- Exciting off-the-beaten-track, day hikes, short walks, or long multi-day hikes.
- Spectacular scenery with wildlife, mountains, and craters.
- Experience culture, nature, and hiking on its own or combined with a wildlife safari.
- Quiet locations. not packed with tourists.
- and much more!
The Ngorongoro Highlands are one of our favorite places in Tanzania to hike. This unique ‘off the beaten track’ location offers spectacular scenery through the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area highlands, forest walks, mountains, craters, Maasailand and the Rift Valley. The scenery here cannot be compared with anywhere else in the world combined with the fact that these are quiet areas with mainly the local Maasai inhabitants who coexist with wildlife in harmony, making this must visit place for adventure travelers.
ONE DAY TRIP TO EMPAKAI/OLMOTI CTATER HIKES
Day 1: Empakai and Olmoti Crater
You start your journey early from Karatu, Mto wa Mbu or the Ngorongoro Crater rim today at 06:00am-08:00am. Once inside of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area you take the scenic road to the base of Olmoti Crater (near Nainokanoka ranger post where you will meet your armed Ranger. You can climb up to the Olmoti crater rim (1 hour, low to medium fitness) to enjoy the view. You drive further until Empakai camp where you have the option of hiking down into the Empakai crater (2 hours, low to medium fitness). From Empakai you will head back to your overnight lodge or camp in Karatu, Mto wa Mbu or the Ngorongoro Crater rim.
- Approx driving distance: 2-3 hours to Olmoti and Empakai / 2-3 hours back to Karatu, Mto wa Mbu or the Ngorongoro crater rim
- Expected game drive: None
- Activities usually included: Guided walk with an Armed park ranger
- Optional extras: Maasai village visit, pre or post tour accommodation
- Meals included: Picnic lunchbox
- Commonly seen animals: Unknown
- Occasionally seen animals: Unknown
- Rarely seen animals: Unknown
Overnight (optional)
(Speak to a tour consultant for your specific options)
Day 1: Ngorongoro Crater Rim Highlands
You start your journey early from Karatu, Mto wa Mbu or the Ngorongoro Crater rim today and once inside of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area you proceed with an armed park ranger to the Ngorongoro Crater rim where you explore the surrounding areas with a walk (1-1.5 hours, low to medium fitness). Your walk will take you around the forest highlands and across the diverse landscapes around the crater rim with scenic views in all directions. From the Crater Rim you will head back to your overnight lodge or camp in Karatu, Mto wa Mbu or the Ngorongoro Crater rim.
- Approx driving distance: 1 hour to Ngorongoro Crater Rim / 1 hour back to lodge
- Expected game drive: None
- Activities usually included: Guided walk with an Armed park ranger
- Optional extras: Ngorongoro Crater game drive, Maasai village visit, pre or post tour accommodation
- Meals included: None
- Commonly seen animals: Unknown
- Occasionally seen animals: Unknown
- Rarely seen animals: Unknown
FOUR DAYS HIGHLAND TREKKING
Day 1: Mto wa Mbu / Karatu / Ngorongoro Crater rim to Olmoti & Empakai Craters
You start your journey early from Karatu, Mto wa Mbu or the Ngorongoro Crater rim today and drive North inside of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on a scenic road to the base of Olmoti Crater near Nainokanoka ranger post where you will meet your armed Ranger. You can climb up (1 hour, low to medium fitness) to the crater rim to enjoy the view. Today. You drive further until Bulati camp where you have the option of hiking (4-5 hours, medium fitness, time permitting) or driving to the Empakai crater to camp overnight on the Empakai crater rim. Time permitting you can descend into Empakai crater today for a visit to the Empakai lake (1-2 hours, low to medium fitness) or descend early tomorrow morning.
