Shane and Heidi at the border between Tanzania National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Shitfing Sands, Ngorongoro Conservation Area. There is the volcanic ash dune of Shifting Sands situated near Olduvai Gorge. These crescent-shaped mounds are a remarkable phenomenon. Technically they are known as barkan, and they result if there is sufficient dust on the ground and a unidirectional wind to blow it. The dust collects around a stone, and this collection accumulates more. The process continues, with the mound growing all the time, and then it begins to move. The crescents have their two sharp arms pointing the way the wind is going, and the whole shape is beautifully symmetrical.

Shane at ZINJ site, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. On July 17, 1959 paleoanthropologist Mary Leakey discovered a fossilized skull from a previously unknown species of hominid that she and husband Louis Leakey named Zinjanthropus boisei. The 1.75-million-year-old fossil from Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, turned the Leakey's into household names, and firmly established that the roots of the human family tree extended deep into antiquity. The name of the genus "Zinjanthropus" has since been dropped.

This Maasai women kindly posed for a picture while we were eating lunch just outside the Olduvai Gorge Museum. She was in fact begging for food. It was very sad to see what the Maasai culture has resorted to in order to preserve their culture. Children running at roadsides asking for money and food. Women selling beads and jewelery that look like they were made in China. Even young boys posing as Maasai Warriors and asking for a fee to take pictures. All the time talking on cell phones....

Maasai women at Olduvai Gorge Museum. It is rude to take pictures of people in Tanzania. Asking to take photos will cost you money as well. She kindly posed for us after we gave her some of our picnic lunch box.

Please help identifying this bird. Taken at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania.

The Olduvai Gorge is a steep-sided ravine in the Great Rift Valley that stretches through eastern Africa. It is in the eastern Serengeti Plains in northern Tanzania and is about 48 km (30 mi) long. The gorge is an important prehistoric site, sometimes called "the Cradle of Mankind."

The name is a misspelling of Oldupai Gorge, which was adopted as the official name in 2005. Oldupai is the Maasai word for the wild sisal plant Sansevieria ehrenbergii, which grows in the gorge.

Maasai Children running through the field. The Ngorongoro Highlands can be seen in the distance behind.

Ngorongoro view point on top of the western rim. The descent road is to the right. Lake Magadi can be seen in the distance. The crater, which formed when a giant volcano exploded and collapsed on itself some two to three million years ago, is 610 m (2,000 ft) deep and measures 19km (12 miles) from rim to rim.

Shane found Geocache GC2EMMQ on the rim. Thirteen were found in total on this trip. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

Wildebeest in Ngorongoro Crater, October, Dry Season.

The African Buffalo or Cape Buffalo is a very robust species. It is up to 1.7 metres high, 3.4 meters long. Savannah type buffaloes weigh 500–900 kg, with males, normally larger than females, reaching the upper weight range.

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

The Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum) is a bird in the crane family Gruidae. It occurs in dry savannah in Africa south of the Sahara, although it nests in somewhat wetter habitats. This animal does not migrate.

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

A pregnant Zebra at Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, Dry Season.

Zebra on the Ngorongoro Crater floor. The western rim of the crater can be seen in the background.

This Spotted Hyena was not scared of the vehicle. He could probably smell our picnic lunchbox at the rear of our vehicle. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

Hyena sniffing our spare tires on the back of our vehicle. He would eventually go under the car. Later on, our driver spotter teras in the wheel covers momst likely from this Hyena. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

Female Ostrich, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

Silver-Backed Jackal, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania. Eastern Rim Ascent/Decent road.

Mating Ostriches, Ngorongoro Crater. The cock performs with his wings, alternating wing beats, until he attracts a mate. They will go to the mating area and he will maintain privacy by driving away all intruders.

If you've never seen the mating dance by a male Ostrich, look it up, it is pretty messed up.

Bathroom at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, Western Rim.

All of the 91 double bedrooms are very spacious and each two queen sized beds and a separate dressing area. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, Western Rim.

Each room has a glass fronted verandah, where you may enjoy a private view of the Crater. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, Western Rim.

