Tanzania trekking safari

Tread on ancient ground as our Tanzania trekking safari crosses from the Ngorongoro highlands to the Eastern Serengeti. Follow trails used by Maasai herders and their cattle in an untamed wilderness. Over a period of 7 days you will descend forested volcanic slopes, traverse rolling plains and navigate narrow canyons. Expect to see no one but the odd Maasai herder as you trek by day and rest and refuel around the campfire at night.

Uncharted route

This exclusive trekking expedition follows an uncharted route around the forested northern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, descending onto the drier north western plains of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You will navigate through the Olkerien Gorge, an important nesting site for the Ruppell’s Griffon. The plains of the eastern Serengeti are rich with game in the green season. Therefore, expect to find concentrations of lion, hyena, cheetah and wild dog following the herds as they prepare to give birth.

Close to the Barafu Gorge and Kopjes, trekkers are treated to some of the best vistas in the Serengeti. To top it off, your trek concludes in classic big cat country. Here you have a good chance of spotting the quintessential Serengeti cheetah hunt before you leave.

Fly camping

The Tanzania trekking safari starts and ends in luxury tented camps. However, in true expedition style, while on foot each night is spent in a fly camp. This comprises lightweight tents with ground mattresses or cot beds. The camp is erected by support staff who drive cross country ahead of your trekking group. Once in camp, trekkers enjoy meals under the stars before falling asleep to the whoops and grunts of the wild.

This program is ideal for travellers who are familiar with safari or who are returning to Africa. It is also a great addition to a longer East Africa trip.

Compare this

If you like the idea of a walking safari, but feel that this trek pushes the boundaries of comfort, take a look at our Tanzania on Foot program. This offers the best of the northern circuit in the accommodation style of your choice.

Highlights

Hear

the clang of buffalo horn bells on Maasai cattle

Gaze

for miles across the rolling plains

Discover

your inner explorer

Sleep

under a blanket of stars

Feel

the thunder of millions of hooves

Experiences

Day One

Ngorongoro Crater

Transfer by road from Arusha or Lake Manyara Airport to the Ngorongoro crater rim and check into your luxury lodge

Enjoy an optional acclimation walk on the Olmoti Crater or an authentic cultural interaction with Maasai from the villages near the lodge

Rest up before the trek

Day Two

Ngorongoro Highlands

The trek begins early today, following a route down the Olmoti Crater, towards the Serengeti.

Pass Maasai settlements and herds of cattle, along with wildlife such as buffalo and giraffe.

The route follows game trails and paths worn by villagers and there are no roads close to the camp location. Donkeys will carry camp provisions so expect tonight’s fly camp to be basic.

Day Three

Ngorongoro Highlands

You’ll be awake early this morning for a campfire breakfast before starting the day’s trek

Continue through the Ngorongoro Highlands towards the eastern reaches of the Serengeti

The day ends at your fly camp on the Salei Plains, where a feast of grass supports the herds and wild flowers add a splash of colour to the picture.

Day Four

Salei Plains

Another early start today, to cover much of the walk during the cooler hours

Today’s route crosses the Salei Plains to Olkerien Gorge

From December to March, there is a good chance of spotting large herds in this region

You will camp tonight at the entrance to Olkerien Gorge, where the next adventure awaits

Day Five

Olkerien Gorge

Today’s hike takes you through this spectacular gorge, home to a large colony of Ruppell’s Griffon

The gorge is also the main source of water for Maasai herds, so expect to encounter cattle and their herders along the way

You will be able to view the volcanic dome and ash cone of Ol Doinyo Lengai in the distance.

Day Six

Nasera Rock

Your hike follows livestock trails as they weave across a large flood plain

Expect to encounter several Maasai cattle herders driving their cattle to water

Tonight’s fly camp awaits you at Nasera Rock, a gneiss inselberg that rises out of the plains.

Day Seven

Barafu Kopjes

Depart camp by vehicle as you cross into the Serengeti National Park

Leave the car and walk through the rolling hills and grasslands towards the Barafu Gorge and Barafu Kopjes, a cluster of granite outcrops that straddle the eastern border of the Serengeti

This is classic cheetah country and your guide will be on the lookout for these beautiful cats on the walk

Spend your final night of fly camping near the kopjes

Day Eight

Namiri Plains

A final morning of walking from the Barafu Kopjes towards the famed Namiri Plains camp, reaching camp by mid afternoon

Enjoy a last dinner with your walking guide as you reminisce about the adventures of the week

Days 9&10

Namiri Plains

Spend two full days at Namiri Plains with morning and evening or full day game drives

Known for its unmatched big cat sightings, this camp is certain to deliver a first class safari

Day Eleven

Departure

Game drive transfer to Seronera airstrip and fly back to Arusha

Please contact us for a detailed itinerary!

