Ngorongoro Highlands Trekking
Explore the beautiful Ngorongoro Crater Highlands on foot during a 5-days trekking. Discover the unique landscape that varies from green forest and savannah to mountains, craters, lakes and waterfalls. At the end of you trek you visit Lake Natron, known for its amazing colors and one of the world’s main breeding sites for flamingos. Apart from the captivating landscapes, this trekking also gives you a glimpse into the culture and lifestyle of the fascinating Maasai people who inhabit the area.
Day 1: Olmoti Crater
Early moning we drive from Arusha to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This protected area covers more than 8,000 km2 (3,200 sq. miles) and is home to a wide range of animals. It includes the famous Ngorongoro Crater, Ndutu, Olduvai Gorge (huge valley), Empakai, Olmoti Crater and Oldonyo Lengai Mountain. Today we will set off on a 3-4 hours trekking to explore the Olmoti Crater (3,700 m/ 12,100 ft). The views from the rim of the crater are gorgeous. After this we take you to the Empakai Crater for dinner and overnight at the special campsite along the rim.
Day 2: Empakai Crater
Today we trek down into the Empakai Crater, which is 300m deep and 6km wide. It’s a green paradise with a huge soda lake full of pink flamingos. This place is an oasis of peace and tranquillity. After lunch we will have another trek along the rim where you can enjoy the great panoramic views. The trek down is about 45 minutes and an hour to trek back up. Dinner and overnight at the same campsite along the rim.
Day 3 : Acacia Camp
After a short walk around the Empakai Crater we start our 13km trekking to Acacia Camp. The first part of the trek is to Nayobi village, a traditional Maasai village. After lunch we leave Nayobi and head down to Acacia Campsite where the landscape is drier and the temperature higher. In the afternoon there is time to explore the surrounding area and enjoy views of the grand Ol Doinyo Lengai, also called the ‘Mountain of God’. This is the world’s only carbonatite volcano. The lava erupts at relatively low temperatures, giving the lava a black appearance in sunlight, as opposed to the orange/red coloured lava of other volcanoes. Dinner and overnight at Acacia Camp.
Day 4: Engare Sero village
Walk today about 20 km from Acacia Camp to Engare Sero, a village on shore of Lake Natron. The track goes largely downhill and offers great views of Lake Natron and the Rift Valley. Along the shores of Lake Natron you can witness the largest group of ancient human footprints in the volcanic ash mud (dated over 120,000 years old). Dinner and overnight will be at a private campsite in Engare Sero village or at Lake Natron Tented Camp.
Day 5: Lake Natron
Today it’s time to explore Lake Natron. Set in a wild remote area, this toxic lake is the most important breeding site in the world for 2.5 million Lesser Flamingos. Though most animals can’t survive the poisonous plants (algae) in this alkaline water, it’s a paradise for flamingos. During the dry season the water evaporates and the concentration of algae and salt increases, creating amazing red, pink and orange colours. Walk around Lake Natron and enjoy the unique scenery. Another lovely option is to visit the waterfalls of Gorge for a swim after a hot day walking around the lake. In the afternoon we drive back to Arusha.
Other trekking options in Tanzania:
