9 Day NGORONGORO HIGHLANDS TREK

1 night in Arusha, 6 nights on Safari | Private Tour | Comfort

Tour Introduction

The 9-day Ngorongoro Highlands trek Adventure offers a captivating journey through one of Tanzania’s most picturesque regions. Over seven days, adventurers traverse rugged landscapes, dense forests, and rolling hills, all while soaking in the breathtaking vistas of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Starting from the Ngorongoro Crater rim, trekkers descend into the crater floor, where they encounter an abundance of wildlife, including lions, elephants, and rhinos. The journey then takes them through the highlands, where they traverse lush forests, remote villages, and scenic viewpoints.

Each day brings new challenges and discoveries as trekkers immerse themselves in the rich culture and natural beauty of the region. From encountering local Maasai communities to witnessing the stunning sunrise over the Serengeti plains, the Ngorongoro Highlands Trekking Adventure promises an unforgettable experience for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

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NGORONGORO HIGHLANDS TREKKING ADVENTURE

9 Days, 6 Nights 1 night in Arusha, 1 night in Amini maasai Lodge, 3 nights Ngorongoro Crater, 1 Night in Oldonyo lengai 1 Night in Lake Natron

  • DAY 1 : ARRIVAL – PLANET LODGE & BRIEFING
  • DAY 2 : PLANET LODGE  – NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA – NAINOKANOKA VILLAGE
  • DAY 3 : NAINOKANOKA – BULATI
  • DAY 4 : BULATI – EMPAKAAI CRATER RIM
  • DAY 5 : EMPAKAAI CRATER RIM  – ACACIA CAMP
  • DAY 6 : ACACIA CAMP – LAKE NATRON CAMP
  • DAY 7 : OL DOINYO L’ENGAI VOLCANO – NIGHT HIKE
  • DAY 8 : LAKE NATRON – ARUSHA (Under The Sheid)
  • DAY 9 : DEPARTURE
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Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be transferred to your accommodation where your guide will meet you for a full briefing and equipment check.

Overnight at Planet Lodge

Breakfast Included.

This morning, you'll leave your hotel and journey towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you'll embark on an exhilarating game drive within the crater. Later, ascend and make your way to your campsite. Get comfortable in your first camp and get ready for your inaugural trek tomorrow morning.

Overnight at Nainokanoka Village

Breakfast, lunch, dinner inclusive.

Depart from Nainokanoka accompanied by our guides, cooks, and donkeys for a full day of hiking towards Bulati Village. Along the way, you may encounter various wild animals, including Thomson and Grant's gazelle, zebras, and wildebeest. Keep an eye out for hungry jackals lurking nearby where there's abundant wildlife, while majestic eagles soar high above, observing their surroundings. Expect to trek for approximately 5 hours, covering a distance of 16 kilometers. Tonight, you'll rest at an elevation of 2,650 meters.

Overnight at Bulati

Breakfast, lunch, dinner inclusive.

Aftre breakfast, Trek to Empakaai. The path offers mesmerizing vistas of both recent and ancient volcanic mountains, including Kilimanjaro, Meru, Olmoti Crater, and Lolmasin. Descend into the 300-meter-deep Empakaai Crater, where nearly half of the floor is veiled by a soda lake. Keep watch for bushbuck, buffalo, and blue monkeys along the rim, which, on clear days, offers panoramic views of Ol Doinyo L’Engai, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Lake Natron. As night falls, listen for the echoing calls of flamingos returning to their breeding grounds at Lake Natron. Anticipate a trek lasting approximately 4-5 hours, covering a distance of 9 kilometers. Tonight's rest awaits you at an elevation of 3,100 meters.

Overnight at Embakai Crater Rim

Breakfast, lunch, dinner inclusive.

In the morning, descend into the Empakaai crater via a well-maintained track leading to the crater floor. There, you'll encounter an alkaline/soda lake, a vital food source for flamingos, which can be observed year-round. The crater floor is also inhabited by various antelope species and aquatic birds. After exploring, ascend back to the crater rim. From there, the trek will veer away from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, transitioning into a drier, warmer landscape as we make our way towards Acacia Camp. Expect to trek for approximately 5 hours, covering a distance of 13 kilometers. Tonight's accommodation awaits you at an elevation of 3,200 meters.

Overnight at Accia Camp

Breakfast, lunch, dinner inclusive.

The final leg of our journey isn't too lengthy and mainly descends downhill. This morning offers captivating vistas of Ol Doinyo L'Engai, Lake Natron, and the Rift Valley. Much of the rugged terrain is veiled in ash from the 2007 eruption, enhancing the surreal quality of the landscape. As we descend into the dry and warm Rift Valley, the remnants of dried-out ash become more prominent. By midday, we'll reach the waiting vehicles and transfer a short distance to the base of Mount Ol Doinyo L'Engai, the world's only active carbonite volcano. After settling into camp for a brief rest, there's an optional opportunity to embark on a nighttime climb of the volcano. Expect approximately 5 hours of trekking, covering a distance of 6 kilometers, with a sleeping elevation of 2,600 meters. Later in the afternoon, you'll have the chance to hike to the picturesque waterfalls in the vicinity.

