Ngorongoro & Crater Highlands trek with Mt Lengai climb option - 7/8 days

Exceptional game viewing and exhilarating wilderness trekking in a range of spectacular African landscapes and environments.

Day 1 Drive from Arusha to Ngorongoro, about 5 hours. Overnight at campsite on edge of the crater rim.

Approaching Ol Doinyo Lengai
volcano from Engaruka

Day 2 All day wildlife viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater. The eighth wonder of the world – a collapsed volcano creating a 20km diameter crater floor teeming with Africa’s famous big game. Camp overnight on crater rim.

	Day 3 Short drive to the Ranger’s Post at Nainokanoka. Set up camp and hike up to the Olmoti Crater with an armed Ranger in the afternoon. It’s around an hour to the rim and another 2 or 3 hours to descend to the Munge waterfall and return to camp. This waterfall is the source of the Ngorongoro Crater’s lake. Camp overnight.
	Olmoti Crater

Day 4 Drive (3 hours) and/or hike (8 hours) to Empakaai Crater.Trek through high rolling grasslands dotted with Maasai herds and criss-crossed by game and cattle trails. Vehicle returns and drives around to meet you on Day 6.

Day 5 Steep descent into Empakaai Crater for exploration of the flamingo fringed soda lake in its floor. Return to camp on rim for overnight.

Day 6 Trek down the great escarpment on an ancient trackway through the forest to Engaruka in the Rift Valley – about 7 hours. Cool, refreshing, sparkling clear spring to bathe in after the trek. Meet vehicle and camp overnight.

Looking down into Empakaai
with Lengai in the background

Day 7 Exploration of ruins of mystery civilisation. Between 5-800 years ago people were building irrigation systems, stone houses and terraced fields here – remarkable if not unique for this period of African history. Our visit supports the local primary school and conservation of the ruins here. Return to Arusha.

Day 7 Lengai option - After exploration of the Engaruka ruins in the morning, drive to campsite near the foot of Mt Lengai – about 3 hours along a bumpy dusty road. Camp in well appointed site near escarpment spring for cooling dips.

Day 8 Lengai option - A 2am start, spectacular and eerie in the starlight, for a long, steep and very tricky climb on sharp volcanic lavas and slippery ash. Only trekkers who are confident of their abilities should attempt this.

	If you’re fit it will take 4 hours up and 2-3 hours down again. Allowing 5-6 hours up and 3-4 down would be sensible. Very few people do this and it really is another world up there. Descent to the active crater floor is possible but potentially dangerous – it is an active volcano! An eruption in April 2006 may affect our climbs here - watch this space... Return to Arusha for late afternoon.
	Active vents in Lengai's crater

General: Accommodation is camping (fully supported) at various Ngorongoro Conservation Area and permanent camp sites throughout. Lodge accommodation can be arranged for private group departures in the Ngorongoro Crater. All your equipment will be carried by vehicles or local porters, you only carry a day-pack with personal gear. When camping you will not have to participate in camp chores. We buy fresh produce locally and to ensure good standards of hygiene all food is prepared by our own staff. We can cater for special dietary requirements and there are no extra food-kitty payments.

We can also arrange extra hotel bookings and airport transfers for before and after your trip.

Cost for Ngorongoro & Crater Highlands:	Cost for Ngorongoro, Crater Highlands & Lengai:
US $1,895 per person for group of 9-12 US $2,025 per person for group of 5-8 US $2,250 per person for group of 3-4 US $2,425 per person for group of 2 US $3,555 for single person departure	US $2,025 per person for group of 9-12 US $2,195 per person for group of 5-8 US $2,480 per person for group of 3-4 US $2,760 per person for group of 2 US $3,835 for single person departure

Prices quoted include:	Prices quoted exclude:
* All transport - 4WD Land Rovers or safari vehicles * Accommodation as detailed - roomy tents when camping * All camping equipment but not sleeping bags * Services of local guides, porters and armed ranger * All National Park entrance and camp site fees * All food - breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals * Donations and payments to local community projects	* International flights * Travel and personal accident insurance * Visa, passport, vaccinations, medicines * Tips * Alcoholic drinks, souvenirs, personal items * Optional excursions/activities not detailed in itinerary * Any additional services requested

Send this itinerary to a friend

Back to 'Our trips'