Even on vacation, it was worth getting up early today to get over to Ngorongoro Crater. We left Plantation Lodge at 7 AM and were up on the crater rim just 90 minutes later. It was cold, cloudy and windy, but we figured things would be a little more user friendly down in the "crater". Technically, it is a caldera... not a crater. And animals like a good caldera, apparently. We got down inside and the weather was indeed better, but it never got exactly "good". We wore jackets and sweaters (which is par for the course at 7000 ft) but we still opened up the top of our Landcruiser and rolled down the windows. Immediately, we encountered zebras, and then more zebras. Wildebeest and then more wildebeest, Cape buffalo by the dozen, Kori bustards and Secretary Birds and ostriches. And then we saw lions. Four big fully maned males lounging about and one female who seemed a bit more restless. We watched hippos doing what hippos do (not much) some more lions, hyenas, jackals, elephants, eagles, vultures and several flavors of gazelle. We saw tons of animals and kept constant watch out for more. We came up empty in our rhino search, but that happens. Not many of them left to see in Tanzania. Adamson and Makubi, our extremely knowledgeable driver/guides took us all over the crater/caldera. We climbed back up the steep walls around 4 PM with most everybody a bit sleepy. Which worked out fine because we were back frolicking in the swimming pool and sipping coldies by 5 at the Plantation Lodge. We'll be well rested and ready for another deluxe safari day tomorrow. Best Regards RMI Guide Dave Hahn