Ngorongoro Crater lake

Ngorongoro crater lake is one of the great features that is found inside the Ngorongoro crater floor. The lake that is found in the center is called Lake Magadi. The lake is one of the key attractions as well as the source of water for wildlife. The crater lake (lake Magadi) that is found in the center of the crater plays a great role as the sole source of water that drains the entire crater floor. The lake is an alkaline lake that was formed by the process of volcanic activity. The lake provides the most nourishment of the algae that the flamingoes feed on. It also provides nutritious sodium that leads to good growth of grass that animals graze in. It is out of the presence of the Ngorongoro crater lake that has led to a balanced ecosystem hence attracting a high population of animals on the crater floor. Lake Magadi is regarded as the natural sanctuary that inhabits wildlife. It is drained by many small rivers that are attached to the walls of the Ngorongoro.

Lake Magadi is one of the alkaline lakes that is found in the Ngorongoro crater conservation Area. The lake was formed when the forces of volcanicity strike the region leaving more basins like features that were later filled with water forming the lakes. The lake was named by the Maasai locals that were left around the area. They named it after the salty test of the water that are found at the lake. The name Magadi is a Swahili word that means soda ash or salt. This lake is drained mostly by the Olmoti river that is found in the Northern part of the crater. Lake Magadi is composed of sodium and potassium which in Swahili called Magadi. The Ngorogoro crater lake covers a total land area of around 7 square miles. Its mostly dominated by the blue-green algae that attracts hundreds of the flamingoes that dominate the lake. He blue-green algae is a food for the flamingoes and other water birds that leave around the Ngorongoro crater. The permanent resident flamingoes that are in large numbers make the Ngorogoro crater lake more cloudy as they float on top of the crater lake.

Ngorongoro crater lake is drained by mostly two springs those are Ngoitokitok spring that is found on the Eastern part of the Ngorongoro crater wall. It originates from the rainforests that are found on the eastern walls of the crater. It provides unique scenic views that guests enjoy while on their safari in the Ngorongoro crater especially for sightseeing. When guests are on this side of the crater it gives clear views of the hippo pool found on the Gerigor Swamp. The Euphorbia trees and the montane forests decorate the walls with evergreen forests.

The other spring that drains Ngorogoro crater lake is Munge River, its located in the Northern part of the crater lake. It’s the most popular and it takes the greatest percentage of the drainage system that serves Ngorogoro crater lake. It fills almost ¾ of the alkaline waters to the lake Magadi hence making it one of the highest tributaries that feeds the lake with water. Its unfortunate that Ngorogoro crater lake only receives water but does not let water out of it hence any outlets. Its water only reduces by evaporation which is high during dry season and the water volume reduces at this time of the year though its considered to be the best time for enjoying game drives in the Ngorongoro crater area. During the rainy season the water level increases and makes some times the lake to over flood to its neighbor.

There are many other Crater lakes that are found around Ngorogoro crater Area, they are bowl-shaped lakes that are filled by rainfall water. Their formation is all the same as they are formed by the natural forces that struck the land and left it with holes. Ngorongoro crater lakes come in different sizes and shapes with the largest recorded Ngorogoro crater lake in Tanzania being 100 square miles while its depth is around 2000 feet deep.

The list of Ngorogoro crater lakes include:

Lake Magadi is the largest crater lake in Ngorongoro crater Area. Its found in the center of the Ngorongoro floor. It’s the most visited and popular lake that attracts more tourists due to high cincetration of wildlife found around the lake.
Olmoti crater: This is the second biggest and mostly referred as a home of Eland due to their population around the lake.
Empakaai crater lake: It is only around 6 kilometers wide but it’s the deepest crater lake not only in Tanzania but entire East Africa. Its also known as the green paradise of Ngorongoro. This nickname is got from evergreen bamboo forests that dominate the walls of the lake.

Your Ngorongoro crater safari is enticed by these unique features that attract more wildlife and historical experience.