Tanzania Trek

Oldonyo LeNgai (2870 (9650 ft) is an active volcano on the southern shore of Lake Natron. This impressive peak is revered by the Maasai as the sacred home of God. A nearly perfect cone, it still erupts occasionally and you may have the opportunity to walk on still-steaming new ground. It is a tough drive about 3 hours off the main road between Arusha and Ngorongoro. Once at camp, you can go to a waterfall and relax in the river, or drive out to the shoreline of Lake Natron and see the massive flamingo colonies wading in the shallows.

Oldoinyo Lengai is the only active Sodium Carbonite Volcano in the world. This trip will take you to Lake Natron to view the flamingo breeding centre as well as taking you to the summit of this amazing volcano. This trip is 4 days long and is perfect to take either before or after a Kilimanjaro Climb.
Oldonyo LeNgai Climb - 2 Days we will try to go to sleep early (maybe 6:30 or 7pm) because we must get up at midnight and get to the trailhead by 1:15am. It is an exhilarating climb to the summit and we should reach the caldera floor just in time to see the sun rising behind Mt. Meru far, far in the distance. Further still, on the edge of our view, is Mt. Kilimanjaro. Stay a while and bask in the incredible beauty of the place before starting our descent.

Crater Highlands Treks - Ngorongoro Conservation Area - Ending at Natron Crater

5 nights 6 Days with Optional Ol Donyo Lengai Climb:

A long trek across the volcanic Masailands north of Ngorongoro Crater scrambles down game-filled craters and up active volcanoes to the Rift Valley and Lake Natron where there are swathes of pink flamingos. Nights are spent at wilderness camps, open to the elements and passing wildlife and equipment is carried by backup 4wd vehicles and/or pack-animals.

Day 1 – Lake Manyara:

Drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Have a picnic lunch in the park, followed by an afternoon game drive, a great opportunity to see its marvelous concentration of game, including 350 species of birds, not to mention the glistening soda lake itself where you’ll catch glimpses of grazing pink flamingoes. Stay overnight at Havennature Campsite just outside Lake Manyara National Park.

Day 2 – Serengeti Park:

Drive to the Serengeti National Park visiting Olduvai Gorge enroute. Made famous by the anthropological Leakey family, this anthropologist’s dream is where the origins of man are said to have emerged. The Serengeti is the largest of all the parks in Tanzania, famous for both its migratory and resident animal population. Stay overnight at Seronera Campsite in the Serengeti.

Day 3 – Full Day Serengeti:

Full day in the Serengeti National Park. Stay overnight at Seronera Campsite in the Serengeti.

Day 4 – Ngorongoro Conservation Area:

Morning game drives in the Serengeti. Not only will you be treated to a vast array of wildlife in its natural habitat, but sweeping panoramas of the African savannah, dotted with lush rocky outcrops (known as kopjes). In the afternoon drive to the lush Ngorongoro Conservation Area and around the rim of the Crater to your camp to behold the spectacular view. Stay overnight at Simba Campsite overlooking the Crater.

Day 5 – Olmoti Trek:

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a crater tour. This 100 square mile natural amphitheatre is host to an astonishing array of wildlife and you may see everything from elephant to lion, and if you’re lucky, the near-extinct black rhino, all amongst large herds of zebra and wildebeest. Exit the Crater and drive to Nainokanoka. Take an afternoon trek at Olmoti, which takes you through the rainforested slopes of Olmoti Crater to the rim viewpoint. The trek winds down to the grassy plains of the crater floor and to Mungwe Falls, named after the distinctive white flourish of the Colobus Monkey tail. Stay overnight at Olmoti Special Campsite. 4 hours.

Day 6 – Olmoti Crater to Empakai:

The trek continues to the distant Empakai Crater. On this day the trek covers open grassland through a natural amphitheatre created by encircling volcanoes. Masai rush out of their traditional homes (Boma’s) to greet trekkers as they pass by. The steep walk up Empakai affords awe-inspiring views, especially from the top where the sheer sided sunken crater can be seen. We camp on the Crater Rim, with Empakai on one side and Ol Donyo Lengai, the holy Masai volcano, on the other. Overnight Empakaai Special Campsite. Up to 7 or 8 hours trek.

Day 7 - Empakai to Nayobi:

From the overnight camp, we scramble down the sheer-sided slopes of Empakai onto the crater floor for a foot safari. Empakai Crater is a sunken volcano with a soda lake covering most of the crater floor. Flamingos nest here during the day to escape the blazing heat of the Rift Valley. A large forest on the western shore is home to antelope, buffalo, leopard and lion, with large seasonal zebra and wildebeest populations when they pass through on their migratory circuits. Overnight Acacia Campsite- trek is up to 10 hours.

Day 8 – Nayobi to Ngaresero:

The Masai Mountain of God, Ol Donyo Lengai looms out of the sunrise as we head out early to avoid the African heat. We arrive at the escarpment, the sheer wall that looms out of the Rift Valley floor, to admire one of the finest views in Africa. Sweeping vistas of the Rift Valley, 1500ft below, and the scattered active volcanoes, primitive rock formations, glimmering soda lakes and clustered Masai bomas. The final six kilometers are across the tough uncompromising terrain of the valley floor in extreme heat. Our shaded camp is perched above a refreshing stream, a half-hours walk from a paradisiacal waterfall. Overnight Kamakia Campsite - trek should be 5 to 6 hours.

