Day 4 of the safari took back to the Ngorongoro Crater and then down into it.  Anyone that happened to watch season 20 of the CBS program the Amazing Race has a feel for what the crater looks like.  Part of the show and the contestants tasks took place in the crater.  Some of the contestants had to construct tents similar to what we had slept in while in the Serengeti while others joined the Maasai in their jumping ritual.

After a long rough drive out of the Serengeti we arrived at the crater to strong cold winds.  Even just south of the equator it does not seem to get too warm at 7500 feet.  Following a brief stop to admire the 102 square miles crater floor we drove down 2000 feet into the crater.  As we were driving in we saw the Maasai herding their cattle out after letting them drink water.  On entering we saw a landscape of wildebeest, zebra, and thousands of flamingoes turning the salt-water lake from blue to pink.  After a boxed lunch in the car and a walk around another hippo pool we continued to drive and found more lions.  There were two young male lions napping, and one lioness in the distance walking around.  When we drove closer to her, she circled our car looking for a shady spot.  Her size was magnificent, but in retrospect she was uncomfortably close.  Realizing that our rhinoceros hunt would not happen due to weather conditions, we continued driving through the crater looking for more animals.  Because of poaching, the rhino numbers have dwindled to below 20.  They are so valuable to poachers that armed guards keep watch and count them everyday.  On exceptionally windy days, as today was, they tend to go into the trees in the crater rim.  I guess we have a reason to come back.  After hearing hyena the last few days it was neat to finally see some.  Hyenas are really ugly and neat looking, even more so when in motion.  Having no luck with the rhino we headed back to the Highview  Hotel in Karatu for the night.  One more day on the safari and we are off to Zanzibar.