day 6
NGORONGORO CRATER
post by scott
We were up early to make the most of our half day in the crater and when we started descending the step road down there was still a dense shroud of mist covering half of the caldera. Everyone stays outside on the rim so in the morning there are a procession of vehicles driving down and the motorcade was treated by a solitary lioness who slowly paraded beside the road for all onlookers to enjoy.
Our primary objective today was to try and spot an elusive rhinocerous. There are very few remaining (about 30 in the crater area) but most days they are seen here due to the small area and the fact they don’t usually leave the crater. We were desperately hoping to see one as it may be our last chance – they are perilously close to extinction, but unfortunately today day they stayed away from the roads and none were spotted. I guess you can’t win em all.
|
We still had a fantastic day trying to spot more exotic and rare animals between the vast number of zebra and wildebeest. There were plenty of crowned cranes (Uganda’s spectacular national bird) and in one area they had all gathered together to have a dance off! Down by the picnic spot we saw our first hyenas (they are nocturnal scavengers and not usually active during the day), which did not look as scary as we were expecting. Having said that, they were alone and relaxing, not in their notorious frenzied pack hunting mode. Hyenas apparently have the remarkable ability to eat the whole animal carcass including hide and bones due to incredibly strong jaws. Interestingly they are more closely related to a mongoose than to a dog or cat.
|
Also near the picnic spot and not more than 50m from some unsuspecting tourists on foot was a great adult male lion with a huge mane hidden behind a rock. From where they were they couldn’t see the danger and for a moment it seemed like we would witness their grisly demise. Louis was unconcerned though as the males are apparently terrible hunters due to their laziness. Despite his apathy he was much more impressive mane-wise than any we had seen in the Serengeti. This same lion provided more amusement when a big herd of zebra came over the hill and sent out a single scout to go down and investigate for danger. The zebra carefully walked down and looked around but could not see or smell the lion as he was hidden downwind behind a rock. Mr Z came extremely close while his friends looked on intently from the safety of the hill. Much like the wildebeest stepping on the croc, this zebra got the fright of his life and scurried back to inform his herd of the lurking danger!
The crater floor is primarily grassland with a small forested area on the periphery and large salt lake covering the middle. There are hundreds of flamingos dotting the water looking like white flowers, but unfortunately the roads do not go close enough to get a very good view. By lunchtime we had to say our goodbyes to Ngorongoro and head back out of the crater and return to Arusha. Despite the rhino being elusive we had an amazing day there and saw an incredible diversity of life in such a small area.
|
This safari was such a great experience we are excited to come back one day with our families and do it all again! Hopefully we will have as much luck and see as many fantastic things.
|