Day 9 – Ngaresero:

Very early morning an optional climb of Ol Donyo Lengai (2878m), an active carbonated volcano with spiritual significance to the Masai. (Please see below) A visit to Lake Natron (short afternoon visit if l Donyo Lengai trek is taken), one of the soda alkaline lakes that jewel the East African Rift, where there is an array of water birds including hordes of resident flamingos. There is also the opportunity to walk up a gorge carved into the Rift Escarpment to a waterfall to wash off five days of dust. Overnight at Kamakia Campsite.

Day 10 – Ngaresero:

Full day at Lake Natron. Stay overnight at Kamakia Campsite.

Day 11 – Ngaresero Back to Arusha:

A long driving day returning back to Arusha. Stay overnight at Outpost Lodge on Bed & Breafast basis.

Price will be US$ 2,800 for Adventure Camping Safari and it is based in a group of 2 up to 4 people sharing – with 2 nights accommodation in the hotel in town, Vehicle, trekking, service of cook, food and camping equipments.

Optional Extras:

* Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer = 100 US$ for one way sharing
* Optional Balloon flight = 499 US$ per person
* Sleeping bag = 25 US$ per person per trip

Price includes:

2 nights accommodation in Arusha, Transfers from Arusha to the start of the trek and back, All National Park Entrance Fees & all Camping Fees, 3 meals a day whilst trekking (only 2 meals on the first and last days of the trek), Masai Trekking Guides, Support Vehicle, Pack Animals , Services of a cook, tents & mattresses.

Prices Do Not Include:

Alcohol & cigarettes, Mineral water, Transfers to Arusha from any airport or Nairobi, Discretionary tipping, Items of a personal nature, Laundry and airport transfers.

Kindly note that all our prices quoted in US$, per person, for terms payment please refer to our booking conditions. Please note prices may be subject to change. In the event of any change of government taxes national park fees Aardvark Expeditions reserves the right to adjust these rates accordingly.

Option Itinerary for seven days

Arrive in Arusha, Stay overnight at Outpost Lodge (included on a BB.

Day 01: Ngorongoro Crater to Olmoti

Drive from Arusha and then descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a crater tour. This 100 square mile natural amphitheatre is host to an astonishing array of wildlife and you may be lucky enough to see rhino, elephant and lion, as well as large herds of zebra and wildebeest. A picnic lunch will be taken in the Crater before returning to the lodge. Stay a second night at Simba Camp on the rim of the Crater.

Day 02: Ngorongoro Crater to Olmoti

Drive to the Ngorongoro Crater and descend into the Crater for a second game drive. Then exit the Crater and drive to Nainokanoka. Take an afternoon trek at Olmoti, which takes you through the rain-forested slopes of Olmoti Crater to the rim viewpoint. The trek winds down to the grassy plains of the crater floor and to Mungwe Falls, named after the distinctive white flourish of the Colobus Monkey tail.

Day 03: Olmoti Crater to Empakai

The trek continues to the distant Empakai Crater. On this day the trek covers open grassland through a natural amphitheatre created by encircling volcanoes. Masai rush out of their traditional homes (Manyattas) to greet trekkers as they pass by. The steep walk up Empakai affords awe-inspiring views, especially from the top where the sheer sided sunken crater can be seen. We camp on the Crater Rim, with Empakai on one side and Ol Donyo Lengai, the holy Masai volcano, on the other.

Day 04: Empakai to Nayobi

Day 05: Nayobi to Ngaresero

The final six kilometers are across the tough uncompromising terrain of the valley floor in extreme heat. Our shaded camp is perched above a refreshing stream, a half-hours walk from a paradisiacal waterfall.

Day 06: Ngaresero

Very early morning an optional climb of Ol Donyo Lengai (2878m), an active carbonate volcano with spiritual significance to the Masai. (Please see below)

A visit to Lake Natron (short afternoon visit if Ol Donyo Lengai trek is taken), one of the soda alkaline lakes that jewel the East African Rift, where there is an array of water birds including hordes of resident flamingos. There is also the opportunity to walk up a gorge carved into the Rift Escarpment to a waterfall to wash off five days of dust.

Day 07: Ngaresero to Arusha

A long driving day returning back to Arusha. Stay Overnight at Ilboru Safari Lodge in Arusha on B/B
A long driving day returning back to Arusha. Stay Overnight at Ilboru Safari Lodge in Arusha on B/B
An optional climb of Ol Donyo Lengai (2878m), an active carbonate volcano with spiritual significance to the Maasai, is offered.

This is a very demanding trek, which starts around 3 am in the morning so as to avoid the fierce midday heat. There is no shade on the mountain, and the terrain underfoot consists of tough scree, lava and volcanic ash, with steep furrows and gullies to negotiate.

At the summit, there are two craters (one of which is still active) which can be explored, with due care, and the views across the Rift and towards Lake Natron are breathtaking. This trek is recommended for serious trekkers in good physical condition. A large water intake and a sunhat are strongly advised.

This trek can be added onto our Rift Valley Trek, for the ultimate wilderness trek across some of the most primeval, spectacular, unvisited landscapes on Earth.