Day Seven: Is that a rhino or a rock? - Ngorongoro Crater continued

I slept in my tent alone last night and it was magical. Nobody snoring beside me, nobody moving around the tent, nobody smelling like sweat and vodka. It was a perfect enough sleep that I got rid of the sore throat/stuffy nose combo that had come in the night before from not sleeping a wink.

In the crater, we switched vehicles from the bus to jeeps with open tops and go on a game drive. The roads are still bumpy but much better; this could have just as much to do with the vehicles as it does the actual roads.

We came across a small pride of lions having a breakfast of buffalo. Fun fact: lions purr when they eat.

We were stopped by wildlife once again. This time it was zebras.

Traffic jam

Baby zebra!

Baby zebra again!

Not a baby zebra

We were so close to the zebras and a herd of elephants that we could touch them. We resisted this urge, as we have brains and wished to keep our hands.

Pumba.

 

 

Off in the distance is a black shape. Our drive is sure it is a rhino, but we are not unconvinced it isn't a rock they put there to tell tourists it is a rhino, and therefore the tourists could cross it off their Big Five Bingo Cards (not actually a thing).

Possible rhino.

Further down, there are more hippos in the river.

Be glad you can't smell this.

We stopped for lunch by a different watering hole and were warned by our guide about the black kite, which is a bird with no manners. It is a huge raptor. It is not afraid to steal the food right out of your hands without warning, and you will probably lose a finger too.
The other group didn't get this warning or didn't heed it and ate their lunch outside of the jeep. One of the Aussie guys had his sandwich stolen from him mid-bite! It was amazing, but scary.

The road to the rim/exit of the crater is semi paved and it is almost orgasmic. Once out of the park and back in our Intrepid truck, we are en route to Meserani Snake Park. The road is fully paved - newly so - and it is fucking glorious. Without exaggeration,  it is the best road I have ever driven on in my life.

Twice a month, there is a mobile market in the Meserani area. It sells literally everything you need for every stage in your life. This covers easily two acres and every inch is crowded with people. There is music and food and beds.

Some time between Ngorongoro Crater and Meserani Snake Park, I get a headache. I think it is because of the sun. After my tent is up, I get in and pass out. I have a fever and am nauseous. Ugh. In the morning I am alright, however, so I will go with heat sick.

Next up: Birthday!