Ngorongoro Crater

Yesterday was a 1.5 hour drive to the gate of Tarangire NP, but today was only 45 minutes to the front gate of Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Tons of baboons were hanging out, crawling on the tour jeeps and being photographed by the tourists. Now it’s more driving to get to the descent from the crater edge (2400 metres elevation) to the floor (1600 m elevation). 




First wildlife sighting in the park: water buffalo. 


In national parks (such as Tarangire), permanent human habitation is not permitted, but in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Maasai are allowed to live. 

The gorgeous, misty morning prevented a view of the whole crater:


But once on the crater floor there were animals everywhere!

Sleepy hyenas:

Itchy zebras:

Lots of tourists:


Sleepy lions and awake lions:





Wildebeest, water buffalo:


And a time-lapse of hippos!


You can barely see their eyes and nostrils above the water:


Here’s a better one:


Why did the wildebeest cross the road?



Another sleepy lion:


Then it was time to ascend:


Our guide, Roman, took good care of us!





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