Lion – Ngorogoro Crater, Tanzania – Photo Friday
by Chris Christensen Add commentscategories: africa travel
At first glance this photo might be a bit misleading. It looks like this car has hit one of the lions here in the Ngorogoro Crater in Tanzania. But instead it is not the lion who is in distress but the people in the car. This lion has fallen asleep holding the tire of this Range Rover Toyota Land Cruiser. We came across this scene just after we had eaten lunch and the near by lions had decided it was time for a siesta. A pride of about 6 lions were sleeping or lounging by the side of the road. Twelve or so Land Cruisers and Land Rovers with tourists had stopped to take pictures of the lions. One particular lion had decided that sleeping in the shade of the car would be more comfortable.
Now in the Ngorogoro Crater lions have the right of way. So the people in this car were stuck until the lion decided it was time to leave. The car had been like this for 45 minutes by the time we arrived. They were still waiting by the time we left. Lions got this close to our car as well and believe me hearing a lion’s low rumbling growl just outside the car window can make the hair on the back of your neck stand up straight.
By the way, Ngorogoro is the Maasai word for a cow’s bell and this crater apparently reminded the Maasai of an upturned bell.
The Lion Sleeps Today – Ngorogoro Crater, Tanzania – Daily Photo
Cheetah – Ngorogoro Crater, Tanzania – Daily Photo
Tourists on Safari – Ngorogoro Crater, Tanzania – Daily Photo
Travel to Tanzania, Ngorogoro Crater part 1 – Video Episode 11
soultravelers
Says:January 30th, 2009 at 1:10 am
Funny shot!
Peter Carey
Says:January 30th, 2009 at 8:15 am
That would be intimidating!
A small correction and it may seem silly. That’s a Toyota Land Cruiser, not a Land Rover Range Rover. I’m not snooty as I’ve owned both, just wanted to make it clear.
Lisa
Says:January 30th, 2009 at 9:24 am
What an awesome pic! We spent about 12 weeks in Africa doing volunteer work and watching these guys up close. He’s doing what they do best during the day – SLEEP! I was amazed at how they could just fall asleep anywhere and this picture just proves it.
GREAT SHOT!
chris2x
Says:January 30th, 2009 at 9:29 am
OK, any illusions that I am a “car guy” have been shattered.
Debbie Dubrow
Says:January 30th, 2009 at 9:49 am
This is one of the things I loved about safari – it’s such an adventure – you never know what’s going to happen next! We saw lions in trees in the Serengeti, had elephants “tell us” to move our car in Namibia and animals walking through our camp at night everywhere we went.
Angela Nickerson
Says:January 30th, 2009 at 10:47 am
My uncle tells stories about being in his tent at night in Kenya… he sat straight up in bed as a low rumble woke him up — the growl of a lion. He lived to tell, fortunately. But when you see photos like yours it is easy to forget that lions aren’t just sweet, big kitties. Very, very cool!
Motherofalltrips
Says:January 30th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I like the idea of going on safari, but I have to confess that this gives me pause about the idea of bringing my children. Not that it would to them any good to have their mother eaten by a lion either! Nice photo.
chris2x
Says:January 30th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Lisa, sleeping anywhere… one of the perks of being at the top of the food chain.
Jen
Says:January 30th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Oh my goodness…scary!
Dominique
Says:January 30th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
This kind of reminds me of being out west and seeing all of the bison along the side of the road. If one of those big beasties ambled into the road and just stood there, it was a definite traffic stopper!
chris2x
Says:January 30th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Motherofalltrips, don’t be silly lions love kids. Their delicious!
No seriously, there was never any time that I felt at risk. We stayed in the vehicle which the lions don’t think of as prey. Lots and lots of tourists go though the parks. Just take an experienced guide and listen to them.
Tanzania Honeymoons
Says:March 19th, 2009 at 3:13 am
Haha that’s awesome!! I wonder if he punctured the tire when he had a stretch after waking up…
abdulkareem
Says:January 29th, 2012 at 6:05 pm
nice pic i have many photo like that how can I upload…?