The Ngorongoro Crater

We left The Serengeti and headed to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The number of visitors and length of stay is restricted to 24 hours. So we camped close to the Ngorongoro Crater, to allow us maximum time inside the actual caldera. It’s the world’s largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera. The crater was formed when a large volcano exploded and collapsed on itself, two to three million years ago. It is 610 metres deep and its floor covers 260 square kilometres. Before it exploded, this volcano was higher than Kilimanjaro.
This was a busy campsite. We had grown used to having places to ourselves, however it was nice to have hot showers again. We found camping tougher than expected so were happy that this was the last time. We generally slept well but won’t miss the dash to toilets in the middle of the night trying not to think of snakes and spiders. This campsite is 2,500 meters above sea level – time to dig out the woolly pajamas. It was the only night that I zipped up the sleeping bag.  We were joined by buffalo again and also vultures – presumably to scavenge leftovers.
This vulture knows where it’s bread is buttered.

This vulture knows where it’s bread is buttered.

Cooks from the various groups shade the kitchen facilities.

Cooks from the various groups shade the kitchen facilities.

We had the advantage of having our own cooker.

We had the advantage of having our own cooker.

I managed to get myself locked into the bus

I managed to get myself locked into the bus

Because of the rough terrain from the rim of the crater to the floor, we left the bus at the campsite and were collected at crack of dawn by a number of 4X4’s. The floor of crater is now fully the domain of a wide variety of wildlife but this was not always the case. When the British created the Serengeti Reserve they uprooted a number of Masai tribes and moved them into the crater where stayed for about 40 years grazing their flocks. Then, in 2009, the Tanzanian government decided tourism was more important so the Masai were uprooted again and now no one lives there. Our guide told us that Ngorongoro is the Masai word for cowbell. No cows there now.

Dawn at the edge of the caldera.

Dawn at the edge of the caldera.

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We eventually made it to the floor. See how high the rim is!

We eventually made it to the floor. See how high the rim is!

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We picked up an interesting nugget of information as to why zebras migrate along with wildebeast. The Tanzanians call wildebeest “zero brain”. I’m sure most of us have seen the David Attenborough clip of a crocodile catching a wildebeest while it’s mates look on. They scatter (but not far) and moments later reconvene at the water’s edge only for another to meet the same fate. The wildebeest are really really stupid. They can’t remember from one year to the next what their migration route is. However, they are good at sniffing out water. The zebra, on the other hand, are good navigators but not good at finding water. So they travel together – a match made in heaven. The zebras below have all eyes on this lion but didn’t bolt. We later noticed that he was injured. Looked like he was in a fight.

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Can’t be bothered with those pesky zebra.

Can’t be bothered with those pesky zebra.

Because the crater is safe and plenty of grazing and water, these wildebeest don’t bother migrating

Because the crater is safe and plenty of grazing and water, these wildebeest don’t bother migrating

Real life zebra crossing

Real life zebra crossing

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The crater floor is used as a retirement home by elephants. The old and infirm come here to live out their last years when they can no longer keep up with their families.

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The Ngorogoro crater was just amazing. An abundance of wildlife. I’d highly recommend it if you are ever in the region. We loved it. It was the perfect end to the perfect safari.

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It’s bloody hot under all this hair. I know how he feels. Where’s the nearest tree?

It’s bloody hot under all this hair. I know how he feels. Where’s the nearest tree?

Ah! Bliss.

Ah! Bliss.

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Lookout - behind you!

Lookout – behind you!

And I can’t finish the safari blogs without one last photo of my favorite. The warthog. Next stop Zanzibar.

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