The rim itself is a vast spectacle - nature's own perfect amphitheatre. It's quite a drive to reach the rim, and a hair-raising descent down into the centre.....
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) A candelabra tree on the rim. The crater is home to a vast variety of different types of fauna and flora |
) Sunlight burns off the early morning mists in Ngorongoro |
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Incredibly, by chance, we'd stumbled on a whole pride of lions, asleep in the crater, within 30 mins of completing our descent. I cut the Land Rover engine and we coasted right up to them, not wanting to disturb the snoozing cats. We did feel selfish and intrusive - the whole family was having a nice kip and some uncouth ape drives right up to them...... we have to plead ignorance based on absolute awe.... magnificent animals, so very 'human' in their slumber, their tetchiness on waking, the antics of the cubs, the watchfulness of Mum. We were incredibly priviledged.
) Mum - the boss lioness. |
) Oh its a hard life.... nothing to do but eat, sleep and yawn.... |
) P'raps we'd better wake up a bit if more of these car things are going to turn up. Bother. How rude. |
) Or maybe just roll over and go to sleep again |
