Tanzania: Ngorongoro Crater

After our safari at Lake Manyara, we continued to our next destination, Ngorongoro Crater. The drive included a stop at a local market for our first ‘local’ experience shopping. We all browsed the treasure trove of items searching for souvenirs we could not live without. Bartering is key, so none of the items were marked for price. Unfortunately, there was so much to look at that no one could make a decision on what to buy! One of the tenants especially liked the North Face shirt Mike was wearing and even offered to trade shirt for wood carving (not once – but twice!). Mike declined – lol!
The lodge we were booked at was situated along the rim of the crater so our room offered a breathtaking view; especially at sunrise. It was the second Serena lodge (the first at Lake Manyara) we stayed at and both were very impressive. It was nice to have two evenings in the room to look forward to after the string of single night stays we had just been through. We relaxed the evening away taking in the views and talking about the itinerary for the next day. The night included a show by the Maasai as they demonstrated their traditional dances. They were colorfully clothed in bright colors and beads. The men showed off their ability at jumping in order to impress the ladies while the women bounced their neck beads and chanted with the men. I was astonished at how some of the men could jump although I don’t think it would convince me to ask them for marriage! Unfortunately, the superior lodge was spoiled by subpar food. Can’t have everything be perfect!
The full day of safari was very exciting. We nearly got the Big Five in one day! If only we had been able to find a leopard. Our first cat was the Cheetah as we found it dining on its kill. A male lion approached our touring vehicle and used us as a temporary shade before plopping down on the side of the road. Once the lion became bored with our presence, we watched it take a drink out of the small pool of water and continue on its way. Its departure sparked the arrival of three female lions and two little cubs. Later, we spotted another female lion beginning her hunt as a male lion and cub waited for dinner in the distance. Patience paid out in the end as we witnessed her attempt to snag dinner for her family. A swift kick in the side by a zebra fouled her plans as she was unable to take her target down. It was so neat to see these animals so close and in action in the wild. We also saw the black rhino in the middle of a field during a brief afternoon rain and let’s not forget the MANY elephants we saw between our first two safaris.
In addition to the most sought after animals, we saw plenty of topis, elands, ostriches (which are quite tasty by the way), gazelles, African buffalos (aka retired generals), impalas (Africa’s Chevy’s), birds, hyenas, hippos, etc. etc. It was quite the day – a destination we could not have done without!
The dinner entertainment at the lodge was aerobatics this time as locals demonstrated their strength, balance, and flexibility while pulling off incredible stunts. It was an impressive show. Mike and I also took the evening opportunity to pick up a few Maasai souvenirs from a Maasai selling goods outside the restaurant. Mike picked up a club used to kill lions during the Maasai’s passage into adulthood. Another tradition the Maasai’s practice (although they don’t frequently practice the lion one anymore) is the circumcision of men at age 16. The men prove their bravery by receiving the procedure without anesthetic and without a tear in their eye or a cry escaping their lips…..oouuchh.