Day 2 NGORONGORO CRATER Half day game-drive in the crater. Ngorongoro Conservation Area was created with a separate entity from the Serengeti to protect the Masai herdsmen. The Masai had in fact found themselves thrown out of their traditional pasturelands. It was decided that to protect the ancestral rights of the Masai they should be given the right to graze their cattle in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area but not in the Serengeti. This compromise seems to be a success as we are able to observe an enormous variety of wildlife against the backdrop of some spectacular landscapes.
The amateur photographer will appreciate the contrast of the cloudy skies and the brilliant golden sunlight illuminating the vegetation on the crater floor, and the white soda lake where pink flamingos search for food.
Night spent in Lodge on crater rim or within the Conservation Area depending on availability.
Days 3/4/5 SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK Ngorongoro Conservation Area is not only an animal reserve but also a very important location for research into the roots of mankind. At Olduvai and Laetoli, Louis Leakey discovered several Australopithecus as well as footprints that date back 3.5 million years. We visit the museum at Olduvai Gorge, before entering the Serengeti ecosystem with endless plains of game. Camping inside the park. Full day game driving in one of the most famous areas of the Serengeti, Seronera at the heart of the Serengeti. Camping inside the park.
Day 6 SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK – GOL MOUNTAINS Morning games drive before crossing into Masai country. The Gol Mountains form the escarpment of the western wall of the Rift Valley. This higher altitude makes it a greener area where Masai herdsmen graze their cattle. It will be also the starting point of our trek. Camping FB
Day 7 TREK GOL MOUNTAINS. The Masai are of Nilotic origin and once these warriors frightened even the bravest explorers, but today they live a peaceful existence principally caring for their enormous herds of cattle. We meet them grazing their herds and perched on the top of the highest granite rock they keep guard over the plains for any lion or other possible threat to their cattle.
Accompanied by our Masai guides, with lunch and water for the day’s journey, we set off to cross this small chain of mountains. The large valleys that cut through the mountains are gathering points for wildlife in search of water and grazing. Even the large predators are attracted during February and March when the young wildebeest are born. The peaceful cohabitation between the Masai and this wildlife is spectacular, and it’s not unusual to find herds of zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and cattle grazing together. Passing Masai villages we frequently meet with the warrior herdsmen.
A river has cut a deep gorge in the escarpment wall and in some places we walk in narrow canyons of basalt barely a few meters wide and towering a hundred meters above our heads. The river at this stage flows permanently and occasionally we have to walk waist deep in the clear water. It’s a refreshing and cool moment we enjoy to its fullest, knowing that quite soon we will reach one of the hottest places in Tanzania. Later strolling easily on the high plateau we appreciate the rock formations and views of the surrounding mountains. Our vehicles meet us in the evening to set up camp. Camping FB
Day 8 TREK RIFT VALLEY We follow an important track used by the Masai from Lake Natron during the dry season when they herd their cattle up onto the highlands for grazing. In turn the Masai from the highlands herd their cattle down onto the salt plains of Natron. Descending the escarpment towards Lake Natron, the path is rough and the vegetation changes rapidly. Incessant meetings with the Masai slow our progression, as we make way for their herds of goats and cattle to pass on this steep and rocky pathway.
Even for the Masai of Natron the environment is inhospitable and tough. Deep down on the floor of the Rift Valley, the giant fault that cuts its way across the African continent, the world continues to evolve. Several other volcanoes rise from the plains and Gelai dominates at some 3000 metres over Lake Natron. This lake was discovered by English geologist named Gregory and is certainly the most spectacular in the Rift Valley. An enormous pan of pink soda stretches for over 30 kilometres. All around the edge of the lake there is hot salty water bubbling from the ground at temperatures exceeding 50° C. These springs produce a microscopic aquatic life that feeds a variety of local bird species, along with a number of migratory birds. A species of perch, "Tilapia Grahami" manages to survive in these extreme conditions, breeding in puddles of fresh water. Areas more concentrated in soda are favourable for the reproduction of algae that flamingos feed upon. It's not unusual for the flamingos to number into the hundreds of thousands. Camping FB
Day 9 TREK LENGAI VOLCANO The active volcano Ol Donyo Lengai is the sacred mountain of the Masai. Lengai means God in Maa language and on the summit, protected from the vapour and heat of the volcano, resides 'Ngai'. We start our climb at 1am to the summit of Lengai at 2800 metres above sea level. The climb is a steep one that we attempt in the moonlight, so that we'll reach the summit in time to watch the sun rise on Kilimanjaro 200 km away. From the jagged crater rim we have a spectacular view over Natron and the surrounding volcanoes and escarpment. We follow our guide carefully down into the caldera where the volcano is active and lava flows regularly from small eruptive cones. We make a weary descent back to our vehicles and after some lunch to regain our energy head cross the Rift Valley towards Longido. Lengai is one of the most difficult mountains to climb in the area, not because of the technical difficulty but due to the steepness, hot climate and loose volcanic gravel. Camping FB
DAY 10 RETURN TO ARUSHA OR NAIROBI After the dusty track of Longido we meet a good tarmac road that takes us to Namanga and the border post once again.
For clients ending in Arusha you will be dropped at your hotel.
For clients going back to Nairobi, with formalities to cross the border completed, we head on and after a last glance over Hemmingway's Africa we find ourselves once again amongst the hustle and bustle of city life. After saying our farewells to the group with whom we have shared so many memorable experiences you will be dropped at your hotel or proceed on the airport.
