Discovering the giant Ngorongoro Crater in the heart of Tanzania

Tanzania's iconic landmark, known for its natural beauty, wildlife and fascinating history, the Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa's most spectacular natural wonders. With a diameter of over 22 kilometres and a depth of 600 metres, it is considered to be the largest intact crater in the world. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, it is home to an incredible variety of wildlife.

You'll find the famous Big Five: lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos. You'll also find no fewer than 400 species of bird, including the iconic pink flamingos. But despite its beauty and wealth of wildlife, Ngorongoro is under threat from increasing human pressure, including intensive farming, poaching and mass tourism. The Tanzanian authorities are working closely with local communities to preserve this natural jewel and ensure its survival for future generations. Here's an overview of this jewel of East Africa.

© Moshe EINHORN / Shutterstock

Located in the Arusha region of northern Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Crater is a natural wonder of unparalleled beauty. Formed over 2 million years ago, this crater is considered to be one of the largest collapse craters in the world. It was originally a large volcano that erupted. It measures around 22 km in diameter and covers an area of more than 320 km². It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 for its ecological and cultural wealth. The crater is home to more than 25,000 wild animals, some of which are endangered, such as the black rhinoceros, cheetah, elephant and lion.

Forest in the Ngorongoro Crater

- © Radek Borovka / Shutterstock
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The Ngorongoro Crater is also known for its breathtaking landscape, made up of vast grassy plains, dense forests and steep hills. The lakes and rivers that flow through the crater add a touch of freshness and greenery to this semi-arid landscape. The vertiginous slopes of the crater encourage rainwater to run off and join together to form Lake Magadi.

The alkaline waters of this lake are home to hundreds of micro-organisms that attract pink flamingos, creating a majestic spectacle. You'll see colonies of these beautiful pink birds perched on their stilts. The crater has no shortage of birds. Around the lakes, you'll be able to see a variety of species, including herons, ducks and migrating storks.

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

- © Yury Birukov / Shutterstock

During your safari, you will cross paths with over 25,000 wild animals, including the highest concentration of lions in the world. The park is also home to the famous "big five" - lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos. Due to intensive poaching, there are fewer and fewer rhinos in Africa, so you'll be very lucky to come across one! Safaris are a unique opportunity to observe wildlife up close and discover the local flora and fauna. Indeed, the Crater Conservation Area is one of the main reasons for going on safari in Tanzania.

Lions in Ngorongoro, Tanzania

- © tonyzhao120 / Shutterstock

From the moment you set off towards the Ngorongoro Crater, you will be overwhelmed by the beauty of the East African landscape. In a 4x4, you'll travel through magnificent tropical jungles to one of Tanzania's most beautiful places. Once in the park, you will descend to the bottom of the crater, where most of the animals are concentrated. Here you will see the highest concentration of wild animals in Africa. The lion is also bigger in Ngorongoro than in the rest of Africa. This is because the crater is rich in food, so the animals are often larger. For these reasons, Ngorongoro is listed as one of the 7 Wonders of Africa.

In the Ngorongoro Crater

- © OxaGen / Shutterstock

Beyond the animals, the crater is a perfect example of the symbiosis between humans and nature. Along the way, during your safari, you will inevitably cross paths with the Maasai. The Maasai are a semi-nomadic people who have lived in the Ngorongoro region for centuries. They are known for their pride, courage and attachment to tradition. The Maasai are often dressed in colourful clothing made from beads and animal skins. They are also renowned for their knowledge of the local flora and fauna. They are often hired as guides for safaris in the Ngorongoro Crater, and share their knowledge of wild animals and medicinal plants with tourists.

Masai in the Ngorongoro

- © SelimBT / Shutterstock

However, the lives of the Maasai are under threat from development and mass tourism. The construction of lodges and safari camps on their land has led to a loss of their territory and their traditional way of life. The Maasai are also facing environmental problems such as drought and desertification. The Tanzanian government is currently working with the Maasai communities to find sustainable solutions to these problems, in order to preserve the ecological and cultural wealth of the Ngorongoro Crater.

by Editorial Team
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