7 Days and 6 Nights Ngorongoro Highland Treks

These 7-days trekking tour takes you through the diverse landscapes of the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands. You will hike through grassy plains and the mountainous countryside as well as thick mountain forest and the savannah landscape of the Rift Valley. Apart from unique landscapes and seeing wild animals, this trek allows insight into the daily routine of the Masai people.

Recommended time of year:

year-round 

Day 00: Arrival in Tanzania

A Warrior Expeditions Tanzania representative will be at the Kilimanjaro International Airport to welcome you and transfer you to Arusha for dinner and overnight at Outpost Lodge. Bed and breakfast included.

Day 1: Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast drive to Ngorongoro Crater floor for game drive, lunch at hippo pool picnic site. Ascend to the rim for overnight at Simba Campsite. Lunch, dinner, breakfast included.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area covers an area of 8,300 km2, with a deep volcanic crater at its centre, the largest unbroken caldera in the world. The crater is undoubtedly the ‘jewel in the crown’ - an area that is about 300 km2 in area, 600 meters deep, and 20 km wide. The rim of the crater is an astounding 2,286 meters above sea level. The floor contains a small soda lake and it is estimated that around 30,000 animals live in the crater, making it the most intensive safari wildlife viewing area on earth.

Day 2: Ngorongoro Simba-Nainokanoka Village

After breakfast, depart to Nainokanoka Village (50 km from the Simba Campsite) where you will walk up to Olmoti Crater and view the Munge River waterfalls and the crater. The crater is the source of Munge River which drains its water into the Ngorongoro Crater and is a 45-60-minute walk from the camp. Overnight at Special Campsite. Dinner, breakfast, lunch included.

Day 3: Nainokanoka-Empakaai Crater Trek

Nainokanoka to Empakaai Crater trek (5-6 hours walking). After breakfast you pack your luggage on donkeys, also called "Maasai Land Rovers.” Accompanied with Maasai escorts you start your trek through the beautiful Maasai landscape with indigenous villages. Here your guide will explain about the culture of the Maasai people and Tanzania in general. You will pass the Elbulbul depression where the Maasai livestock mix-graze with herds of zebras and wildebeests. This area is rich in bird life. Overnight at Special Campsite. Dinner, breakfast, lunch included. 

Day 4: Empakaai Crater- Nayobi Village

Empakaai Crater to Nayobi Village (4-5 hours walking). It’s worth getting up very early so you don`t miss the beautiful panoramic sunrise above the lake in Empakaai Crater. After breakfast and loading the donkeys we start our 7 km trek on the rim of the crater, heading for Nayobi Village. Here we fill our water bottles and have lunch. After this break, trek to our Special Campsite under the acacia trees. Dinner, breakfast, lunch included.

Day 5: Nayobi Village - Lake Natron

Nayobi Village to Lake Natron (3-4 hours walking). After breakfast we discover another beautiful landscape while walking down to the floor of the Rift Valley. From here we will be able to see Lake Natron, Ol Doinyo Lengai and the vast Serengeti plains. The car will pick us up and take us to Lake Natron camp site where you can refresh yourself at the camp site. Dinner, breakfast, lunch included. 

Day 6: Full day to explore the area of Lake Natron

Full day to explore the area of Lake Natron (flamingoes!), you will see the vast shallow soda lake and a white carpet of soda and salt crystals cracked in to a polygonal patchwork, hike to a waterfall in a deep gorge, and visit a Maasai village. If you are up to the challenge and a very strenuous climb, you can opt for a climb to Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano. Overnight at camp site. Dinner, breakfast, lunch included. 

Day 7: Lake Natron – Arusha – Kilimanjaro

Today you will have a leisurely breakfast and then start the drive to Arusha through the Great Rift Valley, close to Lake Manyara and arrive in Arusha in time for lunch. After lunch there will be time for shopping before the trip to the Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure. Breakfast, lunch included.

*End of Warrior Expeditions Tanzania service*

The price includes:

Camping safari according to the itinerary

Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle

Professional, English-speaking driver guide

Professional, English-speaking safari cook

Overnight stays in safari tents

Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mattress, sleeping bag, chairs, tables, etc.)

3 meals a day according to the itinerary

Unlimited drinking water while on safari

Maasai guides and donkeys

All mentioned activities

All national park fees

The price excludes:

International flight 

Optional activities

Alcoholic and soft drinks

Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano climbing fees 

Visa fees

Tips, highly recommended 

Personal spending money for souvenirs, etc.

Travel insurance