6-Day National Parks and Donkey Hike to Lake Natron

You will be picked up from the airport by a Lion King representative and driven to your accommodation in Arusha.
The drive from the airport passes through many roadside villages, giving you a sneak preview of Tanzanian daily life and culture.

You will have a chance to rest and recharge before the start of your adventure tomorrow.

In the morning, you will be picked up from your accommodation by your safari guide. The drive to Tarangire National Park takes approximately two and a half hours, along good tarmac roads. The journey will take you through gently rolling hills with scattered acacia trees. You will pass many Maasai people in their colorful dresses walking on the roadside and herding cattle. The park is named after the Tarangire River which runs through it. This ‘river of warthogs’ is the only source of water for wildlife in the region during the dry season. The park is well known for its elephant families, which can often be seen congregating by the river. You may also see giraffes, bushbucks, and hartebeests during your game drive. They are closely followed by a range of predators, including lions and leopards. The park also boasts more than 500 species of birds, so binoculars are a must! After a picnic lunch inside the park, you will drive to your accommodation in Karatu for dinner and relaxation.

The drive from Karatu to the gate of Ngorongoro Conservation Area takes about 30 minutes. When you first see Ngorongoro Crater, it looks like a forgotten world. It is concealed by the steep volcanic walls and is a pristine wilderness including sweeping savannah, pockets of acacia woodland, and glistening lakes and swamps. The crater was created when a large volcano exploded and collapsed in on itself two to three million years ago. The crater provides you with the best chance of seeing the endangered black rhinos, which can sometimes be spotted in the open grasslands.

After your game drive inside Ngorongoro Crater, you will drive to Empakaai Camp (approximately 2.5 hrs). The views of the crater and lake are stunning. This is true bush camping: no washrooms, no running water, no electricity. But, staring up at the stars accompanied by the sounds of the bush and the crackling of the fire is something you will never forget. Your crew will set up the tents and start preparing dinner.

Dawn rises and the view of Oldoinyo Lengai is quite magical. Oldoinyo Lengai is an active volcano and means ‘mountain of God’ in Maa (the language of the Maasai). This morning, you will hike down onto the crater floor. The path snakes back and forth along the steep sides and the descent takes around 40 minutes. The crater floor is incredibly beautiful and peaceful. The only sounds are the melodic tinkling of Maasai cow bells, bird symphonies, and the wind in the trees.

After the hike into the crater, you will continue towards Lake Natron. You will pack up camp, and hike with the donkeys and guides following a route that takes you through picturesque Maasai villages and rolling hills. You will walk approximately 17km today. The way to the Acacia camp is through a wonderful forest of yellow-bark acacia trees. Once again, Acacia camp is bush camping. The donkeys have their own enclosure or ‘boma’ which helps to keep them safe in camp throughout the night.

You will have an early start today. The distance to Lake Natron (vehicle pick-up point) is 8km, but once you descend the mountain, the temperatures rise significantly, so it’s best to walk during the morning. This part of the hike takes you through some of the most incredible scenery. There is very little evidence of human habitation, and you feel truly alone with nature. It is a rare experience to stand on top of the mountain with a 360-degree view and hear very little except the wind and the occasional birdsong.

The climb down the mountain is steep and can take up to 90 minutes. The terrain is mostly rock face and scree, so be prepared for some aching calf muscles the following day! It is worth stopping regularly during the descent to absorb the surrounding landscapes and feel the power emanating from Ol Doinyo Lengai. Often described as having a lunar beauty, Lake Natron offers something a little bit different. The vehicle will meet you on the road and drive you to camp.

An early start is advised here. Being on the shore of Lake Natron as the sun rises is something you will never forget. Lake Natron is often described as having a lunar beauty. The lake gets its reddish color from salt-loving organisms and algae. Amazingly, 2.5 million flamingos make Lake Natron their home and it is one of their only breeding grounds.
You will have a chance to experience these incredible birds and then return to camp for breakfast.

After breakfast, you will return to Arusha. The drive time is approximately 4 hours.