Day 9 - Ngorongoro Crater

26th Aug'2012 - Ngorongoro crater - We pack our bags as its our last day of the Safari, have an early breakfast and leave Rhino Lodge (one of the best places to stay) around 06:30 hrs. Its a chilly, foggy morning as we wind our way down to the crater floor.
We see a Masai congregation enroute - more like a guru-shishya session happening and Ame tell us that the youngsters are being taught about Masai culture.

Again the landscapes do not let me move ahead without a few pictures :)

As we move ahead, we come across a lot of Zebras and Wildebeests against the backdrop of the salt lake. 

A little later we spot a lioness walking along the lake side in the distance. She just keeps walking for about 10mins majestically and then finds a grassy patch before settling in.

We were hoping for a kill but no luck! She's too busy snoozing. We move on ahead and spot 2 young males sleeping in the grass - the same colour as the lions. All we can see is the mane of one of the Lions. We wait and then one of them decides to give us his blessings by lifting his head up and looking around.

As we move ahead, we spot a Kori Bustard - an amazingly different kind of bird. The earlier one I had shot was not a great pic, so was glad that I got a pretty decent one this time.

Ame was in a hurry (and I was miffed!!) but a little later we spotted a Bateleur Eagle. It swooped down and settled near the rocks on a water body. Lovely bird of prey!

Ame drives around at top speed and we're holding on for dear life (more of equipment). We do not know what's going on and he chooses to remain quiet. After a while he brings the vehicle to a stand still and points out in the distance. We focus and count - 1, 2, 3.....to 8...take a deep breath!

A pride of teenage lions led by a female lioness in the distance walking majestically towards us.

Ame asks us to get in the 4*4 quickly and takes us around to another place where this pride is taking positions to attack a Gazelle. Really excited we start shooting every movement that each Lion makes.

Unfortunately all shaky shots (our excitement got the upper hand). 

Just to give a brief, the lead lioness takes position followed by another one a little to her right. We see another one go further right behind the 2nd one. Then we see 2 taking position at the start of a hillock and suddenly realise that there's a 5th somewhere in the middle of the hillock. 2 more take position to the left of the 1st lioness. The 8th one seems to be injured as we do not see it and it was walking very slowly. A brilliant strategy to ensure the gazelle is not missed from any direction.

As the lead lioness went into the attack position, one of the vehicle driver's starts the engine and the gazelle gets alerted and spots the attackers. She makes a quick escape.

Disappointment writ large on her face the lead lioness slumps down! Then we see this amazing moment of camaraderie and affection.  The 2 lions behind the lead female come up to her and nuzzle her as if to say "It's alright. There'll be another one"! Absolutely amazing moment caught!

All the lions start walking towards the vehicles lined up...going right next to our vehicles and moving on further up the road with such grace and poise that it was difficult to comprehend they just missed their lunch (thanks to us humans!!)

We were already behind schedule, so we headed quickly towards Ngoitoktok springs for a picninc lunch we had carried with us. Just before reaching we spotted a gazelle trying to make its baby walk the first few steps. A far shot and a hazy shot but a must see!

After lunch we had some great Zebra shots which gave us a good laugh. Here are a few that I've named as - Conjoint, Siamese twins, Butt heads and Head butter respectively:D

As we rush out of the crater, I look behind and take some parting shots as we're being driven away. My favourite one is here.

Hey, the journey does not end here...but the Safari definitely does!

I hope you've had a glimpse of what I've experienced and what I've felt during the 9 days that we've travelled. We've been very lucky to see all that we saw and the people we've met has only enriched me and broadened my vision, taking me one step further towards doing things that I love to do.

Asante! (Thank you in Swahili) for your patience!

Please leave your feedback and comments on the blog about the writing and the photographs.

Copyright (photos) - Supraja & TJ

Credits - TJ, Sneh, Radhakrishnan, Isaac (Kenyan tour guide), Ame (Tanzanian tour guide), Minneh from Jocky tours (Kenyan tour operator), Emmanuel from Lilac adventures (Tanzanian tour operator) and all the unnamed Masai people who've made our stay comfortable and welcomed us with open hearts! Cannot forget the animals, birds, landscapes across Kenya - Tanzania!

Jambo! (Welcome) as we move on to our next destination - Zanzibar! in a little while:)