February is the month of miracles.

Within a few short weeks, the majority of wildebeests give birth on the plains which stretch from Olduvai Gorge and The Gol Mountains, to the area bordering The Serengeti.

It is happening now, the grasses are green, the seasonal lakes are sparkling with this year's supply of water and flamingos fly from one soda lake to another.

Their plaintive contact cries can be heard when the moon is high in the night sky, as they often take flight at night, quite a sight here where the unexpected becomes the expected. It is a good time to join the crowds, crowds of animals and birds for a change.

The excitement begins at Loduare entry gate as the troops of baboon feed on the juicy seeds by the road side, another sight not to miss.

But to see it, one must be here, in Ngorongoro where a huge, warm welcome awaits you.

Birds drink and bathe in the first puddles to form and immediately display breeding behaviour. They seem to know how dramatic the coming changes to their habitat will be and are preparing for it.

The Crater itself becomes etched into the vast views around the highlands with the new clarity of the air. As the vital water catchment area of The Northern Highland Reserve is replenished with the long awaited Monsoons, the waterfall in Olmoti begins to charm those lucky enough to take a walking safari in this area.

The lake on the floor of Empakaai Crater on the north- eastern side of the Crater Highlands sparkles in the warm sunlight and is a permanent source of water throughout the changing seasons, another favourite walking destination.

And amazingly enough, the migration of hundreds of thousands of wildebeests and zebra filter through the Gol Mountains to the east and the kopjes of the southern Serengeti to the west, to arrive on the short grass plains of Ngorongoro as the grass begins to grow.

These early months are months of plenty in Ngorongoro. The rains come and with them superlative growth. The plains which have been windswept and dust covered, regenerate in days with the first 'grass rains' as they are known here.

Before the heavy daily showers, which come between spectacular sun burst's and clear skies, the first flush of green appears as do the first migrating animals.