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This provides plenty of food for the main predators; lions and spotted hyenas, although there are also lots of jackals and some leopards and cheetahs. Black rhino are usually seen in the Ngorongoro Crater, as are large herds of buffalo. Female elephants and their young prefer the forested highlands around the caldera, but mature bulls with massive tusks roam the crater floor. Birds bring colour to the Ngorongoro Crater, in particular thousands of flamingoes that tint Lake Magadi's shallow soda waters with a pink flush. Safari lodges are situated around the crater rim and have fabulous views. Each morning game-viewing vehicles descend into the amazing wildlife haven that is the Ngorongoro Crater', and spend the day amongst the animals. All vehicles must return before dusk and leave the animals in peace during the hours of darkness. Safari lodges are situated around the crater rim and have fabulous views. Each morning game-viewing vehicles descend into the amazing wildlife haven that is the Ngorongoro Crater, and spend the day amongst the animals. All vehicles must return before dusk and leave the animals in peace during the hours of darkness. Birthplace of ManOlduvai Gorge, not far from the Ngorongoro Crater, is thought to be place where man first walked on earth. In 1960 Mary Leakey discovered a 1.75 million-year-old Homo habilis here, whom she nicknamed the 'Handyman', as he was the earliest known toolmaker. He was man's first step on the ladder of human evolution and before him the landscape contained giant pigs with metre long (3-foot) tusks, sheep-like creatures with 2-metre (6-foot) horns and three-toed horses. Nowadays, the Ngorongoro area is home to the tall and proud red-robed Maasai, who daily tend their herds of cattle, sheep and goats in an area that most of us would be privileged to see just once in our lifetime. Cultural encounters with the Masai enrich any East African safari experience. | 
