Ngorongoro crater& Lake Natron Trek: Our 9-day adventure package where you do game drives, visit tribes, and walk through volcanic landscapes…
Summary Itineraries:
9-Day Ngorongoro Highland and Lake Natron Trek
This is an exciting walking trek including game drives, taking you from Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and all the way up to Lake Natron. You will be accompanied by our walking guide, a park ranger, and Maasai warriors to protect you from animals. Donkeys are carrying your luggage and supplies, and can even assist you if you feel too tired to walk by yourself. Overnight will be in lodges on the first two days of safari and campsites on the other days of safari. Your accommodation on your arrival day and on the last day after safari ‘in Arusha town’ are not included in the package price below but we can arrange on request. For this particular tour, we recommend you book a return flight to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), or alternatively a return flight to Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport). You will not be with other guests in our vehicle(s) and we have the flexibility to accommodate any of your needs and requirements.
Arrival day:
Transfer from point of arrival to Arusha. Your transfer and accommodation on this day is not included in the price but we can arrange on request (for extra fee).
Detailed Itineraries:
Day 1: Arusha – Lake Manyara – Ngorongoro
In the morning after breakfast (at around 0830hrs) depart Arusha and drive to Lake Manyara National Park for game viewing. In the afternoon at around 1300hrs you will stop for picnic lunch, and after lunch you will continue with game viewing in the Manyara Park. At 1530hrs you will leave Manyara Park and drive to Ngorongoro for sunset.
Attractions available at Manyara Park:
A major attraction of the Lake Manyara National Park is the tree – climbing lions. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that you will spot them. However, there are countless other things to see: elephants, hippos, zebras, impalas, buffalos, baboons, and plains animals as well as huge variety of birdlife, both resident and migratory.
At certain times of the year, Lake Manyara is home to thousands of flamingos (attracted by the Lake itself), which form a shimmering pink zone around the lake shore. Other birds found here include ostriches, egrets, herons, pelicans and storks. Also seen are African spoonbills, various species of ibises, ducks and the rare pygmy geese. The most noticeable feature of the landscape within this park are the very impressive baobab trees with their huge trunks.
Accommodation: Lodge on crater rim (Deluxe)
Meals: Full board
Day 2: Full day at Ngorongoro
In the morning after breakfast at 0800 hrs, descend into the crater for full day tour. In the afternoon at around 1300 hrs you will stop for picnic lunch inside the crater near hippo pool or Lerai forest. After lunch, proceed with game drives in the crater. 1530 hrs ascend the crater for dinner and overnight on crater rim.
Attractions available in the Ngorongoro Crater:
Ngorongoro Crater is known to be Eight Wonder of the world. Nearly two million years ago, Ngorongoro Peak towered almost as high as Kilimanjaro. Both these Mountains formed the highest peaks in Africa at that time. The Ngorongoro Volcanic peak collapsed beneath the volcano to form a caldera, the largest unbroken and unfolded in the world today. Although a geological feature formed by the withdrawal of molten in this manner is correctly called a caldera, many people are traditionally used to the term Crater and hence Ngorongoro Caldera is described as crater in all the records available. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the few natural places in East Africa where one can guarantee sightings of the rare black rhino in their natural setting. Visitors to Ngorongoro can enjoy walking around the area. Long walking safaris and short hikes are both adventurous and rewarding. Within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are ore about the cultures and traditions of the Maasai, a pastoral tribe allowed to herd their cattle within the protected area.
Accommodation: Lodge on crater rim (Deluxe)
Meals: Full board
Day 3: Morning game drive in Ngorongoro – Olmoti Crater
In the morning after breakfast at 0800hrs, descend into the crater for game drive, continue to Olmoti crater for a hike to the crater rim and down to waterfalls. Afternoon: continue to Embulbul, and spend the night at a campsite.
About Olmoti crater:
This shallow grassy crater is the source of the Munge river, which pours through a north in the rim in a spectacular waterfall on its way to Ngorongoro crater. You will participate in a pleasant walk from Nainokanoka ranger post, through the forest up to the top of the waterfall.
Accommodation: Private camp
Meals: Full board
Day 4: Olmoti Crater to Empakai
After breakfast you will continue on your way heading to Empakai crater and hike into Empakai Crater with an armed ranger.
About Empakai Crater:
With no roads and no human inhabitants, this crater contains forests and a deep lake, where flocks of flamingos can be spotted. The caldera is six kilometers wide and the lake occupies nearly half of its floor. The scenery is spectacular at every point. From the northern and eastern side you can look out to the dramatic cone of Oldonyo Lengai, the Great Rift Valley, and Lake Natron. On the valley’s eastern side, you might see the snow capped peak of Kilimanjaro. It is possible to camp on the rim and hike into the crater with an armed ranger.
Accommodation: Private camp on the Crater Rim of Empakai
Meals: Full board
Day 5: Explore Empakai crater
In the morning after breakfast, descend into Empakai crater and have full day walking excursion in the area. In the evening ascend the crater for dinner and overnight on the crater rim.
Accommodation: Private camp on the Crater Rim of Empakai
Meals: Full board
Day 6: Empakai to Rift Valley
In the morning after breakfast at around 0830hrs, using donkeys for camp porterage, you will walk from Empakai Crater downward towards the edge of the Rift Valley Escarpment. Camp at an excellent viewpoint of the Rift Valley and the splendid cone of Lengai volcano (for the Maassai, the Mountain of Godalley).
Accommodation: Private campsite near Escarpment
Meals: Full board
Day 7: Rift Valley to Lake Natron
In the morning at 0830hrs, trek into the Rift Valley, to the base of Ol Doinyo Lengai mountain. The hike into the Rift Valley has steep cliffs on one side, Lake Natron in front, and the impressive volcano of Lengai on the other side. Down in the valley, you will relax at a comfortable campsite near Lake Natron.
Accommodation: Private campsite near lake Natron
Meals: Full board
Day 8: Lake Natron
Full day tour of Lake Natron where the highlights include the Engaresero river gorge, breeding flamingos in the soda lake, waterfalls, and rift cliffs (water-shoes are required, and swimsuits!).
Accommodation: Private campsite near lake Natron
Meals: Full board
Day 9: Travel back to Arusha
In the morning after breakfast at around 08300hrs, drive from Lake Natron back to Arusha. Overnight at a hotel in Arusha. Your accommodation on this day is not included in the price but we can arrange on request (extra fee).
Departure day:
Pick up from the hotel in Arusha and transfer to your departure point. Transfer cost on this day is not included in the price but we can arrange on request at extra cost.
End of Tour.
Price Includes:
– Full board accommodation on safari
– Transport on a 4WD vehicle with a pop up roof
– All parks entrance fees
– Ranger and guide fees and allowances
– Activities as per the itineraries
Price Excludes:
– Accommodation on the first night on your arrival day before safari and on the last night after safari in Arusha town (book with us)
– Airport transfers, (book with us)
– International flights
– Tips and drinks
– Sleeping bags, but we have for hire
– Items of personal nature/use
– And all not mentioned on the itinerary above
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