The deck of the bungalow was wet from the rain that had fallen during the night. But in spite of the rain, it was warm as our hero and his lovely sidekick prepared their day packs and then walked up to the main lodge to meet the rest of the safari party, in the breakfast room.
Ngorongoro Oldeani Lodge can only be described as posh. The duplex cabins were roomy and fitted out with all the upscale amenities that a North American would hope to have. The main lodge is stunning with high-ceilings and open air rooms, decorated with beautiful African art and artifacts. And the staff that knew all their guest’s names were over-the-top with their attention to a premium experience for all.
After breakfast the safari group left the lodge and travelled to the entrance of the Ngorongoro National Park. They were greeted at the gate by a welcoming committee of baboons. Then after checking in with the rangers they drove into the park and up a long bumpy road flanked on both sides by thick and wet jungle. We were climbing up the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.
The Ngorongoro Crater is an ancient volcano that has collapsed in on itself. The rim encircles a 100-square mile, mostly flat grassland that is punctuated by a few small lakes. The rim rises up sharply to an unbroken rim, that is 2000 feet above the cauldera floor. The slopes of the rim are heavily forested. The enclosed area and the rim’s outer slopes are a rich habitat for a large population of animals both herbivorous and carnivorous .
After descending into the crater, the safari-goers had a great day of game viewing in the crater. The climax was coming upon a large clan of hyenas feeding on the carcass of a dead hippo. The hippo had apparently died of natural causes in a small freshwater pool and the scavengers were cleaning it up. The lunch was really fun. It was a BBQ picnic in an open air setting served on linen tablecloths and accompanied by South African wine.
The next morning the group checked out of the Ngorongoro Oldeani Lodge and climbed up the crater rim again. However, this time instead of turning right, down into the crater, they turned left and descended towards the Serengeti Plains.
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Looking down from the top of the rim to the floor of
the crater |
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| Kori Bustard |
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| Freshly shampooed and blow-dryed. |
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| On his way to a dinner party |
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| Pink flamingos having fun |
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| Hyenas filling up on a deceased hippo |
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| Zebra scratching station |
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| Grey Crowned Crane |
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| Marabou Stork |
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The beautiful grounds of the Ngorongoro
Oldeani Lodge |
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| Inside the main lodge of the Ngorongoro Oldeani Lodge |
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