How Big is Ngorongoro Crater?
How Big is Ngorongoro Crater?
Adjacent to the Serengeti is a World Heritage Site, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. There is a lot to see in this area, but the Ngorongoro Crater takes the top spot in the list. Many guests go there to witness the world’s highest concentration of animals. But if you have read some articles out there (including ours), you may have noticed that Ngorongoro Crater is titled as the largest, unbroken caldera in the world. So, how big is the Ngorongoro Crater? Our read below describes everything. Let’s dive in.
Size of the Ngorongoro Crater
To get straight to the point, this vast crater covers roughly 260 square kilometers (100 square miles). That’s the crater floor. The crater rim is about 600 meters (1,969 feet) high, and the diameter is about 18 kilometers (11 miles). This caldera is the world’s largest and unbroken one.
Formation of Ngorongoro Crater
According to geologists, the crater resulted from the collapse of the Ngorongoro Mountains about 2.5 million years ago. The mountains are said to be higher than even the modern-day Kilimanjaro. Due to volcanic activity, these mountains collapsed from inside, forming a large bowl, Ngorongoro Crater. Most craters resulting from volcanic eruptions usually form lakes (soda lakes), but not this one. The largest portion of it remains unbroken, dominated by savannah plains and woodlands, with only a small alkaline lake, Magadi.
What is unique about Ngorongoro Crater?
Landscape
Small and compact, but it has a lot of wonders to see. To begin with, you may wonder about its spectacular landscape. Before you descend into the crater floor, the green highlands are worth watching. They are beautiful enough to be featured in every shot. The floor mainly comprises plains, which make it easier to scan for plains game. The soda lake, like other alkaline lakes, is home to the largest flocks of pink flamingos.
Wildlife
In terms of wildlife, the crater has over 25,000 animals. It’s a promising location to spot the Big Five compared to the Serengeti. Why is this? Simply because it’s much easier to see black rhinos in the crater than in the Serengeti. The type of vegetation on the floor isn’t as thick as in the Serengeti. There are no hideouts. Therefore, rhinos are often spotted hiding in fever trees where they browse in the leaves.
The crater has a good concentration of lions compared to its size. About 75 lions (8 prides) live in just 100 square miles, which is the world’s highest concentration of lions. You can record a leopard sighting in the Lerai, the only forest inside the crater. Their elusiveness and the nature of the crater’s vegetation make it harder to spot them.
But don’t worry. With our expert guides, you’ll be able to see these mottled cats. Buffalo make frequent appearances during game drives, especially in the short-grass plains inside the crater. The grey giants (elephants) also live on the floor, especially in woodlands and forests like Lerai.
Birds
It’s always hard to ignore birds flying as you wait for potential animal sightings. With more than 500 species to spot, be sure to pack a good camera and a pair of binoculars. You can record Tanzania’s special birds, such as the yellow-collared lovebird, grey crowned eagle, lilac-breasted roller, superb starling, and secretary bird. The crater also welcomes a lot of migratory birds, from November through May, as they settle for breeding.
When to visit the Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater is definitely a year-round destination. Animals are not migratory like those of the Serengeti because the crater has everything they would need. But for convenience, we recommend coming to the crater during the dry windows: June to October and January through February. How many days should I spend in the crater? Two days are enough. And we recommend combining the crater with the neighboring Serengeti National Park for an unforgettable Ngorongoro safari experience.
Where to stay in the Ngorongoro Crater
While there’s no camp or lodge inside the crater floor, there are several options on the crater rim. But the price tag for most of these lodges can be a little bit higher than we anticipate. If you want more affordable options, we can take you to the highlands zone, where there are plenty of them. Here are our favorite camps and lodges.
Kirurumu Ngorongoro: With just ten tents, Kirurumu blends luxury with nature. Each of the 10 rooms is spacious and is fitted with the best facilities for luxury. Rates start at $950 per person.
Lemala Ngorongoro: This high-end camp features twelve safari tents. It is secluded on the eastern side of the crater, far from the rest. Rates are at $1,100 per person.
Entamanu Camp: Owned and run by Nomad Tanzania, Entamanu sits right on the crater rim, facing the crater rim to the east and the Serengeti to the west. With just seven tents, Entamanu promises exclusivity and comfort in the middle of the world’s top spot. Rates at around $1,200 per person.
Other Accommodations to stay in Ngorongoro include the budget-friendly Plantation Lodge, Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, and Elewana Ngorongoro Explorer. You can also stay in Karatu, where there’s a sea of safari lodges and camps.