- Approx driving distance: 2-4 hours to Nainokanoka Ranger post
- Expected game drive: None
- Activities usually included: Guided walk with an Armed park ranger
- Optional extras: None
- Meals included: Picnic lunch, dinner
- Commonly seen animals: Unknown
- Occasionally seen animals: Unknown
- Rarely seen animals: Unknown
- Overnight at Empakai Campsite
- Style: Sepcial campsite (no facilities)
Location: Empakai Crater Rim, Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Day 2: Empakai Crater to Acacia Campsite via Nayobi Maasai village
A full day hike in the Ngorongoro Highlands where you leave Empakai Crater and take the road north past Naiyobi Maasai village until the edge of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You will leave your vehicle behind (your driver will meet you again at Lake Natron tomorrow) and take local donkeys with Maasai donkey runners to help to carry your camping gear. The hike today is medium fitness and around 15km / 6-8 hours. On arrival at Acacia camp, there is a spectacular view point on the top of the rift giving you a beautiful view of Oldoinyo Lengai (mountain of god), Lake Natron, the Ngorongoro highlands and the Gol mountains in the distance. This has to be one of the most scenic spots in the whole country!
- Approx driving distance: None
- Expected game drive: None
- Activities usually included: Guided walk with an Armed park ranger
- Optional extras: None
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- Commonly seen animals: Unknown
- Occasionally seen animals: Unknown
- Rarely seen animals: Unknown
- Overnight at Acacia Campsite
- Style: Sepcial campsite (no facilities)
Location: Acacia forest, Just outside of Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Day 3: Acacia Campsite to Lake Natron
Today you finish the last stage of the walking journey and it is relatively short (6km or around 2-4 hours) and downhill and takes you down into the dry and hot Rift Valley at the base of Oldoinyo Lengai (the mountain of God) in the Lake Natron area, where ash from previous eruptions may be seen. Your driver will meet you at the end of the trek and take you to Engarasero village where you should reach around lunchtime. This afternoon you have optional activities (time permitting) including: Village tour / Hotspring tour / Visit to waterfalls / Biking tour to Orpul caves / Footprints / Maasai cultural and botanical tour / herding tour.
- Approx driving distance: 1-2 hours to Natron
- Expected game drive: None
- Activities usually included: Guided walk with an Armed park ranger, Half day Lake Natron activities
- Optional extras: Oldoinyo Lengai trek (mid-night)
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- Commonly seen animals: Unknown
- Occasionally seen animals: Unknown
- Rarely seen animals: Unknown
- Overnight at Giraffee campsite/Lake natron camp/African safari lake natron
- Style: Sepcial campsite (no facilities)/Basic
Location: Acacia forest, Just outside of Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Day 4: Lake Natron to Arusha, Kilimanjaro airport or Moshi
The morning today will be relaxed, and your options include (time permitting): explore the lake shores of Lake Natron / Village tour / Hotspring tour / Visit to waterfalls / Biking tour to Orpul caves / Footprints / Maasai cultural and botanical tour / herding tour. Lake Natron is a breeding place for thousands of Flamingos who usually build their nests using the soda flats between August and October. After a picnic lunch you will drive back to Arusha, Kilimanjaro Airport (night flights only) or Moshi.
- Approx driving distance: 5-7 hours to Arusha, Kilimanjaro Airport or Moshi
- Expected game drive: None
- Activities usually included: Half day Lake Natron activities
- Optional extras: Oldoinyo Lengai trek (mid-night)
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch
- Commonly seen animals: Unknown
- Occasionally seen animals: Unknown
- Rarely seen animals: Unknown
- Overnight (optional)
- (Speak to a tour consultant for your specific options)
FIVE DAYS HIGHLAND TREKKING
Day 1: Mto wa Mbu / Karatu / Ngorongoro Crater rim to Olmoti & Empakai Craters
You start your journey early from Karatu, Mto wa Mbu or the Ngorongoro Crater rim today and drive North inside of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on a scenic road to the base of Olmoti Crater near Nainokanoka ranger post where you will meet your armed Ranger. You can climb up (1 hour, low to medium fitness) to the crater rim to enjoy the view. Today. You drive further until Bulati camp where you have the option of hiking (4-5 hours, medium fitness, time permitting) or driving to the Empakai crater to camp overnight on the Empakai crater rim. Time permitting you can descend into Empakai crater today for a visit to the Empakai lake (1-2 hours, low to medium fitness) or descend early tomorrow morning.
