Ngorongoro Highlands Trekking
After several days in a safari vehicle, most people find it quite refreshing to get out for a walk even if only for an hour or so like Ngorongoro Highlands Trekking. A variety of different walking safaris (many more than what are listed here) are available and can be adjusted to match your interest. At Lake Manyara national park, you can enjoy a short stroll on the edge of the Great Rift Valley with beautiful views of the lake and the National Park below or you can venture through the dense groundwater forest viewing birds, monkeys, bushbuck, and other forest animals.
At Ngorongoro Crater take a round trip hike, starting and finishing at the Serena reception. Enjoy a three-hour walk with a Masaai warrior and a guide and learn more about this culture and Ngorongoro wildlife. You can also choose an alternate one-hour stroll around the Serena Ngorongoro Safari Lodge. This hike is on a well-maintained trail with stunning views of the crater floor. During this walk, a guide explains interesting facts about nature.
Or you can take a more rigorous daylong walk into Olmoti Crater. You will see several Maasai Bomas (villages) tucked away in different corners of the crater from the rim. Descend into the crater and if you fancy, take a refreshing shower in the spectacular waterfall which pours through a notch in the rim, remember to pack a change of shorts. 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, a saline lake set in a volcanic landscape and noted for a large flamingo population.
You will be accompanied by our walking guide, a park ranger, and Maasai warriors to protect you from animals on all of our treks. 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.
Ngorongoro Highlands – 5 Day 4 Night 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. You can look out to the dramatic cone of Oldonyo Lengai, the Great Rift Valley, and Lake Natron from the northern and eastern sides. 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 God alley).
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: 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 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 town
In the morning after breakfast drive from Lake Natron back to Arusha.