Day 21 (Fri, 28 July) - Ngorongoro Crater

We were woken up at 5.30am by the sound of the water pouches being filled with piping hot water.

Bleary eyed we washed and stumbled into the car. The weather was very cool and quite misty.

We drove for about an hour and a half to the Ngorongoro Conservation Park entrance. Whilst Reuben sorted out our tickets we huddled up in the back of the car as it was quite cold and raining and we had both forgotten to bring our fleeces.

Passing through the entrance gates was like passing into another world. The dirt road seemed to carve through a jungle; huge trees on either side were festooned with vines and covered in lichen.

The road soon started to steepen as it wound itself round the side of the extinct volcano.

It became more misty and colder as we travelled up. Finally made it to the rim of the caldera and had our first look at Ngorongoro. Although we were shrouded in mist the floor of the caldera was very clear.

We travelled down the inside of the rim, descending some 600 metres until we were on the floor of the caldera.

As we drove on we almost immediately spotted a pride of lions resting in the grass.

Driving on we spotted hippos, cheetahs, zebra, wildebeast, hyena and a small number of flamingos.

Had lunch by a hippo pool. We were both freezing by this time and welcomed the thought of having some food! As we sat there we saw a kite swoop and with its talons attempt to take a hat an unsuspecting man was wearing. Poor guy looked quite shocked as the large bird flapped away.

It started to warm up after lunch so we felt a little better. During our afternoon drive we saw a black rhino and a very friendly warthog whom Jo christened Boris. Boris, unlike the warthogs we had seen, was not alarmed in the slightest as we drew up alongside him. He continued to munch away at the grass.

Left the park at abut 4pm and headed back to camp.

Had another feast prepared by Roger and turned in soon after.