| See Tanzania's incredible flora and fauna on foot, | | | | temperatures will vary greatly. These safaris are |
| walking in the African Bush with Masai warriors as | | | | quite energetic and a good level of fitness is |
| you guides. Spectacular game viewing is combined | | | | required. The Crater Highlands range is roughly |
| with hikes around Lake Eyasi and the Ol Moti | | | | oval, measuring about 80 km by 40 km. |
| Crater, where you experience cultural encounters | | | | The Highlands are volcanic in origin, with the |
| amongst the Masai, Datoga tribe and nomadic | | | | different peaks being created over millions of |
| Bushmen. | | | | years by a series of eruptions connected with the |
| The walking safari in Ngorongoro Conservation | | | | formation of the Great Rift Valley. The older |
| area is becoming very popular. Normally it is | | | | volcanoes have been eroded and most have |
| preceded with a short safari in 4 x 4 safari Land | | | | collapsed to form craters. |
| Rovers or Land Cruisers. Many people when they | | | | Empakaai crater is 600 meters in diameter and |
| get to East Africa understandably want to see as | | | | 300 meters deep. With much of the base of the |
| much as possible and arrive with killer agendas | | | | crater covered by a deep, 80 meter soda lake. |
| ahead of them. I would advise restraint with the | | | | Here there are birds, antelope, buffalo and blue |
| temptation to do too much in a short time. Safari | | | | monkeys, with the thickly forested walls plunging |
| fatigue can set in all too quickly with visitors | | | | to the crater floor. If you wish to climb into the |
| reaching the halfway point in a safari and just | | | | crater and explore, you will be required to be |
| longing for it all to end. | | | | accompanied by an armed guide. The crater is |
| I would recommend some time spent at Lake | | | | heavily grazed by buffalo and the buffalo are |
| Manyara, as you are able go out onto the lake in | | | | notoriously anti-social and very aggressive. To |
| a two-man canoe and see the game from this | | | | catch the best Rift Valley views it is a must to be |
| unusual perspective. Also bicycles and village | | | | there at dawn or dusk, as the cloud cover can be |
| walking 'cultural' safaris are on offer. Take every | | | | heavy at other times. The familiar water birds to |
| chance you can to spend some time out of your | | | | be spotted here include the black-winged stilt, |
| safari vehicle. Stretch your legs and see Africa | | | | cape teal and flamingo. |
| from as many perspectives as you can. There is | | | | Ol Moti Crater can only be reached by foot and |
| much to experience and it cannot all be done | | | | an armed ranger must accompany you. The |
| from sitting on your bottom. | | | | scenery of Ol Moti is beautiful, with islands of |
| Remember, the most enjoyable experiences are | | | | forest and a waterfall at the source of the Munge |
| not achieved quickly. | | | | River. Monkeys and buffalo are seen in the area. |
| This walking safari has the added bonus of using | | | | The active volcano Ol Donyo Lengai standing at |
| Masai warriors as your guides. Donkeys, belonging | | | | 2,878m is a popular way to end the walking safari. |
| to the Masia, are used as porters. The walking | | | | This volcano erupts every seven years or so. |
| safari starts on the cool, forested rim of | | | | Here an early morning start essential. The climb is |
| Ngorongoro crater and ends in the dry heat on | | | | steep on powdery scree; therefore climbing the |
| the arid shores of Lake Natron, where | | | | steep slopes on this very loose footing is neither |
| temperature often exceed 40 c [105 f]. This soda | | | | easy nor enjoyable. The early morning start is to |
| lake is famed for the large number of flamingo | | | | avoid the heat of the sun, for there is no shade |
| that fly here to breed. Indeed the flamingo seems | | | | on the mountain and together with the heat and |
| to be the only animal that flourishes in this harsh | | | | lack of water makes this early start, in the pre |
| environment. | | | | dawn darkness, essential. This climb would only be |
| The highland walking safaris cover a rage of | | | | recommended for the physically fit and for those |
| altitudes with the range rising steeply from the | | | | with an interest in volcanoes, otherwise relax at |
| surrounding plains at about 1,500 meters to | | | | the bottom and enjoy a well-earned rest and a |
| heights of between 2,500 and 3,500 meters. It is | | | | cool drink. |
| advisable to wear many layers of clothing as the | | | | |