Tanzania Safaris

Ngorongoro Highlands Walking Safari

This is an energetic trek which starts high on the cool forested Ngorongoro Crater rim and finishes in the dry heat of Lake Natron. We drive to the Ngorongoro Crater rim where we camp before driving across the Crater, with time for game driving, to reach Nainokanoka, a tiny Maasai village lying just below Olmoti Crater in the heart of the Crater Highlands. From here we walk up to the Munge Waterfalls before driving across the Embulbul depression to Bulati on the edge of the Empaakai Crater. From here the main trek to Lake Natron starts.

Several alternatives are now available: the first is to relax at the shady Ngare Sero Campsite and visit Lake Natron itself. The day temperatures by the lake often exceed 40°C (100°F), few animals survive here and only the flamingo makes the lake its home, nesting on the salty surface on upraised mounds where slightly cooler air stops its eggs getting fried!

The second is to ascend of the active volcano Ol Donyo Lengai, 2878m (9650ft), in the heart of Masaai country, and locally regarded as a sacred mountain. Looking north from its summit crater the hot barren salt flats of Lake Natron stretch into the distance, beyond lies the Kenyan border. To the south stretch the Crater Highlands, Ngorongoro being one of the prime game parks in Africa. The eastern horizon is dominated by Kilimanjaro and to the west the forested escarpments and hills comprising the western slopes of the Great African Rift Valley. Almost without fail, about every seven years Lengai erupts and plumes of smoke billow out of the crater. At other times it is possible to walk down into the crater, almost to the edge of the molten lavas. The ascent of Lengai is demanding on account of the day time heat, lack of water, steep and unstable slopes of ash and crumbly rocks. An early start is recommended and the best approach is from the west where the morning sun can be avoided for a while.

Finally a walk to the dramatic source on the Ngare Sero River provides a complete contrast to the hot plains leading to Lake Natron.

You only need to carry a light day pack with you. Other than normal safari and camping equipment you should have a tough pair of walking boots, a sun hat offering neck protection, sun glasses, sun cream, water bottle, tough trousers or shorts and shirt made of a light material (if wearing shorts take long socks or light (preferably) canvas gaiters). A walking pole or two would be useful for the ascent of Lengai.

7 DAYS WALKING SAFARI ITINERARY

Day 1  Arrival and overnight Springlands Hotel BB

Day 2 Depart from Moshi in the morning and drive to Manyara National park with lunch box on the route. Dinner and over night at Kudu campsite.

Day 3 After breakfast drive across Ngorongoro crater to Nainokanoka Village, walk up the Olmoti crater and Munge waterfalls. Dinner and overnight at Nainokanoka/ Embulumbulu campsites full board.

Day 4 We start our trek from Embulmbul/Nainokanoka village walking towards Empakai Highlands. After lunch walk down the crater for flamingoes population and back to the camp on the crater rim for dinner and over night – Empakai campsite.

Day 5 After breakfast we depart towards Naiyobi village with lunch box on walk to the base of Lengai, picked up by the driver and overnight at Kemakia campsite.

Day 7 Depart.

9 DAYS WALKING SAFARI ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrival and overnight at Springlands Hotel.

Day 2: Drive to and Tour Tarangire National Park, Dinner and Overnight At Twiga Campsite.

Day 3 Drive to and Tour Ngorongoro National Park, late afternoon drive to Nainkanoka village hike up the Olmoti crater, dinner and overnight at Nainokanoka campsite.

Day 4 Walk to Empakai highlands via Grassy Expanse of Embulmbul, afternoon walk down to Empakai crater, dinner and overnight at Empakai campsite.

Day 5 Walk to Lake Natron area via Nayobi village to the base of Lengai – Then drive to Kemakia campsite. Afternoon rest at the campsite, then at the midnight drives to the base of Lengai and starts ascending the Lengai Mountain.

Day 6 In the morning you will be picked up from the base of Lengai and drive to the campsite for rest. Late afternoon drive to and walk around the Lake Natron to watch the magnificent flocks of flamingoes and to the waterfalls. Dinner and overnight at Kemakia campsite.

