Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

We have visited the crater on several occasions, in 2007, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018

Like an African safari in miniature, the Ngorongoro Crater is an iconic soup bowl filled with animals and wrapped in superlatives. As the largest un-filled, unbroken caldera in the world, the crater boasts a number of 'records', including the densest animal population in Africa. No wonder it is dubbed as the 8th Wonder of the World. Created some three million years ago when a large volcano exploded, the caldera is ca 20 km across and 610 metres deep; and contains all the 'Big Five' as well as a number of other plains game. Only the giraffe is absent, as the caldera walls are too steep for them to climb.

Ngorongoro Crater from above. The drive up from the plateau below invariably takes you through thick mist, to be presented with this view when you reach the top. I will never tire of seeing this.

Elephant
When I first saw this elephant I thought he was a statue, he was so still. It turns out he was asleep, standing up! Elephants can live to around 65 years old, and this huge male was somewhere between 40 and 50 years old.

He's a “left-tusker” - like humans are left or right-handed, elephants have a predominant tusk, which is shown as being shorter through constant use.

Ngorongoro Crater is known for its huge, lone, male elephants. Nearly all the elephants within the crater are old males – there are no breeding herds or females here, as they rely on tree cover for security when giving birth and while the babies are young. You do get the occasional young male entering though.

A hippo heading for the waterhole. It is rare to see hippo out on land during the day. They spend most of the day submerged in water with only their head sticking out, preferring to leave the water at night to graze on land. While they are herbivores, they can be quite aggressive, especially if they have young. Hippos kill more people in Africa than any other animal (except the mosquito). Never get between a hippo and the water.

Most of the time you are only likely to see the Black Rhino from a distance but in 2017 we were lucky enough to have two of them walk right by the car.

Crested Lark

This heavily pregnant lioness was looking for some shelter where she could safely have her babies. She was too heavy to chase some antelopes that passed dangerously close to her.

Olive Baboon

Male Ostrich displaying his breeding plumage. The male birds have a harem of females, up to 15 or more. The females then look after the chicks collectively.

Sacred Ibis

Cape Buffalo

During the wet season, the floor of the crater explodes into a riot of colour. This image was taken in May 2017.

Zebra fighting

Close up of a Wattled Starling showing the breeding plumage of the male.

Black Backed Jackal

Grey Crowned Crane engaged in courtship ritual

Elephant

Little Bee Eater

Spotted Hyena

Close-up of a Village Weaver which landed on the roof of our car as we stopped for a picnic.

Close-up of Zebra

African Spoonbill

Unpredictable and highly dangerous, Cape Buffalo has the most impressive horns. They reportedly charge thousands of people a year and gore over 200. They can attack and cause serious injury with the tips of their huge, curved horns, or by head butting with their "boss" which is the solid shield of horn that covers the skull where the horns emerge.