5 Day Ngorongoro Highlands Trek and Oldoinyo Lengai Climb

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Day 1: Empakai Crater to Empakai Special Camp⌄

   Start off with a hearty breakfast, then transfer from your hotel (either in Karatu area, Manyara or Aurhsa) to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. After registration, drive to the trailhead of Empakai Crater. approx 1 hr drive) Start off with a gentle descent into the crater. Animal sightings are possible, so keep your eyes open. An alkaline lake covers most of the crater floor, and it is home to flocks of pink flamingos. After a picnic lunch, continue toward Empakai Camp where you will overnight. Due to the altitude, it may be chilly this evening, so be prepared with warm layers. The trek this day covers 15 km and is moderate to easy.

   Meals: Lunch: Enjoyed en route as a packed meal, giving a break mid-journey. · Dinner: A hot meal prepared at Empakai Special Camp after arrival, marking the close of the day.

   Overnight: overnight at Empakai Special Campsite.

2. 2Day 2: Empakai Special Campsite to Acacia Campsite⌄

   After breakfast, start trekking with donkeys. Your group will hike through Naiyobi Village, a local Maasai community that lives within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. After enjoying a picnic lunch, hike out of the Conservation Area and enter more arid landscape. Despite the change of landscape, the views throughout are stunning. Overnight in the shade of Acacia Camp, which sits at a lower elevation than the previous night (it is likely to be warmer).

   Meals: Breakfast: Served at Empakai Special Campsite before departure. · Lunch: Taken along the trail as a packed meal during a rest stop. · Dinner: Prepared and served at Acacia Campsite after arrival, enjoyed in the wilderness setting.

3. 3Day 3: Acacia Camp to Lake Natron⌄

   After breakfast, dismantle tents and prepare the donkeys once again. Today’s hike is 8 kms and is mostly descent toward Lake Natron. It takes 3-4 hours only. Once the tents are set up, the group is recommended to rest early, as the climb up Oldoinyo Lengai begins around midnight.

   Meals: Breakfast: Provided at Acacia Campsite before departure. · Lunch: Taken along the trail as a packed meal during a rest stop. · Dinner: Prepared and served at Lake Natron Campsite after arrival, enjoyed in the wilderness setting.

   Overnight: Overnight at a Lake Natron Campsite.

4. 4Day 4: Climb Mount Oldoinyo Lengai⌄

   Climbers usually wake around 11 pm the previous day to have a light snack and prepare headlamps and trekking poles for the upcoming climb. A vehicle will transfer you to the base of the sacred mountain and you will begin the climb around midnight. Oldoinyo Lengai translates to “The Mountain of God” in the Maasai language, and is an important place in the local culture. The peak of the volcano stands at just under 3000 m. While this doesn’t rank it as a necessarily high mountain, it is an incredibly steep mountain, which is part of the challenge but up and down. The climb to reach the top generally takes 6 hours, while the descent takes 4-5 hours, as well. Trekking poles are highly recommended. The goal is to reach the summit in time for sunrise. The epic views of the Ngorongoro Highlands and Lake Natron are a reward for all climbers who reach the top. Begin descent and return to campsite for a hearty brunch and well-deserved rest.

   Meals: Breakfast: Light refreshment before departure at night. · Lunch: Served at Lake Natron Campsite after returning from the climb. · Dinner: Prepared at the campsite later in the day, after rest.

   Overnight: Lake natron camp.

5. 5Day 5: Visit Lake Natron and Transfer to Arusha⌄

   Enjoy a relaxing morning at the campsite. After breakfast, visit Natron’s Lakeshore. It is usually full of pink flamingos (its is the largest nesting site in the world for Lesser Flamingos), but you may not swim in its waters. When you’re ready, breakdown camp and begin drive back to Arusha via the Natron-Longido Route.

   Meals: Breakfast: Morning breakfast served at Lake Natron Campsite before starting the day’s activities. · Lunch: Taken at Lake Natron before departure, providing a break after exploration.