Another game drive out of the park as we continue our journey to the Ngorongoro crater, approx 80 kms out. I was totally unprepared for the profound beauty of the view of the crater and for the second time on my travels was moved to tears by what I was seeing. This is indeed God's work and i was truly awed. I knew this was going to be one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that I will never forget. It is fiercely protected and they only let so many vehicles in the park a day. You are given a time that you must return and if you don't you are heavily fined.
Our campsite on the rim of the crater overlooks jagged volcanic peaks and rolling grasslands thousands of feet below. With cold showers and drop toilets, this is likely one of the most spectacular campsites with such a view. It was quite cold but we built a fire and stayed up late looking at the stars and the magnificent full moon - an added bonus!
After an early breakfast, we descended to the crater floor in 4x4 jeeps, a steep 600m below the rim. A huge, perfectly intact crater, Ngorongoro Crater is home to approximately 30,000 animals including the endangered black rhino. We were told there was only a 50% chance of seeing one of which there are only 28 in the whole of the crater. This is the only place they live and the park staff are committed to increasing the herd. We were lucky enough to see this rare sight as we viewed a group of 5 off in the distance, completing our viewing of the Big Five! Another highlight was the leopard, sleeping in the tree, it's limbs hanging down, completely relaxed. It was incredible to see the thousands of pink flamingoes that grace the edge of the lake feeding off the algae that turns them the vibrant pink colour. Again, elephants, lions, impalas, zebras and hippos along with the hyenas and warthogs who frequently cross the road in front of us. Towards the end of the drive, we were able to witness the migration of the wilder beasts, approximately 1.25 million of them, a magnificent sight indeed. I was so impressed with the driver's knowledge and the complete regard for the life of the animals. He told us that at times, whilst the vehicle is parked, a lion will come and lie down in the shade of the vehicle or even jump onto the hood, and if this happens, they do not move the car until the lion decides to move on. This can take hours, and it is this profound regard for the animals that made me so thankful for their diligence to keep the animals safe in their natural habitat.
What strikes me as so incredibly amazing is that each and every living thing, plant, insect, or mammal depends on each other to create this wondrous and perfect place on earth. Never have I been so in awe, so enraptured by the very existence of these marvellous creatures.