- Approx driving distance: 2-4 hours to Nainokanoka Ranger post
- Expected game drive: None
- Activities usually included: Guided walk with an Armed park ranger
- Optional extras: None
- Meals included: Picnic lunch, dinner
- Commonly seen animals: Unknown
- Occasionally seen animals: Unknown
- Rarely seen animals: Unknown
- Overnight at Empakai Campsite
- Style: Sepcial campsite
Location: Empakai Crater Rim, Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Day 2 Empakai Crater to Acacia Campsite via Nayobi Maasai village
A full day hike in the Ngorongoro Highlands where you leave Empakai Crater and take the road north past Naiyobi Maasai village until the edge of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You will leave your vehicle behind (your driver will meet you again at Lake Natron tomorrow) and take local donkeys with Maasai donkey runners to help to carry your camping gear. The hike today is medium fitness and around 15km / 6-8 hours. On arrival at Acacia camp, there is a spectacular view point on the top of the rift giving you a beautiful view of Oldoinyo Lengai (mountain of god), Lake Natron, the Ngorongoro highlands and the Gol mountains in the distance. This has to be one of the most scenic spots in the whole country!
- Approx driving distance: None
- Expected game drive: None
- Activities usually included: Guided walk with an Armed park ranger
- Optional extras: None
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- Commonly seen animals: Unknown
- Occasionally seen animals: Unknown
- Rarely seen animals: Unknown
Day 3 Acacia Campsite to Lake Natron
Today you finish the last stage of the walking journey and it is relatively short (6km or around 2-4 hours) and downhill and takes you down into the dry and hot Rift Valley at the base of Oldoinyo Lengai (the mountain of God) in the Lake Natron area, where ash from previous eruptions may be seen. Your driver will meet you at the end of the trek and take you to Engarasero village where you should reach around lunchtime. This afternoon you have optional activities (time permitting) including: Village tour / Hotspring tour / Visit to waterfalls / Biking tour to Orpul caves / Footprints / Maasai cultural and botanical tour / herding tour.
- Approx driving distance: 1-2 hours to Natron
- Expected game drive: None
- Activities usually included: Guided walk with an Armed park ranger, Half day Lake Natron activities
- Optional extras: Oldoinyo Lengai trek (mid-night)
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- Commonly seen animals: Unknown
- Occasionally seen animals: Unknown
- Rarely seen animals: Unknown
- Overnight at Giraffee campsite/Lake natron camp/African safari lake natron
- Style: Sepcial campsite (no facilities)/Basic
Location: Acacia forest, Just outside of Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Day 4 Lake Natron
A full day in the Lake Natron area and your options include (time permitting): explore the lake shores of Lake Natron / Village tour / Hotspring tour / Visit to waterfalls / Biking tour to Orpul caves / Footprints / Maasai cultural and botanical tour / herding tour. Lake Natron is a breeding place for thousands of Flamingos who usually build their nests using the soda flats between August and October.
- Approx driving distance: 0 hours to Natron
- Expected game drive: None
- Activities usually included: Full day Lake Natron activities
- Optional extras: Oldoinyo Lengai trek (mid-night)
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- Commonly seen animals: Unknown
- Occasionally seen animals: Unknown
- Rarely seen animals: Unknown
- vernight at Giraffee campsite/Lake natron camp/African safari lake natron
- Style: Sepcial campsite (no facilities)/Basic
Location: Acacia forest, Just outside of Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Day 5 Lake Natron to Arusha, Kilimanjaro airport or Moshi
The morning today will be relaxed, and your options include (time permitting): explore the lake shores of Lake Natron / Village tour / Hotspring tour / Visit to waterfalls / Biking tour to Orpul caves / Footprints / Maasai cultural and botanical tour / herding tour. Lake Natron is a breeding place for thousands of Flamingos who usually build their nests using the soda flats between August and October. After a picnic lunch you will drive back to Arusha, Kilimanjaro Airport (night flights only) or Moshi.
- Approx driving distance: 5-7 hours to Arusha, Kilimanjaro Airport or Moshi
- Expected game drive: None
- Activities usually included: Half day Lake Natron activities
- Optional extras: Oldoinyo Lengai trek (mid-night)
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch
- Commonly seen animals: Unknown
- Occasionally seen animals: Unknown
- Rarely seen animals: Unknown
- Overnight (optional)
- (Speak to a tour consultant for your specific options)
FIVE DAYS HIGHLAND TREKKING
Day 1 Mto wa Mbu / Karatu / Ngorongoro Crater rim to Olmoti & Empakai Craters
You start your journey early from Karatu, Mto wa Mbu or the Ngorongoro Crater rim today and drive North inside of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on a scenic road to the base of Olmoti Crater near Nainokanoka ranger post where you will meet your armed Ranger. You can climb up (1 hour, low to medium fitness) to the crater rim to enjoy the view. Today. You drive further until Bulati camp where you have the option of hiking (4-5 hours, medium fitness, time permitting) or driving to the Empakai crater to camp overnight on the Empakai crater rim. Time permitting you can descend into Empakai crater today for a visit to the Empakai lake (1-2 hours, low to medium fitness) or descend early tomorrow morning.
- Approx driving distance: 2-4 hours to Nainokanoka Ranger post
- Expected game drive: None
- Activities usually included: Guided walk with an Armed park ranger
- Optional extras: None
- Meals included: Picnic lunch, dinner
- Commonly seen animals: Unknown
- Occasionally seen animals: Unknown
- Rarely seen animals: Unknown
- Overnight at Empakai Campsite
- Style: Sepcial campsite
Location: Empakai Crater Rim, Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Day 2 Empakai Crater to Acacia Campsite via Nayobi Maasai village
A full day hike in the Ngorongoro Highlands where you leave Empakai Crater and take the road north past Naiyobi Maasai village until the edge of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You will leave your vehicle behind (your driver will meet you again at Lake Natron tomorrow) and take local donkeys with Maasai donkey runners to help to carry your camping gear. The hike today is medium fitness and around 15km / 6-8 hours. On arrival at Acacia camp, there is a spectacular view point on the top of the rift giving you a beautiful view of Oldoinyo Lengai (mountain of god), Lake Natron, the Ngorongoro highlands and the Gol mountains in the distance. This has to be one of the most scenic spots in the whole country!
- Approx driving distance: None
- Expected game drive: None
- Activities usually included: Guided walk with an Armed park ranger
- Optional extras: None
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- Commonly seen animals: Unknown
- Occasionally seen animals: Unknown
- Rarely seen animals: Unknown
- Overnight at Acacia Campsite
- Style: Sepcial campsite
Location: Acacia forest, Just outside of Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Day 3 Acacia Campsite to Lake Natron
Today you finish the last stage of the walking journey and it is relatively short (6km or around 2-4 hours) and downhill and takes you down into the dry and hot Rift Valley at the base of Oldoinyo Lengai (the mountain of God) in the Lake Natron area, where ash from previous eruptions may be seen. Your driver will meet you at the end of the trek and take you to Engarasero village where you should reach around lunchtime. This afternoon you have optional activities (time permitting) including: Village tour / Hotspring tour / Visit to waterfalls / Biking tour to Orpul caves / Footprints / Maasai cultural and botanical tour / herding tour.
- Approx driving distance: 1-2 hours to Natron
- Expected game drive: None
- Activities usually included: Guided walk with an Armed park ranger, Half day Lake Natron activities
- Optional extras: Oldoinyo Lengai trek (mid-night)
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- Commonly seen animals: Unknown
- Occasionally seen animals: Unknown
- Rarely seen animals: Unknown
- vernight at Giraffee campsite/Lake natron camp/African safari lake natron
- Style: Sepcial campsite (no facilities)/Basic
Location: Acacia forest, Just outside of Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Day 4 Lake Natron to Ololosokwan
A half day in the Lake Natron area and your options include (time permitting): explore the lake shores of Lake Natron / Village tour / Hotspring tour / Visit to waterfalls / Biking tour to Orpul caves / Footprints / Maasai cultural and botanical tour / herding tour. Lake Natron is a breeding place for thousands of Flamingos who usually build their nests using the soda flats between August and October. In the afternoon you journey North East towards the Loliondo Game area.
- Approx driving distance: 0 hours to Natron / 4-5 hours to Ololosokwan
- Expected game drive: None
- Activities usually included: Half day Lake Natron activities
- Optional extras: None
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
- Commonly seen animals: Unknown
- Occasionally seen animals: Unknown
- Rarely seen animals: Unknown
- overnight at Africa safari maasai boma
- Style: budget Maasai style hut
Location: Ololosokwan, just outside of Serengeti park
Day 5 Ololosokwan to Serengeti National Park
Today you leave the Maasai region behind and enter Serengeti National Park for your safari extension. This unique location allows you to enter from the remote North-east Kleins gate where you can journey to Northern Serengeti (Migration) or venture into Central Serengeti for a classic safari experience.
- Approx driving distance: 1 hour to Serengeti National Park
- Expected game drive: Subject to safari extension
- Activities usually included: None
- Optional extras: Serengeti safari extension
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch
- Commonly seen animals: Unknown
- Occasionally seen animals: Unknown
- Rarely seen animals: Unknown
Price, includes, add-ons and excludes
Prices depend on your group size, exact route chosen, dates of travel and much more. Please contact our sales team for a tailor made quote! You can see our standard includes, optional extras / add-ons / comfort upgrades and standard excludes below.
Standard packages usually include
- All taxes and VAT applicable
- All National Park conservation, park entry, camping or concession fees as applicable
- Luggage space for a soft bag, max 20kg per person or maximum available space in vehicle
- All meals on the safari indicated as included
- Pre-safari briefing with the guide / tour consultant in Moshi or Arusha
- 1.5lts per person, per day of bottled drinking water
- Trained, certified, and experienced English-speaking Mountain guide/s
- Basic camping safaris include a tent, mattress, camping equipment and a personal cook (sharing for even numbered groups + 1 single tent for odd numbers)
- Basic camping at special campsites also includes a private portable toilet and camping shower
- Medium and high range safaris include full board accommodation (sharing for all odd (triple) and even (double) numbered groups except for the 1 passenger groups which receive a single room)
- 1 first aid kit per vehicle
- In vehicle sanitizer, charging ports (Type G socket)
- Add-on and extra park fees applicable to extra activities indicated as ‘included’ within the itineary
Optional extras, add-ons and comfort upgrades
- Pre or post tour accommodation (and any accommodation for one day trips)
- Single room or tents unless indicated as included
- Transfers not explicitly within the specified route or private / individual transfers
- Extra luggage transfer to the airport
- Add-ons and extra activities indicated as ‘excluded’ within the itinerary or not explicitly mentioned as ‘included’
- Domestic flights not indicated as included
- Flying Doctors Emergency Evacuation membership
- Extra vehicle(s)
- Translators or languages (Non English speaking)
Standard packages usually exclude
- Tips / gratuities
- Beverages such as soft drinks, alcohol etc. unless ‘all inclusive’ package is booked at selected lodges
- International flights
- Insurance
- Visas
- Items of a personal nature (binoculars, cameras etc.)
When to visit
These recommendations are based on weather patterns and trends. Wildlife is extremely unpredictable and we can only plan for the ideal location for your season of travel however cannot guarantee you will see all animals or experience dry weather.
- Excellent time
January, February, July, August, September, October
Within our predicted dry seasons, these months generally have dry weather meaning wildlife are easier to spot (around watering holes). Driving conditions are also better in dry seasons and savannah grasses short to spot the maximum wildlife within the circuit. These months are however generally the busiest and most expensive times to travel.
- Good time
March, June, November, December
These months are between our dry season and wet season where conditions are generally dry throughout the circuit and wildlife still plentiful around the major national parks and wildlife corridors. Smaller parks could be avoided in these months in favor of the larger ones and the entire safari circuit shouldn’t be extremely crowded and offer a much better price point compared to the peak months.
- Mixed time
April, May
Our predicted ‘long rain’ season in Tanzania where the chances of rain are high and downpours can be heavy (tropical!) making travel difficult and harsh as well as reduced chances of spotting wildlife all throughout the circuit. At the same time this period is the quietest (hardly any tourists!) and the classic dry savannah scenery turns green making it a special time (and price) for those who choose to travel.
