The Ngorongoro crater (named after the ringing sound the Maasai cow bells made as they grazed the lowlands) is 260 km2, and part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the larger Serengeti ecosystem. I wasn't here for the annual migration across the plains, but even so, the herds of animals in all directions across the crater floor were stunning. This area holds a population of about 25,000 large animals. It's the city of the animal kingdom. However, during the migration, several million animals come through the plains area of the reserve.
The crater itself was formed two to three million years ago by the explosion of a giant volcano, and is the largest unflooded and unbroken caldera in the world. The Conservation Area Authority estimates the height of the original volcano to be between 4,500 to 5,800 metres high.
We stopped to look out over the crater, and our guide pointed out groupings of little dots he assured us were animals, then the lakes, and interesting landforms.
It was quite a winding steep road to get along the rim and down into the crater, past Maasai villages and herdsmen with their cows, but once we got into the crater, there were animals everywhere. The Maasai in this area are allowed to graze their cows inside the crater, but have to take them out at night, where they pen them in reinforced villages with wooden spiked walls to keep out lions and other predators. The local economy has of course changed over the years, and if your jeep is stopped for any length of time, Maasai people will come up and attempt to sell you jewellery or decorated weaponry.
My favourite animal sighting was actually the dung beetle. Those little things are so funny. And they're pushing dung. And apparently I'm still a 12 year old :)
There were some amazing zebras. I even saw several that were massively pregnant, and while looking at one, I'm pretty sure the baby kicked, because her stripes wobbled. Oh, and they also matched my sunglasses fabulously (except for the minor pink staining from Holi festivities in India) :)
We did see a majestic lion pride, which was extremely exciting--although, they were in rest mode rather than hunting mode. . . which suited me fine. The male lions lie off to the side by themselves, while the females and the cubs tumble into a nap pile. Looks wonderful.
We had lunch by the hippo pond. Strange to be out of the car having just seen a pride of lions.
Other things we saw included ostriches (Jessica Marcy, I thought of you and your painting), wildebeest, black rhino, water buffalo, a jackal, flamingos, spotted hyenas, crested crane, elephants, and many many Thomson and Grant gazelles.
A fabulous day, however it got pretty bumpy, and the constant shaking had me kind of ready to get out of there and settle down for the night.
The crater itself was formed two to three million years ago by the explosion of a giant volcano, and is the largest unflooded and unbroken caldera in the world. The Conservation Area Authority estimates the height of the original volcano to be between 4,500 to 5,800 metres high.
We stopped to look out over the crater, and our guide pointed out groupings of little dots he assured us were animals, then the lakes, and interesting landforms.
It was quite a winding steep road to get along the rim and down into the crater, past Maasai villages and herdsmen with their cows, but once we got into the crater, there were animals everywhere. The Maasai in this area are allowed to graze their cows inside the crater, but have to take them out at night, where they pen them in reinforced villages with wooden spiked walls to keep out lions and other predators. The local economy has of course changed over the years, and if your jeep is stopped for any length of time, Maasai people will come up and attempt to sell you jewellery or decorated weaponry.
My favourite animal sighting was actually the dung beetle. Those little things are so funny. And they're pushing dung. And apparently I'm still a 12 year old :)
There were some amazing zebras. I even saw several that were massively pregnant, and while looking at one, I'm pretty sure the baby kicked, because her stripes wobbled. Oh, and they also matched my sunglasses fabulously (except for the minor pink staining from Holi festivities in India) :)
We did see a majestic lion pride, which was extremely exciting--although, they were in rest mode rather than hunting mode. . . which suited me fine. The male lions lie off to the side by themselves, while the females and the cubs tumble into a nap pile. Looks wonderful.
We had lunch by the hippo pond. Strange to be out of the car having just seen a pride of lions.
Other things we saw included ostriches (Jessica Marcy, I thought of you and your painting), wildebeest, black rhino, water buffalo, a jackal, flamingos, spotted hyenas, crested crane, elephants, and many many Thomson and Grant gazelles.
A fabulous day, however it got pretty bumpy, and the constant shaking had me kind of ready to get out of there and settle down for the night.
I must say I am enjoying this vicarious African safari. Thanks Mary
ReplyDeleteI'm glad, Frances! I started feeling like I was overloading everyone with animal pictures. It was very cool to see the animals in their natural environment, happy, with enough space, and with family/group members. It really is so different from a zoo experience.
ReplyDeleteNot that I don't still love zoos :)
ReplyDelete