Ngorongoro Highlands Trekking Safari Tour

Best time to travel: June - March

Itinerary: Ngorongoro Highland Trekking

This 5-day trekking tour takes you to the diverse landscape of the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands. You hike through wide grass and mountainous countryside as well as thick mountain forests and the volcanic stamped savannah landscape of the Rift Valley.

Next to the unique nature and animal sightings, this trek allows a deep insight into the daily routine of the Masai people.

Stage

Start

Finish

Km / Hm

Duration

Description

1 - Nainokanoka

2 km /

↑↓300m

1-2 h

Short distance walk to the edge of the Olmoti Crater.

2- Nainokanoka

Bulati

16 km /
↑ 500m

4-5 h

Trekking through the wide highlands of the Ngorongoro. Many animal sightings are possible.

3- Bulati

Empakai Crater

9 km /
↑ 500m

3-4 h

Up and down through the bushland. Visit the Empakai Crater with its many flamingos.

4 - Empakai Crater

Acacia Camp

13 km /
↑ 200m

4-5 h

Starting from the mountain forest, the trek goes through the Masai village of Nayobi until reaching the dry acacia forest.

5- Acacia Camp

Lake Natron

6 km /
↓ 1200m

2-3 h

Wonderful views into the Rift Valley as well as onto the Oldoinyo Lengai and the Lake Natron.

Day 1: Arusha - Olmoti Crater - Nainokanoka

In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel and after the luggage has been stowed in the vehicle, the journey will begin on a good tarmac road. Approaching the village of Mto wa Mbu, you can see the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley rising ahead. From a viewpoint, the Masai plains stretch up to the horizon with Lake Manyara at your feet. A short drive further, you reach the gate of the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area.
The journey continues with fantastic views along the crater road until you reach the Masai village of Nainokanoka with a nearby campsite.

The camp will be set up and you will climb the rim of Olmoti Crater during the afternoon. The reward of the climb is the great view that you get from the top of the crater edge. There is also a possibility to visit a small waterfall along the way. Dinner will be served at the camp.

Included: Lunch; Dinner

Day 2: Nainokanoka - Bulati

During the early morning hours, a Masai who will guide you for the next couple of days will reach the camp. The Masai guide is escorted by a couple of donkeys who will carry the luggage for the upcoming trek. After breakfast and loading the donkeys, the journey begins through the highland passing many traditional Masai bomas and their cattle.

After a short distance, wild animals can be seen, including Thompson and Grant’s gazelle, zebras, and wildebeest. Where there are many animals, hungry jackals are not far away, and high in the sky majestic eagles are observing the situation. The campsite for the night will be reached after 16km, close to the Masai village Bulati.

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Bulati - Empakai

After breakfast, the journey goes up a hill where you can take a last panoramic view of the grass plains. The trek continues up and down through the bushy landscape which finally opens up to the active volcano, Oldonyo Lengai. The trek gives you great views of the majestic volcano as well as into the impressive Empakai Crater before reaching the campsite for the night.

A well-maintained track goes to the crater bottom, of which one-third is covered by the Empakai Lake. This alkaline lake is an important home to flamingos, which can be observed throughout the year. When you return to the camp, a good dinner will be waiting for you. During the night you might hear the flamingo calls as they fly back to their breeding nests at Lake Manyara and Lake Natron.

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Empakai Crater – Acacia Camp

The loading of the donkeys gets easier every day, as the participants and the animals get familiar with each other. Today, the journey goes to the Masai village Naiyobi. While following a good track, the village as well as Oldonyo Lengai can be seen from a distance. Just after lunch in Nairobi, the trek leaves the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area and the landscape becomes drier and warmer. The camp will be set up in a forest with yellow acacia.

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Acacia Camp – Engare Sero – Arusha

The last stage of the journey is shorter and goes mainly downhill. The highlights of the trek are the great views of Oldonyo Lengai, Lake Natron, and the Rift Valley. A big part of the rugged countryside is covered by the ashes of the last eruption in the year 2007, which adds to the surreal picture of the landscape.

The trek goes deeper down into the dry and hot Rift Valley, where the dried-out ashes can be viewed from up close. Just before lunchtime, you will reach the waiting jeep. Our driver will bring you to Lake Natron Lodge for a well-deserved cold drink or straight back to Arusha.

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Please Note:

The Ngorongoro Highland Trekking Safari can easily be combined with one of our lodge or camping safaris.

Items Included in Price:

Professional, English-speaking guide

Professional chef

Donkey herdsmen for carrying the luggage

Trekking tour according to the travel plan description

Meals as indicated in the tour description

1.5 liters of water per person per day

Transfer from/ to Arusha

Overnight in tents

All national park and camping fees

Items Not Included:

Meals not indicated in the tour description

Alcohol and soft drinks (Coke, Fanta, etc.)

Visa fees

Tips

Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.

Travel Insurance