The Ngorongoro Crater a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Origin of The Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania

The Ngorongoro Crater is a natural wonder found in Tanzania;  it is the world’s largest intact and unfilled volcanic caldera. Scientists argue that The Ngorongoro crater was formed when a huge volcano erupted and collapsed nearly 2.5 million years ago. Therefore, it is important to note and know that The Ngorongoro crater is a volcanic feature. It is a large depression in the ground that was probably left behind after a volcano erupted and then collapsed or sank inwardly.

Moreover, it is possible that the volcano that created the Ngorongoro crater, which is a huge opening downwards, was likely of the same size to that of Mount Kilimanjaro which is a huge “swelling” upwards. The volcano was probably active from about 2.45 to 2 million years ago. The crater has the size of about 610 meters deep and the average of about 260 square kilometer.

The Ngorongoro Crater‘s floor is in a large extent an open grassland, even though, there are also swamps, rivers and even woodlands. In the crater, there are people, and different kinds of animals such as buffaloes, giraffes, leopards, lions, and elephants.

Scientific and Cultural Significance

The Ngorongoro crater has scientific significance as it is used as an archeological site where researches are carried out and findings are of great importance to humanity. Findings the archeological sites in the Ngorongoro crater reveal that the human evolution has been taking place for over millions of years.

Moreover, the Ngorongoro crater forms part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area which in 1979 was declared by UNESCO to be a world heritage site. It was given that status because it has global importance for its wealth in biodiversity conservation. Furthermore, we can not forget to mention its significance as a tourists site; it attracts a number of tourists who go for the amazing Safaris in the crater which is an amazing feature accommodating animals.

Touristic attractions

The Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania is an amazing natural feature which is extra ordinary and offers inquisitive minds opportunities for research. Moreover, the crater is an attractive touristic destination because of its natural landscapes, cultural experience and wildlife.

Wildlife in the crater

The Ngorongoro crater accommodates all the African big five; buffaloes, rhinos, lions, leopards, and elephants. Other animals found in this amazing natural landscape include: wildebeests, zebra, gazelles, hyenas, warthogs, hippopotamus and others. Furthermore, there are several species of beautiful birds that make their home in the landscape.

Landscapes of the crater

The Ngorongoro crater is the world’s largest intact and unfilled volcanic caldera. This is an extraordinary feature that pulls visitors in large number. Moreover, the crater has a large grassland which is home of large number of herbivorous animals that live in the open grasslands which are found in many parts of sub Saharan Africa.

Cultural Experience

The Ngorongoro crater apart from animals, it also hosts human beings who live in there. Most or all of the inhabitants living in the crater are the Maasai people. The Maasai are among few group of people that continue to keep their culture intact. Thus, they attract tourists to observe their traditional dance performances and learn about their customs, culture and in general their way of life.

Services to tourists

The Ngorongoro crater is a beautiful touristic destination because of its unique features such as amazing landscapes, the wildlife and people’s culture. When tourists visit these areas they get a number of services that are available for the visitors.

Some of of the services to tourists and which are at their disposal, and tourists may choose from include: game drive, walking safaris, cultural tours, guided natural walks, archeological tours, botanical tours, bird watching, photographic Safaris, Camping Safaris, Filming, horse riding, bike riding, canoeing, balloon Safaris, bush dining and much more. Tourists may choose a service depending on their interest and security for tourists is a priority, highly taken care of.

Economic benefits to the local population

The Ngorongoro crater is part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). Thus the activities in the crater attracts significant number of visitors. The visitors through the different fees they pay for the received services, contribute to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and to local development.

Moreover, tourism in the crater contributes in jobs creation to the local population. Jobs are created in activities such as tour guides, cooks, interpreters, and many more. The tourism revenue contribute to the economic development of the local population and help support the different community projects.

Furthermore, the tourism income is used by the NCA to support the NCA activities such as anti-poaching activities, and conservation of this marvelous natural feature. The conservation activities extend to the protection of crater’s flora, fauna and the environment in general so that this World Heritage site continues to maintain its natural wonder and beauty for humanity to learn.

The Why of the Ngorongoro crater existence

The Ngorongoro crater exists because two reasons. One, it exists because of a physical reason that is it was caused by a volcanic eruption which collapsed and “sank down” thus giving to World Heritage site of more than 600 meters deep. The Ngorongoro crater is a fascinating natural phenomenon of its own kind, and we are informed that it is the larges of its kind in the world.

The second reason of the existence of the Ngorongoro crater is a metaphysical one. It is spiritual, you and I can not tell what is its why of existence. The best we can do is to speculate; it exists to demonstrate the ability of the supernatural powers that no human being can tame nature; it can do what it wills.

Conclusion

To conclude our article let us remind ourselves of what we have discovered about The Ngorongoro crater. We are told that it is the world’s largest intact and unfilled volcanic caldera. This is a unique feature that makes the crater indeed a world heritage site. It is open for scholars from around the world to come and learn about it, it is open to tourists for leisure and learn from the landscape, the wildlife and the inhabitants cultural way of life.

Take away

This is what you can take away that the Ngorongoro Crater is a natural phenomenon found in Tanzania;  it is the world’s largest intact and unfilled volcanic caldera. It is always open for visits of wondering and learning. Tanzania is a peaceful and welcoming country. You are welcome to visit the crater and many other impressive tourist sites such as Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and much more.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ngorongoro crater is a natural wonder that attracts lots of curious minds. Those interested in the crater want to visit the site for diversified reasons such as wondering about the feature, a Safari to see animals and to be part of the observers of the Ngorongoro crater. The are numerous readers who are pulled by the theme through different questions about the subject. Here are some of those questions which could also be of interest to you:

1. What is the Ngorongoro Crater size?
2. Where can one find the Ngorongoro crater photos?
3. Who knows the complete and reliable Ngorongoro Crater history?
4. What is the Ngorongoro Crater altitude?
5. What are the Ngorongoro Crater facts?
6. Is Ngorongoro Crater National Park?
7. Are Ngorongoro crater animals friendly to people?
8. Does Ngorongoro Crater wikipedia contain the detailed information?
9. What are 10 amazing facts about Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania?
10. What is a Caldera?