Ngorongoro Crater in Northern Tanzania (with Map & Photos)

Without exaggeration, the most amazing place in Tanzania can be called the Ngorongoro Crater.

Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater was not formed as a result of the fall of a huge meteorite, as it might seem at first glance, just about 2.5 million years ago this place literally fell 600 meters due to the collapse of the volcano.

As a result, the bottom of the crater today is at around 2,380 meters, while its edges rise above sea level by more than 3,000 meters.

Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater

The diameter of Ngorongoro ranges between 17 and 21 kilometers, and its area is about 26 and a half thousand hectares.

Such giant craters in geological circles are called calderas.

The crater even has its own Lake Magadi, best known for its vast population of pink flamingos.

Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater

By the way, the flamingos themselves, in the background)

Thanks to the huge area and an unusual natural barrier from the walls of the crater, the territory of Ngorongoro has formed its own unique biosystem with many animals that simply cannot get outside the crater. Amazing landscapes also await you on a photo tour of Africa, where the Ngorongoro Reserve is also present.

Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater

In total, about 25 thousand animals live here, and the concentration of predators in Ngorongoro is greater than anywhere else in Africa.

In 1951, the crater became part of the Serengeti National Park, in 1979 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and since 1981, the Ngorongoro Crater has been granted the status of a biosphere reserve.

Ngorongoro Crater Map