It’s no secret that we love a walking expedition at Timbuktu – and this one sends shivers of excitement down our spine!
The three-day expedition from Empakaai Crater in the Ngorongoro region of Tanzania to Lake Natron in the Great Rift Valley is magical, exciting and nostalgic all at once. You’ll traverse dusty landscapes, accompanied by long-limbed Maasai and the tinkle of far-off cowbells; you’ll scramble through cracks and crevices of mountainous volcanoes and swim in gin-clear pools; and you’ll sleep in a simple fly camp in the heart of the Rift Valley.
Before you take the plunge however, we recommend a few nights in the Ngorongoro Crater itself, for wildlife quantities of the mind-boggling kind, and a little bit of luxury too…
$5.2K / person
You will be met on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport by your guide and driven to your next lodge. Be sure to keep your binoculars handy as you never know what you might see on route.
1hr 30mins
This low-key town is the gateway to Tanzania’s safari gems and most itineraries include at least a night in Arusha. You’ll likely spend most of your time gathering your bearings before your safari adventure begins or taking things easy after an action-packed few days, both accompanied by the stellar views of nearby Mount Meru.
You certainly won’t get bored should you choose to venture out, however, and there are plenty of activities to keep you busy: enjoy a guided stroll between Maasai markets (for Tinga Tinga paintings, handmade jewellery and Shuka textiles), peruse the museums, or visit the bright green fields of the coffee farms and sample some of Africa’s finest beans. If you’re heading straight for the coast or just fancy an extra dose of wildlife, visit Arusha National Park, where monkeys, giraffes and a host of birdlife are all present and correct, and you can canoe, mountain bike and explore on game drives.
You will be collected from your lodge and driven to Arusha Airport for your flight to Lake Manyara Airport. You will be met on arrival at Lake Manyara Airport and driven to your next lodge.
2hrs 30mins
Essentially a giant bowl filled to the brim with Africa’s most iconic wildlife, visiting Ngorongoro is a highlight. Game drives are a given and in most cases, you’ll rise with the sparrows to ensure you’re on the crater floor in time to catch all the action. Usually you will return in the mid-morning before heading out again in the afternoon, but some lodges have private picnic spots, allowing you to spend a whole day exploring with time for drinks and snacks. Wildlife-wise, expect to see the Big Five, including good numbers of black rhino (this is the best place in Tanzania to spot the Jurassic creatures) and plenty of plains game - but interestingly no giraffe.
Unless it’s a very short stroll, walking safaris aren’t possible in the crater itself. Instead, many lodges offer walks along the rim (spectacular views) and forest hikes in the wild and wonderful highlands, often with visits to local communities and the chance to explore the lesser-visited parts of the volcanic landscape.
You will walk from your lodge to your next lodge with your guide.
Surrounded by acres of sparse, sun-baked land and volcanic calderas, Lake Natron is an oasis for breeding lesser flamingos who gather in great clouds of pink. While the area can be explored in a vehicle, it’s on foot that you’ll really come to appreciate its beauty. There are innumerous hiking trails, leading to sensational viewpoints of the lake and Great Rift Valley, and you can even visit the footprints of early hominids embedded in lava.
You will be collected from your lodge by your guide and driven to your next lodge. Be sure to keep your binoculars handy as you never know what you might see on route.
6hrs
Famous for the mighty Great Migration, wildebeest-watching is high on the list of most who visit the Serengeti. The location of the herds differs by month but as a rough guide, you’ll catch the famous river crossings in the north from July to October and the calving and birthing season in the south from December to March. Visit at other times and the herds will be in the Western Corridor (April to June) or travelling back through the central areas.
Game drives are available from almost every lodge in the Serengeti. All offer camera-snapping sightings of four out of the Big Five (sadly rhino sightings are rare), as well as cheetah, zebra, giraffe and all the smaller game, whether you choose a morning or afternoon drive or an all-day expedition with a picnic. Night drives and walking safaris are less common but can be done from some camps, and other location-specific activities include hot air ballooning (usually the north), horseback safaris (west), cultural visits and community projects. If this list of activities doesn’t make you swoon…
You will be collected from your lodge and driven to Serengeti Airstrip for your flight to Kilimanjaro Airport.
2hrs 15mins
$5.2K / person
Domestic transfers, accommodation, inclusive meals, drinks and activities where specified
International flights, visas, travel insurance, gratuities
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