14 Days Walking Safari in the Ngorongoro Highlands

Day 1: 8:00 am – Depart Moshi/ Arusha to Mto wa Mbu.

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.

Day 2: Balaa Hill Tour 

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.

Day 3: 8:00 am Ngorongoro Nainokanoka

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.

Day 4: Nainokanoka Embulbul

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.

Day 5: Empakaai 

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

Day 6: Empakaai Crater

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.

Day 7: Empakaai Crater – Acacia Tree

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.

Day 8: Acacia Tree – Lake Natrone

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

Day 9: LAke Natrone – Mt. Oldonyolengai

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.

Day 10: 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.

Day 11: After breakfast, we transfer by vehicle to Longido at the SNV project and Maasai life. Dinner and overnight at SNV Project campsite.

Day 12: Walks to the refuge of birds, like weavers, sunbirds, barbets and turacos. Dinner and overnight at Longido campsite.

Day 13: Today our walking safari takes us from Ol Tepesi to Kimokouwa, along a narrow Maasai Cattle trail that meanders over the slopes of Longido Mountain. In 2 hours time you gradually climb from the plains at an altitude of 1200 meters on a clear day you have a beautiful view on Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru. Dinner and overnight at Longido campsite.

Day 14: After breakfast drive to Arusha for curio shopping. Transfer to Moshi for lunch, dinner and overnight.

End of safari.