To the Crater

We left Plantation Lodge at about 7:30, after waiting about a half hour for our guide, and drove along the nicely paved road to Ngorogoro Crater (from the Maasai word for big hole) which was a volcano that collapsed three million years ago and forms a 102 square mile area surrounded by walls that are 2,000 feet high. There is only one way in and one way out and there are thousands of animals living at the bottom including warthogs, Thompson’s gazelles, Grant’s gazelles, Hartebeest, lots of zera, lots of wildebeest, some lions, some elephants, and some rhinos. Many of the wildebeest and the zebra had babies and it was great to see so many at one time. After leaving the crater, we drove to the Serengeti (from the Maasai word for endless plain) and saw more gazelle and zebra. After getting lost and having to stop to ask for directions twice, we finally arrived at Lamala Tented Camp.

These are tents that have a small attached shower, with a tank that is filled with hot water by the staff at your request, and a toilet, and a bed. This camp is mobile and is taken down and moved depending on where the animals are. We had a quick shower and dinner and then went to bed.

The water on this trip has been interesting. Of course, you cannot drink or brush your teeth with the tap water – you use bottled water. At most places, like Jacana Lodge and Ndali, the water is pumped from the local lake, which is yellow or muddy colored and smells slightly swampy. Here the water is heated in a metal tank over a fire and has a wood fireplace smell.