5 Days Crater Highland Trekking

Day 1: Arusha to Empakaai via Ngorongoro conservation

After Early Breakfast from your overnight lodge, we drive from Arusha to the ngorongoro conservation main gate, after registration, we drive through the Northern highland forest to Nainokanoka (the maasai word for the mist) here there is Olmoti crater, we drive to follow the road north-east across the grasslands of Embulbul depression towards Empakaai crater.
Here the maasai come out of their houses to great travelers as they pass by, this is the good chance to meet with a local maasai people who grazed their animals on this land for hundreds of years, on the trek apart of meeting with the local people, you can also see the wildlife e.g. zebras, wildebeest, Grant gazelle, Thomson gazelle, golden jackal, Ostrich, Tawny eagle, Augur buzzard and other species of birds.

Empakaai crater it’s the deepest alkaline lake in East Africa, it’s 83meters deep and 6 km across, here you will have a good views of Active volcanoes Oldonyo lengai (the maasai name for the holy mountain), Kerimasi mountain, and Ketumbeinei mountain. When the sky clears you can see Kilimanjaro and mount meru in the far distance. Stay overnight at empakaai camp site.

Day 2: Empakaai Via Naiyobi Village To Acacia Camp

After breakfast take a walk down to Empakaai crater, the view from here down in to the crater is stunning. The steep inner walls are densely forested and drop to the flat crater floor, which is partly submerged under a lake, often surrounded by huge flocks of flamingos. This is home for the Bufallos,Baboon, Bushbuck, Turacos ,Sunbirds, Crows and birds of prey. Exit the crater and continuing on your trek to Naiyobi village ‘Naiyobi Its maasai words for cold place’. Stay overnight at Acacia camp.

Day 3: Acacia Camp To Engaresero

From Naiyobi you follow paths through beautiful grassy hills and patches of light woodland, along a ridge running parallel to the main Rift valley. The cone of oldonyo lengai. Which has dominated the view since leaving Empakaai becomes increasingly impressive. The path passes a distinctive hill called Emowo engoiliil the gazelle horn for the Maasai language’ and drops steeply, lush vegetation soon giving way to scrubby grass and patches of bare rock and lava. At the base of the steep section is a single tree offering welcome shade and a few remote Maasai hut. The route continuing leaving lengai on your right hand side and Great Rift Valley Escarpment wall on your left side. After a long day walk with hot and dust you will reach to the Ngaresero River which flows north from the Ngorongoro highlands into Lake Natron, to swim in the clear running water is very refreshing. Stay Overnight At Oldonyo Lengai Camp Site or another camp site with the similar category.

Day 4: Engaresero Area, Optional Oldonyo Lengai Climb

At midnight you climb Oldonyo lengai . you will drive at the base of the mountain, here you will start to walk up to lengai ,there is two crater up on the summit , one is still active and the second is no longer active, you can look down on the crater and see steam outlets and the growing cones of volcanic ash. Enjoy the sun rise behind the two peaks, the Kilimanjaro and mount meru, you descend down before the heat of the day, drive back to your camp, lunch, rest and in afternoon walk up to the gorge to visit the waterfalls and lake Natron and the Village. Stay overnight at Oldonyo lengai camp site or another camp site with the similar category.

Day 5: Lake Natron To Arusha

After breakfast, take a walk or drive to Lake Natron,follow the maasai cattle trails leave the maasai settlement behind. The lake Natron its home for the pink flamingos and Greater flamingos ,also Lake Natron is known as breeding site for flamingos in East Africa AT noon drive to Arusha or continue with the rest of the program