Ngorongoro Crater Highland Trek
Ngorongoro Crater Highland Trek
7 Days Ngorongoro Crater Highland Trekking, Trek through Ngorongoro Highlands and explore the Crater on a scenic adventure. Enjoy breathtaking landscapes, rich wildlife, and cultural experiences
Explore Tours
1–2 People: Starting at $1,200
1–2 People: Starting at $1,200
4–6 People: Starting at $1,200
6 – Above People: Starting at $1,200
Itineraries
Day1: Arusha - Ngorongoro Crater (190km - 3hours)
Pick up from Arusha and drive to Ngorongoro Crater for an afternoon descent into the crater floor (19.2 km diameter, 610m deep, 304 sq. km). Experience game drives among the Big Five—rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo, and elephant—plus zebra, hippo, wildebeest, hyena, and diverse birdlife including flamingos, geese, storks, and vultures. Enjoy lunch at the Ngoitoktok spring picnic site within this massive extinct volcano, often called ‘Africa’s Eden’ and the ‘8th Natural Wonder of the World.’ After continued game viewing in this unique caldera where predators and prey coexist among grasslands, forests, and soda lakes, ascend the crater rim and drive back to camp.
Main Destination : Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation : Simba Public Campsite
Meal Plan : Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Ngorongoro - Nainokanoka Masai Village - Bulati
(4 – 5 hours)
Breakfast at 07:00 am. Then we depart to Nainokanoka Maasai village, where you will meet your ranger or Maasai warrior who will guide you for the next couple of days. Donkeys carry the luggage for the upcoming trek. The journey begins in the vales of the highland, passing many traditional Maasai bomas (villages) bustling with people and cattle.
After a short distance, wild animals can be seen, such as Thompson and grants, gazelle, zebra, and wildebeest. Where there are many animals, hungry jackals are not far away, and high in the sky, majestic eagles are observing the situation.
You will reach the campsite for the night after 16km, close to the Maasai village Bulati. Dinner and Overnight at Bulati Village.
Main Destination : Nainokanoka Masai Village - Bulati
Accommodation : Bulati Campsite
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Bulati Maasai Village - Empaakai (5 – 6 hours)
After breakfast, the journey continues up a hill where you can take a last panoramic view of the grass plains. The trek continues up and down through the bushy landscape, which finally leads you up the slopes of the extinct volcano, Empaakai.
The trek gives you great views of the majestic Ol Doinyo Lengai and down into the impressive Empaakai Crater before reaching the campsite for the night.
A well-maintained track goes to the crater bottom, of which the Empaakai Lake covers one-third. This (alkaline) soda lake is an important source of nutrients for flamingos.
When returning to the camp, dinner will be waiting for you. During the night, you might hear the flamingo.
Main Destination : Bulati Maasai Village - Empaaka
Accommodation : Empakai Campsite
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Empaakai Crater - Nayobi Village - Acacia Forest (4 hours)
Wake up very early, so you don`t miss the beautiful panoramic sunrise above the lake in the Empaakai Crater. Whilst your breakfast, the donkeys are loaded, and you start your 7 km trek on the rim of the crater, heading for Nayobi Village. The loading of the donkeys goes easier every day, as the participants and the animals are getting familiar with each other. Here in Nayobi Village, you will fill your water bottles and have lunch. Nayobi (also spelled Nairobi, like the capital of Kenya) means source of water.
After lunch, you follow a good track over rolling, grassy hills from which you can see Ol Doinyo Lengai from a distance. You trek to the acacia forest campsite for Dinner and Overnight. Look out for porcupine quills on the forest floor!
Main Destination : Empaakai Crater - Nayobi Village
Accommodation : Acacia Campsite
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Acacia Forest Camp - Lake Natron (3 – 4 hours)
Breakfast at around 07:00 am. The trek highlights are the great views of Oldonyo Lengai, Lake Natron, and the Rift Valley. A big part of the rugged countryside is covered by the ashes of the last eruption in 2007, which add to the surreal picture of the landscape.
The trek goes deeper down into the dry and hot Rift Valley, where you can see the dried-out ashes from up close. You may even have to scramble down into white gullies that were gauged out of the ground from molten lava that has now solidified and scramble back up on the other side.
The vehicle will pick you up and take you to Lake Natron camp, where you can refresh yourself in the Lake Natron River.
Main Destination : Acacia Forest Camp
Accommodation : Lake Natron Viewpoint Campsite
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Full Day Lake Natron or Climb Ol Doinyo Lengai
Following an early breakfast at 06:00 am, you have the choice between two remarkable adventures in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. You may choose to visit the surreal shores of Lake Natron, a vast alkaline lake that serves as a critical breeding sanctuary for millions of lesser flamingos. This experience includes a walk through the desolate landscape to reach hidden mountain waterfalls, where the cascading river provides a refreshing swim and a chance to spot local wildlife like baboons in the gorge. OR for those seeking a physical challenge, you can opt to ascend the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai, the sacred “Mountain of God.” This demanding trek offers a steep climb through volcanic ash to a summit standing at 2,962m, providing unparalleled views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the Ngorongoro Highlands, and the molten lava of the crater. Both options conclude with a return to camp for relaxation or an optional afternoon visit to the nearby hominid footprints archaeological site.
Main Destination : Lake Natron or Ol Doinyo Lengai
Accommodation : Lake Natron Viewpoint Campsite
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Lake Natron - Arusha (6 hours)
The day will start very early with a visit to the neighboring Maasai village. You will spend the morning sharing in the daily life of Maasai families, discovering their culture.
You will get to see the Maasai as they go about their daily activities, including milking and cattle handling. After that, you will return to camp for breakfast and then drive to Arusha.
En route, you see many Maasai villages, gazelles, giraffes, zebras, baboons, beehives, and birds such as vultures, ostriches, glossy starlings, kori bustards, and kites. Arriving Arusha late afternoon, where the tour will end.
Main Destination : Lake Natron
Accommodation : No accommodation on this day.
Meal plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Included in Price:
- All activities as per the itinerary
- All Accommodation as per itinerary – N.B. accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is dependent on availability at the time of booking; alternatives of a similar class may be booked instead
- All meals as per itinerary (3 a day unless otherwise stated)
- All transfers to and from agreed pick up and drop off points (e.g. Airport, Bus Station or hotel in town etc.)
- All camping gear (if you are camping)
- Service of an English speaking driver/guide
- Safari base 4×4 Vehicle with open roof for game viewing (sometimes a saloon car or other SUV for excursions in town etc.)
- Driver’s salary and allowances and park fees for vehicle and driver
- Bottled mineral water daily
- All Government taxes
- All National Park and Game Reserve Fees
- If included in your itinerary: foot safaris, boat safaris
- TANAPA armed ranger (where needed, e.g., on foot safaris, some boat safaris etc.)
- Crater service fees (if visiting Ngorongoro Crater)
Exluded in Price:
- Extras, personal expenses i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry etc.
- Optional activities not outlined on the itinerary
- International flights & corresponding taxes
- Visa
- Flying doctors rescue services
- Travel, medical, injury and luggage insurances
- Tips to the driver & guides
- Anything else not mentioned in the inclusions (above)
