The Great African Rift: description, history and interesting facts

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:54

Scientists suggest that Africa is part of Gondwana. In the Cenozoic period, Africa fell into the zone of stretching of the earth's crust, resulting in the formation of mid-ocean ridges and the Great East African Rifts. It is believed that the process of breaking is still going on today and will eventually lead to the fact that the eastern part of the continent will break away and a new island will appear.

Every year, the crack in the earth's crust increases by 4 millimeters. Accordingly, the capacity of reservoirs increases, and as a result, everything will be flooded with ocean waters. Although there have been other cases, in the area of Northern Tanzania in 2005, the earth split by 10 meters in just 10 days.

Today, almost all active volcanoes of the continent, except for Cameroon, many extinct volcanoes and even thermal water outlets are concentrated in this territory. In general, there are about 30 active and weakly active volcanoes.

Therefore, this place attracts tourists, there are many nature reserves and the most beautiful places on the planet with numerous flora and fauna.

Rift countries

The Great African Rift crosses several countries:

• Malavia (a small state, leading to this day territorialdisputes with Tanzania).
• Zaire (the former Republic of the Congo).
• Mozambique (original land of the Bushmen and Hottentots).
• Tanzania (country with two capitals).
• Rwanda (Land of a thousand hills).
• Burundi (a small and underdeveloped state of the continent).
• Kenya (the most dynamically developing republic in Africa).
• Uganda (Buganda with Swahili).
• Ethiopia (most ethnically diverse state).

Some archaeologists claim that this place is the cradle of mankind, which is confirmed by the found multiple archaeological artifacts.

Serengeti National Park

This is the most ancient reserve of the Great African Rift, and it is located in the north-west of Tanzania. The total occupied area is 14,750 square kilometers. By the way, the local population translates the name of the Masai park as "limitless". And on the southeastern border is the Ngorongoro Crater Protected Area. There are two magnificent lakes here - Victoria and Eyasi.

This unique Great Rift Zone can be reached from Arusha (320 km). Regular charter flights fly here and there is a bus, but it will take 6 hours, but on a good highway.

The most unique phenomenon in the national park is the mass migration of wildebeests, zebras and Thomson's gazelles. It is a magnificent sight when more than 3 million individuals move crowded to other territories in search of fresh vegetation,overcoming more than 3 thousand kilometers.

The park has the largest population of lions on the planet, more than 3 thousand individuals. Not far from the border of the park, there is a drainless lake Natron, from which s alts are not washed out, and geysers boil at the bottom.

Ngorongoro Crater

The area occupied by this unique part of the Great African Rift is 3,300 square kilometers. These are multifunctional lands where wildlife and nomads - Maasai reign. The protected zone is located 190 kilometers from Arusha.

The main attraction is the Ngorongoro Crater itself. Millions of years ago, this volcano was larger than Kilimanjaro, and in one day it exploded and filled the funnel with lava, the diameter of which is from 16 to 20 kilometers. And the depth in some places reaches 760 meters. And the most interesting thing is Lake Magadi inside.

Besides this, there are several more volcanoes, one of the most unique is Ol-Doinyo-Lengai, it is active and erupts the most liquid and cold lava.

There are rocks in the northern part of the zone, but you can visit them only for an additional fee and accompanied by local rangers. These rocks are inhabited by leopards and cheetahs.

Gombe National Park

This is the smallest protected area in Tanzania on the African Great Rift, covering only 52 square kilometers. There are few travelers here, as the park is located far from traditional routes, although there are regular flights from Arusha and Dar es Salaam.

Mainattraction - a huge natural population of chimpanzees. It is also here that the settlement of Ujiji is located, where the two greatest explorers Stanley and Livingston met.

Lake Manyara Park

This place is located where the borders of the Tarangire Park and the Ngorongoro Crater protection zone pass. The African Great Rift Lake covers an area of 330 sq. km. And most of the territory, more precisely 230 sq. km, located under the alkaline lake Manyara. Even Hemingway sang about this reservoir. But the traveler will be pleased not only by the huge expanse of the reservoir and the picturesque nature, but by the lions climbing the branches of trees. These animals look out from above for their prey. In addition, here are the most dark-colored giraffes, which from afar seem black. And the most interesting thing is pink flamingos on the surface of the lake. In the south of the park there are hot springs Maji Mato (temperature about 60 degrees).

Katavi National Park

This is the third largest protected area in Tanzania. The total occupied area is 4500 sq. km, although it is quite difficult to meet travelers here. People come here for unique photos of crocodiles and hippos, because this park has the largest population of them.

There is a famous tamarind tree in the park. Some people believe that the spirit lives in it to this day, after which the park is named, so you can come to the tree and chat with it.

Kitulo National Park

In this place, where the Great Rifts of Africa are located, the most unique plant world. The natives themselves distinguish the territory of the park, because it is here that the most unique flowers grow on the entire continent. The most beautiful birds and butterflies of unique species live in the park.

Tourists are offered a 6-hour walking tour through the mountains of Livingston to the town of Matema. It is recommended to stay there for a few days. On the territory of the settlement there is Lake Nyasa, where you can go fishing and sunbathe, admire the waterfalls.

Mahale Mountains Park

This is a huge territory - a whole peninsula on Lake Tanganyika. You can get here by motorboat from Kigoma. Air service has also been established from Dar es Salaam and Arusha.

There are many chimpanzees in the park, you can meet elephants and buffaloes, and in the south - giraffes and lions and tropical butterflies. In the very central part - a mountain range with the highest point (2462 meters) and the purest waters of Lake Tanganyika.

The African Rift is a vast steppe and clear waters with a unique and almost untouched ecosystem.