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The United Republic of Tanzania
NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA AUTHORITY
The United Republic of Tanzania
NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA AUTHORITY
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Olkarien Gorge
Overview
The Olkarien Gorge is a massive granite monolith on the outskirts of the Gol Mountains in northern Tanzania. It is a deep, extremely narrow, east-west trending canyon that slices through the quartzite rocks on the east side of the Gol Mountains, which is a perfect example of a fault-bounded mountain range.
The gorge is 8 km (5 miles) in length. The walls are vertical and, in some areas, they even overhang the gorge. The origin of the gorge goes back to the time when the Gol Mountains were being formed. As faulting continuously lowered the land to the east, an existing stream slowly cut down through the higher elevation rocks to the west to keep pace with the lowering land surface.
Wildebeest roam the plains surrounding the rock, baboons climb its sides, and a diverse array of bird life can be observed from here. It is an important nesting site for hundreds of Rüppell’s griffon vultures, which breed in March and April when the plains are plentiful of food.  Â
During the dry season, the Olkarien Gorge serves as an important water catchment area for both people and wildlife. It also serves as a home to a plethora of migratory wild animals during the great migration. Hundreds of vultures can be spotted soaring, circling, and gliding down to their nests as you walk through the Gorge.Â
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F.A.Q's
Ngorongoro is managed by a different government authority namely Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA). To get their details including fees kindly visit their website www.ngorongorocrater.go.tz
The Ngorongoro Crater is home to much more than wildlife safaris, with important cultural and archaeology here too.
Away from the wildlife, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area has other areas of significance. Oldupai Gorge is one of Africa’s most important archaeological excavations where some of the world’s most humanoid remains were discovered.
When travelling to foreign destinations it is always respectful to dress modestly and we suggest the emphasis is on comfortable clothing.
It is often warm on the plains and at lower altitudes but cold in the hilly and mountainous areas; a rain jacket, fleece and good quality walking shoes/boots are essential.
The Ngorongoro Crater is rich in wildlife, with many species calling this vast area home.
The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera with a diameter of 16km and a crater wall over 600m high. It is a true Garden of Eden, an extraordinary natural sanctuary for some of Africa’s densest large mammal populations and predators. Over 400 spotted hyenas exist in the crater (especially on the eastern shore of Lake Magadi), along with lion’s, leopard (spotted on occasions in the swampy areas), and black-backed and golden jackals.
The lion population has varied during the years partly due to migration into and out of the crater but mainly because of the vulnerability of the compact population. Cheetah, although common in the Conservation Area, are scarce in the Crater possibly due to the high rate of competition from other predators.
Elephant (especially around the Gorigor Swamp area) and buffalo are regularly seen. There also exist residential populations and large concentrations of wildebeest (over 10,000 in number), Burchell’s zebra (approximately 5,000), and buffalo, Thomson’s and grant’s gazelle in the open grasslands of the crater floor. The Ngorongoro Crater is perhaps the best place in Africa to see the endangered black rhinoceros.
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