5-Day Private Adventure Tour to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

5.0
(16 reviews)

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5 days (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: German and 2 more

The trek through the Ngorongoro Highlands into Lake Natron is one of the most off-the-beaten-path destinations in Northern Tanzania. The hugely popular parks of Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are just around the corner, but you will have this area largely to yourselves. Additionally, you have the opportunity to climb Ol Doinyo Lengai, the world's only active carbonatite volcano. The landscape surrounding Lake Natron is unique in the world, as are the relatively untouched Maasai villages in this area.

What's Included

Lunch (Optional[5])
Lunch
Dinner (Optional[4])
Dinner
Breakfast (Optional[4])
Breakfast
Accommodation
Gratuities

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).

Itinerary

Duration: 5 days (approximately)
    Day 1

    Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater

    2 stops
  • 1
    Ngorongoro Conservation Area

    After an early breakfast in Arusha, depart for Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The drive to the Ngorongoro Gate is approximately three hours. After reaching the gate, proceed around the Crater Rim to the Crater descent road. Make the 45 minute drive to the bottom of the Crater and have a game drive on the Crater floor. Spend approximately 6 hours viewing wildlife on the Crater floor. Highlights of your Crater game drive will be lion, cheetah, black rhino, flamingo, hippo and elephant. Have lunch inside the Crater. After the game drive, exit and proceed to Simba Campsite for dinner and overnight.

    12 hours • Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Ngorongoro Crater

    Most of the day will be spent viewing wildlife in this world-famous safari destination.

    6 hours • Admission ticket included
    • Day 2

    Walking from Embulbul Village to Empakai Crater

    1 stop
  • 3

    After breakfast at Simba Campsite, drive around the Ngorongoro Crater rim to Embulbul Village on the other side. Begin your hike to Empakai Crater. Pass through several Maasai villages as you make your way to Empakai. Descend into Empakai Crater if you arrive early enough or leave that for the following morning. Overnight Empakai Special Campsite.

    12 hours • Admission ticket free
    • Day 3

    Empakai Crater to Acacia Campsite

    1 stop
  • 4
    Ngorongoro Conservation Area

    Enjoy a full day walking safari from Empakai Special Campsite to Acacia Campsite. On this day you will walk with donkeys, a Maasai guide and your cook. You will meet your driver and vehicle once you reach Lake Natron. Hike through several Maasai villages along the way to Acacia Campsite. This is one of the least crowded areas in all Northern Tanzania. You will enjoy this trip mostly to yourselves and experience the ancient culture of the Maasai. Overnight Acacia Campsite.

    12 hours • Admission ticket free
    • Day 4

    Acacia Campsite to Lake Natron

    2 stops
  • 5

    Hike from Acacia Special Campsite to Lake Natron. Hike adjacent to Oldonyo Lengai, the mountain of God, as you make your way to Lake Natron. Your driver will meet you in Lake Natron. In the afternoon, visit a Maasai village or Lake Natron or go on a hike through a river to a waterfall. Dinner at World View Campsite. Meet your local guide and climb Oldonyo Lengai starting in the middle of the night (2am). Reach the summit around dawn (October 10) and descend. Back to World View Campsite for brunch and a rest.

    12 hours • Admission ticket free
  • 6

    Ol Doinyo Lengai is an active volcano and the only volcano in the world that produces carbonatite lava. Its lava erupts at lower temperatures than all other volcanoes in the world, making its lava appear black instead of molten red. Because of the makeup and temperature of the lava, the resulting landscape is different from any other volcanic landscape in the world. The hike to the summit of Ol Doinyo Lengai is perhaps the most difficult climb in East Africa. The trail is extremely steep and it must be climbed at night before temperatures reach the high 90s. Those who reach the summit will have the opportunity to peer into the molten lava below.

    7 hours • Admission ticket included
    • Day 5

    Lake Natron to Arusha

    2 stops
  • 7

    Return to the campsite after the volcano hike and have a rest and brunch. If you have energy, hike to Ngare Sero river gorge to the waterfall. Due to the extremely high temperatures in Lake Natron, cooling off in the waters of the river and waterfall are a welcome activity. Drive back to Arusha after the day.

    6 hours • Admission ticket free
  • 8

    Go on a hike to these waterfalls. The daytime temperature of Lake Natron is extremely hot, and a cooling visit to the river and waterfalls is a wonderful experience. Cross back and forth across the river before reaching the falls.

    2 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Supplied by Duma Explorer

Tags

Hiking Tours
Nature and Wildlife Tours
Multi-day Tours
Private Sightseeing Tours
4WD Tours
Safaris
Adventure Tours
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Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

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5.0 Based on 16 16 reviews
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