Sprung zum Inhalt
Call us +49 (0) 8051 961 5656WhatsApp Your Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, Ladakh & Tanzania travel specialist
Search

Ngorongoro Highland Trekking with Safari and Sansibar

Tanzania Tanzania

Trekking Map

Tansania Safari Löwen Ngorongoro Krater

Experience a culture-rich hiking and safari trip with a relaxing beach holiday on the island of Zanzibar in Tanzania! We start our trip with an exciting game drive in Tarangire National Park, the paradise for elephants, and in the Ngorongoro Crater, where the Big Five and breathtaking landscapes await us.

We then continue our adventure with a trekking in the Ngorongoro Highlands. Here we admire the Empakai crater and constantly keep an eye on the majestic Oldoinyo Lengai (2,856m). During the hike through the Maasai bomas we gain a deep insight into the original life of the Maasai and their rich culture. Our hike eventually takes us to the picturesque Lake Natron, known for its surreal colors and the flamingos that live there.

This culture-rich hiking and nature trip is rounded off with a relaxing beach holiday on the island of Zanzibar. Here we can enjoy the sun and swim in the crystal clear, warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Snorkeling and diving are among the most popular activities on the island. With numerous impressions and memories we finally make our way home.

Day 1: Arrive in Arusha – briefing and welcome dinner
Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport. Your driver will be waiting for you outside and you will be taken by private transfer to your booked hotel in Arusha. Your guide will come and give you an introduction to the whole trip. In the evening you are invited to the welcome dinner. Overnight at Hotel Mtoni River Lodge or similar category, (D).

Day 2: Game Drive in Tarangire National Park – Elephant’s paradise – 135 km and 2.5 hrs drive
After breakfast you will be driven to Tarangire National Park. Located slightly off the main safari route, Tarangire is a beautiful, tranquil park in northern Tanzania, covering an area of ​​approximately 2,600 km². It is famous for its elephant trekking, bird watching and authentic safari atmosphere. With the exception of the endangered black rhino, Tarangire National Park is home to all of Tanzania’s major animals – from the tiny dik-dik to the towering African elephants and giraffes, which draw visitors from all over the world. In addition to these popular species, the park is home to three endangered animals found nowhere else in the country: the fringe-eared oryx with its graceful horns, the towering greater kudu, and the tiny Ashy starling. Overnight at Eileen’s Inn or similar category, (B|L|D).

Day 3: Game drive in Ngorongoro Crater – home of the “Big Five” and Drive to Nainokanoka – ​​105 km and approx. 2 hours drive
Early in the morning after breakfast you will be picked up by your private safari guide and drive directly to the gate of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the almost 600 m deep crater. The caldera has a diameter of up to 19 km and an area of ​​264 km². Its heavily forested rim rises 610 meters above the caldera floor at an elevation of up to 2,286 meters. The Ngorongoro Crater and the surrounding highlands together form one of the most beautiful regions in Africa. The volcanic crater provides a stunning backdrop to some of Africa’s most fertile and richest pastureland. The caldera floor area is mostly open grassland and is the best place in East Africa to see the ‘Big Five’. It is home to a variety of animals including elephant, black rhino, leopard, buffalo, zebra, warthog, wildebeest, Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelle and the world’s densest population of lion an idyllic picnic spot. After more exciting hours in the park, you will be driven back to the hotel. Overnight at the Tented Campsite in Nainokanoka, (B|M|D).

Day 4: Hike Nainokanoka to Bulati Village – approx. 5 hrs hike
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 at the campsite at Bulati Village, (B|M|D).

Day 5: Hike Bulati, climb Olmoti Crate and continue hike to Empakaai – approx. 7 hrs
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 campsite, (B|L|D).

Day 6: Hike in the Empakai crater and trek to Acacia Camp – approx. 7 hours hike
We start the day with a hike in the Empakai Crater. Here we have an impressive view of the Empakaai crater and Oldoinyo Lengai, the most active volcano in Tanzania. Accompanied by an armed NCA ranger and an experienced local Maasai guide, we begin our hike with a 30 to 45 minute/300m descent into the crater, passing through dense, mountainous forest. The easy hike to the crater floor passes through lush forest and offers breathtaking views of the crater and the lake below. At the crater floor you have excellent bird watching opportunities around the lake and can spot flamingos as well as buffalo, bushbuck, blue monkeys, hyenas and elephants. A certain level of fitness is required and sturdy footwear is strongly recommended. After an eventful morning of climbing and descending, we continue our hike towards Acacia Camp, where we will spend the night. On the way we are surrounded by a picturesque, hilly landscape where numerous Maasai bomas (traditional villages) can be seen. Overnight stay in a tent (B|M|D).

Day 7: Hike to Lake Natron – approx. 6 hour hike
Today we set off for the rugged landscape of Lake Natron. Today we will also hike through very beautiful traditional Maasai bomas and experience a particularly varied landscape. First we hike through a lush green hilly landscape, then through a savanna-like landscape. During the tour we enjoy a majestic view of the Oldoinyo Lengai, which we get closer with every step. The last two hours of the hike are steeply downhill at times, but the views of Lake Natron and the landscape reward every step. The vegetation is becoming increasingly drier and the temperatures are becoming ever hotter. The view of this unique landscape is overwhelming. Mostly windy, dusty, very dry and hot, it sometimes reminds you of lunar landscapes. We end our hike at the foot of Oldoinyo Lengai and are picked up again by our safari guide. After a shower and a short break, we can walk to Lake Natron to admire the magical landscape and the flamingos. Lake Natron is a salt lake in the Arusha region of Tanzania and the largest breeding area for lesser flamingos in East Africa. It lies in the Gregory Graben at the foot of the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai and has a reddish color caused by special algae. The lake is 57 kilometers long, 22 kilometers wide and less than three meters deep. The high temperatures (up to 60°C) and high salinity make Lake Natron a safe breeding ground for flamingos, as most other animals cannot tolerate these conditions. Every year, over two million flamingos fly to the region, where their eggs are laid and incubated between September and April. Overnight stay at Masaai Giraffe Lodge or similar category, (B|L|D).

Day 8: Morning game drive at Lake Natron and from midday drive to Arusha
After breakfast we go on a game drive and drive back to Arusha at lunchtime. Overnight stay at Mtoni River Lodge, (B|L|D).

Day 9: Transfer to the airport – flight to Zanzibar and drive to Matemwe – northeast coast
Early in the morning we will be driven to the airport to fly to Zanzibar. When we arrive we will be picked up and taken to our accommodation in Matemwe, where we will spend the next few nights. Chalk-white sandy beaches, azure seas and a fantastic coral reef await us here. Zanzibar is located in the Indian Ocean and consists of the main islands of Unguja, known as Zanzibar, and Pemba, as well as countless smaller islands. The island of Zanzibar is rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage. The warm, sunny climate all year round invites you to relax. The exciting history of Arab sultans, Portuguese sailors, slave traders and European explorers has had a lasting impact on the character of this island and its friendly people. Not to be forgotten is the delicious Swahili cuisine, which offers a wide selection of seafood. Tonight we will stay at the Magic Boutique Hotel or a similar category, (B).

Day 10-13: Relaxation on the beach – other activities on the island
You have all day to relax here. If you want to be active, you can take part in numerous excursions, including visits to the historic ‘Stone Town’, Jozani Forest, Prison Island and spice plantations. There are also a variety of adventure activities you can take part in including hiking, bird watching, windsurfing, kite surfing, sea kayaking and sailing. The island also has fantastic coral reefs that are perfect for diving and snorkeling – and you might even be lucky enough to spot dolphins, green turtles and whale sharks at certain times of the year. Overnight stay at the Magic Boutique Hotel or similar category, (B).

Day 14: Free time until transfer to Abeid Amani Karume Airport (ZNZ)
Free time until departure. Depending on your flight time, you will be driven back to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) for your international flight home, (B).

We reserve the right to make changes to the program due to special events, force majeure or weather conditions.

Legends: B = Breakfast | L = Lunch | D = Dinner

This tour can also be booked for individual travelers at an additional cost or for your group at dates other than shown here.

German guided tour
English guided tour

Duration: 14 days
Costs: € 4.490 per person
Group size: min. 2 Persons (all the tour dates are guaranteed with a minimum group size of only two persons)
€ 490 for single room supplement

What’s included

  • Transfer from and to the airport
  • Flight Arusha to Zanzibar (incl. 20kg free luggage)
  • Accommodation incl. breakfast in Arusha and at Zanzibar
  • Hotel overnight stays including 3 meals during the safari and hiking tour
  • Transport in a 4 × 4 safari vehicle (guaranteed window seat)
  • Professional, English-speaking safari guide
  • Professional, English speaking local mountain/maasai guide
  • Camping team (cook & porter)
  • Three meals and drinking water on the trekking tour
  • All national park fees

Not included

  • All international flights
  • Trips at Zanzibar
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks other than water
  • Visa fees (US $ 50)
  • Tips
  • Personal expenses
  • Personal travel insurance

Visa
To enter Tanzania, a passport that is valid for at least 6 months and a tourist visa are required. The visa for German citizens can be applied for three to four weeks before departure at the Tanzanian embassy (approx. 50 EUR plus postage). Alternatively, the visa is also available when entering Tanzania (50 USD, to be paid in cash on site). We recommend this option; it is less complicated and cheaper. An exit tax of USD 30 is required for international flights from Zanzibar (payable locally in cash).
These visa and passport regulations are valid for the EU countries and Switzerland. Other citizens would like to inquire at the respective country consulate.

