Tanzania - Highland Walking Safari

Led by our Maasai guide we trek to the summit of the Mountain of God - Ol Doinyo Lengai. Hike in the wilderness in and around the Ngorongoro Conservation Area - a new and very exciting way to experience East Africa.

From Arusha drive to Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater – after a short safari in these spectacular parks with their rich wildlife, we get out of the vehicle and enjoy the freedom of travelling on foot. With donkeys carrying our gear we walk alongside our Maasai guides and an armed ranger.

The highlight is the strange and dramatic Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano. It is the home of Eng'ai, the god of the Maasai and is frequently visited to encourage the god to provide rain, healthy cattle and many children. There are regular small eruptions which are often witnessed as the site is of special scientific interest with many visiting volcanologists.

We get to know know our Maasai friends well in our journey together, we also visit their village.

The route takes us from Olmoti Crater to Empakaai Highlands and down into the Great Rift Valley. This adventure is both extraordinary and very affordable.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Arusha and overnight in a hotel (you choose the quality). Services on this day are to be arranged to suit the participants - nothing is included in the price below.

Day 2 Drive to Lake Manyara National Park - Your first view as you approach Lake Manyara National Park is spectacular, regardless of direction. When you approach it from the east the Rift Valley escarpment looms on the horizon forming an impressive backdrop to the lake. If you come from the west and pause at the top of the escarpment, the Park lies in a green strip below you, the lake glistening in the sunlight.

The park has a mosaic of different habitats. In the tall trees of the ground water forest monkeys leap from branch to branch, on the slope of the escarpment elephant’s stand in the shade of baobab trees. In the acacia woodland lions lie draped along the branches of umbrella trees, in the pools along the lakeshore the hippos wallow, and in the lake itself wade colourful flamingos.

The large variety of mammals, reptiles and birds in the park and the different types of vegetation, all within a small area make Lake Manyara a diverse and particularly memorable place to visit. Enjoy an afternoon animal viewing drive with dinner and overnight at Panorama Campsite. B,L,D. (B=Breakfast etc. to show what is included)

Day 3 Drive to Ngorongoro for a half-day tour of the crater. Within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the largest unbroken caldera (collapsed volcano) in the world, Ngorongoro Crater. The crater floor (610 meters deep and 260 km squared) is a haven for wildlife, a microcosm of East African scenery and animals.

There are many large animals within the crater itself, mostly zebra and wildebeest, but also lion and elephant. This is undoubtedly the best place to see rhino in Tanzania. Other animals may include: leopard, cheetah, hyena, warthog, impala, buffalo, hartebeest, eland and many other antelope and smaller mammals.

There are many flamingos and a variety of other water birds around the soda lake on the crater floor. More than a 100 species of bird not found in the Serengeti have been found in the crater. Dinner and overnight at the Nainokanoka Campsite. B,L,D.

Day 4 Take an Early breakfast (07.00) and with the help of donkeys carrying the luggage we head for Bulati Village visiting Olmoti Crater and waterfalls passing the Embulmbul Impression. The Olmoti Crater is a shallow grassy crater and is the source of the Munge river, which pours through a notch in the rim in a spectacular waterfall on its way to Ngorongoro Crater. Dinner and overnight at Bulati Campsite. B,L,D.

Day 5 After an early breakfast hike to Empakaai Crater (4 Hours). Descend into the crater to watch the flamingos and other animals – this beautiful little crater contains forests and a deep lake. At Empakaai, the scenery is spectacular at every point. From the northern and eastern side you can look out to the dramatic cone of Ol Doinyo Lengai, the Great Rift Valley and Lake Natron. Dinner and overnight on the Empakai Crater rim. B,L,D.

Day 6 Empakaai to Acacia via Naiyobi – After breakfast we visit a Maasai village. Picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight at Acacia Campsite (village campsite) which is close to Ol Doinyo Lengai an active volcano. B,L,D.

Days 7 Another early start (07.00) as we set off and hike through Emouro Engoilil (Pembe ya Swala) to the bottom of Ol Doinyo Lengai where you are met by a vehicle for transport to Lake Natron Campsite. An early night is needed. B,L,D.

Day 8 At 03.00 we transfer by car to the base of Ol Doinyo Lengai and start trekking to the top arriving at about 07.30. We stay for about 30 minutes or so to view and photograph the activity from a distance. Return back to the camp and have lunch. The afternoon is spent walking to the nearby waterfalls. Dinner and overnight at the camp. B,L,D.

Day 9 At 05.30 we drive to Lake Natron to view the sunrise and the flamingos and then depart to Arusha. Overnight in Arusha Hotel (you choose the quality). B,L.

Day 10 Depart for the airport for your flight home – or to some quiet beach resort perhaps. Services on this day are to be arranged to suit the participants - nothing is included in the price below.

What is included
Fully supported camping for 8 nights with meals as shown in the itinerary by the code B,L,D. Park entrance fees. Maasai guide, mule handlers and an armed ranger.

What is not included
The price allows for joining at Ngorongoro Crater and does not include international flights or departure taxes, personal insurance, visa fees, vaccination costs, personal clothing and equipment, all items of a personal nature and all alcoholic drinks. Sleeping bags, towels, tips. Meals unless specified above by the code B, L, D. Hotel accommodation in Arusha (you specify the quality). Transfers to and from Arusha. Hotels in Nairobi or Dar or any other travel hub.

Airfare (from the UK)
As a guide, the international airfare should be about Ł500 - Ł600 economy class.

Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. For UK clients we recommend the policies of the British Mountaineering Council, for their expertise in evacuation from remote areas worldwide. Details at www.thebmc.co.uk As Insurance is always provided by a company based in your home country, we are unable to suggest suitable insurance companies unless you reside in the UK.