At Ngr'iesi Village, where we did a cultural visit with residents
The semi-nomadic Maasai live in circular huts with metal roofs.
We met this woman who shares her smoke-filled, one room hut with her three daughters.
The Ngr'iesi community built a school with the proceeds of their cultural village visit program.
We met a teacher and several students at the school, many of who were nervous because they were studying for the upcoming entrance exam for secondary school.
A little boy and his brother waved hello to us as we passed by their home, a home where the walls were made of stones stacked in between metal rods.
On the drive to Ngorongoro, we passed many nomadic Maasai hearding their cattle on the sides of the road.
Just on the other side of the crater is a Maasai settlement. Note the circular fence to keep the lions and leopards out...and the cattle in.
The rim of Ngorongoro Crater was incredibly lush, and hugged by a dense fog.
When we reached the crater floor, we found hundreds of animals. These Zebra seemed to have an itch and had figured out a way to scratch it!
Flamingos
Three lions napping on the crater floor
A lion cub wakes from his slumber
We were thrilled to be so close to an entire pride of lions!
"Should I get up?"
"No I think it's still nap time..."
"But mommy, I'm hungry! Can I just feed while you sleep?"
"OK, I'm up now."
"It's playtime!"
"I'm coming to check out what's going on over here!!"
Hippos relaxing in one of the permanent hippo pools on the crater floor
"Oh, you make such a nice pillow..."
We were lucky to come just at the tail end of tourist season...most of the time we were the only ones around. During peak season, there can be huge lines of cars, all stuck because one group of people is looking at a set of animals!
Yes, it does look like the warthogs are praying!
A wildebeest gives us a suspicious look over his shoulder!
Remember how we spent an entire two days searching for a Cape Buffalo in Kruger? In Ngorongoro we saw hundreds of them, everywhere! And this particular heard was right near...
...a pride of lions!
We sat with our mouths gaping open as the buffalo crossed right in front of this lioness!
We, along with this other safari vehicle, were hoping that the lions would hunt!
The male and two other females seem to be somewhat interested in the fleeting meal...but in the end, not enough to get up and chase anything.
These were the only two Black Rhinos we saw during our trip...they are incredibly rare, due to poaching for their two horns. (often used for chinese medicines)
A hyena slowly crosses the plain near the crater wall
Seneto Springs, on the eastern part of the crater floor, was home to a richer diversity of wildlife
You can see just how lush the forest is along the jungle wall--in comparison to the dry and dusty crater floor
Our guide, Thomas, told us that he has often seen elephants "mourning" at this site where the skeleton of a family member remains. Note, that until recently, this was a trait once thought to be unique to humans.
A Kori Busturd, one of the largest and heaviest birds to fly
It was incredible to see all these different kinds of animals grazing together.
And the HUGE heards of wildebeests gave us a glimpse of what was to come in Kenya (where most of the animals had recently gone for the annual migration).
Wildebeests playing and frolicking.
Our vehicle was completely surrounded by these animals....making their funny moo, moo noises and grunting.
A hyena looks around to see if there is anything nearby to salvage for dinner.
On our drive out of the crater, to the Sopa Lodge.
The view of the crater sunset from the Sopa Lodge pool.
The Sopa Lodge.
The view from our room!
Early the next morning, the fog had returned to the crater rim...and jackals were out looking for a kill.
Two Black-Backed Jackals
Yet another male lion
More wildebeests. "moo, moo"
Wildebeests under a dramatic Ngorongoro Crater sky
A hyena looks around for a morning snack
It seems his friends have found something tasty
A Cape Buffalo skull reminds us of the realities of the wild
A hippo enjoys a bath in the springs
"Are you looking at me?"
A really unusual sight! An entire heard of Elephants along the edge of the crater...look at how the babies are holding onto their mothers' tails to keep up with the rest of the group!
A vulture sits at the top of an Acacia tree in the Lerai Forest
Hanging out in our safari vehicle...watching the monkey in the tree nearby
Probably good advice...especially if you don't want to be dinner.
