Day 1: Journey to Ngorongoro for Wildlife Adventure
We kick off by departing from Arusha at 9 am on a journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You'll arrive just in time for a sumptuous lunch, and then it's off to the Ngorongoro Crater for a thrilling half-day afternoon game drive. This remarkable crater teems with Africa's most abundant wildlife, providing stunning panoramic views as you descend into the crater. Keep an eye out for the Big Four. As the day winds down, we'll head to Nainokanoka village for a night of camping, accompanied by the opportunity to stroll around the Olmoti crater rim. From here, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the crater floor, which is covered with grassy tussocks. You may also encounter Maasai herders and their livestock and, if you're lucky, spot eland, buffalo, and reedbuck. An added bonus is the chance to visit the Munge waterfalls, formed by the Munge River originating from the crater walls, cascading hundreds of meters into the steep-sided ravine below.
Day 2: Trek to Kamnana Village through the Embulimbuli Depression
After a hearty breakfast, your adventure continues with a trek through the Embulimbuli Depression, a shallow grassy basin formed at the junction of several volcanoes' slopes and the outer rim of Ngorongoro. The trail meanders through forests, grasslands, and open terrain, gradually ascending the Empakaai crater rim before descending into the crater floor. From the rim, you'll be treated to magnificent views of the crater's lush paradise, with a lake that covers nearly half of its floor. This alkaline lake is unusually deep for East African soda lakes, reaching depths of about 85 meters. The crater walls, adorned with forests, rise in some places to almost 300 meters above the floor, offering spectacular views throughout your descent. You can also catch sight of the still-active volcano, Oldoinyo Lengai, from the northern and eastern sides, as well as glimpses of the Great Rift Valley and Lake Natron on a clear day. Keep your eyes peeled for buffaloes, bushbucks, blue monkeys, and a variety of birds as you make your way to the lake's shore. There, you may spot waterbucks and elands. A walk around the lake's edge lets you soak in the serene and unspoiled beauty of this remote spot. You'll spend the night at the camp on the crater rim, so prepare for a chilly evening as both craters are at an elevation of 3,500 meters, especially in the colder months.
Day 3: Journey to Naiyobi Maasai Village
After breakfast, the expedition continues as you depart for Naiyobi Maasai Village, circling the crater rim and descending on the northwestern side. You'll arrive in Naiyobi in the late afternoon, where you can relax, visit the local school, and interact with the friendly Maasai community. Your camp for the night will be nestled among the acacia trees near the village.
Day 4: Trek to Mounwongoni Village
Day four kicks off with a six-hour, early morning walk as you descend from the crater highlands, following dusty paths to reach Mounwongoni Maasai Village. Your campsite awaits on the village's outskirts.
Day 6: Hike to Ol Doinyo Lengai, an Active Volcano
As the sun rises, you'll embark on a trek to the "Mountain of God," Ol Doinyo Lengai. This is one of the few volcanoes in the world that emits sodium carbonate and potassium, contributing to the extremely alkaline and corrosive waters of neighboring Lake Natron. Climbing Ol Doinyo Lengai offers an extraordinary experience, and you'll be rewarded with astounding views. After your descent, enjoy a game drive around Lake Natron, followed by dinner and overnight camping.
Day 7: Explore Lake Natron and its Unique Features
On your last day, after breakfast, you'll head to Lake Natron. This unique lake offers a surreal landscape with vast shallow soda areas and salt crystals forming a striking polygonal pattern. You'll spot the fascinating flamingo nests, resembling miniature volcanoes, which serve as a breeding ground for thousands of these elegant birds. Keep an eye out for wildlife like zebras, wildebeest, gazelle, ostriches, fringed-eared oryx, lesser kudu, gerenuk, and golden jackals. You'll also have the opportunity to view volcanic implosion craters, nesting sites for Ruppell's griffon vultures, and several waterfalls. A swim in Lake Natron is a refreshing option, and a visit to Maasai bomas and a walk up the escarpment complete this perfect day. After lunch, you'll return to Arusha, concluding your remarkable journey.
