Lake Ndutu Ngorongoro Crater Tanzania – Flamingos and wildlife safaris in Africa
Lake Ndutu Ngorongoro crater – The mountain stood higher and mightier than nearby Mount Kilimanjaro. Its summit scraped the ceiling of Africa and its slopes were so vast they directed their own weather patterns and water flow. All was well with this sleeping sentinel until one day the mountain woke up. Then it fell down.
The volcano erupted with a blast so ferocious that it caved in on itself, an implosion creating a caldera spanning a hundred square miles: 12 miles wide and 2,000 feet deep. What had once claimed the highest peak on the continent was now a mere impression, inverse to its former glory.
But the glory returned. Over the course of a few million years this geologic divot filled with life. First, it caught pockets of fresh water. Second, lush vegetation developed, and third—you guessed it—the wild ones arrived.
Abundant water and grasses attracted ungulates, large predators, and countless bird species. Because of its enclosed topography, animals would descend into this bowl-shaped place and never leave.
A shallow alkaline lake that is located on the eastern border of Serengeti national park, in northern Tanzania. It serves as a water source for animals as well as hotels, camps and other facilities in the area. It shares the same basin as Lake Masek that is located a short distance east of it – but inside Ngorongoro conservation Area.
In 1973, the shores of lake Ndutu Ngorongoro crater were the location of an archaeological excavation site about 140 square metres that led to the discovery of the Ndutu cranium along with several remains of tools from over 500, 000 years ago.
What to do there?
Game watching, as animals come to drink from it throughout the day, although more can be seen in the morning, Some of the more common ones include Thomson’s gazelle, wildebeest (when in season), Zebra, giraffe and flamingos.
Best time to visit Ngorongoro crater
During the last months of the year, when the wildebeest are in or near the area, If planning to stay in privately owned camps then this would also be the time when they area open. The rainy seasons would require a good 4×4 to traverse the clay soils in the area around the lakes.