Day8: 9th Dec'03, Tuesday - Tanzania's Independence Day
Descend into the crater
0900 hrs.: The descent into the crater is by a steep and treacherous winding road.
0920 hrs.: Bottom of the crater.
We drove through Lerai Forest where we saw mainly elephants and birds like the attractive chestnut Hoopoe and the brown snake Eagle. Moving out from the forest, we saw a lion with 2 lionesses.
Game viewed along the way : Secretary Bird, Ostrich, Warthogs, Crowned Cranes, Thomson's gazelles, Buffalos.
Came across a carcass of an elephant.
In search of the elusive Rhino, we finally managed to see two, but at a distance of 100 meters which completed our search of the last of the big five.
We got a view of thousands of Gnu and Zebra at the watering hole near Mandusi Swamp.
On our way to Ngoitokitoki for lunch, we encountered a mother cheetah who kept a close watch on her 3 cubs.
330 hrs.: Stopped for lunch at Ngoitokitoki Picnic Spot where we got a close-up view of a beautiful tusker emerging from the water.
We proceeded onto Lake Magadi, a soda lake at the crater's base where we saw thousands of flamingos wading in the shallow.
Nearby was a lonesome Hyena at the edge of the Lake.
Came across a pool of around 50 hippos and plenty of little egrets, blacksmith plovers, weavers and Ibis on the edge of the pool.
Gnu at close quarters.
At Lerai Forest..before our ascent.
1735 hrs.: Back at the Lodge. Had dinner, watched a movie 'The Cheetah's tale' and retired for the night as we had to proceed to Tarangire the next day.
