A Cauldron of Diversity
The Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest, inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera. Part of the Serengeti Ecosystem, it is 2,000 feet deep and covers 100 square miles. It is now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the 'Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.'
The Ngorongoro Crater was named by the Maasai, after the sound of a cowbell (ngoro, ngoro). Cows are a sign of status and wealth to the Maasai, not to mention their livelihood.
The animals in the crater do not migrate with the rest of the African animals. They have an abundant and balanced ecosystem right here.
Driving along the rim in the early morning...
Then, as we descended and the morning wore on, the fog lifted...
And we popped our top for yet another day of fabulous animal viewing...
The Kill - Looks like a Gnu (Wildebeest)
The lions guard and dine on a kill like this for days. A brave Jackal kept coming close and drooling, but didn't dare challenge the lions. Notice the Lion's face to the right of the Jackal...
Helmeted Guineafowl
We had a lunch break at a little rest stop. The guide told us we better eat our box lunches in the vehicles because of the monkeys lurking around. Startling me, and everyone else, after about 5 minutes a monkey jumped in from above, through the pop top, landed on my lap, took a small sandwich, and was gone before we knew what happened! See monkey paw prints on my pants...
Later, when the driver was outside stretching his legs, another monkey jumped in, grabbed his apple, and was gone. No wonder there were so many monkeys around. Supply and Demand!
Gray Crowned Crane
Yeah, of course there's a female Ostrich around...
Eland
Thompson Gazelles
Hyena with a Zebra leg...
Hartebeest
Then back up on the rim of the crater...
Another fine day!
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