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9 Days Ngorongoro Highlands Trek

9 Days Ngorongoro Highlands Trek

Trip Overview

Walk through time and terrain—craters, volcanoes, and valleys stitched by Maasai stories.

This 9 day trekking tour takes you to the diverse landscapes of the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands – Ngorongoro, Olmoti and Empakaai - eventually leading to Lake Natron where you have the opportunity to attempt the Mountain of God, or Ol Doinyo L’Engai, as named by the Maasai. The trail winds through some of the greatest scenery on earth. A breathtaking hike through wild grasses and mountainous landscapes, as well as thick mountain forest and the volcanic scarred savannah of the Rift Valley. In addition to stunning landscapes and wildlife sightings, this trek allows a deep insight into the lives of the Maasai.

9 Days Ngorongoro Highlands Trek
9 Days Ngorongoro Highlands Trek
9 Days Ngorongoro Highlands Trek
9 Days Ngorongoro Highlands Trek

Highlights

  • Scenic Empakaai Crater hike
  • Authentic Maasai cultural encounters
  • Crater rim wild camping
  • Optional Ol Doinyo hike
  • Lake Natron waterfall trail

At a glance

  • 8 Nights
  • Ngorongoro
  • Trekking

Download Full Trek Itinerary PDF

Want a detailed look at every trekking day? Download the full itinerary to explore camp details, elevation changes, distances, and what to expect at each stop along your Ngorongoro Highlands trek.

Trek Landmarks

  • Nainokanoka Village
  • Bulati Valley
  • Empakaai Crater
  • Acacia Forest Camp
  • Mount Ol Doinyo L’Engai
tree

Replanting native trees to restore Kilimanjaro’s fragile ecosystem.

energy

Offsetting carbon footprint by funding renewable energy projects.

mountain communities

Creating fair jobs and supporting local mountain communities.

Details Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival & Briefing

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be transferred to your accommodation where your guide will meet you for a full briefing and equipment check.

Overnight Ameg Lodge – half board (www.ameglodge.com)

Day 2 : Ameg Lodge to Ngorongoro Conservation Area / Nainokanoka Village

This morning you will depart from your hotel and travel to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, enjoying a game drive in the crater. Afterwards ascend and drive to your camp. Settle into your first campsite and prepare for your first trek in the morning.

Overnight Nainokanoka Village (no showers & limited toilet facilities)

Day 3 : Nainokanoka to Bulati

Leave Nainokanoka with our guides, cooks and donkeys for a day of hiking to Bulati Village.  Wild animals can be seen, such as Thompson and Grants gazelle, zebras and wildebeest. Where there are many animals, hungry jackals are not far away and high in the sky majestic eagles watch their every move. Approximate trekking time of 5 hours, covering 16kms. Tonight, you will sleep at an elevation of 2,650m.

Overnight Bulati Village (no showers & limited toilet facilities)

Day 4 : Bulati to Empakaai

Leave this morning to trek to Empakaai. The walk offers spectacular views of both recent and ancient volcanic mountains, including Kilimanjaro, Meru, Olmoti Crater, and Lolmasin.  The Empakaai Crater is 300m deep with almost half the floor covered by a soda lake.  Bushbuck, buffalo, and blue monkey can be seen on the rim, which on a clear day boasts superb views to Ol Doinyo L’Engai, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Lake Natron. During the night you may hear flamingo calls as they return to their breeding ground at Lake Manyara and Lake Natron. Approximate trekking time 4-5 hours covering a distance of 9kms. Tonight, you will sleep at an elevation of 3,100m.

Overnight Empakaai Crater Rim (no showers & limited toilet facilities)

Day 5 : Empakaai to Acacia Camp

Morning descent into the Empakaai crater. A well-maintained track goes to the crater floor. The alkaline/soda lake found there is an important source of food for flamingos, which can be seen throughout the year. The crater floor is also home to a variety of antelope and aquatic birds. Return to the crater rim, where the trek will begin to move away from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the landscape becomes drier and warmer, as we head towards Acacia Camp. Approximate trekking time 5 hours over a distance of 13kms. Sleep at an elevation of 3,200m.

Overnight Acacia Camp (no showers & limited toilet facilities)

Day 6 : Acacia Camp to Kamakia Camp

The last stage of the journey is not too long and travels mainly downhill. The highlights of the morning are the fantastic views of Ol Doinyo L'Engai, Lake Natron, and the Rift Valley.  A big part of the rugged countryside is covered by ash from the last eruption in 2007, which adds to the surreal nature of the landscape. The trek descends deep into the dry and hot Rift Valley, where the dried-out ashes can be viewed up close. Just before lunch you will reach the waiting vehicles and transfer the short distance to the foot of Mount Ol Doinyo L'Engai, which is the only active carbonite volcano in the world. Settle into camp for a few hours’ sleep, before the optional activity of climbing the volcano tonight. Approximate trekking time 5 hours, covering 6kms. Sleeping elevation 2,600m. In the late afternoon, you will have the opportunity to hike to the beautiful waterfalls around the area.

Overnight Kamakia Camp (good shower and toilet facilities tonight)

Day 7 : Ol Doinyo L’Engai Volcano - Night Hike

Shortly after midnight, you start climbing Ol Doinyo L’Engai, the Maasai’s Mountain of God.  This ascent requires good levels of fitness, as the track to the top is very steep, climbing in altitude from 800m to 3000m. The ascent can take anything from 8-14 hours with no shade, hence an early start. Return to camp around 11:00 is for brunch. Once back at camp, you have an afternoon to sleep and recover from your climb. Approximate trekking time 8 to 14 hours covering a distance of 15kms. Sleeping elevation tonight will be 2,600m.

Overnight Kamakia Camp (good shower and toilet facilities tonight)

Day 8 : Lake Natron to Moshi

This morning you start driving back to Moshi, which will take the majority of the day.

Overnight Ameg Lodge – half board (www.ameglodge.com)

Day 9 : Departure

Today you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport in time for your flight, or if you’ve decided to extend your Tanzanian adventure, begin the next part of your journey!

Included & Excluded

  • Park fees;
  • Camping fees;
  • 5-6 days hiking including support vehicle; donkeys;
  • Tents & all camping equipment including sleeping bag;
  • Guide(s) & cook salaries;
  • All food;
  • Drinking water;
  • Transport where specified;
  • Volcano climb at Lake Natron;
  • Lake Natron & waterfall visit;
  • Half board accommodation in Moshi pre & post-trek;
  • Private toilet;
  • Airport transfers
  • 18% VAT tax.
  • The hiring of personal equipment, including clothing & walking poles, etc.
  • Tipping to your crew. The standard recommendation for this is USD$20 per day to the head guide, $12 per day per ranger, $12 per day per assistant guide, $12 per day to the cook
  • Visas; vaccinations; spending money; drinks at camps and in Moshi

Trip Map

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Other Route Options

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Explore alternative Kilimanjaro routes designed for different experience levels, scenery preferences, and acclimatisation comfort. Every route gives a unique perspective of the mountain, through forests, moorlands, and alpine zones, while increasing your chances of a successful and rewarding summit experience.

What Our Guests Say

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Hannah W / Sep 2022

The best company out there!

African Scenic Safaris were Amazing. We were a large group of students who climbed Kilimanjaro with them and went on a safari in Tarangire National Park.

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Johanna S/ Apr 2025

Great experience on Safari.

The guide was absolutely fantastic. Emanuel was present answering questions and not least telling a lot like the animals.

Gabriella M
Gabriella M/ Feb 2025

Amazing experience

We relied on African Scenic Safaris for organising a 5 days safari. Nembris provided us with suggestions for the itinerary through Serengeti.

Popular Questions About Highlands Trek

Trek through ancient craters and cultures—your questions answered before the journey even begins.

Planning a trek through the Ngorongoro Highlands raises a few important questions. From daily distances to how remote the campsites are, we’ve gathered the most asked queries and shared simple, clear answers. Read on to feel fully prepared and inspired before setting foot on this trek.

The Ngorongoro Highlands Trek is a long, rural walk that goes through volcano craters, Maasai lands and the Rift Valley. You can expect a wide range of scenery, simple campsites, and close encounters with wildlife and people from the area.

Yes, climbing Ol Doinyo L’Engai is an optional part of this Ngorongoro Highlands Trek. The night walk is steep and hard, but the views are amazing, and fit trekkers will never forget the experience.

This is a fairly difficult walk that calls for good fitness. Every day, you'll have to walk long lengths on rough ground. The hardest day of the trip is climbing Ol Doinyo L'Engai, which takes a lot of stamina.

Bring clothes for when the weather changes, good hiking boots, a daypack, water bottles that can be filled up, and basic toiletries. Bring a headlamp and power bank for important things because the Ngorongoro Highlands Trek has rustic camps.

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