7-Day Walking Safari
The special safari features four days of walking with a private Masaii guide in and out of traditional villages and across this spectacular landscape plus several days of fantastic wildlife viewing. Four days of trekking with Maasai guides in and out native villages and campsites. It includes the hiking an active volcano, Ngorongoro Crater and a tour of Lake Natron. This trek is very remote and all drinking water must be carried in.
Special Note: The listed rates under “Pricing” are for basic camping, however please contact us for custom quotes based on potential lodging upgrades, which are available in and around the major parks such as the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Natron.
Day 1 : Depart Moshi or Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater via Tarangire or Manyara
Today your private English speaking driver guide meets you at your hotel (it can be either Moshi or Arusha) and together you start out to your first glimpse at Africa’s amazing wildlife.
December – May: Lake Manyara. Depart for scenic Lake Manyara National Park with picnic lunch en-route, enjoying your first game drive till late afternoon. Lake Manyara is tucked beneath the Rift Valley wall. Here we encounter green belt of forest flanked by red and brown cliffs, the famous Rift escarpment, soaring up to 600 meters high above the shores of the alkaline lake which gives name to this famous national park. Famous for its tree-climbing lions, Manyara features nearly 400 different species of bird (including thousands of flamingos), forest elephant, bushbuck, klipspringer, baboons, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, blue monkeys, and more.
June – November: Tarangire National Park. Depart for Tarangire National Park for an exciting game drive while enjoying a picnic lunch en route, with your game drive extending into late afternoon. Tarangire is famous for its huge herds of elephant and magnificent baobab forests. Throughout the dry season, parched antelope and elephants trek from hundreds of miles away to reach the year-round flowing Tarangire River. Drive to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight.
Please note: The listed rates under “Pricing” are for basic camping, however please contact us for custom quotes based on potential lodging upgrades, which are available in and around the major parks such as the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Natron.
Meals: Lunch,Dinner and Overnight.
Budget Lodging: Simba Camp
Standard Lodging: Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
Luxury Lodging: Serena Crater Lodge
Day 2 : Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive
Head for the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater – a wonder of the natural world – and descend into the crater for the park maximum 6-hour tour of the Crater floor. Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest caldera measuring 600 meters in depth and covering 250 square kilometers in area. The crater is a stunning setting and contains an abundance of wildlife with over 20,000 large animals including Tanzania’s few remaining black rhino. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is unique in that over 40,000 Masaai pastoralists with their cattle, goats and sheep live alongside the abundant wildlife in relative harmony. Return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Full board accommodation
Budget Lodging: Simba Camp
Standard Lodging: Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
Luxury Lodging: Serena Crater Lodge
Day 3 : Drive to Nainokanoka / Trek to Bulati
Early this morning, we head for Nainokanoka by 4×4, where you will commence a spectacular 4-day walking safari with your private Maasai guide, a cook plus donkeys to carry supplies. We leave Nainokanoka for a full day’s walking to Bulati village for dinner and overnight.
Plan on approx 5 to 6 hours of walking each day over the next 4 days. This special trek offers you fresh air, peace and serenity in the wilderness, along with authentic cultural interaction with the Masaii, plus panoramic views of Kilimanjaro, Meru, Olmoti and Lolmasin. Other sights include Empaki crater, the famous Lake Natron flamingos, and for those who are very fit, the optional opportunity to climb the “Mountain of God” (Ol’ Doinyo Lengai). This trek can be combined with a northern circuit lodge or camping safari, please inquire if you are interested in more game viewing or encounters with different tribes.
Meals: Full board accommodation
Budget Lodging: Bulati Village Campsite
Day 4 : Trek to the Empakaai Crater Rim
Today we continue our walking to Empakaai Crater. Dinner and a scenic overnight stay tonight on the rim of Empakaai Crater. Bushbuck, buffalo and blue monkey can be seen on the rim, which boasts splendid views on a clear day to Ol Doinyo L’Engai Volcano, Mount Kilimanjaro and Lake Natron.
Meals: Full board accommodation
Budget Lodging: Empakaai Crater Rim Campsite
Day 5 : Empakaai Crater Hike / Trek to Nayobi village
This morning we’ll descend into Empakaai crater. The crater is 300 meters high with almost half of the floor filled by a pristine soda lake. Later, we hike to Nayobi village. Dinner and overnight will be camping on the grounds at the Nayobi school.
Meals: Full board accommodation
Budget Lodging: Lake Natron Camp
Day 6 : Finish Trek / Drive to Surreal Lake Natron
Today, we leave early in the morning for Pembe Ya Swala, at the foot of singular Mount Ol Doinyo L’Engai for dinner and overnight. Massive Ol Doinyo L’Engai is the only active carbonite volcano in the world, last erupting in 1966. For those interested in climbing Ol Doinyo L’Engai, we can arrange an optional extra overnight to allow for an early morning ascent the next day (ascents generally start very early, approximately 2 am). On reaching Pembe Ya Swala, we find our 4×4 which will be waiting to take you to the singular Lake Natron for a final dinner and your overnight.
Meals: Full board accommodation
Budget Lodging: Lake Natron Camp
Standard Lodging: Moivaro Natron Camp
Luxury Lodging: Ngare Sero Natron Camp
Day 7 : Return to Arusha / Moshi / Kilimanjaro Airport
Early this morning, You are free to relish at the sight of the million or more Lesser Flamingos that flock here (the best time for the flamingos on Lake Natron is between August to October, when breeding behaviors are peaking) and the dramatic desert scenery all around you. At the right time, you’ll begin your drive to Arusha. For those departing on the evening KLM flight tonight, you have the choice of either a direct drop off at the airport or we can arrange an overnight Arusha.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch