Hiking in Ngorongoro Crater Highlands & beachlife in Pangani

Experience the magic of Tanzania’s wilderness on foot! The tour starts with a safari in the Ngorongoro crater; with its unbelievable wildlife. The area is sometimes called the Eden of Africa and is famous for Africa's best game viewing. After the safari we are off for a fantastic hiking adventure, well off the beaten track. We hike through the Olmoti- and Embakai crater till the foot of the active volcano Oldoinyo Lengai. The hiking tour ends with a climb to the summit of Oldoinyo Lengai. The way up is steep but on the top you have a spectacular view over the area and Kilimanjaro. During the hike we have porters and donkeys to help with our luggage. And since we hike through the land of the Massai people you will have a chance to learn about their culture and customs. In the evenings we gather around the camp fire and talk about our adventures. The tour ends with a few days in Pangani, on a beautiful white beach.

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha

You will be picked up at the airport for further transfer to our hotel in Arusha. If you arrive by bus from any other airport like Nairobi or Dar es Salaam we meet up with you at the bus station. Although we recommend that you fly to KIA.

Day 2: Arusha to the Ngorongoro crater

After breakfast we head off to the Ngorongoro crater by car. The trip to the crater takes about two hours. The Ngorongoro crater, which is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, is located in the Ngorongoro Conservation area. Conservation area means that people like the massais can live in the area.

After registration at the park gate we go to a viewpoint at the rim, the view from here is stunning. It is said that the crater, which is 20 km wide and 600 metres deep, has one of the world’s largest concentrations of wild animals. The number of mammals is said to be 20.000 and you can find wildebeests, zebras, black rhinoceros, cheetah, lions and elephants in the crater. In the ponds you can find hippopotamus resting. There is also a lot of birds around the beautiful soda lake ”Lake Magadi”. Animals living in the crater are relatively easy to spot since the bottom of the crater consists of open grassland. We will go on a safari in the crater, and late in the afternoon we go to Simba Camp Site. The camping ground is set beautifully on the edge of the crater. We eat dinner and spend the night at Simba Camp Site.

Day 3: Simba Camp site to Bullati Massai Village via Olmoti crater

If you get up early in the morning you will be able to enjoy a beautiful sunrise over the Ngorongoro crater. After breakfast we drive for about two hours, along the rim of the Ngorongoro crater to the Olmoti crater. When we arrive we take a short hike (app 2,5 hours) on the edge of the Olmoti crater to see the beautiful view, before we continue to Bullati Massai Village where we have dinner and camp for the night. We also meet up with our porters here.

Day 4: Olmoti cratern to Embakai crater

After breakfast we start our 4 hours hike to the remote Embakai crater, a true jewel of the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands. The hike down into the crater is through forest and the scenery is spectacular at every point. If we are lucky we might spot bush duck and if we are really lucky we might even get a chance to see cheetahs. On the bottom of the crater we have good chances of seeing buffaloes and Thompson gazelles. We enjoy a picnic lunch in the crater. In the afternoon we hike up to the rim where we stop for the night in our tents.

Day 5: Embakai crater to Naiyobi village

On our third day of trekking we hike for about four hours alongside the beautiful views of the Tanzanian highlands. We pass through small traditional Massai villages and our guides will tell us about their culture and customs, but also about other tribes living in the area. It’s likely that we see different kind of antelopes and species of birds. We stop for the night at Akacia camp. Sometimes the villagers arrange a dance show for the visitors in the evening.

Day 6: Naiyobi village to Lake Natron

After breakfast we keep on hiking through the dramatic landscape and we will enjoy the view of the active volcano Oldonyo Lengai. This mountain is considered being holy and is called “Gods mountain” by the Massais. We will also pass by Lake Natron with its huge populations of flamingos. In the afternoon after app. 4 hours hiking we arrive at Kamakia Camp where we spend the night. The camp site is surrounded by small schools and nearby is several Massai houses and their cattle. For the massais it is convenient to keep cattle here because it’s close to water. In the afternoon you have time to go to the nearby waterfall and take a refreshing dip. We have an early dinner so that you will have enough time to rest before we start our climb the summit of Oldonyo Lengai. We would like to point out that we do not hike through a museum, this is people’s home and that you should respect that.

Day 7: Climbing the Oldoinyo Lengai

Shortly after midnight we commence the climb to the summit of Oldoinyo Lengai. Before we start our climb we will go by car for 45 minutes to the starting point. This is a steep climb and you have to be physically fit.

Although Lengai is not a really high mountain (around 2 800 meter above sea level) but it is steep with a rake up to 40 - 45%. The climb takes about 5 hours. We will reach the summit at sunrise. From here you will have fantastic views of the surrounding landscape and, on a clear day, even Kilimanjaro. Going down will take us about 2 hours. Our car will take us back to the camp where we will get some well deserved food and rest. At midday we head back to Arusha which will take about 5 hours.

Day 8: Arusha to Pangani

After breakfast at the Outpost Lodge we take the bus to Pangani via Tanga. The trip to Tanga takes about 5 hours and from Tanga to Pangani it will take us another one hour to get to Pangani. Now it is time for some sun and beach life!

Day 9-13: Sunbathing in Pangani

Pangani is a small fishing village with a beautiful beach. Not many tourists come here and the beaches around Pangani are virtually unspoiled. Pangani is a perfect starting point for
snorkelling expeditions, diving and fishing tours. Of course it’s also a great spot for just
sunbathing and relaxing. If you like you could visit the Saadani reserve just south along the
coast of Pangani. The tour leader will help you if you like to go for a day trip.

Day 14: Going home

The last day of the tour. Our tour leader will help you with your bus ticket from Pangani
via Tanga to Arusha or Dar es Salaam.

Please note:

To be able to climb to the summit of Oldoinyo Lengai you have to be in a good physical condition
and be prepared for steep slopes. During the climb we have certified and very experienced guides
with us. But in case you want to end your climb and go back down our guides will help you.
Safety is of outmost importance to us. During the climb, 4 travellers will share one mountain guide.