Walking and Hiking Safaris in Ngorongoro Highlands

WALKING SAFARIS IN TANZANIA
swala@habari.co.tz
Revised September 26, 2007

Ngorongoro Highlands Embakai Hike Mt Meru Oldoinyo Lengai Three Volcano Climb Camping

There are numerous very good hiking routes in northern Tanzania: the Ngorongoro Highlands, Embakai-Lake Natron hike, Arusha National Park, Lake Eyasi, Lake Natron, and Mkomazi.

Udzungwa National Park in southern Tanzania is also an excellent place for hiking. See below for further details.

OLDOINYO L'ENGAI (9650' / 2970m). Known to the Maasai as "The Mountain of God".

Oldoinyo L'Engai L'Engai Crater View to the west View to the north

Oldoinyo L'Engai is the only active carbonatite volcano in the world and has the lowest lava temperatures. The climb from the base is 7,500' / 2307 m and is considered one of the most rigorous non-technical climbs for a mountain of this height. The ascent of takes five to seven hours and is best approached from the nearby Lake Natron Camp near the southern part of Lake Natron. Guide Fee is $45. Porter (if required) $35.

Day 1. Arrive Lake Natron. Briefing on the climb. Overnight Lake Natron Camp.
Day 2. Start at midnight for the half hour drive to the trail head (13 kms). There will be a hot drink and biscuits either at the camp or just before starting the climb. Take plenty of water. The climb takes 8 to 12 hours. Views from the summit are spectacular. A guide must accompany climbers. Overnight Lake Natron Camp.
Day 3. Depart after breakfast.

NGORONGORO HIGHLANDS - EMBAKAI TO LAKE NATRON HIKE. 2 to 3 Days. $490 per person. This can be included in a safari of 10 or more days for an extra $120 per person. Cost includes guide, donkey, camp equipment, park fees, camp fees, village levy, and transfers to and from Embakai and Lake Natron.

Embakai Crater is one of the jewels of the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands. The crater is 6 kms in diameter with 300 metre sides. The trail down is limited to only a few spots. An armed ranger must accompany hikers into the crater as buffalo and other animals are present. The eastern side of the rim has highland forest.

The change in elevation is from 3,000 metres at Embakai to 600 metres at Lake Natron. There is a corresponding change in temperatures from 15 Celsius at Embakai to 30-40 Celsius at Natron depending on the time of year. Itineraries can be reversed, starting from Natron and ending at Ngorongoro.

There is approximately six hours of walking each day. The distance from the rim of Embakai Crater to Lake Natron is 44 kms, or 230 kms by road. It is downhill for most of the way. Fly camps are basic and water is scarce. If you are up to it, there is the option of climbing Oldoinyo L'Engai at the end of the hike.

Day 1.Drive to trail head. A Maasai guide will be waiting near the small village of Sandwi. The eastern part of Embakai is heavily forested. Option descent into Embakai Crater (an additional three hours). Spectacular views from the rim of Embakai of the Rift Valley and the active volcano of Oldoinyo L'Engai. Overnight basic fly camp.

Day 2. The vehicle will return to Ngorongoro Crater and then continue to Lake Natron. You can leave all unwanted clothes and other items in the vehicle which will meet up with you on Day 3 at Lake Natron. After breakfast, hike down from Embakai toward the small village of Naiyopi. Overnight basic fly camp at Lerai.

Day 3. Early morning start. Breakfast en route. After lunch, if time and legs allow, hike up the Engare Sero gorge to the waterfalls (recommended). The water is normally crystal clear and a delight to walk in. Overnight Lake Natron Camp.

Cost does not include drinks, bottled mineral water, travel insurance, rescue, and items of a personal nature.

Optional: extra day hiking $65 (+$70 fee if staying in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area).

Camping on hikes:

Donkeys or porters are used to carry equipment, food and water to the camp. You will be required to carry your own day pack, lunch box, drinking water and personal effects. Take light weight rain gear. Please keep your baggage to a limit of about 10 kgs for the hike.

Camping will be basic, utilising equipment that can be carried by donkeys. Tents are small back packing style tents with foam pad and bedding (sleeping bags or blankets). Sheets and towels are provided. Table and chairs are not provided. Mats are provided for sitting on the ground. A wash bowl is provided but not showers. All water has to be packed on the donkeys. Bottled drinking water is available.

MOUNT MERU CLIMB 4 DAYS. 2 persons $40; 3 persons $420; 4 persons $390. Overnight in huts. The route is on the east side of Meru. Rated by some as better than Kili. Much less hiked mountain. Meru is the fifth hightest peak in Africa.

1. Arrive Arusha and transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
2. Momella Gate to Miriakamba Hut. Transfer to Arusha National Park Gate at Momella. Climb through forest to Ngare Nanyuki forest. Overnight Miriakamba Hut. (2514 metres).
3. The path continues to climb steeply through forest glades and heather to reach Saddle Hut at 11,700 ft. Continue to the top of Little Meru and return to Saddle Hut.
4. An early morning start for the summit. 14,981 ft. This is the fifth highest peak on the African continent. Descend to Momella Gate and transfer back to Arusha or to Lake Manyara for a safari.

THREE VOLCANO CLIMB 14 days. This itinerary is for serious hikers.

Oldoinyo L'Engai + Mt Meru + Mt Kilimanjaro

2 persons $1,750; 3 persons $1,690; 4 persons $1,590.

SAFETY AND HEALTH. On most of the hikes there is no immediate evacuation or hospital attention possible. In the Ngorongoro Highlands, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority is not set up for any emergency rescue. The trail heads could be away from any vehicle tracks, and the airstrips are many hours away from the trail - one on the south-west rim of Ngorongoro Crater and another one near Lake Natron Camp. Maasai guides and camp crew staff have only a very basic knowledge of first aid. In view of this it is recommended you take out medical insurance and carry with you a small first aid kit that includes a strong pain killer and other medicines.

The guide carries an Iridium satellite phone. There is a $1 per minute charge for personal use.

Membership of the Flying Doctor Service is well-recommended. It costs $7 per week or $25 per month. In a life threatening emergency the FDS will evacuate by plane anyone within a radius of 500 miles, or 800 kilometers, of Nairobi.

Please be sensitive to the environment. Do not leave rubbish on the trail. Toilet paper should be well-buried, burnt or carried out. Experienced hikers use a small zip-lock bag for carrying out used toilet paper.