Malaria in Ngorongoro Crater Area

Malaria in Ngorongoro Crater Area is a common disease that attacks mostly the locals that live within and around the park premises. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the tourist features that is found in the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area. The Crater is covered by different vegetation types ranging from the forests at the crater rim to the open Savannah grassland inside the crater floor. The crater was voted as one of the seven natural wonders of Africa due to its uniqueness and high concentration of wildlife its inhabits. Ngorongoro crater is the world’s largest unbroken, unfilled and intact caldera that was formed over 2.5 million years ago when the extinct volcano erupted and fall inside itself. Located in the center of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the crater has a good number of Lakes both inside and in the surrounding which most of them are stagnant lakes which only receive water but has nowhere to flow. There are also some rivers that flow from the crater rim in the forested areas down to Lake Magadi all these contribute directly to the favorable environment for the breeding of Mosquitoes.

Malaria in the Ngorogoro crater is like any other national park in Tanzania. Though the cases of Malaria are minimal this cannot wipe out the fact that there is Malaria in Ngorongoro. The bushy vegetation across the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area attracts a lot of mosquitoes which can bite travelers any time when having game drives at the crater or at your campfire at the lodge. However, during the long dry season, malaria in Ngorongoro is lower compared to the wet periods of the year. The rate of Malaria across the Ngorongoro crater Conservation Area varies according to the vegetation for example if you’re staying around the Ndutu area in the Northern side of the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area where the vegetation is composed of mostly short grass the cases of Malaria is very low. If your staying near the crater rims of Ngorongoro then the malaria cases is high due to the forests and plenty of stagnant water lakes around the area.

However much there is Malaria in the Ngorongoro crater, guests should not be worried because all the camps and lodges in the crater area have got mosquito nets that make your night more comfortable always. We always advise all our guests to have malaria vaccination before coming to Tanzania. It is not one of the requirements for entering the country but for your self-protection against Malaria as they say prevention is better than cure. If you cannot do the vaccination please visit your travel doctor for a good piece of advice on the kind of malaria tablets you can carry when coming to Africa. You can also move with insect repellents that help you to guard against insects during the game drives or nature walks which take you directly to the habitant of mosquitoes. When buying the insect repellents please buy those with DEET is one of the most recommended by the World Health Organization. This guards you more from both mosquitoes and other dangerous insects in the bush during your exciting wildlife experience in Ngorongoro Crater. Ngorongoro crater like any other protected areas in Tanzania or entire Africa are not Malaria free destinations. You have to visit your medical doctor at least 6 weeks before your trip to the Ngorongoro crater. For more details on the Malaria and other vaccinations please visit the CDC websites that will guide you more. You can also check some information about Malaria on the website www.malaria.org.za which provides great detailed information across the globe.

Malaria in the Ngorongoro crater is riskier during the rainy months from March to May and again around November. At this time most of the slope areas and other water catchment areas or pools collect a lot of water hence creating breeding areas for the mosquitoes. While in the long dry spell from June to October the Malaria in Ngorogoro crater is low due to the fact that most of the water catchment areas dry up leaving only lakes with water which most of them are salty lakes which do not favor the breeding of mosquitoes.

When planning for your safari trip to Ngorongoro crater please consider that there is Malaria in the Ngorongoro crater. Carry recommended 20-35% DEET insect repellents that you have to use constantly at the rightful time to avoid your contact with mosquitoes. Make sure even the dress code during the game drives or nature walks should be on clothes that do not attract mosquitoes for example never put on blue trouser or shirt when your in Ngorongoro crater or any national park. Put on clothes that do not leave your body exposed to mosquitoes.

Please make sure that your lodge or camp room has a mosquito net which must be on 24 hours a day. If you do have some sprays for insects please spray before you go to the bed for sleep.

If you get any signs or symptoms that give you suspect like you have got Malaria please inform your tour guide so that he can contact doctors very first for your checkup.

All pregnant travelers must get the malaria vaccination before coming to Ngorongoro Crater. The pregnant ladies are the ones with high risks of getting malaria due to their low immunity rates.

In conclusion, Malaria in Ngorogoro crater is very low and few cases have been reported due to more education and guidance of the local tour operators to the guests on the parking list. But this does not rule out the fact that there is Malaria in the Ngorogoro crater. Come when your fully ready on the prevention measures so that you cannot be among the few cases to get this disease. Prevention is better than cure so consult your medical advisor 6 weeks early before your proposed safari to Ngorongoro Conservation Area.