Some highlights from the trek, including walking through the Olkerien gorge and one of many cheetah sightings from Namiri Plains

CAMPS & LODGES
Given the remote location of this program, the itinerary makes use of specific camps and lodges.

We kick off at The Highlands, a beautifully quirky camp nestled on the side of Olmoti Volcano. We spend our first night of the trip here, though additional nights can be added if you wish to explore the highlands a little more.

The following SIX nights are spent at walking fly camps.

Travellers can choose a more basic fly camp and a more comfortable camp.

A basic camp comprises lightweight nylon dome tents with mattresses on the floor, pillows, bed linens or quality sleeping bags. There are shared bathroom facilities with composting toilets and bucket showers.

A small mobile camp comprises 4mx4m dome tents, beds, mattresses, linens.

Sit-down meals are taken outside, weather permitting, but a mess tent is erected for shelter or shade.

The program ends at Namiri Plains, a spectacularly-located wood, stone and canvas camp.
BEST TIME TO TRAVEL
This program is restricted to the summer months from December through March. Large sections of the trek around the Gol Mountains and Salei Plains are dry and arid during the dry season. This makes the trek hot and uncomfortable with very little wildlife to see.

Please note however, that this coincides with the short rains (November/December) and the start of the long rains (March – May).

There is a good chance of encountering the wildebeest migration between December and February.
PRICING
From $8990 per person sharing

This price is based on 6 people travelling during the low season. However, the program is not available during the festive season, between 20 Dec and 5 Jan)

Please note regarding all Active Africa trips:
- Specials may apply to one or more of the hotels in this itinerary. The price shown does not take these into account. Please contact us for a date-specific quote
- Unless you’re looking at a scheduled departure or founders’ trip, all itineraries are customisable. Tell us how we can make it perfect for you.
INCLUDES
Accommodation at The Highlands – 1 night

Fly camping (basic or small mobile, as selected) – 6 nights

Accommodation at Namiri Plains – 3 nights

All meals, all house drinks (soft drinks and selected alcohol) throughout

Transfer Manyara airstrip to The Highlands and Namiri Plains to Seronera airstrip

Park fees and camping fees, expert walking guide throughout, back-up four-wheel safari vehicle, all logistics for fly camp set up, permanent camp conservation charges

Camping and trekking equipment, except for personal day pack

Medevac cover
EXCLUDES
Internal flights ARK – MAN / SER – ARK

Services of an Active Africa host (where opted for inclusion)
YOU SHOULD KNOW
- Due to the nature of this trip, safety and the limitations of supply and logistics, we limit the group size to a maximum of 8 people.
- This trip is graded Moderate to Hard. Although the hiking is not demanding, the terrain and distance (~20km/12miles) per day require a good level of walking fitness. Participants should be physically prepared to maximise the experience.
- Walking activities on this programme take place in a habitat where potentially dangerous wildlife exists and participants should be aware of the associated risks
- This programme is not suitable for children under the age of 16.
- We cannot control the weather – this is an outdoor, nature based itinerary and indoor alternatives are not available. Come prepared to be take on the elements if the weather is not playing fair.
- Descending from the Ngorongoro highlands involves a long period of downhill walking. We will provide lightweight trekking poles where needed.
WALKING SCHEDULE
Most of the distance is covered in the coolest part of the day

We generally wake up early and enjoy coffee and a snack before hitting the trail around 6am. Breakfast and lunch are taken on the trail and we normally reach camp around mid-afternoon.

The walk is guided by a specialist walking guide and a national park ranger and hosted by an Active Africa trip leader. Both the guide and the ranger are armed and both remain in camp at night.

Vehicle support is available for emergencies and guides and camp staff are in constant radio contact

Travellers have the choice of a basic fly camp using a lightweight nylon tent with bedding on the ground, or a more comfortable camp with a canvas dome tent and raised cot beds. The trek is book-ended with accommodation in luxury tented camps