Overnight at Lake Natron Camp

Breakfast, lunch, dinner inclusive.

Shortly after midnight, the climb of Ol Doinyo L'Engai, revered as the Maasai's Mountain of God, commences. This challenging ascent demands a high level of fitness, as the trail to the summit is exceptionally steep, ascending from 800 meters to 3,000 meters in altitude. The ascent typically spans between 8 to 14 hours, devoid of shade, hence the necessity for an early start. Return to camp is anticipated around 11:00 for a well-deserved brunch. Upon returning to camp, the afternoon is dedicated to rest and recuperation from the strenuous climb. Expect to spend approximately 8 to 14 hours trekking, covering a distance of 15 kilometers. Tonight's sleeping elevation will be 2,600 meters.

Overnight at Lake Natron Camp

Breakfast, lunch, dinner inclusive.

This morning you start driving back to Arusha, which will take the majority of the day.

Overnight at Under the Shade

Breakfast, dinner included.

Today you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport in time for your flight, or if you’ve decided to extend your Tanzanian adventure, begin the next part of your journey!

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MONTH
SEASON
TRAFFIC
WEATHER
ROAD TRAILS
SKY
RECOMMENDATION
January
Peak
Medium
Little to no rainfall
Wet & Muddy
Sunny & Cloudy
Highly Recommended
February
Peak
High
No Rainfall
Dry
Sunny & Cloudy
Highly Recommended
March
High
Low
Short Rainfall
Wet & Muddy
Cloudy
Highly Recommended
April
Low
Low
Long rainfall
Wet & Muddy
Cloudy
Recommended
May
Low
Low
Short Rainfall
Wet & Muddy
Cloudy
Recommended
June
Peak
High
No Rainfall
Dry
Sunny & Cloudy
Highly Recommended
July
Peak
High
No Rainfall
Dry
Sunny
Highly Recommended
August
Peak
Medium
Little to No Rainfall
Dry
Sunny & Cloudy
Highly Recommended
September
Peak
Medium
Little to No Rainfall
Dry
Sunny & Cloudy
Highly Recommended
October
Peak
Medium
Little to No Rainfall
Dry
Sunny & Cloudy
Highly Recommended
November
Peak
Medium
Short Rainfall
Wet & Muddy
Sunny & Cloudy
Highly Recommended
December
Peak
Medium
Short Rainfall
Wet & Muddy
Sunny & Cloudy
Highly Recommended
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What's Includes

AMREF Flying Doctor Insurance. A Flying doctor Insurance to Air transfer you before dark from nearest airstrip to hospital during Emergency

4X4 Custom built – Toyota Landcruiser

  • Pop-up Roof, Opening Sliding windows, Seat Belts, Heavy duty wheels, and Extra Fuel tanks. Refrigerator for cooling drinks, one pair of binoculars per couple, Eco friendly Trash Bag. Wi-Fi on board during safari, Charging Outlets type Plug G for charging Cameras and smart phones

Professional English-Speaking Driver guide. A Friendly, Experienced and Passionate Driver Guide expert at a wide variety of skills: Flora and Fauna, Tanzania’s cultural and natural history

A Special Safari Hamper

  • Soft drinks, Coffee/tea, and Water during game drives
  • A bottle of Non-Alcoholic Champagne

TO/FROM Kilimanjaro International or Arusha Airport

  • One arrival Transfer
  • One departure Transfer

Experience Wildlife with 4X4 Safari Vehicle

  • Game drive in Lake Manyara National Park
  • Game drive in Serengeti National Park
  • Game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
  • Game drive in Tarangire National Park
  • Park fee for Tarangire National Park
  • Park fee for Ngorongoro Crater
  • Park fee for Serengeti Crater
  • Park fee for Lake Manyara National Park

18 % VAT (Value Added Tax)

What's Inxludes

Tipping is of course discretionary, but is an expected part of the way in which business is done in Tanzania. It counts as an expression of gratitude to those who – hopefully – have made your experience an unforgettable one and enables you to directly reward those people.

Tips for guides ($20 per day/ person recommended)

Experience 60 – 90 minutes (depending on wind condition) aerial adventure, followed by bush breakfast and champagne.

The trip excludes changes done by you during safari or before safari which deviates from the original program

This Tour ends at Kilimanjaro International Airport at 17:30hrs, you can only depart on this day if you have booked a Domestic flight which departs from Kilimanjaro International Airport at 19:40hrs and onwards or an International Flight which departs at 21:00hrs and onwards. Otherwise, you will need to book a post night Accommodation if you are departing with any earlier flight.

The trip costs Excludes International and Domestic Flights

The trip costs Excludes all visa costs including arrival visas and transit visas

  • The trip cost Excludes Medical Insurance which is mandatory

If you require to launder your clothes while on your safari, then you will need to pay an amount that the accommodation charges as per their rate sheet.

All kinds of soft drinks and hard drinks at the lodges/camps are not included

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Trip Date

June 16, 2024 - June 24, 2024
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Trip Date

July 16, 2024 - July 24, 2024
Limited 13 Pax
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Trip Date

August 14, 2024 - August 22, 2024
Limited 13 Paxs
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