Ngorongoro Camp

October 2013

We stayed at Kirurumu Ngorongoro Camp the night before our crater safari drive. After the noise we experienced at the sister camp at Lake Manyara we didn't have high expectations but found this site to be peaceful, have really good food and better tents (non permanent).

Its set in the Masi community and you can hear the clinging of cow bells.

The tents are comfortable, with plenty of blankets (because it does get cool) and the 20L hot water showers we experienced in the Serengeti.

The grounds the camp is set on is peaceful and relaxing. It was a good spot just to sit and relax.

The food here was also quite good. Its served at a large table so all guests can share their stories of where they have been and where they are going.

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

October 2013

Ngorongoro Crater is the the world's largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera. The wildlife inside are relatively protective and it is meant to be the only place in East Africa to see the Black Rhino. While a beautiful area, this was one of the places I had high expectations of and they just weren't met. 

My view of dense animal populations is obviously different from reality. We did however see the Rhino here (rounding out the Big 5 for Tanzania) and a Cerval Cat as we were leaving the crater.

I originally wanted to spend more time here but was talked out of it by the company we used for our safari for an extra night in the Serengeti and I'm glad we did it that way. Was it a stunning unique, location? Yes. Was it the best part of our trip to Africa? No

 

 

 

Our Tanzanian Safari

October 2013

We had just finished Kilimanjaro and decided we had to stay for a few days for the Northern Circuit. As much as possible we wanted to stick with tented camps and were looking forward to Ngorongoro Crater. Things don't always end up being what you expected, but I wouldn't have changed a thing. Base Camp Tanzania was a fabulous company and our guide Emmanuel was a fantastic person to spend 7 days with.

Day 0 Arrive from the Springland Hotel, where we stayed after climbing Kilimanjaro, to the Arumeru Lodge near Mt Meru

 Day 1 Drive from Arusha to Tarangire

One of the first things we saw as we entered the park. Tarangire had an abundance of wildlife.

Day 2 Drive Tarangire to Lake Manyara

Lake Manyara is famous for its tree sleeping lions, and we saw some right at the end of our day in the park.

Day 3 Drive Lake Manyara, through Ngorongoro Crater to Serengeti National Park

The view from the lookout as you enter the Ngorongoro Crater, stunning.

Day 4 Full day Serengeti National Park

This was one of the first things we saw on our full day, lions coming back to rest after a morning at the Zebra supermarket

Day 5 Full day Serengeti National Park

Our next day was just as good, as we headed out west to get a different perspective.

Day 6 Drive Serengeti National Park back to Ngorongoro Crater

Leaving the Serengeti National Park you got the feeling you had experienced something very special

Day 7 Ngorongoro Crater tour and drive back to Arusha

While Ngorongoro Crater wasn't the highlight that I had been hoping for, we still got to finish off the big 5 with these black rhino (look very closely) and the unexpected surprise was the Serval cat that ran in front of the truck as we made our way out of the park

Day 8 Early departure back to South Africa

For us our itinerary was almost perfect, I doubted the lack of time we had in Ngorongoro and the length we were spending in the Serengeti, but it turned out to be just right.