After an early breakfast, we depart for the long-awaited Ngorongoro Crater. We find out along the way that the name derives from the local peoples' description of the sound the bells make on their herds of goats. We are a bit above 6,000 feet and we have to go up before we can come down. At 10,000 feet we are enveloped in a beautiful cover of clouds and down we go on the switchback roads, amazed to hear that the elephants descend as well, seeking water. They occasionally resort to sitting down and sliding on their behinds when it's too steep.
As has happened frequently in Africa, this is nothing like I imagined. The Crater is a super large caldera akin to Yellowstone. In fact our guide Chris was sent by his company to the US to visit Yellowstone. The caldera is 25 miles across and is 2 million years old. It is home to countless animals (over 25,000), many of whom never leave. Others migrate during the rainy season, heading for the Serengeti. We were able to complete our sightings of the Big Five when we saw, in the distance, a rhino. Not a white rhino, but maybe that will come later. If not, we have been so lucky it does not matter.
There are multiple terrains within the Crater and various watering spots including a river, beautiful natural springs and the alkaline lake. All attract countless animals including what must have been thousands of pink flamingos. Unreal.
We cover most of the Crater during the day, returning home in a tired heap with time to rest just a bit before dinner. R, J, and L got massages but I rested quietly by myself. Those kids had two massages in one week. We are all taking care of ourselves.
As has happened frequently in Africa, this is nothing like I imagined. The Crater is a super large caldera akin to Yellowstone. In fact our guide Chris was sent by his company to the US to visit Yellowstone. The caldera is 25 miles across and is 2 million years old. It is home to countless animals (over 25,000), many of whom never leave. Others migrate during the rainy season, heading for the Serengeti. We were able to complete our sightings of the Big Five when we saw, in the distance, a rhino. Not a white rhino, but maybe that will come later. If not, we have been so lucky it does not matter.
There are multiple terrains within the Crater and various watering spots including a river, beautiful natural springs and the alkaline lake. All attract countless animals including what must have been thousands of pink flamingos. Unreal.
We cover most of the Crater during the day, returning home in a tired heap with time to rest just a bit before dinner. R, J, and L got massages but I rested quietly by myself. Those kids had two massages in one week. We are all taking care of ourselves.
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