A crater with a difference

lt is early morning and I am in a company of a small group as we set out for the seemingly quiet, but famous Ngorongoro Crater, nearly 170 kilometres from Arusha.

Once there, it is a whole different world. It is calm, with a cold breeze. Major attractions in the Crater include the Black Rhinoceros, lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, bird watching, nature walks, camping sites and much more.

The Crater, which is famous worldwide for being unique, is managed by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA). Ngorongoro Conservation Area was established in 1959 by Ordinance No. 413 of 1959 as a multiple-land-use area, with functions to promote the conservation of natural resources, safeguarding the interests of indigenous residents and promoting tourism.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is inhabited by 87,000 indigenous Maasai residents with herds of cattle and flocks of sheep, goats and donkeys.

Covering 8,292 square kilometres of wildlife conserved area, the area was accorded by the United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) the status of a World Heritage Site in 1991, International Biosphere Reserve in 1981, and a mixed World Heritage Site (nature and culture) in 2009.

At the main gate, Loduare, visitors are briefed about the geological formation of the crater and its pre-history, showing the several distinct habitats and general directions.

Driving along paved roads, there is a viewpoint that allows visitors to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the crater and stretch out.

On a clear day, while standing at the viewpoint, visitors take a glimpse of the crater plains and the excitement increases to go down. The surrounding area has now been cleared and given a touch of comfort. It has parking space including washrooms nearby.

As we drove on, Vincent Mbilika, the public relations officer of the NCAA said as part of the recent improvements one of the stretch that has been known to be treacherous during heavy rains have now been repaired with concrete paving stones all through a six-kilometre stretch.

Mbilika also confirmed that this particular stretch was selected to ease movements, improve safety and ensure the road remains open all year round.

Driving downwards along the narrow gravel road, far below, we could make out thousands of flamingo wading in the shallows of Lake Magadi, down in the crater floor. The ‘bottom of’ crater famed for its wildlife densities and up-close opportunities, than any other, offers yet a remote wilderness view.

We set up our picnic lunch site in the open facing the hippo pool. We ate lunch, served on a linen-covered table, in the tranquillizing heat of the midday.

Fact file:

- The Ngorongoro Crater is a friendly game viewing destination all round the year, and combines well with a safari to the Serengeti.

- The crater is one of the 3 out of the 7 Natural Wonders of Africa; others are the Serengeti and Mt. Kilimanjaro. The Crater itself is often referred to as “Africa’s Eden” and is a place of great scenic beauty.

- The Ngorongoro Crater is part of a larger conservation area that covers vast expanses of savanna grassland and highland plains that are home to a huge variety of animals and birds – many of whom are endemic to the region as well as Maasai settlements with their cattle. The Conservation area is inhabited by Maasai pastoralist and the interaction between man and nature in this region is one of Africa’s best examples of peaceful co-existence between humans and animals.

By Elisha Mayallah, Saturday, May 17th, 2014


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