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There are very few trees here in the crater, due to the same conditions as the Serengeti plains - the base layer is volcanic ash with a little dirt on top. The hardened volcanic ash prevents large trees from taking root. Because of this, there are only male elephants (as the females stay with their babies and travel in groups - not enough food for them), as well as no giraffes and no impalas. There are about 30,000 animals that are permanent residents.
This crater is definetly safari central, as it's a lot closer to Arusha/airports. Thus, those interested in a single day/short safari end up here. However, the crater is 120 sq miles, so there's room for everyone. These animals are much more used to visitors than the serenegeti migrators - so we did get to get a bit more up close with more animals.
We continued driving, and encountered the traditional zebras, wildebeests, thomson gazelles, grants gazelles, water buffalos, baboons, etc. We also met the cape buffalo, a close view of many ostriches, many more elphants, and hundreds of flamingos.
We drove a bit more, and, while in the far distance, we were able to observe 8 different Rhinos in different locations. Unfortunately, they didn't want to come out near the road today, so we were only able to see through binoculars.
After lunch, we moved in on some of the watering holes, getting some great views of zebras walking across shallow lakes, and hippos hanging out in deeper holes. We also saw hundreds of flamingos that were hanging out in the one large salt water lake. Just about that time, a storm started coming down off the ridge, and, after 7 hours in the crater, it was time to call it a day. We headed back to the lodge, for an early return and enjoyed a view of the storm crossing the crater with some wine. View Manyara Safari Photo Gallery View Serengeti Safari Photo Gallery View Ngorongoro Safari Photo Gallery View Tarangire Safari Photo Gallery Day 75 - Ngorongoro Crater < | Index | Photo Galleries | > Day 77 - Tarangire © 2007 Blue Ocean Studios, LTD. All rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Services | About | Contact Prints | Return Policy | View Cart World Travel Galleries | World Travel Blog | Links |
Another safari adventure for us today - this time in the Ngorongoro Crater. The crater was formed 3.5 million years ago when volcanic activity created a huge mountain, which then collapsed under its own weight, forming the crater. In the 1970's, the area was made a conservation area, and the crater has been home to dozens of varieties of animals, with its most endangered being the Rhinoceros (about 20 in total within the crater borders). Needless to say, Rhinos were on our mind today :). 
After another western, but great breakfast, we set off on our journey inside. On our way down, we had a new greeter, a large male elephant. It came trotting down the side to meet up with us, and crossed the road only 30 feet in front of us - beautiful with the morning light. 
After we enjoyed our elephant encounter, we continued down until we hit the crater bottom, 2,000 feet below the rim (about 6,000 feet elevation). Here, our guide pointed to the top of the rocks on the right. Up above were 2 baby lion cubs! It was like a scene from the Lion King. They were very cute - and it was hard to leave them. Unfortunately, they were pretty far away, so the picture wasn't the clearest.
Our adventure continued down the road along side a small river, one of the few areas of trees. As we drove along the dirt road, we spotted a tan spot in the grass close along the road. A few hundred feet later, we were 25 feet away from an adult lionness!! We were happy to be the first there, and have a perfect front row seat. We hung out there to enjoy the lion and snap pictures. Within minutes, a half dozen safari vehicles had swarmed our location. 
We got a call mid-morning about a sighting, and drove across the crater. All of the drivers communicate over the radio, letting others know when they find a major sighting. While far from the road, we got to watch a cheetah enjoying his breakfast! There were 2 jackals which circled the cheetah often, waiting to get the leftovers (the cheetah had to chase them away a few times!). 
After a bit of driving, it was time for lunch. While the packed picnic lunch food wasn't the best (again), we did have a beautiful view - on a lake with hippos. The one weird thing about lunch was that the birds knew the tourist routine. There were little yellow and black birds that were on top of each of the safari vehicle's sun roof, trying to grab some food (surprisingly, they didn't enter the vehicle). Our driver/guide did let us know that the large kite birds that were flying above us were not friendly - and to keep our food close, as the birds will bite the food out of your hand and leave you with a nasty wound! Crazy.