21 days Walking Safari in untouched landscapes
Explore Tanzania's wilderness on this cultural walking Safari
off the beaten track. Highlights are Tarangire National Park,
the Empakaai and Olmoti Craters, the sole active volcano of
Tanzania Oldonyo Lengai and the Lake Natron with its huge
populations of flamingos and a beautiful waterfall. While
exploring the wilderness on game drives by car and by foot, you
will have plenty of opportunities to meet different ethnical
groups, and you will be fascinated by their knowledge of the
nature and traditional way of life.
We overnight on Safari in tents on campgrounds, on Zanzibar in
middle class hotels.
Day 1
After meet and greet at Kilimanjaro Airport at Arusha, transfer
to the Oasis Lodge, where you have the day for leisure. We'll
meet for an introductory briefing to clear last details of your
Safari starting tomorrow. Dinner.
Day 2
After breakfast we head to Tarangire National Park, where we
reach around noon. We pitch our tents at a campsite in a remote
area of the park. First impressions of an african landscape we
get on an afternoon walk close to the park border.
Tarangire
Day 3 & 4
Half day and full day Walking Safaris guided by an armed ranger,
or game drives in the park. The park owns a rich bird life,
depending on season you can see elephants, zebras, wildebeest
and even lions. A visit to Tarangire, whatever the season, is
full of experience.Day 5
today we leave for Ngorongoro Crater, where we reach for lunch
time. After a picknick lunch we descend to the crater floor by
car, for an afternoon game drive. A game drive in the Ngorongoro
Crater is one the most impressing Safari tours you can do in
Africa. At evening we camp at a campsite at the crater rim.
elephants in the Ngorongoro Crater
Day 6
Early morning departure to Olmoti Crater for a half day walk.
Often we meet Maasai herders on our trek to the water falls of
the crater.
At afternoon we proceed to our base camp at Empakaai Crater
(special campsite).
view in the Empakaai Crater, Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Day 7
The views along the trail downwards to the crater soda lake of
Empakaai are spectacular at every point. You are guided by an
armed ranger.
You might see buffaloes or bushbucks, blue monkeys and many
birds. It is a joy to walk around the lake shore,
experiencing the serenity and quiet beauty of this wild spot.
Surrounding the lake you will reach springs, where you often see
lots of wildlife. In the lake there are many flamingoes.
Overnight at the special campsite, Empakaai. 4-5 hrs, depending
on how far you want to go.
Day 8
From Empakaai we are starting the Walking Safari to Lake Natron.
We descend the outer hills of the Great Rift Valley, walk
through the open plains of the Embulbul depression, passing the
village Naiobi, where you have the great opportunity to meet the
local Maasais. Then we head to our campsite at
Acacia. Ol Doinyo Lengai and Mount Meru are seen along the way.
Donkeys carry our luggage. Overnight at the campsite Acacia
(simple campsite without facilities). 6-7-hours walking, 15kms.
Day 9
We proceed to Oldonyo Lengai the sole active volcano of
Tanzania, the "holy mountain" of the Maasai. The trail leads
down the Rift Valley escarpment, and it quite steep. After 5-6
hours of walking we reach the foot of the impressive mountain.
Here you can decide if you want to camp at the Chini Ya Mlima
campsite, or want to proceed to the Engaresero campsite, which
is much more comfortable (showers!) and less hot. We can also
pick you up by our car at the mountain, and drive you to the
Engaresero campsite. (10-12 hrs walking, 20 kms for the whole
walk)
Oldonyo Lengai, the 'holy mountain' of the Maasai, still active
Ngorongoro conservation area map
Day 10
Around midnight we start to climb the mountain (to avoid the
heat of the sun). After the steep climb we reach the top at
sunrise at 2450 m height. From here we have great views of the
surrounding landscape, Lake Natron, Mount Meru and even Mount
Kilimanjaro.
The crater itself offers an unique spectacle. You can descend in
the crater floor, everywhere it is bubbling and steaming, small
volcanos inside the crater produce streams of molten lava. It
takes 5-6hrs to reach the top, for the sunrise. Another 3-4hrs
to descend. It is very steep, so it is quite a tough climb!
After the climb we will pick you up and bring you to the
Engaresero campsite.
view from Oldonyo Lengai Crater to Lake Natron
Day 11
Trek to the Ngare Sero River, who flows in the Lake Natron. In
contrast to the surrounding dry landscape, here you can find a
small paradise. After a strenuous walk up the stream, we reach
the source of the river, in cascading waterfalls the river
gushes out of the mountain. Overnight at the Overnight at the
Engaresero campsite. .
Day 12
This day you'll experience the culture and traditions of the
local Masaai at Lake Natron. Your local guide will show you a
Masai Boma and explain you the way the Masaai live, later on a
traditional meal will be prepared. A goat will be slaughtered
and roasted!
In the evening we will bring you to Lake Natron, to see nestling
flamingoes. Overnight at the Engaresero campsite.
Maasai warriors
Day 13
Drive back to Arusha, where we arrive in the afternoon.
Overnight and relaxation at the Oasis Lodge. Dinner.
Day 14
In the morning departure to your flight to Zanzibar. On Zanzibar
transfer to the Matemwe Beach Village. Transfer and overnight at
the hotel. Breakfast and Dinner
Day 15 - 18
Relax and enjoy the endless beaches of Zanzibar while staying at
your beach hotel. There is a wide range of water sport
activities you can do, like snorkeling, scuba diving, boat trips
and more. Breakfast and Dinner beach on Zanzibar
Day 19
After breakfast transfer to the Dhow Palace in Stonetown. On
the way we will do the famous Spice Tour: We have developed a
special Spice Tour with in depth information not only about
spices, but also organically grown herbs and a detailed
description about their traditional uses in medicine cosmetics
and cooking. After the tour we invite for an opulent lunch at
our guides' home, where you can taste the spices and fruits.
Dinner in the Dhow Palace.
Day 20
Today we will show you Stone Town on our Historical Stone Town
Tour. This tour takes you through fabled Stone Town, where
history appears to stand still. With visits to the House of
Wonders, the Palace Museum (People's Palace), Dr Livingston's
House and the Arab Fort amongst others, it is a fascinating look
at the essence of Zanzibar. You will see Zanzibar's bustling
market, winding alleyways, ornately carved and studded doors,
two cathedrals and countless mosques! Overnight Dhow Palace,
breakfast and dinner.
Day 21
Depart to airport for your flight back home.
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