Ngorongoro Crater Wildlife

The scale and diversity of the Ngorongoro Crater wildlife is breathtaking. Some 30,000 animals inhabit the Ngorongoro Crater, living alongside one another within the steep unbroken walls of this remarkable wildlife sanctuary.

Lions rolling about in fields of white wildflowers, hyenas persistently trying to sneak up on pink flamingos, and giant elephants roaming the forests ... these are the kind of images that have led to people referring to the Ngorongoro Crater as the Garden of Eden.

In addition to the abundant wildlife within the Ngorongoro Crater walls, there's also considerable movement of animals in and out of the crater due to the permanent supply of water and grassland on its floor.

The Big 5

A Ngorongoro safari is one of very few places in Africa where you're likely to see all of the big five in the course of a single game drive. Lions are as commonly spotted here as antelope are in other parks around Africa.

Elephant sightings in the Ngorongoro Crater are overwhelming and the long tusked giants of Ngorongoro survive here while poaching has all but annihilated them throughout the rest of East Africa.

The crater has always been known for its black rhino population. Almost extinct, these rare mammals have found sanctuary within the crater's walls. Unlike white rhinos, black rhinos feed during the day, and they can often be seen on open grassland during a game drive.

Leopards are a rare sight on the crater floor but do prowl the swampy areas. A couple of hippo pools can be found around the crater, the most popular of which is Ngoitokitok Springs.

Predators

Within the Ngorongoro Crater's walls, and among the thousands of other animals, lives Africa's highest concentration of predators.

Roughly 100 black-maned lions patrol the area and you'll find them almost around every corner. The Crater's lions are extremely comfortable with vehicles and go about their daily lives without much thought to onlookers, allowing you an authentic glimpse into their daily lives.

Spotted hyenas are the most common crater predator and the population is estimated to be about 400 strong. Leopards remain true to form, seldom seen but always leaving tantalising traces of their presence behind.

A few cheetahs inhabit the Ngorongoro Crater, but fierce competition with other predators means that these lightweights do better in the area outside the crater.

Plains Game

The atmosphere within the Ngorongoro Crater is a magical blend of untamed wilderness, raw beauty and remarkable peace.

It's estimated that some 10 000 wildebeest and 5 000 zebra graze the crater floor, along with hundreds of buffalo, gazelle, waterbuck, eland and bushbuck.

Curiously, impala and giraffe are nowhere to be found within the Ngorongoro Crater, although they are incredibly common in the surrounding plains.

The steep descent and the lack of browsing fodder along the crater floor are the most plausible reasons for the lack of giraffe, but the absence of impala remains a mystery... perhaps they've been tipped off about the high concentration of predators.

Request a Quote |  Add to my wishlist