7-Day Safari To Crater Highlands From Arusha
Description
Embark on a journey to experience the spectacular scenery of the Crater Highlands, where indigenous Maasai people live with their rich traditional ways and climb the Maasai Mountain of God, an active volcano. Enjoy the Great Rift Valley views and drive out to the Empakai Crater. Also, engage in adventures hikes and spot a vast range of wildlife, birdlife and plantlife.
Highlights
- Pass through Maasai villages to interact with the local community
- Climb the Great Rift Valley Escarpment
- Spot wildlife in the Ngorongoro Crater rim
- Hike up the Empakai Crater
- Enjoy short walks or hikes around the Lake Natron
Itinerary Expand All Collapse All
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Day 1- Kilimanjaro Airport - Arusha expand_more
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, your driver will meet you and transfer you to the Lodge.
Overnight: Masailand Safari Lodge
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Day 2- Arusha – Ngorongoro Crater expand_more
After breakfast, pass through Arusha with the chance to stop in a local market and see this bustling town.
Afterwards, move out across the Maasai Steppe, seeing them graze their cattle before climbing the Great Rift Valley Escarpment and enjoying a stunning view down onto the land below as you have your lunch.
The final drive of the day is through the Ngorongoro Highlands onto the rim, where you can enjoy sundowners looking down into the Ngorongoro Crater and listening out for the different animal noises.
Overnight: Rhino Lodge, Meal Plan: B, L, D
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Day 3- Ngorongoro Crater – Empakai Crater expand_more
This morning, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a truly memorable game drive in this “Garden of Eden”.
After lunch back at the camp, head to Empakai Crater.
On arrival at Empakai Crater, there is the option to descend into the crater. This is around 40 minutes down, and depending on the season, it can be quite slippery but certainly a great hike with stunning views. Flamingoes are often seen flying into the crater or feeding in the lake at the base. A hot shower is available before dinner.
Overnight: Empakai Private Camp, Meal Plan: B, L, D
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Day 4- Empakai Crater – Acacia Camp expand_more
Enjoy breakfast and start hiking with Maasai guides, following a route that takes you through picturesque Maasai villages and rolling hills.
Then, lunch can be taken en-route as a picnic or if guests are very fit a late lunch can be had in camp.
In the late afternoon, walk up to a nearby viewpoint for sundowners.
Overnight: Acacia Camp, Meal Plan: B, L, D
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Day 5- Acacia Camp – Lake Natron expand_more
The final hiking section has a shorter hike or a longer, more strenuous option right along the rift wall. The views are spectacular, with the active volcano Oldoinyo Lengai dominating the foreground. This volcano affects almost everything from hydrology to lifestyle, as will become apparent.
Once down on the rift valley floor, you are picked up and transferred to Lake Natron Camp, Ngare Sero, and here you have the chance to jump in the natural pools to cool down. Sundowners are served at any number of beautiful points close to camp.
Overnight: Lake Natron Camp, Meal Plan: B, L, D
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Day 6- Lake Natron expand_more
Enjoy dawn walks and sundowners at Lake Natron. There is the nearby Ngare Sero gorge that you can walk to with long hikes to the source or shorter hikes to waterfalls. The staff is on hand to make you stay as adventurous or relaxing as you want.
Overnight: Lake Natron Camp, Meal Plan: B, L, D
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Day 7- Lake Natron - Kilimanjaro Airport expand_more
After breakfast, you can do some additional activities before departure, and picnic lunches are provided to ensure you reach your goal well fed.
Drive for approximately 6 hours to reach Kilimanjaro Airport to board your return flight. There is the option of a day room in Arusha.
Meal Plans: B, L.
What's Included
Support vehicle
WFR Trained (Tanzanian) guide
NCAA entry fees
NCAA Empakai private campsite fees
Ranger fees
Meals as described
Limited stock of red wine/beers/ sodas
Tea/coffee/hot chocolate
Donkeys to carry guest luggage to Natron
Two nights at Lake Natron Camp
Activity fees Ngare Sero
Village fees Ngare Sero
Wildlife department fees
Gate fees of Longido
Gate fees of Engaruka
Gate fees of Ngorongoro District
What's Excluded
Ngorongoro game drive fees ($295 per car if needed)
Any changes to the itinerary require a change of route or accommodation
Items of a personal nature
Personal evacuation insurance/travel insurance
Lengai climb fees (payable direct to the village at $100 for one climber, $140 for two climbers)
What to bring
Sun hat
Sunglasses
Head torch
Buff or lightweight neck gaiter (for keeping out dust)
Rain shell
Light fleece
Long sleeve t-shirt x 2
Hiking trousers (zip-off style are recommended, so you have shorts too)
Waterproof trousers
Socks x 3 pairs
Hiking shoes, preferably with some decent ankle support
Teva or flip flops
Walking poles
Gaiters for those that have low cut hiking shoes
Water bottles x 3 enough to hold 3 litres
Meeting Point
Kilimanjaro Airport Road, Tanzania
Cancellation Policy
For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.Price Details
Standard | |
1 To 10 | USD 2200 Per Person |
This is a group tour |