Attractions in the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands: Ndutu Woodlands: Acacia trees, resident giraffes, impalas and elephants in the dry season Mount Oldeani: Forested crater Lake Eyasi: The largest soda lake in Tanzania, with diverse cultures settled around the area. Explore the real bushmen, the Hadzabe and the Datoga tribe. Lake Natron: Engaresero river gorge, breeding flamingos in the soda lake and rift cliffs. Empakaai Crater: No roads and no human inhabitants, a crater which contains forests and a deep lake, where flocks of flamingos can be spotted. The cardera 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 valleys 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. 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. Participate in a pleasant walk from Nainokanoka ranger post, through the forest up to the top of the waterfall. Oldoinyo Lengai: An active volcano, with the possibility of climbing to the very top of the crater. Adventurous visitors sometimes struggle up its steep slopes to visit the steaming, bubbling crater, but most prefer to view its symmetrical cone from a distance. Oldoinyo Lengai is the Maasai language for "Mountain of God". Lerai Forest: "Lerai" is a Maasai word for yellow barked acacia or fever tree. The small forest patches on the crater floor, are homes to monkeys, baboons, bushbucks, waterbucks, elephants and rhinos. A picnic site with ablution facilities is located in this forest. Lake Makat: This soda lake is filled by the Munge river. It is a great attraction for flamingoes and other water birds which come to feed here. Predators hide in the marsh to ambush the large animals that come to drink from the pools and river. In the severe dry season the lake often dries up completely. Olkarien Gorge: The dramatic cliffs of this narrow gorge in the Gol mountains are the breeding site for hundreds of Ruppell's Griffon Vulture during the rains. In the dry season, the Maasai bring their cattle into the gorge to drink.

DAY 1:    Ngorongoro - Nainokanoka village
              After breakfast, descend into the crater for a morning tour, with lunch inside the crater. In the afternoon, 
              proceed to Nainokanoka village, where you set camp and walk the rim of the Olmoti crater and visit the 
              Munge waterfalls before returning to the camp for dinner and overnight

DAY 2:   Olmoti crater - Kamnana village
              Depart for Kamnana village, walking through the Embulimbuli Depression following the cattle trails which 
              passes through forests and grasslands. Your overnight camp is set in the bush some distance from the village.

DAY 3:    Damnana village - Empakaai crater
               Early departure. Start walking following the path which leads trough  open grassland area, bushland area and
               forests, gradually gaining height to the rim of the Empakaai crater. Camp is set on the rim, before descending 
               into the crater floor covered with dense equatorial forests, grass and volcanic lake. Animals like buffaloes,
               redbucks, waterbucks and different species of birds can be seen at close range during the walk around the lake.
               Overnight camp at the crater rim.

DAY 4:    Empakaai crater - Naiyobi Maasai village
               Depart for Naiyobi village circling the crater rim, descend on the northwestern side.

DAY 5:    Nayiobi village - Mounwongoni village
               Depart in the morning following the dusty paths downhill and off the crater highlands to Muowongoni Maasai
               village. Overnight camp at the edge of the village.

DAY 6:   Mounwongoni village - Mountain Base
              Leave in the morning before the sun is hot to follow the winding path across bare volcanic rocks and dusty lava
              soil. The path rounding the north-western floor of the active Mt. Lengai crosses river Ngarasero  to the nearby
              village. Camp is set near the river and a bath here is  very refreshing. Early morning between 0300.am and 04.00
              am your transfer jeep drives you to the foot of Mt. Lengai to start the trek to the  peak at 2878m.

DAY 7:    Lake Natron - Arusha
               Descend from the mountain a little before noon. Then you will participate  in a lunch tour of the lake by jeep.
               Return to Arusha. 

This tour can be combined with a safari to the national parks, especially popular is our 21 day adventure
package where you do game drives, visit tribes and walk through the volcanic landscape of the crater highlands.
Detailed itinerary here.

 

Some useful information: In highland areas be aware of: Stinging nettles: plants, which cause temporary painful irritation to bare skin, and may even sting through clothes. Shorts are not recommended in areas where these occur. Safari ants: small shiny brown ants move rapidly in dense columns across trails. They are carnivorous, and if you step in them they crawl up your legs and start chewing. Tuck your trouser cuffs into your socks, and watch where you step. In lowland or grassland areas beware of: Acacia thorns: the "cat-claws". Thorns can rip skin and clothing. The long straight thorns of many species can pierce soft soled shoes and even car tires. Don’t wear sandals in these areas. Ticks: can occur in ling grass, so check your body from times it time. If a tick is firmly attached to you, grasp it close to its head with tweezers and pull the tick out gently but firmly. Snakes: normally avoids you before you see them. The exception is the poisonous Puff Adder, a fat, sluggish brown or yellow snake. It may lie on paths at night, so if you must walk in the dark, use a torch. Never catch or pick up a snake. Scorpions: In dry country, small yellow scorpions lurk under rocks or dead wood and may climb boots, clothing or other camp equipment left outside at night. Their sting can cause intense pain for several hours. Be prepared for physical extremes. In the lowland, temperatures can reach 35° C and shade may be scarce. In the highlands it may freeze at night. Fine weather can change very quickly to fog or rain. Always carry a rainproof garment and some dry clothes in a plastic bag. To keep you warm, wool and synthetics are better than cotton. To keep you cool, cotton is the best. Always protect yourself from the sun. A hat reduces the risk of sunstroke. Protect your eyes with dark glasses. Cover your skin with clothes or sun protection cream. The highlands is the home of Maasai and Datoga pastoralists and Hadzabae foragers. Be considerate of other cultures – respect local customs, traditions, dress codes, language, beliefs and rituals. A few phrases in Kiswahili will always be appreciated by the locals, and they will be happy to teach you themselves. Do not let your tourism interfere with other’s work or private lives. Always ask for permission before taking anyone’s photograph. Make use of the "cultural Bomas" which have been established as places where you can meet the Maasai and learn about their culture. If you are camping near a village, you might be able to visit that village if you negotiate with the village elders. Avoid roadside photographic deals, they encourage resident people to harass tourist vehicles. Never give anything to children from a car or by the roadside, you are encouraging them to stand there waiting for tourists, instead of staying in the village or in school. Trade with sensitivity, the people live off the land. While some may seem poor in material possessions, they are rich in culture, skills and the freedom to the open spaces. Do not feel obliged to give them gifts, pay them for services or handcrafts instead. Try to avoid buying crafts from middlemen, seek the people who made them and negotiate the price. Protect the health of resident people. If you are sick, stay away, do not share your illness with them, they may be vulnerable to outside illnesses. Contact us for requests.   Visit our photo gallery including a large section with photos and information  about the most common animals!

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