Yesterday Rohan and I braced ourselves for the almost extortionate cost of going to Ngorongoro Crater. After waking up at 5am to be at the gate for 6am and paying $340 for the privilege, we started our accent to the rim of the crater. It was a very misty windy road to the top. We think we saw a lion on the way but cannot really be sure...then nearly drove right into some of the biggest buffalo I have ever seen. After an hour we made it to the rim and took in the most breathtaking view I have ever seen. I can honestly say it is one of the most unique sights to see. As we started our 600m descent into the crater we just gawked. You could see black shadows of wildebeest, Zebra and Buffalo. The Lake Magadi in the middle of the crater with Hippos and flamingos was another amazing sight. All the animals seemed to be heading that way for their morning drink. I just cannot describe how amazing we found the crater. We have been warned by so many people that we would be disappointed due to the number of other cars in the crater. Well there was about an hour where it got VERY congested can’t see the cars for the animals, but this seemed to ease off quite quickly. Seemed most of the safari vehicles do the crater in the morning, then head into the Serengeti for the afternoon. We did find the driver much more friendly and willing to pass information than in the Serengeti where you got the feeling that everyone was in such a rush.
Once we got over the spectacular scenery we got down to some awesome game viewing. Huge herds of buffalo, zebra and wildebeest, birds, groups of Hyena’s just lying in the swamps, elephant grazing in the long reeds in the swamps, then what we have been looking for, a male lion just lying in the grass conserving all his energy. Then if we thought we were lucky we got luckier and saw another male about 600m down the road also just basking in the sun. Unfortunately they were not that close to the side of the road so we could not get the best pics, but it was just amazing to just sit and watch them. We both found it strange to find 2 males in such close proximity with not regard for each other. But all the same it was lucky for us. So thus far the only animals eluding us have been the wild dogs and the Rhino....although except for Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti there are hardly any Rhinos in Tanzanian and Zambian Parks.
After driving just about every track on the crater we started our accent back out of the crater and again just taking into the view. This time minus all the mist.
We spent the night in Arusha so that we could get the car serviced today. Working out to be a very expensive week. From here we will hopefully spend tonight in Moshi, which is at the base of Killi. Then start heading towards Dar Es Salaam to meet Andy and watch the final. There are some mountains in between where we plan to spend tomorrow night to break the trip.
A quick one on campsites. For those heading to the crater, we recommend you stay in the town of Karatu which is about 15 min from the gate. There is a really good campsite called Kudu Campsite and it was great. We would have stayed there last night if it were not for the car. We spent last night in the Masai campsite in Arusha which was recommended to us by many people and our guide book, and to be honest we did not think much of it at all. If you can skip the town of Arusha all together you will not have missed much. Looking forward to packing up and heading out once the car is done. Can’t believe we have already done 10 000km’s. We were going to maybe chance it and have it serviced in Dar, but thought we would rather have the peace of mind that everything is in working order for the trek to Dar and then home.
From Dar we are going to be following the coast down to Durban. We are toying with the idea of heading to Kruger then home through JHB, but still not sure.
Anyway, we hope that Sat turns out to be awesome and wish we were with everyone to see England come seriously short....until then!!
Once we got over the spectacular scenery we got down to some awesome game viewing. Huge herds of buffalo, zebra and wildebeest, birds, groups of Hyena’s just lying in the swamps, elephant grazing in the long reeds in the swamps, then what we have been looking for, a male lion just lying in the grass conserving all his energy. Then if we thought we were lucky we got luckier and saw another male about 600m down the road also just basking in the sun. Unfortunately they were not that close to the side of the road so we could not get the best pics, but it was just amazing to just sit and watch them. We both found it strange to find 2 males in such close proximity with not regard for each other. But all the same it was lucky for us. So thus far the only animals eluding us have been the wild dogs and the Rhino....although except for Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti there are hardly any Rhinos in Tanzanian and Zambian Parks.
After driving just about every track on the crater we started our accent back out of the crater and again just taking into the view. This time minus all the mist.
We spent the night in Arusha so that we could get the car serviced today. Working out to be a very expensive week. From here we will hopefully spend tonight in Moshi, which is at the base of Killi. Then start heading towards Dar Es Salaam to meet Andy and watch the final. There are some mountains in between where we plan to spend tomorrow night to break the trip.
A quick one on campsites. For those heading to the crater, we recommend you stay in the town of Karatu which is about 15 min from the gate. There is a really good campsite called Kudu Campsite and it was great. We would have stayed there last night if it were not for the car. We spent last night in the Masai campsite in Arusha which was recommended to us by many people and our guide book, and to be honest we did not think much of it at all. If you can skip the town of Arusha all together you will not have missed much. Looking forward to packing up and heading out once the car is done. Can’t believe we have already done 10 000km’s. We were going to maybe chance it and have it serviced in Dar, but thought we would rather have the peace of mind that everything is in working order for the trek to Dar and then home.
From Dar we are going to be following the coast down to Durban. We are toying with the idea of heading to Kruger then home through JHB, but still not sure.
Anyway, we hope that Sat turns out to be awesome and wish we were with everyone to see England come seriously short....until then!!
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