NGORONGORO TREKKING

This is how a family of lions looks on a walking safari in Ngorongoro Highlands – don’t worry you have Maasai guides to protect you!

The Ngorongoro Highlands is a jewel in the Tanzanian crown often completely ignored by the vast majority of visitors to the region who flock to the crater itself.

Under the protection of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority is the archaeological site of Olduvai Gorge, and a large area of tropical highland, peppered with dormant and active volcanoes, the climax of which is the starkly beautiful Ol Doinyo Lengai Crater which has seen recent volcanic activity in 2007 and 2008.

The region offers superb long-range trekking in an environment that hosts both human and natural interests. It is a landscape of rolling hill country, deep crater lakes, and spectacular volcanic peaks. Treks can run from a few days to full coverage of the reserve over the course of 10 days or more.

Features of our treks include:

The lake bottomed Empakai Crater with its significant flamingo population, including a long lakeshore hike.

Naiyobi Maasai Village and Lerai Forest Camp.

A climb to the summit of Ol Doinyo Lengai itself.

Lake Natron is a saline lake set in a volcanic landscape and noted for a large flamingo population.

On all of our treks, you will be accompanied by our walking guide, a park ranger, and Maasai warriors to protect you from animals. Donkeys will be carrying your luggage and supplies, and can even assist you if you feel too tired to walk by yourself. Overnight will be in campsites throughout the safari.

Day 1: Arusha to Olmoti Crater to Empakai

An early start to get to Olmoti from where you will continue on your way heading to Empakai crater and hike into Empakai Crater with an armed ranger. There are no roads and no human inhabitants in the crater which contains forests and a deep lake, where flocks of flamingos can be spotted. The caldera is 6km wide and the lake occupies nearly half of its floor.  The scenery is spectacular at every point. From the northern and eastern sides, you can look out to the dramatic cone of Oldonyo Lengai, the Great Rift Valley, and Lake Natron. On the valley's eastern side you might see the snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro.

Accommodation: Private camp on the Crater Rim of Empakai, Meals: Full board

Day 2: Empakai to Rift Valley

In the morning after breakfast at around 08.30 using donkeys for camp porterage, you will walk from Empakai Crater down towards the edge of the Rift Valley Escarpment. We camp at an excellent viewpoint onto the Rift Valley and the splendid cone of Lengai volcano (for the Maasai, the Mountain of Godley).Accommodation: Private campsite near Escarpment, Meals: Full board

Day 3: Rift Valley to Lake Natron

In the morning trek into the Rift Valley, the base of Ol Doinyo Lengai mountain. Hike into the Rift Valley: steep cliffs on one side, Lake Natron in front, and the impressive stratovolcano of Lengai on the other side. Down in the valley, you will relax at a comfortable campsite near Lake Natron.

Accommodation: Private campsite near Lake Natron, Meals: Full board day 4: Lake Natron Full day tour of Lake

e Natron where the highlights include the Engaresero river gorge, breeding flamingos in the soda lake, waterfalls and rift cliffs, (water-shoes are required, and swimsuits!).

Accommodation: Private campsite near Lake Natron, Meals: Full board

Day 5: Travel back to Arusha

In the morning after breakfast drive from Lake Natron back to Arusha