Tanzania - Safari Geography, Part 2

We left the entrance to the crater National Park and headed for the rim.  We wouldn't be entering the crater on this day.  We were just passing by on our way toward the Serengeti.  We passed through some clouds and fog as we neared the rim.  Most of us were dressed for a warm June day on the plains of equatorial Africa.

There is an observation deck overlooking the crater and we headed out to see what we could.  With an occasional break in the cloud cover, we could see the bottom. It wasn't cold - by Minnesota standards - but it was chilly and some locals were dressed more appropriately than most of our group.  You might notice that the observation platform is being rebuilt.  Step to the edge with caution!


It is only about thirty-five miles as the birds fly between that damp, chilly crater rim and the flatter, dry area surrounding our next night's lodging at Ndutu Safari Lodge.  From there north into the Serengeti National Park  we were in an exceedingly dry area.  But that was a circumstance of the timing of our trip.

These graphics in the lobby of the Ndutu Safari Lodge explain the difference between the wet and the dry season in this area.


With that as background, here are pictures of the Serengeti area taken over the two days that we were there.








Meanwhile, back inside Ngorongoro Crater, the climate is much more pleasant during the dry season.  The animals inside don't leave.