7-Day Crater Highlands Safari from Arusha with Ngorongoro and Natron

• Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, your driver will meet you and transfer you to the lodge.

Overnight: Masailand Safari Lodge

• After breakfast, pass through Arusha with the chance to stop at a local market and see this bustling town.

• Afterwards, travel out across the Maasai Steppe, watching Maasai graze their cattle before climbing the Great Rift Valley Escarpment and enjoying a stunning view over the land below as you have lunch.

• The final drive of the day takes you through the Ngorongoro Highlands to the rim, where you can enjoy sundowners while looking down into the Ngorongoro Crater and listening for the different animal sounds.

Overnight: Rhino Lodge, Meal Plan: B, L, D

• This morning, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a truly memorable game drive in this "Garden of Eden".

• After lunch back at camp, continue to Empakai Crater.

• On arrival at Empakai Crater, there is the option to descend into the crater. The hike takes around 40 minutes down and, depending on the season, can be quite slippery, but it is certainly a rewarding walk 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

• Enjoy breakfast and begin hiking with Maasai guides, following a route through picturesque Maasai villages and rolling hills.

• Lunch can be taken en route as a picnic, or, if guests are very fit, a late lunch can be enjoyed in camp.

• In the late afternoon, walk up to a nearby viewpoint for sundowners.

Overnight: Acacia Camp, Meal Plan: B, L, D

• The final hiking section offers either 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 here, 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 in Ngare Sero. Here, you have the chance to jump into the natural pools to cool down. Sundowners are served at any number of beautiful spots close to camp.

Overnight: Lake Natron Camp, Meal Plan: B, L, D

• Enjoy dawn walks and sundowners at Lake Natron. Nearby is Ngare Sero Gorge, which you can explore on foot, with the choice of longer hikes to the source or shorter hikes to waterfalls. The staff is on hand to make your stay as adventurous or as relaxing as you want.

Overnight: Lake Natron Camp, Meal Plan: B, L, D

• After breakfast, you can enjoy some additional activities before departure, and picnic lunches are provided to ensure you reach your destination well fed.

• Drive for approximately 6 hours to reach Kilimanjaro Airport and board your return flight. There is also the option of a day room in Arusha.

Meal Plan: B, L