Safari Day 2 – Ngorongoro Crater and Conservation Area

The view to the left of the crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is amazing. A natural wonder of the world, approx 2 million years ago it was an active volcano then 600, 000 years later it collapsed making what is known as a ‘caldra’. It’s a vast area covering 250sq km, the crater rim is approx 3600m above sea level (Mt Kilimanjaro stands at approx 5800m above sea level) with a depth of 600m. 

It is home to 20 – 25,000 animals and has the largest concentration of predators on the planet! The Ngorongoro Crater has a unique eco-system of forest, lakes, plains and swamps.

The right side view

Outside of the crater there is the Ngorongoro Conservation area, covering 8300sq km, which is home to the Massai and 9 other volcanoes however only 1 of them still active – Oldonyo Lengai (‘Mountain of God’ as the Massai have named it), which last erupted 3 years ago killing a lot of Massai tribesmen, livestock and animals.

Standing at a viewpoint on the crater rim – you feel in awe of nature and humbled at God’s creation and design for the planet. It is truly spectacular, staring down at the lakes and swamps, the sheer magnitude of the crater touches you spiritually, sadly the photo’s do not do it justice. While standing there Bryson even commented “Is this in Tanzania” as he could not believe this existed in his country.

 
Driving down the crater rim was exhilarating; you had to go down ‘pole, pole’ (slowly, slowly) and once on the craters surface looking up at the path we just traveled, its hard to believe we made it!

We spent the whole day driving around the crater. We came across a large family of Olive Baboons having breakfast and cleaning each other. 

 
The mothers had the babies either wrapped around their tummies, while older ones were carried on their backs. Some were playing and chasing each other but boy do they make a racket!!

 Again, we saw all kinds of animals, stopped at many zebra crossings…(get it!!) and birds including Herons and Horn Billed birds.

These herons had a crazy red mohican!

We came across some real cute Vervet Monkeys, one of them seemed to like our company so much that it even took the time to pose for several pictures for us…

How about this pose..

My casual pose..

Whats my motivation..

On the lake there was so many beautiful Flamingos’ while several, Spotted Hyenana’s walked nearby…

Male impala, almost cuter then Bambi!

Lunch had to eaten in our car that day, as the birds were notorious for swooping down and taking it from you not to mention the numerous Guinea Fowl running along the ground trying to take the scraps!

Give me your lunch..

We learnt how Zebra’s and Wildebeest often move together as they use each other’s abilities such as Zebra’s have good sight while Wildebeest have good smell to move around safely.

Imagine our delight when driving along we came across 2 Lions, just lion around (excuse the pun!!) They were unfazed by the jeeps parked around them. Then one lion got up and walked over to our jeep and decided to take a nap against the side of our wheel! Jason, felt the animal charisma and went for a stroke! Jokes!

It was like it was waiting for us in the road....hmm, are we their lunch?!

Jason's moment of bravery, they don't come often..!! LOL

Check that out!

It is so hot doing a safari we even found a Giraffe hiding under a tree to avoid the sun- it was so cute! We saw more elephants casually crossing the road between parked jeeps and a male and female Ostrich having some lunch.

Spot the Giraffe!

The lion buffet..!

Suddenly, while driving along a Park Ranger’s jeep speed past us to approach another vehicle that was pulled over – we were not sure what happened but assumed the driver was in trouble, however as they drove off together, we watched them with curiosity. Bryson suddenly had a feeling, saying follow them! We drove as close as we could get to them however they drove off the path into area’s we were not allowed to go…

Sure enough Bryson’s instinct was rewarded when in the far distance an elusive Black Rhinoceros stood up, from lying down in the long grass! It is so hard to spot Rhino’s as due to poaching their numbers have drastically reduced. They are hunted mostly for their horns, which is used for Chinese and Japanese medicine. The park rangers went off the track to show the guest in the jeep a closer look at the rhino. The guest in the jeep turned out to be the Tanzanian Ambassador for Norway – those lucky VIP’s!

Did you know that when a rhino is asleep it's horn goes soft..! Ooh er missus!

Another great day to be alive!!