14 Days Walking Safari in the Ngorongoro Highlands

This tailor made safari takes you on an extraordinary personal journey through coastal Tanzania, bush walking and canoeing. You will also experience East Africa’s unique Swahili culture, Tanzania’s diverse and fascinating people and spectacular scenery.

Each day you will do as much walking as you choose, starting after a leisurely breakfast. The only requirements are comfortable shoes and clothing and sun protection, cameras and binoculars. Your other equipment will be moved for you from camp to camp. During the heat of the day you will rest in the shade, only to keep moving in the late afternoon. You will generally reach your camp in time for a sundowner. Every night you will dine under the stars.

Each camp is set up especially for your group and is totally private. You will not see any other people while on this safari. You will experience a variety of beautiful scenery and plentiful bird life.

We start from the market, where you will meet a Chagga family producing banana beer. We then take a walk northwards, passing many different farms. On your way, you get in-depth information about the various fruits and vegetables growing in the area. Mzee Filipo, a farmer from Kigoma, will show you his Oil press and tell you about the history of irrigation in the area. Your trip ends at a farm built by the Belgium Development Organization ACT, where you can visit their sunflower seeds production and take marvelous pictures of colorful flower fields with the Great Rift Valley as background.

Papyrus Lake Tour: This walk starts 5 kms north of Mto wa Mbu, where the Miwaleni waterfalls pouring down from the rift valley has created a green oasis. Passing some little streams you walk in the direction of the Papyrus Lake , from where the Rangi people collect the materials for the mats and baskets they make. On your way you can see rice farming and visit Sandawe families who still make traditional bows and arrows for hunting. The walk can be extended with a climb to the waterfalls at the rift valley. Overnight at the fig. Campsite.

Starting from Mto wa Mbu you walk at the foot of the rift valley towards the northern direction. The farmers in this area mainly grow bananas (many different varieties) and the big leaves provide a pleasant shade. On your way you can visit some farms and get some explanation about the irrigation methods in the area. Finally, you climb Balaa Hill, “the hill of misfortune” in about twenty minutes and enjoy the beautiful view over the green oasis of Mto wa Mbu. On the top the guides will explain to you where the hill got its mysterious name. The walk can be extended with a visit to the Njoro springs, one of the main water sources of the area and a nearby waterfall. Overnight at the fig. Campsite.

Drive to Ngorongoro Nainokanoka where you will camp ready to start walking the next day. In the morning, donkeys will be provided together with a Maasai, Ranger and Guide + Cook, ready for your trip the following day. Overnight at Nainokanoka campsite.

Nainokanoka Embulbul 35 kms (takes about 6 hrs) 7:00 am Depart with a Ranger, donkeys, Maasai + cook and walk toward Lake Natron with picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight at Embulbul campsite.

After breakfast, we commence our walk via the Embulbul Depression towards Empakaai (6 hrs) with picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight at the Empakaai campsite.

We depart the Empakaai campsite towards the Empakaai crater (4 hrs walking). Picnic lunch at the Empakaai crater. After our day trekking at the Empakaai crater, we return to the Empakaai campsite for Dinner and Overnight.

After breakfast, we depart the Empakaai campsite to Acacia tree, which is approximately 5 hrs of walking. Dinner and Overnight at the Acacia tree Campsite.

Today, our walk begins at Acacia tree campsite towards Lake Natron (6 hrs walking) with picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight at Lake Natron Campsite.

After breakfast, we depart Lake Natron campsite, trek to Mt. Ol’doinyo Lengai for a day trip, with picnic lunch. The day ends at Lake Natron campsite. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.

Our day commences at the lake Natron campsite, today we visit the nearby waterfalls with picnic lunch, and we spend most of the day there in the waterfalls oasis. The day ends at the Lake Natron campsite for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we transfer by vehicle to Longido at the SNV project and Maasai life. Dinner and overnight at SNV Project campsite.