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Male lion having a drink
The Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and certainly one of the wonders of the world.
It is also an extraordinary natural sanctuary for some of Africa’s densest population of large mammals. Even high up on the chilly rim of the crater you can see thousand-strong herds of antelope as they move in ant-like formation across the crater floor. As you descend, the shapes become animals and you are soon in the depth of one of Africa’s richest game areas.
The crater floor is superb for photographic safaris. Animals are prolific, relaxed and beautifully framed against the striking backdrop of the 600-metre high crater wall. The open grasslands see thousands of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo and Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle. The striking Lerai forest, composed almost entirely of yellow fever trees, is the best place to find waterbuck, bushbuck and eland, whilst the adjoining Gorigor Swamp is the main haunt of Ngorongoro’s elephant population, with some striking big tuskers. Black rhino, lion and leopard complete the big five.
Finally, there are hippos in Ngoitokitok Springs and Lake Magadi is often covered in a shroud of pink flamingos. This is the Africa of wildlife documentaries, and an experience that should not be missed when exploring Tanzania’s northern safari circuit.
Game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater
Lioness in the Ngorongoro Crater
Buy your insect repellent before you leave home, as this will invariably be better quality than what you can purchase in East Africa.
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