Ngorongoro Crater 2008

Beautiful pictures MM!I particularly like the little lion cub in the tall flowers and the serval pics. Thanks for sharing them

Ronnie

Great photos MM thanks, it looks a beautiful area. As Ronnie says the one of the Cub in the flowers is a cracker, and it looks as though the Jackle is getting a few sraps. It seems there's quite a diversity of animals there. You must be having great memories going through you photos
WS

Mara Mad - thanks for sharing those lovely photos. It looks beautiful there, not only the wildlife but the flowers and the mountains. What a wonderful time you must have had.

Lai

Hi Doogs

We were in the Crater early May 2008. We saw a lot of animals - including the ones I have posted here but also saw a Honey Badger, bat-eared foxes, African Wild Cats, lots of birds of prey etc. Didn't see leopard. We also didn't like our driver (Sammy) funnily enough (lazy and loathe to spend time with particular animals) and whilst we saw lots of animals it did feel a little zoo-like because it is quite enclosed. And it is VERY expensive. I remember seeing a programme on TV a few years ago about the lions in the Crater being ill because of the in-breeding and lack of new blood coming in from outside. The crater was really beautiful with all the flowers though! Sorry you had such a bad experience.

MM

I remember that programe as well MM. Lions from outside the crater were unable to get in, and the Lions inside the crater were unable to get out or did;nt want to if I remember right
WS

That's righrt WS. Must say the lions we saw all looked pretty healthy - I wonder whether there is some intervention by bringing in new blood to widen the gene pool??

MM

I do'nt know MM, but I may have a look to see if I can find any info
WS

Thanks for that Doogs - an interesting read.

Lai

Thats a great find Doogs thanks, saved me a lot of digging. Really interesting article, and it shows that whats happened is through nature, not by human interference, if you discount the Masai who are after all part of the natural diversity of the area. So do we interfer, and play God as the article says in one part, or do we let nature take its own course
WS

I remember our Guide Lucas, he was amazing could spot Rhino on the horizon which we thought were two boulders until we used the binos. He would just say let me know when you are finished in a particular place and we can move on. All the time scanning the horizon or trees to see what he could find for us, while we were taking pics etc. When we go again, it will be back with Lucas. He even had no trouble getting a camera battery for my camera when it started playing up (had brand new batteries in it when we started our safari). He was just fantastic!

SM

What a brilliant gesture by Ian, Doogs, and so very thoughtful I bet Vincent was absolutely over the moon, and I'm sure as you say it must be a lasting memory
WS

Thats a lovely story Doogs. I'm sat here with a great big on my face. Well done Ian

that's really lovely Doogs. As you say some of the guides have just the worst binos ever, how they can see anything I can't imagine! They have the best eyes though it never ceases to amaze me what they can spot.

Lai Pai

Yes Doogs, TT and I did the Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Lake Manyara loop, for our Honeymoon. Totally amazing!

SM