Day 1 - Moshi / Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) / Arusha to Nainokanoka (Ngorongoro Highlands)
In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel and you will travel on a good tar road to the village of Mto wa Mbu with the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley towering up ahead. A short drive further and you will reach the gate of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The journey continues along the scenic crater road, to the Masai village of Nainokanoka. While the camp is being set up, you will hike to the rim of the Olmoti Crater during the afternoon. Dinner will be served at the camp.
- Accommodation options
- Basic camping: Nainokanoka special campsite
- Approx driving distance: 5-7 hours
- Expected game drive: None
- Optional activities: None, speak to your consultant
- Meals usually included: Lunch, dinner
- Start Hike: Nainokanoka
- End hike: Nainokanoka
- Altitude: +-300
- Approximate trekking time / distance: 1-2 hours / 2km
Day 2 - Nainokanoka to Bulati (Ngorongoro Highlands)
Today you will pass many traditional Masai bomas and cattle herds. Soon, you might also see wild animals around the highlands. After approximately 16 km of hiking you will reach a campsite not far from the Masai village Bulati.
- Accommodation options
- Basic camping: Bulati special campsite
- Approx driving distance: None
- Expected game drive: None
- Optional activities: None, speak to your consultant
- Meals usually included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Start Hike: Nainokanoka
- End hike: Bulati
- Altitude: +500m
- Approximate trekking time / kms: 4-5 hours / 16kms
Day 3 - Bulati to Empakai (Ngorongoro Highlands)
After breakfast, the journey continues up and down through the bushy landscape which finally opens up to the active volcano, Oldonyo Lengai, that can be seen in the near distance. Today’s trek gives you great views of the majestic volcano as well as into the impressive Empakai Crater before reaching the campsite for the night on the crater rim. You can explore the crater and on a well-maintained path you descend to Empakai Lake inside the crater. This alkaline soda lake is an important food source for flamingos. Returning to camp for your dinner.
- Accommodation options
- Basic camping: Empakai special campsite
- Approx driving distance: None
- Expected game drive: None
- Optional activities: None, speak to your consultant
- Meals usually included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Start Hike: Bulati
- End hike: Empakai
- Altitude: +500m
- Approximate trekking time / kms: 3-4 hours / 9kms
Day 4 - Empakai to Acacia (Ngorongoro Highlands)
Today you leave behind your vehicle and hike with donkeys who carry your luggage to the Masai village Naiyobi and following a good vehicle path. Nayobi village will be seen in the distance under the impressive volcano (active) that is Oldoinyo Lengai; ‘The mountain of god’. From Nayobi your trek takes you outside of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the landscape becomes drier and warmer. Tonight’s camp will be set up in the acacia forest. A rewarding extra short hike to a viewpoint can offer views of the Ngorongoro Highlands, Gol mountains, Lake Natron, the Rift Valley and Oldoinyo Lengai all from one impressive location.
- Accommodation options
- Basic camping: Acacia special campsite
- Approx driving distance: None
- Expected game drive: None
- Optional activities: None, speak to your consultant
- Meals usually included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Start Hike: Empakai
- End hike: Acacia
- Altitude: +200m
- Approximate trekking time / kms: 4-5 hours / 13kms
Day 5 - Acacia to Engaresero (Lake Natron)
The last stage of the journey is relatively short and downhill and takes you down into the dry and hot Rift Valley, where ash from previous eruptions may be seen. Your driver will meet you at the end of the trek and take you to Engarasero village where you should reach around lunchtime. This afternoon you have optional activities (time permitting) including: Village tour / Hotspring tour / Visit to waterfalls / Biking tour to Orpul caves / Footprints / Maasai cultural and botanical tour / herding tour.
- Accommodation options
- Basic camping: World view campsite
- Approx driving distance: None
- Expected game drive: None
- Optional extras: Oldoinyo lengai trek (Midnight)
- Meals usually included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Start Hike: Acacia
- End hike: Engaresero
- Altitude: -1200m
- Approximate trekking time / kms: 2-4 hours / 6kms
Day 6 - Lake Natron
The day today will be relaxed, and your options include (time permitting): explore the lake shores of Lake Natron / Village tour / Hotspring tour / Visit to waterfalls / Biking tour to Orpul caves / Footprints / Maasai cultural and botanical tour / herding tour. Lake Natron is a breeding place for thousands of Flamingos who usually build their nests using the soda flats between August and October. At approximately 11:00pm you will hike up Ol Doinyo Lengai (2,960 m (9,718 ft); the “Mountain of God”. Overnight” (approx. 4-5-hour hike).
- Accommodation options
- Basic camping: World view campsite
- Approx driving distance: None
- Expected game drive: None
- Optional extras: Oldoinyo lengai trek (Midnight)
- Meals usually included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Start Hike: None
- End hike: None
- Altitude: N/A
- Approximate trekking time / kms: None
Day 6 - Lake Natron to Arusha / Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) / Moshi
Today you start your drive back to Arusha / Moshi passing the Engaruka ruins in between Lake Natron and Engarasero. The road will likely be full of stones and a difficult drive until Mto wa Mbu where you will join the tarmac highway again. The drive from Engarasero to Moshi will likely take around 6 to 7 hours.
- Accommodation options
None included but you can add pre / post tour accommodation to any of our safaris on request in Arusha, Moshi or around Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
- Approx driving distance: 6-7 hours
- Expected game drive: None
- Optional extras: None, speak to your consultant.
- Meals usually included: Breakfast, lunch
- Start Hike: None
- End hike: None
- Altitude: N/A
- Approximate trekking time / kms: None
7 days and 6 nights Ngorongoro highland trekking
Ngorongoro Highlands (4 nights) > Lake Natron (2 nights)
- Parks and reserves:
Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Natron - Activities included:
Walking safaris, cultural activities - Optional extras:
Wildlife safari (game drives) - Pre/post safari accommodation:
Not included, can be added as an extra - Best months for this tour:
December to February or June to October - Commonly seen animals:
- Occasionally seen animals:
Leopard - Rarely seen animals:
Lion
Standard packages usually include...
- Accommodation as stated in the itinterary with all taxes and fees included
- National park, Conservation area or Wildlife Management Area fees as applicable to your itinerary
- Game drives as indicated in the itinerary with a dedicated (private) 4x4 Land Cruiser operated by our English speaking safari-guides and sanitized between uses.
- Meals as indicated in your itinerary
- Domestic flights if indicated in your personal itinerary
- In vehicle sanitizers and complimentary face masks
- In vehicle safari WiFi subject to network connectivity
Optional extras you can add...
- Airport or other transfers
- Pre and post safari accommodation if not already included
- Hot air balloon safaris if available on your planned route
- Night game drives if available on your planned route
- Walking safaris in Arusha or Tarangire National Parks
- Extra activities such as museums, snake parks, cultural or nature walks if avaialble on your planned route
- Canoeing safaris in Arusha or Lake Manyara National Parks (subject to water levels)
- Kilimanjaro scenic flight
- Special bush meals if available at your planned activity
Standard packages usually exclude...
- Tips / gratuities
- Beverages such as soft drinks, alcohol etc.
- International flights
- Insurance
- Items of a personal nature
When to visit
These recommendations are based on weather predictions and trends.
Excellent time
January, February, July to October, December
Good time
March, June, November
Mixed time
April, May
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