10 Little-known Facts about Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania
With lush beaches in Zanzibar, the highest mountain in Africa, and a lot of game diving to attend, Tanzania is one of the most unique places to visit on the African continent. Here, you not only get to enjoy spending time with the local communities, who end up giving us important life lessons in the most beautiful ways, but you also make friends for a lifetime and visit amazing places like Ngorongoro Crater.
Ngorongoro Crater is among the world’s heritage sites and is home to the world’s largest inactive, unbroken, and unfilled volcanic caldera. A trip to this amazing crater is an experience in itself, and at Yup Africano, we highly recommend all our guests planning a Tanzania holiday from Dubai visit this place. In this blog post, yup Africano will take you through ten little-known and amazing facts about Ngorongoro Crater. So read till the end without skipping any part and share with your friends and family.
Need travel inspiration? Go a little off track and visit Marsa Alam in Egypt.
1. There is a Beautiful Meaning Behind the Name Ngorongoro
Traveling and planning customized Dubai tours to visit new places is all about learning new things and hearing about the local stories. You draw a lot of inspiration for your work, whether you are an actor, an influencer, or the CEO of a multinational company, by hearing about the stories and meanings of the local names in Tanzania. Originally, the Masai people called Ngorongoro Crater El-Nkoronkoro. With the growing influence of the English language, tourists and visitors somehow changed the name to Ngorongoro. In the traditional Masai language, El-Nkoronkoro means “The Gift of Life.” The fertile land of the crater is home to every distinct type of flora you can imagine, and as a result, you will find distinct fauna. For big animals, birds, reptiles, and small insects the crater is truly a gift of life for these species.
2. Ngorongoro Crater was First Discovered in 1892
While the Ngorongoro Crater has existed on planet Earth for millions of years, to modern mankind, it was first discovered in 1892, when Austrian explorer and cartographer Oscar Baumann first visited the crater. The interest in this unique place was so quickly picked up that, within a decade, a lot of tourists started visiting it. Like many irresponsible modern-day tourists, visitors back in the nineteenth century weren’t responsible as well. Due to the increasing irresponsible behaviors of tourists, the local ecosystem started getting damaged. The already fragile local environment of the crater was finally included in the list of conservation areas in 1959. When you plan your customized group trips in Dubai to Tanzania or any other place, we suggest you be respectful of the local environment and protect it at all costs.
3. Ngorongoro Crater Joined UNESCO World Heritage List in the Year 1979
To preserve its exceptional environment and abundant wildlife, the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. Today, more than 500,000 tourists visit the crater each year. Tourists who visit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area each year now need a permit and a guide to enter the crater. When you book your Tanzania safari package from Dubai with Yup Africano, we can make arrangements in advance for you so that you can enjoy your trip and explore the rich natural wonders of this world heritage site.
Also, take a look at some of the best places to stay in Zanzibar.
4. Only a Limited Permit is issued to Visit the Crater
As we explained in the above points, the local eco-system in the crater is very delicate, and to protect the traffic, only 6-hour permits are issued by the authorities. This ensures that visitors can enjoy the crater and its atmosphere while the local eco-system is conserved.
5. Camping inside the Crater is Strictly Prohibited
When you book your Tanzania tour packages from Dubai to visit Ngorongoro, keep in mind that camping or settling of any type is completely prohibited inside the crater. Only the local Masai herders with livestock are permitted to descend the crater and even stay there for a couple of days to water their livestock, as they have been doing this for ages. You will not find any type of hotel, resort, or even a food stall inside the crater. So carry your water bottles and a few snacks when you visit the crater. Ensure that if there are wrappers, you bring them back and dispose of them responsibly.
6. Crater is Home to Many Wild Animals
With about 30,000 animals living there, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area has the highest wildlife density in all of Africa. The endangered black rhinoceros, which is rarely seen, is kept safe from poachers by park guards in a remote area of the crater. Compared to any other game drives or safaris in Africa, when you visit the crater, you have a higher chances of spotting distinct wild animals in their natural habitat.
Here are some essential pre-travel tips for Kenyan explorers with Yup Africano.
7. You Get To Watch Big Five in the Crater
One of the major reasons why many people book Tanzania holiday packages from Dubai is the opportunity to spot the big five in one place. The best chance to view “the Big Five” (Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion, and Rhino) is during the wet season in the Ngorongoro Crater; however, large elephant herds depart during the dry season, so visiting during the wet season is the perfect time to visit!
8. The Lion Mane is Darker Here
Another reason that you should book holiday packages from Dubai to Tanzania is the lion mane. Male lions located in the crater typically have manes that are darker than those of lions found in other parts of Tanzania. The colder temperatures at the crater floor are assumed to be the cause of this.
9. The Carter is Easily Accessible
Just a three-hour drive from the Arusha entrance is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It makes it easier for guests with limited time to get to the crater and have a better chance at sighting the Big Five in this amazing place on Earth.
Also, read about the Serengeti Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania.
10. Many Famous Movies are Shot Here
Filming for many well-known movies took place on-site in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The iconic moment in “Out of Africa” features Robert Redford soaring over the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Masai Mara.
Conclusion
Here are ten amazing and lesser-known facts about the iconic Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. Get in touch with Team Yup Africano to book your holiday package from Dubai and have fun with your entire family.
