor, which is enforced by the NCAA. It is very much advised to book in advance as well as in advance for the stay to secure the game drive slot, especially during the peak dry season months of June through October. Also, it is recommended that you leave early in the morning to get the best of the light, which in turn maximises wildlife sightings.
Conclusion: Is it worth a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater?
In terms of wildlife density, which is second to none, access to the Big Five, which includes the critical black rhinoceros species that is on the edge of extinction, and scenic beauty, we also have a recognised UNESCO cultural and archaeological heritage, and what is also remarkable is that in a single well-managed protected area one will find this large variety of ecosystems. Thus, the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania is home to what may be the best game-viewing experience for international travellers.
The issue of associated costs and logistical concerns is large-scale, we advise, which is why prospective visitors should put together a careful itinerary and use a reputable, licensed Tanzania tour operator. But for those who do go on the trip, the Ngorongoro Crater reports back that it lives up to, if in fact it does not surpass, the very great expectations which its global reputation has set.
The Ngorongoro Crater is definitely worth a visit.
For personalised itinerary planning and current entry fee information, consult a licensed Tanzania safari operator with specialist expertise in the Northern Tanzania circuit.
