Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater was formed 2 to 3 million years ago when a giant volcano exploded and collapsed on itself. This natural enclosure, a brilliant shade of green, is home to almost every species of wildlife. Early in our game drive we stumbled upon a pride of eight lions lounging across the road. Although they looked hungry, they also seemed quite lazy. When the clouds no longer shielded the sun, they sought shade under the vehicles making it difficult for us to leave. Another driver had to pull up close to us and rev his engine. Finally, the exhaust caused the lion to relinquish his spot under our tire so we could proceed to a picnic area for lunch. Overhead the sky darkened and thunder boomed in the distance. Big raindrops cleared the splattered mud from our windshield as we climbed 2000 feet up the narrow steep road leading us back to Arusha.