Daily Departures  

This is an excellent three-day, two-night adventure trek around the top of the "8th Wonder of the World", Ngorongoro Crater. It is easily inserted into most northern circuit safaris in Tanzania, providing a true wilderness experience.

Three million years ago the highest structure on earth was a super volcano called Ngorongoro. It may have been two or three times the height of Everest. It blew its stack over about a half million years, and what remained has been more or less unchanged for the last 2½ million years.

The entire area is today a highland rain forest, roughly about 6-7,000' high, interspersed by huge meadows on which Maasai graze their stock. The trek begins at Ngorongoro Crater National Park, a huge caldera of the original volcano, a 100 sq. mile animal paradise filled with big game. The hike begins on the rim of the park about 1800' above the savanna that is filled with animals. Of course animals come in and out all the time, and there is a good chance hikers will encounter game on the trek.

The trek is accompanied by an armed ranger, a cook, and several Maasai with their mules that carry camp. All gear is supplied and while participants are asked to assist with setting and breaking camp, all camp chores are done by staff, including cooking. After the hike around the big crater national park, the trail heads away from the crater towards Olmoti, one of the now dormant and part of the original super volcano. The scenery is spectacular, the game is good, and the trek is through one of the most beautiful parts of Maasailand.

This is not a difficult trek, with 8-12 km hiked daily. The walk itself is fairly flat, mostly using Maasai trails. Participants see one of the most beautiful parts of Tanzania, get to know the local Maasai, and undoubtedly encounter game.

The trek is operated year-round. However, note that during the months of April and May the rains can be quite heavy and for prolonged periods during the day. This area of northern Tanzania has only two seasons: a rainy season December-May, and a dry season June-November. Trekking during the rainy season in other than April or May is often the best time to go, as it's when the veld is most beautiful and the animals most concentrated. During the months of December-March rains are not long-lasting nor uniform throughout the area. Note that at any time of the year, it's cold at night. Because of the altitude, trekkers are usually surprised at how fresh and cold the trek can be. During the rainy season, there is often frost on the ground in the morning.

The prices include: ** An armed ranger that leads the trip from start to finish; ** A cook and camp attendant that travels with the hike from start to finish; ** All camping gear except personal clothing; ** Maasai herders with mules that carry the gear; ** Meals as detailed in brackets following each day's description below; ** All park entrance fees, VAT and other government taxes; ** Comprehensive pre-trip material with discount coupons for travel gear and equipment. Additional expenses not included: - Meals not included; - All beverages; - Requisite visas and other travel preparations like inoculations; - Tipping.

Contact EWT for the best international air fares and for recommendations on how to use your frequent flyer miles.

NGORONGORO The trek begins by mid-morning at the main Ngorongoro rim road, not far from the “down-road” into Ngorongoro Crater National Park. This package does not include transport to this point, but this can be easily arranged. This week-long trip can be inserted into any other game viewing itinerary in the northern circuit, or operated as a separate, total trip.

You’ll be met by the trek staff, including an armed ranger, who will remain with you for the entire week. Maasai herding donkeys will accompany the hike to carry all the gear. After lunch near the starting point, the afternoon is spent trekking around the north end of the crater national park, along the rim which is about 1800' feet above the caldera. Hiking generally stops around 4:30-5 p.m., so that camp can be erected and the meal begun before it’s dark. The cook prepares standard trail meals like spaghetti, stews and soups, and also bakes fresh bread and rolls. Kerosene lamps are used to light the camping area. Overnight in an Adventure Camp.  [ -l-d]

NGORONGORO After breakfast camp is broken and trekking usually gets going around 10 a.m. A stop is made for lunch. This area is the most likely area for encountering game, although men on foot generally tend to spook animals long before they’re seen. But the northern end of the crater is where literally hundreds of thousands of antelope including wildebeest move in and out every year. By the end of the day the trek usually reaches the end of the national park and heads off into Maasailand. Meals and overnight in an Adventure Camp.  [b-l-d]

The day is spent trekking through beautiful Maasailand along the corridor of the volcanoes towards the old dormant Olmoti volcano. This is gorgeous pastureland and you will pass by a number of Maasai villages. To the east is a huge rim of the Great Rift Valley. After lunch near the old volcano the trip ends with a vehicle transfer to any major lodge or camp in the Ngorongoro area. More distant returns, such as to Arusha, can certainly be arranged.  [b-l- ]