It is dawn. You have had a good sleep in a comfortable bed in one of the lodges on the high rim of this giant bowl. For thousands of years, this 2½ million year old extinct volcano has been home to a wide variety of wildlife. It is Nature’s terrarium and the world’s largest inactive intact caldera, 610 meters deep and 260 square kilometers in size. A unique biosphere, Ngorongoro Crater, draws about one-half a million visitors from around the world each year. As you slowly descend the steep slope in your safari vehicle, your expert guide points out the various animals, birds, and plants. He explains the unique geological history of the crater. A local Maasai walks beside the road. You see elephants, cape buffalo, and herds of impala, and other different antelope species. As you drive along the flat crater floor, you spot lions resting from the previous night’s activities. Yes in the distance, you see a black rhino. This is truly a morning to remember. Lunchtime calls for a picnic on the shore of a beautiful lake inhabited by hippos. The lodge has packed a delightful meal. Other safari groups also break for lunch in this picturesque setting. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most popular parks to visit not only in Tanzania, but in all of Africa.
