Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Part 2

Continuing on from Part 1, we are starting with an early morning game drive before breakfast.  Some Thompson’s Gazelles were grazing at the pond which straddles the border with Serengeti.

IMG_6986

Flamingoes make a nice reflection.

IMG_6987 IMG_6989 IMG_6992 IMG_6993

Mourning Dove

IMG_6998

Blacksmith Plover

IMG_7001

Grey-breasted Spurfowl

IMG_7002 IMG_7005

Lilac-beasted Roller

IMG_7007 IMG_7008 IMG_7008a IMG_7015

This next batch of photos covers the drive after breakfast as we leave the lodge and start the drive back to Arusha.  Fischer’s Lovebirds were there to say goodbye.

IMG_7017

This mixed herd of Wildebeest and antelopes is just a tiny fraction of what you see during the great migration.

IMG_7060

Ostriches

IMG_7062

Silver-backed Jackal

IMG_7064 IMG_7065

Drongo

IMG_7066

Vultures cleaning up someone’s dinner from last night.

IMG_7067

Camels generally belong to Masai people.

IMG_7068 IMG_7069 IMG_7070

Closer to the gate we start seeing our friends the Little Bee-eaters and Weaverbirds again.

IMG_7072

One last look at the crater

IMG_7073 IMG_7075

And time to say goodbye to the NCA.  But not without drama!  We were 8 minutes overdue for leaving although the clock on the car and both our phones – mine & the drivers said we were 5 minutes early.  They let us go but not without a sound scolding!

Lesson learned – synchronize your watches when you enter and don’t cut it too close!

IMG_7077