Tanzania Active volcano, Tanzania walking safaris, Trekking Oldonyo Lengai, Tanzania Walking and Hiking safaris, Ngorongoro Walking tours, Lake Natron.

Ngorongoro Crater Highlands Trek – 7 Days unforgettable Adventure in Tanzania with Aardvark Expeditions Ltd.

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.

6 Days Trekking Itinerary

DAY 01:
Leave Arusha for a game drive in Ngorongoro crater, and then drive to Nainokanoka Village at the base of Olmoti Crater B, L, D.

DAY 02:
Olmoti Crater "Muge Water Falls" overnight Kamnana Village, B, L, D.

DAY 03:
Kamnana Village 7 hours walk through Embulibuli Depression, overnight LoMalasin Village, B, L, D.

DAY 04:
Lolmalasin via Embakai Crater 5 hours walk, then an easy walk to Nairobi Village for overnight, B,L,D.

DAY 05:
Naiyobi to Mungoni Village for overnight at the base of Oldonyo Lengai Mountain 6 hours walk through panoramic view of Oldonyo Lengai, Wonderful rocks, white forest trees, B,L,D.

DAY 06:
Mwongoni to Ngaresero Village at the Lake Natron "3 hours walk", Warm water falls at lake Natron where a car will meet you to bring you Back to Arusha, B,L,D.

Price Includes
-ALL Park fees and government taxes
-Safari vehicle.
-Sleeping tent, and mattresses
-All meals on the safari
-Services on English speaking driver guide, and a skilled cook.
-Porters for your luggage, food, and water.

Price Does Not Include:
- Laundry, Items of a personal nature
-Tips to the guide and porters.

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
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.

Day 05: 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 are all in front of you to behold.

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
Optional Trek of Oldonyo Lengai
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.

Tel +255 754 759 120, +255 784 424905.
Send Email: info@aardvark-expeditions.com