About Kate K.F
Hi Everyone! My name is Kate and I am a Tanzania-based safari specialist and writer with a passion for wildlife conservation. I have spent years exploring Tanzania’s national parks and game reserves, where I gained a deep knowledge of well-known Tanzania destinations—including the legendary Ngorongoro Crater location, the Serengeti National Park and Lake Manyara amongst many others. Through my company BornWild, I tailor private safari experiences that suit everyone from solo travelers to families, honeymoons and everything in between.
As I stood at the top of the crater rim looking down into the vast rolling landscapes of Ngorongoro crater, my heart stopped and I was completely captivated.
The first incredible glance of this breathtaking location is a sight to behold and truly unforgettable. It instantly left me wanting to discover more. Wherever you turn, from left to right – the crater wraps around you with amazing panoramic views.
The first time I visited the Ngorongoro Crater was a few years ago on my very first trip to Tanzania. I didn’t know anything about the crater, other than it was just part of my 7-day itinerary.
Like many other tourists, we started our safari from the pretty town of Arusha. Ngorongoro Crater was the second place we visited, after Lake Manyara. It was undeniably a unique location and somewhere where I would never expect to find on a safari.
The impact of witnessing this rounded natural basin was undeniably intriguing. Its vast landscapes, vibrant green forests that cover its soaring walls, and its endless savannas enticed me to explore more. From the crater rim, we were too far to see any animals, however the mystery of what lies below drew me in to discover further.
As we bundled into our safari van and navigated our way through a one-way winding road to the crater floor, we were fully immersed in a haven of wild animals and bird species that surrounded us. It’s incredible to think how such a high density of animals coexist together in such a modest space.
What I learnt about the crater after I had been the first time, was phenomenal. To give you a brief history, the crater is an active unfilled caldera that was formed around 2 million years ago. It was shaped by a huge volcano eruption, leaving a gigantic bowl shaped crater behind. Over the years the sunken crater gradually developed into a thriving ecosystem that we see today. One of the main reasons why the crater flourished is because the volcanic soil is very fertile. This soil started forests, shrubbery and grasslands which created a budding ecosystem that really benefits its species. The water sources within the crater, formed by rainwater, remain full all year round, giving its species plenty of water to drink at any time. Because of the abundant vegetation and water that emerged, the crater attracted many species from near and far to its thriving landscapes. From lions, buffalo, elephants, hippos and black rhinos – you can expect to find around 60 different wildlife breeds here as well as over 500 winged species to admire overhead. It’s a boundless animal sanctuary that continues to grow and develop. What’s more impressive is that the animals who reside here are utterly content and very little attempt to leave.
The reason why the animals of Ngorongoro Crater have been described so remarkably is because there is such a high number of animals living within such a condensed space, where they all thrive harmoniously within this unique ecosystem. Impressively, the crater has one of the highest concentrations of animals in the whole of Africa. This is partly why the Ngorongoro Crater is such a destination hotspot which attracts millions of tourists each year. It’s also one of the only places that is a safeguarded area for the endangered black rhino. One of the key reasons why the Ngorongoro Conservation area has the status as a well-protected region for conservation and natural geography, is because it boasts a natural protected habitat for all its animal species.
On a different note, whilst I traveled through the crater, I noticed the climate was different from anywhere else in Tanzania. It was warm, sunny, bright but the air was fresh. The crater had a layer of clouds that hovered at the tops of the crater rims, which made the views beautiful and dramatic. The climate of the crater is well known for remaining steady and consistent all year round, coupled with the healthy ecosystem, contributed to the crisp air that I experienced. Nevertheless, the crater does encounter the rainy seasons like the rest of Tanzania. However, the crater’s weather is predictable, avoiding extreme weather conditions that you might experience in other national parks – the changes in climate are much more subtle. Rains happen in short bursts, unlike the long rains that you can expect in the Serengeti with torrential and tropical downpours. Because of these mild and predictable weather changes, animals do not need to migrate and feel satisfied to stay within the crater walls all year round.
A. Ngorongoro Crater
B. Nature Within Walls: The Remarkable Wildlife of Ngorongoro Crater
C. Why is Ngorongoro Crater’s wildlife so remarkable? Find out why as well as why the crater is a location you wont want to miss on your next safari in Tanzania
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