Ngorongoro Highland Trekking
Getting out in the Ngorongoro Highlands on an extended walking safari will take our more active and adventurous visitors into close contact with our proud Maasai people, herdsmen who inhabit this spectacular part of Tanzania. Our eight days ‘Ngorongoro Highlands Adventure’ tour is definitely the choice for those whose perfect day begins and ends in a campsite under African skies, In between, our daytime trek takes us first from Bulati to beautiful Empakaai, with its stunning views down over its crater lake and to the mighty volcanoes beyond. And all the time, we soak up the culture of the Maasai, our most famous tribespeople.
We start our trip in Arusha, our safari capital, to arrive at Ngorongoro with its spectacular crater, descending to enjoy a vehicle safari and with plenty of animals to observe. From there, we travel to Bulati which can boast its own crater and which is the start of our walking safari. Our hike continues to Empakaai and the following day to Acacia. From there, our adventure takes us by safari vehicle to visit the unique location of shimmering Lake Natron.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival Day
- Meal Plan: Dinner at your hotel in Arusha.
Day 2: Arusha – Ngorongoro
Safari in Ngorongoro Crater
Our two game drives, either side of lunch, will open our eyes to this natural marvel. A fantastic highlight of any visit to Tanzania, we reach the rim of this iconic crater and then descend into the vast crater itself. On one side there’s the Lerai Forest, a classic mountain forest landscape with almost tropical characteristics. This is good elephant country, so keep your eyes peeled. By the side of the nearby swampland is what is sometimes called the ‘elephant graveyard’ as the mighty male tuskers at the end of their lives come to chew on the soft, swampland grasses once their teeth have failed them.
The crater has a population of around 120 lions, with well-defined territories; 15,000 wildebeest, 9,000 zebra, 400 hyenas, and around 50 black rhinos. Many wildebeest and other herd animals are resident, benefiting from the many sources of year-round waters and are boosted by some migrators in season. Buffalo, Thomson’s gazelle and Eland are also present in numbers. Hippos can be found in pools and swampland and highlands birdlife is colourful and plentiful around the waters. Flamingos can often be seen in Lake Magadi, which occupies part of the crater floor.
Imagine tall trees, clear starry skies, and the sounds of animals shuffling nearby at night time. Here, you can sit by your tent and marvel at the surroundings or chat with your companions in one of the communal spaces provided at this public campsite. Washing and toilet facilities are basic here and as these are shared facilities, the cleanliness can suffer a bit when the campsite is busy. Guests dine together in a common dining area. Most important of all, don’t forget that the site is located at an altitude of 2300 metres (7546 feet). It can be very cold at night, so warm clothes are absolutely essential here!
Meal Plan Breakfast is enjoyed at your hotel in Arusha. Lunch will be a nutritious and balanced meal, also provided by the hotel for you to take out on safari. Your dinner will be a full, cooked meal provided by our safari chef at the Ngorongoro Simba Campsite.
Day 3: Ngorongoro – Olmoti – Bulati
Bulati Public Campsite is super-basic, ideal for the adventurous nature of this trip! Here, you will not find permanent toilet or shower facilities, as this is real do-it-yourself camping. But for you, there are no worries, as your Ndovu Adventures staff will erect your tent and provide the mobile toilet for your use. (And they’ll clean it regularly, too!) Nor are there any permanent cooking facilities, but, again, your Ndovu Adventures staff will be equipped with the necessary utensils to prepare your meal.
Fall asleep under a star-filled African sky, before waking to continue your safari adventure.
Meal Plan Breakfast is enjoyed at Ngorongoro. Lunch will be a nutritious and balanced meal, also provided by our safari chef for you to enjoy while on today’s hike. Your dinner will be a full, cooked meal provided by our safari chef at the Bulati Public Campsite.
Day 5: Empakaai – Acacia
Accommodation
The Acacia Public Campsite is super-basic! Here, you will not find permanent toilet or shower facilities, as this is real do-it-yourself camping. But for you, there are no worries, as your Nduvu Adventures staff will erect your tent and provide the mobile toilet for your use. Nor are there any permanent cooking facilities, but, again, your Ndovu Adventures staff will be equipped with the necessary utensils to prepare your meal.
Fall asleep again, out in the wilderness, and enjoy this further night of adventure.
Meal Plan Breakfast is enjoyed at Empakaai Public Campsite. Lunch will be a nutritious and balanced meal, also provided by our safari chef for you to enjoy while on today’s hike. Your dinner will be a full, cooked meal provided by our safari chef at the Acacia Public Campsite.
Day 6: Acacia- Lake Natron
Accommodation
The Lake Natron Public Campsite has only basic facilities but is set in a spectacular setting with views of the Great Rift Valley Escarpment and the surrounding mountains.
Meal Plan Breakfast is enjoyed at Acacia Public Campsite. Lunch will be a nutritious and balanced meal, also provided by our safari chef for you to enjoy while on today’s hike. Your dinner will be a full, cooked meal provided by our safari chef at the Lake Natron Public Campsite.
Day 7: Lake Natron
After today’s activities, you will be taken back to the Lake Natron Public Campsite for your second night’s stay.
Meal Plan Breakfast is enjoyed at Lake Natron Public Campsite. Lunch will be a cooked lunch, to be enjoyed at Lake Natron Public Campsite, after visiting the lake. Your dinner will be a full, cooked meal provided by our safari chef at the Lake Natron Public Campsite.
Day 8: Lake Natron – Kilimanjaro International Airport
After breakfast, we begin the 6-hour (305km) journey back to Kilimanjaro International Airport, stopping for lunch on the way.
Meal Plan Breakfast: is served at Lake Natron Public Campsite. Lunch will be a nutritious and balanced meal, also provided by our safari chef for you to enjoy on your way to the Airport. As today is your departure day, please note that dinner tonight is not included in the tour.
Departure Instructions
Please note that this Ngorongoro Highlands Trekking Adventure – 8 Days tour ends at Kilimanjaro International Airport at 17.30 hours. Your departure can only take place today if you have pre-booked a domestic flight which leaves from Kilimanjaro International Airport at 19.40 hours or after, or an international flight which leaves at 21.00 hours or after. Otherwise, you will need to book an extra night’s accommodation (not included in the tour price) and take a flight the following day.
Post Tour Extension
After your exhilarating time on safari, you may want to extend your Tanzanian holiday with time on Zanzibar’s wonderful beaches. Please contact us for details.
Important Trip Notes
- All visitors on this 8 Days Ngorongoro Highlands Adventure should note the following:
- As the campsites have no permanent toilets, guests will make use of the mobile toilets provided
- Apart from Lake Natron, the campsites on this trip do not have shower facilities
- As this trip involves several hours of walking on several days, a good level of fitness is required
INCLUDED
- Accommodation according to the itinerary
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional, English-speaking guide
- Professional, English-speaking safari cook
- Overnight stays in safari tents
- Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, chairs, tables etc.)
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Mineral water
- All mentioned activities
- All national park fees
EXCLUDED
- Sleeping bag
- Flights
- Optional activities
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Visa fees
- Tips
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Travel insurance