Vaccinations
No compulsory vaccinations, in particular no yellow fever vaccination, are required for direct entry from Germany / Switzerland, Austria to the mainland of Tanzania and Zanzibar. This also applies when entering a yellow fever endemic area in transit; as long as the airport is not left during the stopover and the stay is less than 12 hours. However, you should be vaccinated against tetanus, hepatitis A, diphtheria and polio. Hepatitis B and typhoid vaccinations are recommended for long stays.
We recommend that you consult your doctor in good time. Further information can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.

Insurance
A travel health insurance (with rescue costs) is essential for your own safety and a prerequisite for booking our trips. In the event of an accident in the mountains or on safari that requires a helicopter, the helicopter will not take off until full coverage of the costs has been clarified.
We strongly recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance. Flights at bargain prices in particular cannot usually be rebooked or cancelled free of charge. In Tanzania there could also be complications with the weather, your health, etc., which would force you to abandon your trip.
We asked ERGO Reiseversicherung to put together different service packages for you. You can book the right travel health insurance for you at https://www.reiseversicherung.de.

It should be noted that geoDiscovery Tours only recommends that its guests book travel insurance through ERGO and assumes no responsibility for the contractual content between the travel guest and the insurance provider. It is up to each guest to book their travel insurance through ERGO or another provider.

From October 1, 2024, an important change will apply to all holidaymakers and business travelers traveling to Zanzibar: special travel insurance authorized by the staterun Zanzibar Insurance Corporation must be taken out before entry. This measure was introduced by the Tanzanian government to ensure that all travelers are insured for possible risks during their stay. The insurance can only be taken out via the official website https://visitzanzibar.go.tz. Once completed, you will receive a QR code that you must present as proof upon entry.

Standard of hotels and accommodations
In Tanzania, the hotels we have booked are good and correspond to mid-western standards. The sanitary facilities are clean and functional. The hotel kitchen is adapted to Western eating habits and the food is safe to enjoy. Sometimes there can be power cuts or sometimes no hot water is available. The hotel staff is generally very friendly and makes every effort to ensure the well-being of each guest. The hotels we have booked are as follows:

Arusha: Mtoni River Lodge, Mount Meru Hotel, Mount Meru Game Lodge, Rivertrees Country Inn, Arumeru River Lodge
Moshi/Kilimanjaro: Chanya Lodge, Weru Weru, Kaliwa Lodge, Salinero
Karatu: Eileen’s Trees Inn, Bougainvillea Safari Lodge, Endoro Lodge
Manyara: Lake Manyara Serena Hotel, Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Luxury Lodge
Ngorongoro: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Rhino Lodge
Serengeti: Embalakai Camps, Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, Serengeti Serena Hotel, Lahia Tented Lodge, Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp, Four Seasons Serengeti, Melia Serengeti
Tarangire: Tarangire Safari Lodge, Tarangire Balloon Camp, Tarangire Simba Lodge, Maramboi Tented Lodge
Zanzibar: Spice Island Hotel & Resort, Maru Maru Hotel, Nungwi Dreams, MMelia Zanzibar, the Z hotel, Kendwa Rocks, Zanzibar Serena Hotel, Zanzibar Magic Boutique Hotel, Kholle House

Tour program
The travel program is optimally coordinated for all of the trips we recommend. However, it can happen that roads are closed or impassable without prior notice, that waiting times of several hours arise due to traffic jams or fuel shortages, that access to sites can be closed for various reasons, or other restrictions such as flight delays or even cancellations due to bad weather, strikes, Health of the participants, a pandemic or unfavourable conditions during trekking make the implementation of the travel program difficult or, in the worst case, impossible. However, our local guides are prepared for such situations and will endeavour to carry out all program points to your satisfaction. The inconvenience is usually limited. Nevertheless, it must be pointed out at this point that, for the reasons mentioned, program changes are possible at any time and are not the responsibility of the organizer. Any resulting costs are borne by the traveller. We ask for your understanding.

Flying in Tanzania
Domestic flights in Tanzania may be postponed for days due to limited airspace or weather conditions, or for technical or other reasons. Under these exceptional circumstances, our team will try – in cooperation with you – to relocate the tour to other regions or to organize road transport. The risk of delay and cancellation of these flights is borne by all participants.
In the event of a delay of several days, all participants are personally responsible for changing their flight home at least 48 hours in advance. We are of course happy to help you.

The domestic flights booked by us are:

  • Air Tanzania
  • Precision Air
  • Flightlink
  • Coastal Aviation
  • Auric air

Please note that our trips are not suitable for people with limited mobility.

Trip Details

  • Duration: 14 days
  • Holiday Type: Hotel accommodation / Camping
  • Best trekking period: Jan/Feb/Mar/Jun/Jul/Aug/Sep/Oct/Nov/Dec
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Max Altitude: 3.100 m
  • Group size: Min. 2 persons (all the tour dates are guaranteed with a minimum group size of onl two persons)
  • Tour guide: English speaking, trained Tanzanian safari and hiking guide
  • Difficulty:
  • Fitness:
  • Price: 4.290,00 €
  • Single room supplement: 490,00 €
Request booking
Book tour bindingly