Day 7 After breakfast drive to Mto Wa Mbu, game drive in Lake Manyara National Park or if you are tired you can have a rest at the campsite and the following day you do morning game drive. Dinner and overnight at Twiga campsite.

Day 8 Morning game drive at Lake Manyara National Park, then drive back to Moshi at the Springlands Hotel for overnight.

Day 9 Depart.

10 DAYS WALKING SAFARI ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrival and overnight Springlands Hotel BB.

Day 2 Drive to and tour Tarangire National Park, dinner and overnight at Twiga campsite full board.

Day 3 Drive to the Ngorongoro Crater, half day tour in the crater then drive to Nainokanoka village. Walk up the Olmoti crater and Munge waterfalls. Dinner and overnight at Nainokanoka campsite.

Day 4 Walk to Empakai Highlands, pass the grassy expanse of Embulumbulu depression and Bulati village. Dinner and overnight at Empakai campsite.
 

Day 5 Walk down the Empakai crater for a half day – then continue walk to acacia campsite pass by Nayobi village. Dinner and overnight at Acacia Campsite.

Day 6 Walk to the base of Lengai – Then to be picked up and drive to Kemakia campsite at Ngaresero area for a short rest. Late afternoon drive to and walk around the Lake and waterfalls. Midnight drives to the base of Lengai and start ascending the mountain.
 

Day 7 To be picked up in the morning at the bases of Lengai then drive the campsite for rest. Afternoon walk around the Ngaresero village and the River. Dinner and overnight at Kemakia campsite.
 

Day 8 Drive to Mto Wa Mbu village via Engaruka Ruins, afternoon game drive at Lake Manyara National Park, however, if tired you can do the game drive in the next day.
 

Day 9 Morning day game drive at Lake Manyara National Park, then drive back to Moshi, dinner and overnight at the Springlands Hotel.

Day 10 Depart.

11 DAYS WALKING SAFARI ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrival and overnight Springlands Bed and breakfast.

Day 2 Drive from MOSHI to and tour Lake Manyara National Park, dinner and overnight at Twiga campsite.
 

Day 3 Transit through Ngorongoro Highlands, drive to and tour Serengeti National Park via Olduvai Gorge, dinner and overnight at Seronera campsite Full board.
 

Day 4 Full day tour in Serengeti National Park, dinner and overnight at Seronera campsite. Full board.
 

Day 5 Half day tour in Serengeti, afternoon drive to Ngorongoro Highlands, overnight at Simba campsite full board.
 

Day 6 After breakfast, drive to Ngorongoro crater for half-day tour, and then drive to Nainokanoka village. Starts walking up the Olmoti crater and Munge waterfalls, dinner and overnight at Nainokanoka village full board.
 

Day 7 Walk from Nainokanoka village via Bulati to Empakai Highlands, afternoon walk down the Empakai crater, overnight at Empakai campsite full board.
 

Day 8 Walk to Lake Natron area to the Base of Lengai via Nayobi village, midnight drive to the base of Lengai – ascending Lengai, overnight.
 

Day 9 Descending from Lengai – pick up and drive to Kemakia campsite, afternoon rest at the campsite. In the late afternoon drive to and walk around the Lake Natron and waterfalls, dinner and overnight at Kemakia campsite.
 

Day 10 After breakfast, drive back to Moshi via Engaruka Ruins, dinner and overnight at the Springlands Hotel.

Day 11 Depart.

Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice.

Price includes:

• Camping equipment
• All park fees
• Camping fees
• Walking fees
• Guide fees
• All meals on safari
• Transportation (4 x 4 vehicle with an open roof)
• Driver/ guide allowance
• Cook allowance
• Maasai Donkeys and Local Maasai Guide.
• 2 nights at Springlands Hotel with breakfast
  

Price excludes:

• Tips for your driver/ guide, cook and other staffs
• Any personal expenses.

Remember to bring along:

• Sleeping bag

• Sun hat

• T shirts

• Shorts

• Socks

• Sweater

• Raincoat

• Walking shoes

• Long cotton trousers

• Water bottle

• Torch and batteries

• Small pocket knife

• Personal medication

Prices for Tanzania Adventure Safaris