Ngorongoro Highland Trek

Once you are in need of this wonderful trekking trail in Tanzania, one must travel to Ngorongoro conservation area through Loduare Gate, up to heroes point and then turn right while scaling to Ngorongoro. The road will lead you to a Sopa Lodge junction, drive straight up to North - East crater out let - Drive straight following Nainokanoka village where the ranger post is situated.

Trekking normally commences at Nainokanoka Ranger Post after all arrangements have been made. This includes: Donkeys, packing, water, charcoal intended for cooking. For environmental purpose clients can come along with gas stoves.

DAY 1.
Direct arrival at Mountain Inn (our own base hotel) Dinner and overnight MOUNTAIN INN

DAY 2 - Game viewing Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast drive to Lake Manyara National Park via Arusha with picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight TWIGA CAMPSITE

DAY 3 - Crater Game Viewing - Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast proceed to Ngorongoro for crater game drive with picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight SIMBA CAMPSITE

DAY 4 - Nainokanoka post to Embulbul Depression

  • Start trekking at 08:00 am to Olmoti crater (30 minutes)
  • Visit Munge falls at southern extreme.
  • Trekking to Embulbul depression campsite takes about (6) six to (7) seven hours
  • The depression is well marked practical level hollow ground, with short grass (Species) as Cynodon dactylon and Thimeda triandra are found.
  • Clients will have an opportunity to view many unique thing, Ranging from cattle Dung's, insects (beetles), zebras, gazelles, gnu, ostrich, brown plover, black smith plover, common Bulbul and Ground horn bill just to mention a few of them.

DAY 5 - Trekking to Empakaai Crater Rim

  • After breakfast trek eastward and then turn Northwards slowing climb the rim and eventually you will be already on top of Empakaai crater. It takes about (6) six hours
  • The crater is about 6 km wide and the water in the lake is alkaline with depth of about 85m, of which is unusual depth for soda lakes in East Africa.
  • Empakaai crater views are spectacular at every point. The campsite is situated on the eastern side of the crater rim.
  • It takes one hour to the Lakeshore and one and half-hour back to the crater rim. It's also advisable to descend slowly, because the trail is so steep in other parts.
  • Wild animals such as Bush-Baby, Mangoose, Mountain buck, Hyrax (Tree climbing type) can also be found
  • Cape wigeon, Black winged stilt are found in the lake, but mostly Flamingo and Turaco's.
  • Buffalos are residents, together with water buck and arborial blue Monkeys.
  • Trekking in the salt - soil shore of Empakaai Crater Lake takes you again an hour or so according to client's interests.
DAY 6 - Descend to Naiyobi Lerai Forest
  • Descend from the camp, Eastwards with magnificent spectacular view of Mount Oldonyo Lengai
  • Cross several bushes in narrow trail to Naiyobi village where people are most Agriculturists rather then pastoralists. Tribe are mixture
  • In this village, there are schools (primary), water supply through pipes and shops
  • From this point follow the canopy back to Lerai forest
  • The campsite is located under the acacia trees just along the trail.
DAY 7 - Lerai forest Mongoilei Ngaresero
  • Descend through the same canopy to the rift valley escarpment where its steep going down. This point is known as MONGOILE meaning "Antelopes horns" in Maasai language. The trail is so wrought due to Volcanic remain gravel's. This hike takes about (5) five to (6) six hours.
  • From Naiyobi descend to rift valley floor it is hot and no shade on the way down to Ngaresero base, where your driver will be waiting for you to driven to campsite for dinner and overnight (Kamakia or Sengo)
  • At the campsite there are accacia tree as well as other species of fig trees.
  • Here you have an opportunity of visiting Maasai Manyata to observe the differences between the maasai who lives in highland houses (tatched by grass) to avoid heavy rainfall.
  • The Maasai Boma referred as manyata are scattered every corner on the way to the campsite.
  • Maasai dance can be arranged during in the night of your stay.

(ON REQUEST) MAASAI MANYATA
  • One of the unique things to perform while you are in this area is to visit the Maasai Manyatta (Boma).
  • Actually because we are in the Maasai area we have to visit some of this extra ordinary houses ever seen Worldwide. This is written in such a way that you may know that it's worth to pay a visit.
  • You can obtain necklaces, tobacco holders, sticks, spears, swords and a lot of ornaments of, which are not, obtained anywhere. The importance here is that you can have all mentioned items in their real forms. The Calabash and its accessories are one of the additional enjoyments.
EMBULBUL: Is a Maasai word referring low land with short grass formed by the rise of the mountain volcanic reactions.
  • The depression is formed by four mountain slopes, which are
    1. Olmoti crater (alt 5500m, flate in caldera) to the West
    2. Losirua mountain (alt 2634m) meaning Eland mountain to Southwest.
    3. Loolmalasin (alt 3658m) which is the highest in this volcanic mountain chain, meaning a mount of Guards (Calabash)
    4. The Empakaai crater rim in the Eastnorth (alt 3265 campsite/3300 to peaks)
  • Maasai elders claim that up to date there were poisonous trees along the crater inner forest of, which affected them while intending to produce local medicine.
DAY 8. Ngaesero Mount Oldoinyo Lengai
  • After breakfast Visit Lake Natron shore (to view the Flamingos breeding center) return for lunch at the campsite. Afternoon visit the waterfalls (which is only 15 minutes from the campsite)
  • Midnight drive to the base of Mount Oldoinyo Lengai to start your climb. It takes about (6) hours to the top and about (3) three to (4) four hours ascending
  • While climbing there's phosphate smell produced by the gaseous puffed out from the mountain summit vents.
  • Apply antisulforous reagents/lotions to avoid hitching which might be subjected on prescience of sulphur elements in gravel particles.
DAY 9. Descending From Mount Oldoinyo Lengai
  • Descend mid morning from Mount Oldoinyo Lengai
  • Walk down, where your driver will be waiting for you and drives you towards campsite for Lunch
  • After lunch drive to Moshi via Mto wa Mbu. Dinner and overnight MOUNTAIN INN
DAY 10.
After breakfast end of our services.


All Crater Tours from January 2006 will be for a maximum of 6 Hours.

The above includes:
Park entry fees, camping fees, village charges, ranger fees, maasai guide, donkeys, crater fees, game drives, 4 x 4 vehicle with English speaking driver guide, cook and all meals as indicated in the itineraries.

Does not include:
Tips, beverages, laundry, any additional transfers or game drives items of personal nature, tents, sleeping bags and mattresses.