Male Ostrich, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

Line of migrating Wildebeest, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania. Although it is assumed that this migration is a frenzy and that the wildebeest cross blindly, recent research has shown that a herd of gnu possesses what is known as a "swarm intelligence", whereby the animals systematically explore and overcome the obstacle as one. [wiki]

Line of migrating Wildebeest, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania. A full grown wildebeest can be 4 ft 2 in (1.27 m) to 4 ft 10 in (1.47 m) at the shoulder and weigh 265–600 lb (120–270 kg).

Zebra, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

Lesser Flamingoes, Lake Magadi, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

Panoramic of Lake Magadi in Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

Heidi filming some Hippos while we were stopped at Ngoitokitok Spring Picnic Site in Ngorongoro Crater.

A Martial Eagle plucking the feathers off a Helmeted Guineafowl. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

It is a very large eagle, with a length of 76–96 cm (30–38 in), weight of 3.1–6.2 kg (6.8–14 lb) and a wingspan of 188–227 cm (6.17–7.45 ft).The adult's plumage has dark brown upperparts, head and upper chest. The body underparts are white spotted with black. The underwing coverts are brown, with pale flight feathers, also streaked with black. [wiki]

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

The diet of the Martial Eagle varies greatly with prey availability. Birds up to the size of a stork can be taken, but it more often chooses medium-sized ground-dwelling species such as francolins, guinea fowl or bustards. In some areas mammals constitute the greater part of its diet, with such species as hares, hyraxes, mongooses, young impalas and baboons, and adult duikers. It may also attack domestic livestock, including poultry, lambs and young goats. [wiki]

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

A Martial Eagle plucking the feathers off a Helmeted Guineafowl. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

Male lion roadside in Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

Due to the variety of animals present, the crater is a well known tourist attraction. It can get very congested on the main roads. Our Africa Dream Safari guide was able to find the less travelled trails and we often skipped the main congested areas just like this for the best photo ops. All this congestion was to see the one male lion pictured above. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

Male lion roadside in Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

"Male" Zebra, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

Zebras are African equids best known for their distinctive black and white stripes. Their stripes come in different patterns unique to each individual. It was previously believed that zebras were white animals with black stripes, since some zebras have white underbellies. Embryological evidence, however, shows that the animal's background color is black and the white stripes and bellies are additions. [wiki]

Rain clouds and rain falling on the far edge of Ngorongoro Crater. It was dry and sunny over our vehicle. October, Dry Season.

The Black Rhinoceros or Hook-lipped Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), is a species of rhinoceros, native to the eastern and central areas of Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Angola. Although the Rhino is referred to as black, it is actually more of a grey/brown/white color in appearance. An adult Black Rhinoceros stands 140–170 cm (55–67 in) high at the shoulder and is 3.3–3.6 m (11–12 ft) in length. An adult weighs from 800 to 1,400 kg (1,800 to 3,100 lb). The females are smaller than the males. Two horns on the skull are made of keratin with the larger front horn typically 50 cm (20 in) long, exceptionally up to 140 cm (55 in). [wiki]

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

On the left, hotel rooms. in the distant right, the main lobby of Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, Eastern Rim.

Split level accomodations, mean one room on the upper level and another room on the lower level. View of the Crater and Southern Rim to the right. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

Main Stairway from Swimming Pool to lobby. Restaurant and dining room to the left, bar and common room to the right. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

The restaurant is in the shape of a rondvale, has a high roof and large glass windows to view the crater. From the inside the ceiling resembles the inside of an umbrella. The menus offer good choice and at dinner you will have the opportunity to try a traditional African dish. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

The lobby is very spacious, has a high ceiling and a glass dome. Tea and Coffee are freely available to our guests in the coffee bar area. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

Bar and lounge at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

Bar and lounge at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

The lobby is very spacious, has a high ceiling and a glass dome. Tea and Coffee are freely available to our guests in the coffee bar area. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

The lobby is very spacious, has a high ceiling and a glass dome. Tea and Coffee are freely available to our guests in the coffee bar area. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

Swimming pool with view of the crater in the background. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

Sunset over the Western Rim of the crater as viewed from our sunroom at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

You are here.

View of Ngorongoro Crater from the Southern Rim before descending and exiting the park.

Entrance gates and visitor centre at Ngorongoro Conservation Area.