Is Ngorongoro a caldera or a crater?

Is Ngorongoro a caldera or a crater?

Is Ngorongoro a caldera or a crater? : The Ngorongoro crater is the world’s largest unfilled caldera and is found in the northern part of Tanzania.

The Ngorongoro crater of Tanzania was formed about 2 million years ago as a result of collapse of a volcano which was once higher than Mount Kilimanjaro which is the highest mountain in Africa at 5895 meters.

Ngorongoro crater covers 260 square kilometers and is about 600 meters deep with a high concentration of wildlife species. The crater is part of the Ngorongoro conservation area which covers 8292 square kilometers.

A variety of wildlife species can be seen around the Ngorongoro crater floor during safaris and these include elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinos, wildebeests, zebras, antelopes, hippos, gazelles, hyenas, warthogs among others. The Ngorongoro conservation area is considered to have the largest concentration of wildlife species in Africa about 25,000 in number.

Black rhinos are among the endangered wildlife species which can be seen during safaris around the Ngorongoro crater which has about 30 rhinos and many other wildlife species. The rhinos are part of the big 5 such as elephants, lions, leopards and buffalos.

A crater is defined as a feature which is formed as a result of an outward explosion of rocks and is circular in appearance while a caldera is formed as a result of inward collapse of a volcano and has uneven sides.

Ngorongoro crater is very scenic and consists of forest, savannah plains and a soda lake in the crater. Lions are a common sight while driving around the savannah while elephants, leopards can be seen in the forest and flamingos can be sighted along the shores of the lake as well as rhinos.

The Maasai people can also be encountered as they tend their livestock like cattle along the crater floor. During safaris tourists visit the Maasai villages and interact with the locals as they get to know more about their ways of life and their culture.

The Ngorongoro crater is among the formations in the rift valley and is an extinct volcanic caldera which attracts many tourists to go on safari to enjoy wildlife viewing ate different months of the year.

When the grasses around the Ngorongoro crater are dry during the months of June to October, many wildlife species can be seen during safaris around the water points which makes it the best time for wildlife viewing experiences at the destination.

Activities which are carried out during wildlife viewing around the Ngorongoro crater include game drives, guided nature walks, bird watching, community tours among others.

The wildebeest migration also goes through the Ngorongoro conservation area from December to March when the 2 million wildebeests can be seen in the grassy plains at the destination.

From the crater rim, tourists can stay in the lodges which offer beautiful views of the Ngorongoro crater and also wildlife species can also be seen in these accommodation facilities.

Empakaai crater and Olmoti crater

There are other volcanic highlands which are similar in formation to the Ngorongoro crater and they include the Empakaai crater and Olmoti crater. Empakaai crater which is found north east of the Ngorongoro crater is also made up of a soda lake while the Olmoti crater is shallow.

Empakaai crater which is also a volcanic caldera is made up of 300 meters high walls and is 8 kilometers in diameter. This crater is considered the second largest crater in the Ngorongoro conservation area.

The Empakaai crater is least visited compared to the Ngorongoro crater which attracts many tourists on safari around the northern part of Tanzania. It also has amazing views and flamingos can also be seen along the shores of the lake which dominates most of the Empakaai crater.

Game drives and guided nature walks are among the activities which are among the activities which are carried out while on safari around the Empakaai crater.

Olmoti crater was also formed as a result of volcanic activity and is among the attractions around the Ngorongoro conservation area. This crater is made up of grassland and rock outcrops as well as montane forest where different wildlife species can be seen.

Bird watching is also carried out in the Olmoti crater, guided nature walks and encounters with the Maasai people. The walking safaris which take place around this crater are not very strenuous and may require walking sticks and good hiking shoes.

Visit the Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania for memorable safaris around the northern part of Tanzania.