This very special Safari starts with a relaxing day of Game-Viewing in the famed Lake Manyara area of Tanzania. Then your adventure of a lifetime begins as we drive up to the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands. This is an area up the mountain behind the famed Ngorongoro Crater. As we approach the Village of Nainokanoka we enter the area where our walk starts. The next three and a half days will be journey you will not soon forget!
Duration:
7 Day Safari
Location:
Tanzania
Category:
Walking/Tracking
Tour Code:
SIM 908
Price:
$ 2495
Travel Recap:
Day 1
This morning depart Arusha for Ngorongoro via Manyara. Dinner and overnight is at the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge. The Ngorongoro Crater is a spectacular caldera teeming with a wide cross-section of African wildlife contained within an almost self-contained eco-system.
Lake Manyara National Park
From whichever way you approach Lake Manyara National park, the first view is spectacular. From the west as you pause at the top of the escarpment and gaze out over the thin green strip of vegetation nestled tight against the Rift Valley and the lake shining in the sunshine. Or if you approach from the east, the Rift Valley and Ngorongoro Highlands form an impressive backdrop to the lake.
The large variety of wildlife to be found in the park, mammals, reptiles and birds and the different vegetation, all within a small area make Lake Manyara a diverse and particularly interesting place to visit. The Park derives its name from the Masai word 'manyara', which is the name for the plant Euphorbia tirucalli. The Masai use this plant to grow livestock stockades, eventually producing a stock proof hedge which is more durable than that of any built of thorn.
The Great Rift Valley is part of the fault which runs from Mozambique in the south, north 8,000 kilometers to Turkey. In the Manyara area there is no eastern wall to the Rift Valley as there is in Kenya. Here it is flattish country which falls gently into a depression and towards the Masai steppes of the Lolkisale and Simanjiro region.
The types of vegetation which occurs in the region is related to the geology of the area. The northern part of the park consists of volcanic rock which being porous allows many streams of clear water to flow out of the base of the rift wall, Further to the south, around Msasa River, the volcanic rock gives way to crystalline rock which is harder and less porous which allows fewer streams to emerge.
Despite being only 330 sq km's in area, of which 230 sq km's is the lake, it contains a large variety of habitats; the rift wall, the ground water forests, acacia woodland, areas of open grasslands, the lake shore, swamp and the lake itself. Due to the wide range of habitats the lake can support a diverse range of wildlife
Day 2
We head into the crater to spend the day game viewing with a picnic lunch before heading towards the village of Nainokanoka on the crater highlands, arriving at about 17hr00. Dinner and overnight is within camp.
Walking Safaris in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Walking in the Ngorongoro Highlands provides opportunities for visitors to experience the majesty of the Conservation Area without having to sit in a vehicle for 12 hours a day. On most of these walking safaris wildlife will be seen but usually at a distance, and it is highly likely that the camp will be visited by game at night. The scenery is spectacular and is the main attraction to the area, plus the possibility of interaction with the local Masai.
Ngorongoro Highlands towards Oldoinyo Lengai.
This is probably the best - known area for walking safaris in the Ngorongoro Highland. Located to the north west of the crater and heading towards the spectacular Lake Natron area which includes the active volcano Oldoinyo Lengai, known by the Masai as "the Mountain of God." The area consists of open grasslands, spectacular natural features such as Empakai crater and Mt Lolmalasin, the third highest mountain in Tanzania. Many Masai villages are located in the highlands and cultural interaction is always a possibility. This is probably the best area for walking expeditions of between two to six days, starting near the crater at Olmoti Crater and walking towards Oldoinyo Lengai, trekking down the Rift escarpment and eventually ending up at Lake Natron. Between Empakai and Oldoinyo Lengai there is no vehicle access down the escarpment, so no vehicular support is possible for one to two days. All the campsites are special campsites with no facilities whatsoever which is carried in by support vehicle.
Day 3
Today we walk about 18 kilometers to the campsite located on the slopes of Empakai crater. The walk will take about 8 hours and is through changing scenery from rolling grasslands towards the forested slopes of Empakai. Dinner and overnight is within camp.
Day 4
After an early breakfast we head towards the Rift Valley escarpment and towards our campsite overlooking the lake Natron and Oldoinyo Lengai area. A walk of approximately 15 kilometers which takes about 8 hours. Dinner and overnight is within camp
Day 5
Today is the longest trek from the escarpment to the campsite near Engaresero. Dinner and overnight is in the permanent Engaresero Camp
Day 6
Early this morning we will take the opportunity to climb Ol Doinyo Lengai with our Masai guides, hopefully reaching the peak in time for sunrise over the Rift valley. When we return to Engaresero we have the chance to relax in the Natron area, visiting Olkarien gorge or the nearby waterfalls, or walking towards the flamingo breeding grounds of Lake Natron. Dinner and overnight is within the Engaresero Camp
Day 7
After breakfast this morning we depart with a picnic lunch for Arusha.
Cost
Includes
This is a private safari including full board accommodation throughout unless otherwise noted, all transfers, all park fees and all conservation area fees, all walking safaris, all nights drives as stated in
the itinerary, UNLIMITED kilometers on game drives in 4WD Land Rover or Land cruiser with English speaking guide, all camping equipment and services of a camp chef.
Exclusions
Soft and alcoholic drinks, visas and items of a personal nature.
