I never thought I'd get such a buzz from seeing African wildlife but after two game drives in Kenya I was most definitely hooked! V. and I were really keen to experience this adrenaline rush again in Tanzania, but we quickly realised that budget travellers aren't really catered for here as most prices quoted were simply astronomical. One trip to the Serengeti, for instance, would cost as much as our entire budget for one month! Having nearly given up on the safari idea, we ended up getting lucky and found two travel mates who could help share the cost for a two-day trip. Here's what V. had to say in his diary about our time in the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater:
After an early breakfast in the pre-sunrise twilight we headed to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descended the steep road into the volcanic crater. 
The popularity of this park was evident by the numerous vehicles darting in all directions, throwing up clouds of dust in their wake. 
Very early on we spotted lions – a male and female- only 100 metres away. 
Initially sitting largely hidden in the tall grass, they converged for a 30 second tryst before walking off into the distance. 
Almost immediately we saw another group of lions – two males and a female strolling casually on the perimeter of a group of zebras. The lone male continued to lazily saunter toward the anxious zebras while the couple got frisky. 
Further on we spotted jackals, distant hyenas, herds of buffaloes, hippos, crowned cranes, herons, ibis, flamingos, warthogs, antelopes, countless zebras, innumerable wildebeest... 
... and best of all, a pair of cheetahs (that were sadly stalked by over 30 safari vehicles). 
Our time in the crater passed all too quickly and when we left all of us wished we could have stayed longer. Despite the many visitors, Ngorongoro has a lost world feel to it as if it is a microcosm of existence where the outside world has no impact or influence.
After an early breakfast in the pre-sunrise twilight we headed to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descended the steep road into the volcanic crater. The popularity of this park was evident by the numerous vehicles darting in all directions, throwing up clouds of dust in their wake. Very early on we spotted lions – a male and female- only 100 metres away. Initially sitting largely hidden in the tall grass, they converged for a 30 second tryst before walking off into the distance. Almost immediately we saw another group of lions – two males and a female strolling casually on the perimeter of a group of zebras. The lone male continued to lazily saunter toward the anxious zebras while the couple got frisky. Further on we spotted jackals, distant hyenas, herds of buffaloes, hippos, crowned cranes, herons, ibis, flamingos, warthogs, antelopes, countless zebras, innumerable wildebeest... ... and best of all, a pair of cheetahs (that were sadly stalked by over 30 safari vehicles). Our time in the crater passed all too quickly and when we left all of us wished we could have stayed longer. Despite the many visitors, Ngorongoro has a lost world feel to it as if it is a microcosm of existence where the outside world has no impact or influence. 
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