Part 2 of my Tanzania Safari

Ngorongoro Serena

The view from my precipice is amazing. We are situated on top of the Western side of the caldera and looking down onto 100 square miles of grasslands and animals. The Masai tribes still hold their grazing rights to this pristine land. I am excited to venture down into the crater tomorrow morning and get a different angle of this lush ancient volcano and everything that lives on the inactive floor.

We got up very early this morning and starting driving the descending road just as the sun was rising. On the way we saw Masai villages and one warrior asked me for money to take his photo. Some villages keep to the traditional way of life and herding, some villages are more opportunistic with tourism. We also made a stop when a lioness tried to cross the road in front of the car.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Within the first two hours of Ngorongoro we saw three lions trying to stalk a Cape buffalo and a cheetah waiting to hunt. It was surreal. Another stop for a black rhino to pass between our trucks. At a watering hole 3 lionesses took over a hyena kill and tugged the wildebeest carcass into the mud while the hyenas watched disappointed from a few yards away. A big loss for them so they moved on. Wildebeest and zebras constantly crossed the road like the bison do in Yellowstone. I could have reached out the truck and touched them, they were so close. It’s beautiful to see how undisturbed the animals are here and how protected they feel in the crater. All the guides follow strict rules about where to drive and not to disturb the animals. The conservation work here has been incredible.

Africa’s Big 5

Today was the best game drive yet. My count this afternoon is that we’ve seen 4 of Africa’s “Big 5.” Lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo. The ecosystem in the bottom of the caldera is amazing! This was more of what I expected the iconic African safari to look like with its herds of wildebeest, zebras, antelope species, lions and elephants.

After a long day with an early start I arrived “home” to Ngorongoro Serena. A quick shower to knock off the dust, a fresh shirt for dinner, and a sundowner on the porch… my heart is full from this hidden Eden and all the animals that live here. Early to bed so that we can rise with the animals.