Located just three degrees south of the equator, the region’s climate is tempered by altitude: the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater itself is 2200 metres high and the floor is about 1700 metres above sea level. The combination of a wide range of habitats – a mix of grasslands, lake beds and marshes – and regular rainfall supports an abundance of wildlife within the NCA.
The crater rim and the Highlands in particular experience regular mists and rain (ranging from over 1000 millimetres per annum in the east to less than 400 millimetres in the far west), and this sustains the blanket of forest. In addition to the lichens, ferns ​and orchids, some of the dominant tree species include crotons, albizias, stinkwoods, strangler figs and Nuxia.
The crater floor is home to many species of large mammals typical of East African savannas. Buffaloes, elephants, gazelles, hippos, hyaenas, lions, wildebeest and zebras are easily seen by the numerous visitors who enter the crater each day in safari vehicles. No accommodation is allowed on the crater floor and all vehicles must leave by midafternoon. In addition, no off-road driving is permitted, so the impact of human visitors is limited.
This story is from the November 2019 edition of African Birdlife.
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This story is from the November 2019 edition of African Birdlife.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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