On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
swiftfox
We left Tarangire in the morning and arrived at the rim of the crater in late afternoon. Our photo guide claimed to see a pair of black rhino about a mile away down in the crater. The safari guides confirmed this but we never did see them once we got there the next morning. They were the only species of the “big five” (cape buffalo, rhino, lion, elephant, and leopard) we didn’t photograph.
![On The Road - swiftfox - Tanzania Safari Part 3 Ngorogoro Crater 8](https://balloon-juice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/9C64BECE-06FB-4EA8-A6C3-757154D71EFB-768x512.jpeg)
Our first volunteers in the crater were grey-crowned cranes.
![On The Road - swiftfox - Tanzania Safari Part 3 Ngorogoro Crater 7](https://balloon-juice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/E3E013E3-D86C-4A55-905B-EC1EB1530987-768x512.jpeg)
Shortly thereafter we saw several spotted hyenas. This one was the most photogenic.
![On The Road - swiftfox - Tanzania Safari Part 3 Ngorogoro Crater 6](https://balloon-juice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/F2161949-2883-4BBE-B61B-469D1EBB1861-768x512.jpeg)
This black-backed jackal trailed the hyenas.
![On The Road - swiftfox - Tanzania Safari Part 3 Ngorogoro Crater 5](https://balloon-juice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/BF706D81-0D8E-4624-9088-141017FB9BE4-768x512.jpeg)
There were about 60 pink and lesser flamingoes in the lake, along with pelicans, storks, cape teal and hippos.
![On The Road - swiftfox - Tanzania Safari Part 3 Ngorogoro Crater 4](https://balloon-juice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/4B80AF24-1C63-435C-8F4C-4A8B1F800CCF-768x512.jpeg)
This was the standard level of daytime activity for the lions.
![On The Road - swiftfox - Tanzania Safari Part 3 Ngorogoro Crater 3](https://balloon-juice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/F02D36AE-57AC-4D38-B261-6406AA27481C-768x512.jpeg)
Hippo in its natural habitat. It smelled about as bad as you can imagine.
![On The Road - swiftfox - Tanzania Safari Part 3 Ngorogoro Crater 2](https://balloon-juice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/104D6B6D-FE1B-4FAC-95AB-76069E0DCCEE-768x512.jpeg)
Waterbucks supposedly submerge up to their nostrils in water to escape predators.The impala and topi were impressive but I found waterbuck to be the most photogenic antelope.
![On The Road - swiftfox - Tanzania Safari Part 3 Ngorogoro Crater 1](https://balloon-juice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/28F8A2AE-6D07-4F0D-B3DD-04AAD96195E1_1_201_a-768x662.jpeg)
Grey-crowned cranes in flight.
![On The Road - swiftfox - Tanzania Safari Part 3 Ngorogoro Crater](https://balloon-juice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/06BAED51-5908-4CB4-92D0-9D84E6483E92-768x512.jpeg)
At the end of the day we visited a Masai boma. This is a picture of their traditional dance. The warriors jump to display their prowess.
Next: The Central Serengeti
Baud
Me too!
eclare
You got close enough to a hippo to smell it? Brave!
YY_Sima Qian
Ngorongoro is a magical place!
Betty
The gray-crowned cranes are magnificent. Sounds like a successful visit.
Dorothy A. Winsor
Wow. What a great trip
Torrey
Great pictures! The hippo looks content, although perhaps wondering what the heck you’re doing there.
pieceofpeace
Terrific photos, thank you!
way2blue
May I say that the jackal is gorgeous!