Day 8 – Safari (Ngorongoro Crater)

Early morning drive – up and on our way at 6:00, breakfast and lunch boxes in hand. As we descended into the crater we discovered a wonderful spot to watch the sunrise. Absolutely breathtaking! Today has already started out to be an emotional day for me. The fact this is the last day of what I have wished for my entire life will soon be over. No matter how hard I try I can’t seem to hold back the tears. I know it’s going to be an amazing day!

Around the the floor of the crater so early in the morning, it felt as though we just melted into this land. Animals galore! As we made a turn, we came up on what has become my highlight of the trip. There, walking down the road right towards us was the most amazing pride, 21 strong. 5 lioness’, several young adult lions and a ton of young cubs. There were several jeeps behind them but we were the only one on our side as they made there way right to where we were. What an amazing pride it was! THIS is the dream! We watched as they all walked right by.

We continued through the day seeing one amazing site after another. We had lunch at a favorite lunch spot overlooking a hippo pool (not to be mistaken with the other hippo pools we have visited). This one was clean and a very peaceful site. Today Ally got chairs out for us to sit and enjoy our surroundings. All week I have captured pictures of the most amazing birds I have ever seen and today did not disappoint. Even though we aren’t supposed to feed them you could tell that not all visitors follow the rules (not me, everyone else…lol) because they swarm around waiting for the least little crumb. There is one particular bird that Ally told us was very aggressive so to be careful if they were flying overhead, they would swoop down and attack. We ate looking in the sky.

Leaving lunch there was a report of lions starting to hunt so we drove in that direction. From where we were we could see a large herd of buffalo heading towards the river and a couple of lions beginning to circle. Their strategy this time was completely different then what we witnessed while they were hunting zebras. It wasn’t so much creating a perimeter, this time is was more like a bait and chase tactic. While other lions were hidden along the river bed, 2 lions would charge the buffalo, encouraging them to chase them – which they did. Back and forth several times. Each time the buffalo would chase the lions back a little closer to the rivers edge. After about 30 minutes, I guess the lions figured out the buffalo were never going to get close enough, so they gave up. Have to give it to the buffalo, when they were threatened, the entire herd came to the defense. We waited for a bit to see if the lions were going to regroup, but it appeared they were in no hurry as we watched them cross the riverbed. A few jeeps also crossed over to the other side of the river so we decided to follow and there, the perfect end to the last full day; the pride from earlier in the morning, 21 strong, laying along the river, enjoying the sun and each other. We sat for over an hour watching the cubs run and chase each other. They jumped on the adults and played just like normal household kittens. As we sat there watching, the weather began to change and within 10 minutes we saw the first rain we have seen since we arrived in Africa. Not a lot but enough to close the tops and to make our way back to the main road so we would have no access issues getting out. There you have it, the perfect ending.

As we drove back to the camp the reality of the day hit me again and I could not hold back the overwhelming feeling that my lifelong dream had been fulfilled beyond any expectation I could imagine and was coming to an end. I sat in the backseat by myself on the way back reflecting on everything over the past 9 days. As we arrived at the camp I couldn’t even speak with Edward about the events of the day. I don’t even know how to explain to anyone what I feeling. Rich was gracious enough to give me a little time to myself.

Showers were most welcomed tonight. Washed my hair for the long trip home tomorrow, and set beside the fire to let it dry as we waited for dinner. As we finished dinner, Edward brought us a farewell cake. Zipped in by 9, packed and ready to head out in the morning. What a nice ending to a wonderful day.
DSC_1642

CSC_1830

DSC_1941

DSC_1955

DSC_1968

DSC_1018

DSC_2018

DSC_0433

1,806 thoughts on “Day 8 – Safari (Ngorongoro Crater)

  1. An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that
    you should write more on this subject, it may not be a taboo matter but typically people do not
    speak about such subjects. To the next! Cheers!!

  2. I think that may be an interesting element, it made me assume a bit. Thanks for sparking my considering cap. On occasion I get so much in a rut that I simply really feel like a record.

  3. Your thing regarding creating will be practically nothing in short supply of awesome. This informative article is incredibly useful and contains offered myself a better solution to be able to my own issues. Which can be the specific purpose MY PARTNER AND I has been doing a search online. I am advocating this informative article with a good friend. I know they are going to get the write-up since beneficial as i would. Yet again many thanks.

    • Excellent goods from you, man. I have take into accout your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely excellent.
      I actually like what you’ve got right here, really like what you are saying and the best way during which you say it.
      You make it enjoyable and you still care for to stay it wise.
      I can not wait to read much more from you. That is really a tremendous site.

    • Thanks for some other fantastic article.

      The place else may anyone get that type of information in such an ideal manner of writing?
      I have a presentation next week, and I’m at the look for such info.

    • Superb website you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any message boards that cover the same topics talked about in this article?
      I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get advice
      from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest.
      If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
      Thanks a lot!

    • I do not know if it’s just me or if everybody else experiencing issues with your website.
      It appears like some of the text on your content are running
      off the screen. Can somebody else please comment and
      let me know if this is happening to them too?

      This may be a issue with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen before.
      Kudos

    • Fantastic blog! Do you have any helpful hints for aspiring writers?
      I’m hoping to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything.

      Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid
      option? There are so many choices out there that
      I’m completely overwhelmed .. Any suggestions? Thanks a lot!

    • First of all I want to say excellent blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you do not mind.
      I was curious to know how you center yourself
      and clear your mind prior to writing. I have had a difficult time clearing my mind
      in getting my ideas out. I truly do enjoy writing
      but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are lost simply just
      trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or tips? Cheers!

    • Please let me know if you’re looking for a writer for your blog.
      You have some really great articles and I believe I would be
      a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some content for your blog in exchange
      for a link back to mine. Please shoot me an e-mail if interested.
      Kudos!

    • My coder is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP.
      I have always disliked the idea because of the costs. But
      he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on a variety of websites for about a year
      and am worried about switching to another platform. I have heard excellent things about blogengine.net.
      Is there a way I can import all my wordpress posts into it?
      Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    • Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve take into account your stuff
      previous to and you’re just too magnificent.

      I actually like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you’re saying and the best way in which you assert it.
      You’re making it entertaining and you continue to take
      care of to keep it smart. I cant wait to read far more from you.
      That is really a wonderful web site.

    • Simply desire to say your article is as surprising. The clarity in your post is just great and i could assume you are an expert on this subject.
      Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post.
      Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.

    • Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I in finding It really helpful & it helped me out much.
      I am hoping to give something again and help
      others like you helped me.

    • I just like the valuable information you supply
      for your articles. I’ll bookmark your blog and test once more right here regularly.
      I’m slightly certain I’ll learn many new stuff proper here!
      Best of luck for the next!

    • I feel that is one of the such a lot important info for me.

      And i am satisfied studying your article. However want to remark on some basic issues, The website style is wonderful, the articles is actually great :
      D. Good job, cheers

    • Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s really informative.

      I am going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this
      in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing.

      Cheers!

    • I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog.
      Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up
      the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a great blog like this one today.

    • hello there and thank you for your information – I’ve certainly picked up anything new from right here.

      I did however expertise a few technical points using this website, as I experienced
      to reload the website many times previous to I
      could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK?
      Not that I am complaining, but slow loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement in google and could damage your high quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords.
      Anyway I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a lot more of your
      respective intriguing content. Make sure you update this again very soon.

Leave a Reply to paraswap documentation Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *