The Great Rift Valley Trek $on request | 4 nights, 5 days
WHY THIS ADVENTURE?
For active types Tanzania has a lot to offer and this is one of the most dramatic hikes in East Africa. As well as the amazing scenery there is also the chance to witness the changing lives of the Maasai in both Ngorongoro and Natron.
HOW TO BOOK
All our adventures can be booked through a tour operator near you. Just ask them about Lake Natron Camp, Ngare Sero and our range of activities and adventures and specify “The Great Rift Valley Trek” OR “Empakai to Lake Natron Trek”. You can add this adventure into your dates – all trips are customised to your dates.
HIGHLIGHTS
Ngorongoro volcanoes – Empakai crater - Stunning vistas - Walking with Maasai Warriors - Learning about local tribes and customs - Being a witness to a changing times and culture - The unique habitat of Lake Natron - Flamingoes feeding & preening in fresh water streams.
DESCRIPTION
A 2 night trek combined with 2 nights at Lake Natron Camp.
Starting on the rim of Empakai Crater, in the Ngorongoro Highlands, with stunning views inside the crater, you spend a cosy night at Empakai Camp. You then trek to Leonotis Camp, through picturesque Maasai villages, to a remote camp just on the edge of the Gregorian Rift. After a magical night at Leonotis Camp, camping underneath the stars and golden acacia trees, you trek down the Rift Valley, with breathtaking views throughout. You are collected at the base of the rift, by car, and transferred to Lake Natron Camp, where you can relax by the natural pool, have a massage and take part in activities such as waterfall gorge hikes, flamingo walks and seeing hominid footprints…and not to forget well deserved sundowners!
This is easily combined with a game drive in Ngorongoro, before the trek.
ITINERARY IN SHORT
Day 1: Drive to Empakai. Empakai Crater trek. Overnight Empakai Camp (fb)
Day 2: Trek to Leonotis Camp. Overnight Leonotis Camp (fb) Trek 16km
Day 3: Trek to Lake Natron Camp with a pick up at the bottom of the rift valley. Overnight Lake Natron Camp (fb) Trek 12km, Drive 14km
Day 4: Relax and take part in activities at Lake Natron Camp. Overnight Lake Natron Camp (fb)
Day 5: Depart
ITINERARY IN FULL
DAY 1 – EMPAKAI CRATER
On arrival at Empakai crater there is the option to descend into the crater. This is around 40 minutes down and depending on season can be quite slippery but certainly a great hike with stunning views. Flamingoes are often seen flying into the crater or feeding in the lake at the base. A hot shower is available before dinner. PLEASE ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 3PM TO BE MET AT EMPAKAI CAMP BY YOUR GUIDE. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU BRING AT LEAST 3 LITRES OF WATER. Overnight Empakai Camp (full board).
DAY 2 – LEONOTIS CAMP, RIFT VALLEY SCARP
Dawn rises and our lofty position affords a great sunrise. As we take breakfast our camp crew break camp and depart to send the camp ahead with donkeys. We then set off hiking with Maasai guides following a route that takes us through picturesque Maasai villages and rolling hills. Lunch can be taken on route as a picnic or if guests are very fit a late lunch can be had in camp. In the late afternoon a hike up to a nearby viewpoint is highly recommended and a great place for sundowners! Dinner & overnight Leonotis Camp (full board).
DAY 3 – LAKE NATRON
The final section of hiking has two options of a shorter hike or a longer more strenuous option right along the rift wall. The views are spectacular with the active volcano Oldoinyo Lengai dominating the foreground. This volcano affects almost everything from hydrology to lifestyle, as will become apparent. Once down on the rift valley floor we are picked up and transfer to Lake Natron Camp, Ngare Sero and here have the chance to jump in the natural pools to cool down. Sundowners are served at any number of beautiful points close to camp. Dinner & overnight Lake Natron Camp (full board).
DAY 4 – LAKE NATRON
Lake Natron has a number of activities that are very easily combined with dawn walks and sundowners and in the middle of the day there is the nearby Ngare Sero gorge that you can walk to options of long hikes to the source or shorter hikes to waterfalls. The staff are on hand to make you stay as adventurous or relaxing as you want. Dinner & overnight Lake Natron Camp (full board).
DAY 5 – DEPART
After breakfast you can do some additional activities before departure and picnic lunches are provided to ensure you reach your goal well fed.
This trek can also be done in reverse
TIP: THIS TREK CAN BE COMBINED WITH the footsteps of man trek FOR 1 EPIC WEEK OF TREKKING ADVENTURES!
END OF SERVICES
Empakai Camp Availability
Leonotis Camp Availability
Lake Natron Camp Availability
GAME PACKAGE
INCLUDES
Support vehicle
WFR Trained guide
Meals as described
Limited stock of red wine / beers / sodas
Tea / coffee / hot chocolate
Donkeys to carry guest luggage to Natron
2 nights Expedition ‘Fly-camping’
2 nights Lake Natron Camp
Transfer to Lake Natron Ngare Sero Airstrip
EXCLUDES
Ngorongoro game drive fees ($200 per car if needed)
NCAA entry fees
NCAA Empakai private campsite fees
Ranger fees Empakai
Transfer Arusha OR Lake Manyara Airstrip to Empakai
Transfer Natron to Mto Wa Mbu OR Arusha
Any changes to the itinerary requiring change of route or accommodation
Items of a personal nature
Personal evacuation insurance / travel insurance
Lengai climb fees (payable direct to village at $100 for 1 climber, $70 per person for 2 or more climbers)
Gate fees Longido
Gate fees Engaruka
Gate fees Ngorongoro District
Activity fees Ngare Sero
Village fees Ngare Sero
TAWA - BEDNIGHT Natron
TAWA - ENTRY Natron
WHAT TO WEAR
Sun hat
sunglasses
head torch
buff or lightweight neck gaiter (for keeping out dust)
rain shell
light fleece
long sleeve t shirt x 2
hiking trousers (zip off style are recommended so you have shorts too)
waterproof trousers
socks x 3 pairs
hiking shoes preferably with some decent ankle support
teva or flip flops for in camp
walking poles
gaiters for those that have low cut hiking shoes
water bottles x 3 enough to hold 3 Liters