A WALKING SAFARI IN THE MAASAI HIGHLANDS OF NGORONGORO.

This walking safaris involve driving by 4x4 land cruisers/ rover, hiking with a local Maasai worrier, walking accompanied by an Armed ranger and a donkey or two to carry your luggage, food stuffs plus camping gear. This is the perfect way to venture the real insights of the African wilderness of unimaginable ancient volcanoes and breathtaking landscapes.

NGORONGORO CRATER - NAINOKANOKA

DAY 1: We commence this journey by driving straight to the Ngorongoro highlands and descend 2000ft, into the crater floor for a half a day's game show. At around noon we'll take a break for a picnic lunch at the Ngoitokitok hippo pool and thereafter depart heading northward to a Maasai village known as Nainokanoka for the overnight.

DAY 2: OLMOTTI CRATER

After breakfast, pack up a pair of swimmers for a spectacular power shower which pours out of a notch in the Olmotti crater rim wall. With your lunch packs, water bottles and a walking stick, accompanied by your local Maasai guide begin your 5 to 6 hours hike, with resting poses, passing numerous Maasai Bomas along the most impressive vistas of natures wonders, before emerging on top of the OLMOTTI crater below you. Descend down the crater and explore this authentic land before returning back to the village campsite for dinner and a little Maasai dance show.

DAY 3: EMPAKAAI CRATER(2300m)

You are driven down through the EMBUL-BUL depression, walk amidst plains grassland scattered by wild animals like Buffalo, Zebras and a variety of gazelles. Get dropped off at the descent track into the EMPAKAAI CRATER, accompanied by an armed RANGER walk through natural forests that surround the Flamingo crater walls. The pink birds will let you reach as close as about 25 meters, just well enough for you to enjoy the symphony, before they make an explosive pink flight.

Feeling like the first human on earth to discover this marvelous place while enjoying your picnic lunch box…finish up and take a little hike along the shores for your last glimpse before you begin your walk up and out of the crater and head towards a village known as NAIYOBI - captivating vistas of the volcanic mountain Oldoinyo Lengai. (taking approx 4-5 hrs ). Dinner and enjoy the Maasai village nightlife.

DAY 4: OL DOINYO LE NGAI CLIMB - (2878m)

We'll break the camp, load the donkeys and begin trekking down slope for about 5-7 Hours, towards the massif of Lengai and Lake Natron ahead of your sight to the mountain base. Go for a refreshing bath in the gushing Ngaresero River before your early supper then retire immediately after dinner for the midnight awakening won't be so soothing. (See climb details in the Ol'doinyo Le Ngai page).

Upon your descent ion at around 10:00 hrs the jeep will be waiting to drive you to the Kamakia Campsite, about 12 Km from the base. Relax and take your cool at the Power shower up the gushing river water fall (1hour hike). Tea, coffee, beer? Snacks and supper will be served at the Kamakia campsite.

DAY 5: LAKE NATRON STROLL-ARUSHA

Today you can choose weather to walk up the river water fall (15min) for another power shower or stroll down Lake Natron (2 hours) for close up images of the nesting flamingos in the harshest semi desert soda ash volcanic lakes on the planet.

Looking behind you, up the valley the Mountain of GOD stands majestically above you reflecting your memories and the proud sense of achievement.

NOON: After your lunch the journey to Kleins or Loliondo camp in the Northern tip of the Serengeti or Arusha/ Moshi via Mto wa Mbu commences, depending on your itinerary.

This Itinerary can be extended depending on clients wishes.

USAMBARA AND PARE MOUNTAINS

DAY 1: MOSHI - PARE: - This tour commences by driving for about 120Km from Kilimanjaro's – Moshi city to the Pare District, up the mountainous landscapes of the village of USANGI. At a secondary school known as Lomwe, we shall set our camp for two nights.

DAY 2: LOMWE: - After break fast we shall begin exploring the village by walking around the mountainous landscapes and visiting some of the native's homes so as to be able at learn something about there ways of living. (Traditional herbalists, cultivation and local traditional dance's etc).

DAY 3: PARE - TANGA: - After breakfast load our gear in the jeep and drive directly to Tanga region, en route observe sisal plantations and the stretch of the Pare Mountains joining the Usambara Mountains. The overnight will be spent in Tanga town.

DAY 4: TANGA - AMBONI: - After breakfast we'll drive off to the Amboni caves and sul-phureous springs. Spend the day exploring those unique caves and then later afternoon drive back to Tanga for the overnight.

DAY 5: TANGA CITY: - This was the first choice of the German colonials' commercial capital in East Africa. This is your free lancing day to explore this Swahili cultural city. Lunch and dinner can be taken at any selected restaurant within the city.

DAY 6: AMANI NATURAL RESERVE: - After breakfast, we'll pack up and drive to Amani where the night will be spent.

DAY 7: AMANI: - This reserve has one of the richest botanical gardens on Earth, it contains about 2000 variety species of endemic plants hardly seen anywhere else. The reserve authority has guided walks within the area. The overnight and meals will be arranged at place.

DAY 8: AMANI: - Most people who visit this gardens take an extra day so as to explore deeper into the natural forest.

DAY 9: SONI FALLS: - After breakfast, drive towards MAZUMBAE via the soni waterfalls (picnic?) And great vistas of the Usambara Mountains. Thereafter proceed to Mazumbae hostel for dinner and the overnight stay.

DAY 10: MAZUMBAE: - This whole day will be spent exploring the areas rain forests. A picnic lunch will be taken en route.

DAY 11: LUSHOTO - IRENTE: - Get transferred to Lushoto ( Swiss Mountains ).

A walk up to the Irente viewing point is the afternoon's activity around the area. Get a highly rewarding view of the Usambara landscape. Later in the afternoon walk to Muller's Lodge for the overnight.

DAY 12: MTAE VILLAGE TOUR: - After a lazy delicious breakfast, drive on to a village known as Mtae. Here you'll be able to mix with the villagers and learn a bit about there village lifestyle. Two nights will be spent at this village.

DAY 13: SUNGA VILLAGE: - Take a hike down to the neighboring village called Sunga, explore and mingle with the locals before detouring back to Mtae for the overnight.

DAY 14: MTAE-LUSHOTO: - Using a different route, drive to Lushoto passing numerous village along the way, entering a local marketplace for more colorful images. The night will be spent at the Muller's campsite or lodge again.

DAY 15: PANGANI: - Drive after breakfast towards Pangani and board at a resort. (You can choose to camp or lodge at Argovia Tented lodge, Tingatinga B resort).

If time allows go straight by the sea shores for a cool evening sunset views and salty warm waters of the Indian Ocean breeze. Relax for a few under glittering stars before you head back to your lodge/campsite for fresh sea food and the overnight.