After Leaving Snake Park intact (minus snake bites) we headed out in landrovers towards Ngoronoro Crater, camping overnight in a campsite at the bottom of the crater. We had an interesting display of African dance and acrobatics - the highlight of which had to be the guy who leaped around screeching while balancing a coke bottle on a stick in his mouth! It was a great display - even Mark got up and strutted his stuff African style....(although one of our fellow travellers commented that his dancing was a 'typical white boys dance'!!)

The following morning we headed up to the crater. It was initially disappointing as the crater was cloaked in mist and we missed out on the views going up and over the rim. However the mist cleared as we got down into the crater and we realised how impressive it truly was...

The crater was created 2 million years ago when a volcano the size of kilimanjaro erupted and collapsed in on itself. It is now a mini eco system of rivers, soda lakes, plains and forest and is absolutely stunning. The crater floor was covered in yelllow and purple flowers and smelt like honey. Hanging out of the landrover roof we saw giant herds of zebra and wildebeest - many of whom were touching distance! We also saw elephant and a Cerval cat on the prowl for dinner.

After 4 hours game drive we drove back up the crater up winding and very steep mud tracks with STUNNING views over the crater. I was hanging out of the roof all the way until I nearly got brained by a hanging branch!

We drove back to the Snake Park again overnight trying to avoid running over packs of baboons on the road on the way! At Snake Park we found out a viper had escaped and a bottle of rum was up for grabs to whoever found it. We decided the prize was not worth trying to seek out a deadly poisonous snake and decided to stay in the tent instead!