Tour Description

The Ngorongoro Highlands, with its rugged allure and stunning beauty, presents one of Tanzania’s premier combinations of culture, scenery, and wildlife. The most immersive way to explore these highlands is undoubtedly on foot. The varied terrain—ranging from towering volcanoes and craters to lush forests and expansive grasslands—provides an exceptional hiking experience. As you trek, you’ll witness the harmonious relationship between the Maasai people who live in these highlands and the surrounding wildlife. The journey takes you to the edge of the Great Rift Valley, leading to a descent to the base of the escarpment at the foot of Mt. Ol Doinyo Lengai. Revered by the Maasai as the “Mountain of God,” Ol Doinyo Lengai is one of the world’s most distinctive active volcanoes. The trek concludes at the scenic shores of Lake Natron, an alkaline lake that serves as a vital breeding site for the Lesser Flamingo.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Arusha to Nainokanoka in Ngorongoro area

After an early breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Ngorongoro area, your day starts off with a 3-4hour drive to Nainokanoka Village where you will be based tonight. During your transfer, if it’s not too foggy, you may get great views of the Ngorongoro Crater from the viewpoint on the edge of the crater rim. You then proceed along the Henry Fobs Rooke road through the dense forest towards Nainokanoka, where you will get to see wildlife such as buffalos and wildebeest. Today you will explore the Olmoti Crater and Munge waterfalls on a 3-hour hike. The Olmoti Crater is a shallow grassy crater where the Munge River originates.
Day 2: Nainokanoka Campsite to Bulati Village

After an early breakfast at the campsite, we depart Nainokanoka campsite/Village at 0800hrs or earlier at around 0700hrs and commence our trek to Bulati Village. We will pass a few Maasai Bomas on our way. We will have packed lunch half way to Bulati. We cross the Elbulbul depression, a vast grassland with no trees, but many zebras can be seen grazing, wildebeests, raptors due to the many mole rat mounds found in the area. We arrive in Bulati early in the afternoon for rest and refreshments. Late afternoon Maasai Boma visit in the village of Bulati as per itinerary allows where we will be spending the night at the campsites in Bulati village.
Day 3: Trek from Bulati Village to Empakai Crater

Today you will change the environment from temperate grassland to montane forest zone on the crater rim. Plenty of spectacular panoramic views of the landscape. We have packed lunch half way on the trek where you will have a rest at Empakai crater rim. In the afternoon you will descend into the crater where you can see lesser flamingos who reside on the crater soda lake. The Caldera is 300m deep and 6kms wide. The trek is roughly 45 minutes down and an hour walk back up. Today we will be camping right on the rim of the Empakai Crater.
Day 4: Trek from Empakai Crater to Acacia

After breakfast, we walk a short way around the Empakai crater to stretch our legs catch the appealing scenery and get some good panoramic photos of the caldera, From the rim, you can view the volcanic cone of Oldonyo Lengai to the northeast, and even the alkaline Lake Natron shimmering in the distance. The first half of the trek is to Nayobi village where you will stop for lunch. From Nayobi we head down to Acacia Campsite. You will head out on a late afternoon walk to view the surrounding area and to take photos of the majestic Mt. Ol Doinyo Lengai, which is a Maasai name for “Mountain of God”. This mountain is unique amongst geologists because it is the only active volcano on Earth that erupts with a carbonates, a type of igneous rock rich in carbonates such as calcite and dolomite.
Day 5: Trekking from Acacia to Lake Natron

After breakfast start trekking passing through land escarpments to Lake Natron where today you will spend at least three to four hours walking before being picked up by your safari vehicle to drive you straight to your camp around the Natron area where you will have hot lunch prepared by a cook and rest until next day for more activities at Lake Natron area.
Day 6: Activities around Lake Natron

After breakfast, you visit Lake Natron to see the flamingos for which Lake Natron is famous. If you wish, you can walk at the lake shore in salty water. Visit Engaresero waterfalls or hike to Engaresero rift wall for an exceptional view and experience. You will also have an opportunity to take a plunge into the lake if weather permits it. Return to camp for lunch before going out again either for a swim in the lake or further walking to the old footprints around the lake area. If you would like, you can climb Oldonyo Lengai, an active volcano, at an extra charge. This is a strenuous climb that usually departs at midnight and takes you to the ash cone for a magnificent view before descending back to the base and transferring back to the camp or lodge for a rest.
Day 7: Transfer from Natron area – Airport for your flight

After breakfast, depart the Lake Natron area, en route you may see many Maasai villages, gazelles, giraffes, zebras, baboons, bee boxes, and birds such as vultures, ostriches, glossy starlings, Cory bustards, and kites. We will drive in the direction of the Engaruka, Selela village then at some points divert to Longido while on route to Arusha we will stop at a nice restaurant or picnic site for lunch then transfer to Arusha/ Kilimanjaro international airport for your journey back home.

Included

All pick up and drop off applicable
All Park Entry fees, Walking fees & Camping fees
4×4 Safari Vehicle
Professional, English speaking guide
Meals according to travel plan
Mineral water & Selected drinks
Overnight stays in safari lodges or public campsites
Park fees and government related fees.
Camping and concession fees
Government VAT 18%
All WMA fees
Private cook
Allowance and wages for Support Crew, drivers, and other staff

Excluded

Pre & Post safari Accommodation
Alcoholic or other drinks not listed in the itinerary.
Visa fees
Flights
Tips
Travel insurance
Personal spending monies for souvenirs
All other extras not promised in the itinerary

From $1,691

PER PERSON

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Discover the breathtaking beauty of East Africa’s top safari destinations, all while enjoying a seamless and unforgettable experience in Tanzania."

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What They Say

Best company in Tanzania, our trip was easy and comfrtable we enjoyed every moment with Ifude Tours Tanzania. i highly recommend.

The communication from the business owner throughout the whole process was really great and made me feel at ease and excited

I had an amazing time with my friends on a 3 day, 2 night safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater with Ifude tours.

Tour Description

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Arusha to Nainokanoka in Ngorongoro area

Day 2: Nainokanoka Campsite to Bulati Village

Day 3: Trek from Bulati Village to Empakai Crater

Day 4: Trek from Empakai Crater to Acacia

Day 5: Trekking from Acacia to Lake Natron

Day 6: Activities around Lake Natron

Day 7: Transfer from Natron area – Airport for your flight

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From $1,691

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The adventure of a lifetime

Testimonial

What They Say

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