Located within the designated Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Ngorongoro Highlands protect the land of the area and the traditional Masaai way of life living within it. The Highlands thumps a perfect balance between an authentic wilderness experience and a high, contemporary getaway.Home to a large concentration of wildlife, a Ngorongoro safari is jaw-dropping. Although the crater is the main attraction of the conservation area, the Highlands are also equally amazing that roll on around the crater. This is a wide rolling volcanic landscape, sprinkled with craters and lakes containing minerals and fertile soil.Various activities are possible in the Highlands - including opportunities for exploring the area on foot with long hikes up into the mountains. From this perspective the expanse of an impressive volcanic landscape is mind-blowing, and there is the prospective for sighting wildlife, although this is not as a game-focused region as a typical walking safari.
This 5-day trekking tour will takes you through the diverse landscapes of the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands. You will hike through grassy plains and the mountainous countryside as well as thick mountain forest and the savannah landscape of the Rift Valley. Apart from unique landscapes and seeing wild animals, this trek allows insight into the daily routine of the Masai people.
Note : The summit stage contains a few simple but unsecured climbing passages. A good head for heights and sure footedness are absolutely necessary. In adverse weather conditions (heavy rain, icy rocks and paths or thick fog) the park ranger can call off the climb to the summit. We do not advice climbs in the rain season (April and May).
You will be picked up from your hotel and you will travel on a good tarmac road to the village of Mto wa Mbu with the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley towering up ahead. From a viewpoint above the town you will see the Masai plains stretch to the horizon with the alkaline Lake Manyara down below. 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. There is also a possibility to visit a small waterfall along the way. Dinner will be served at the camp. Depending on the time of year, it might be cold (the camp is at an altitude of 2,650 m).
Meals Plan: Lunch & Dinner.
In the early morning a Masai guide will arrive with his donkeys. After breakfast and loading the donkeys, the journey begins and you will pass many traditional Masai bomas and cattle herds. Soon, you might also see wild animals such as Thompson and Grant’s gazelles, zebras and wildebeests with hungry jackals not far behind and majestic eagles observing the situation. After approximately 16 km of hiking you will reach a campsite not far from the Masai village Bulati.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, the journey goes up a hill from where you have a last panoramic view of the grass plains below. 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. You can explore the crater and on a well-maintained path you descend to Lake Empakai inside the crater. This alkaline soda lake is an important food source for flamingos, which can be seen throughout the year. Returning to camp supper will be waiting for you. During the night you might hear the flamingos call as they fly back to their breeding nests at Lake Manyara and Lake Natron.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today you will hike to the Masai village Naiyobi and following a good path, the village as well as Oldonyo Lengai, an active volcano, can be seen from a distance. After lunch in Naiyobi, the trek leaves the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the landscape becomes drier and warmer. Tonight’s camp will be set up at amongst an acacia forest.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
The last stage of the journey is not too long and it goes mainly downhill. The highlights of the trek are the great views of Oldonyo Lengai, Lake Natron and the Rift Valley. The rugged countryside looks almost surreal covered by grey ash of the last eruption in 2007. The trek descends down into the dry and hot Rift Valley, where the ash can be seen up close. Around lunchtime you will reach the waiting vehicle and your driver will take you back to Arusha.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
1 Person : $3,720 per Person
2 Person : $2,480 per Person
3 Person : $2,090 per Person
4 Person : $1,890 per Person
5 Person : $1,890 per Person
6 or More Person : $1,890 per Person
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