|
|
2005 Dates: (13 Days)
February
December
Price per person:
1 - 2 people $3,685
3 - 6 people $3,135
7 - 12 people $2,805
Single Supplement: $275
Trekking Grade: Easy
|
|
“The African Bush has a special smell and life-force
which you can never really feel from a vehicle”
Jeanette Hanby, Lion Researcher and Author of
The Ngorongoro Guide Book
 For
those looking for a unique and active safari experience,
a trekking safari provides a welcome break to sitting
in a vehicle for days on end. While walking you have
the opportunity to stalk wildlife, search for tracks,
and mix with indigenous cultures.
On our trekking safaris you will generally move camp
everyday which requires a simpler, lighter weight camp.
We have designed a special walking safari camp: Tents
are dome style with 2 cots per tent, the mess tent is
large, weather proof and fully screened with tables
and chairs for meals, and food is slightly simpler than
our Luxury camp food.
Many of our trekking safaris are run in the Ngorongoro
Conservation Area and reserves bordering the Serengeti
National Park. Weather conditions and season will determine
the best area for your trip . We utilize local Maasai
guides as well as our highly trained Tanzanian Trip
Leaders. All trips are also accompanied by an armed
ranger. Depending on the itinerary a walking trip may
be vehicle supported or may use Maasai donkeys to transport
the camp. Clients only need carry a small daypack with
water and personal gear for the day.
|
General
Information on African trekking
Why go with Mountain Madness:
Trek Africa with Mountain Madness on this once in a
lifetime adventure! Africa is an exciting and diverse
continent which will enchant and delight the adventurer
in everyone. All our safaris are led by specialized
trip leaders who have been working in the National Parks
for years and have a broad understanding of the ecosystem.
Your trip leader will take you out for the day in our
specially modified safari vehicles to search for game.
In the evening return to your private camp and sit by
a campfire under the star studded African sky while
the camp crew prepare your hot shower and dinner.
Environmental and Social Practices: Mountain
Madness not only strives to offer the highest standard
of service, but also to be the most socially and environmentally
responsible adventure travel company in Northern Tanzania.
Although there are many interpretations of "ecotourism,"
we feel that most importantly it means choosing a company
that is respectful of the environment and the local
cultures. At Mountain Madness, we practiced ecotourism
long before it became a buzzword and we have a broad
understanding of the issues. We are always involved
in training, conservation and social development programs
that ensure that the net impact of our company in Tanzania
is positive. Please read
more about our commitment to Tanzania and our social,
cultural, and environmental practices.
Safari Cuisine: The menus for all trips are specially
prepared to provide a balanced diet of fresh fruit,
vegetables, plenty of protein and carbohydrates. Our
cooks undergo extensive training and we have ongoing
workshops to review menus. The cooks are particularly
vigilant in their hygiene practices as contracting stomach
bugs is common for visitors to the developing world.
Dinners are typically a main course with vegetable and
salad. Lunches are often served picnic style and usually
consist of cold cuts and vegetables laid out on a table
so you can make your own sandwich. Fresh hot vegetable
soups are served at every meal, and packet soup is available
on request between meals as is coffee and tea. Breakfast
is your choice: granola, toast, fruit, eggs, and sometimes
pancakes or French toast. We also cater to different
dietary requirements and full vegetarian menus can be
provided on request.
Safari Camps: Our mobile safari camps are comfortable
and fully staffed for excellent service. Tents are large,
canvas, traditional "safari style" with camp
beds and bedding. Each tent has an attached shower and
toilet. The shower water is heated in special high efficiency
water heaters and, at your request, your shower bucket
is filled with hot water by the camp crew.
TOP
|
Itinerary
Day 1 Leave Home
Day 2 Arrive Africa - Moivaro Lodge
Your trip leader will meet you in Arusha if you are arriving
by vehicle from Nairobi or will meet you at Kilimanjaro
Airport if you are arriving by air. Either way you will
be escorted to The Moivaro Hotel about 15 minutes out
of town.
Days 3 & 4 Wilderness Camp in Tarangire National
Park
In the morning we will drive to Tarangire National Park
in the Rift Valley. We will spend three days observing
first hand a classic southern savannah ecosystem in the
dry season. As the water sources dry up around the Park
after the end of the rainy season, animals migrate to
the only permanent water available, that of the Tarangire
River and the Silale Swamp system. Huge numbers of zebra
make up the majority of the herds in Tarangire and with
them come wildebeests, buffalos, elands and various other
gazelles and antelopes. Tarangire boasts one of the largest
and most conspicuous elephant populations in East Africa.
There are large family groups with many calves being born
each year as the population continues to recover from
the devastating effects of poaching in the 1980s.
We will drive in our open top safari vehicles around the
Park, investigating habitats and wildlife populations.
We will also go hiking in the semi-wilderness area of
the Park which is set aside for hiking only. One of our
days will be spent in the company of a researcher from
the Tarangire Elephant Project, a long term program which
aims to discover more about the movements and requirements
of the elephants within and around the Tarangire ecosystem.
Day 5 Wilderness Camp Near Ole Dorop’s Boma
Ole Dorop is a Masai friend and guide living in the Ngorongoro
Conservation Area. We will camp near his traditional home,
which is about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Lake Manyara National
Park. If we arrive early enough in the day, we can enjoy
a hike along the ridges of Satiman and Lemagrut Mountains
on your way to camp. Ole Dorop will meet us for this optional
hike to camp to give you local insight into the life of
Maasai along the way. His boma is on the slopes of Mount
Lemagrut, where the Masai and wildlife share the grasslands
and mountain forests. The Masai water their cattle at
Lemagrut’s hidden springs. Views from the summit
over the Serengeti are breathtaking.
The Masai are great pastoralists and are an integral part
of the Ngorongoro ecosystem. We will learn about village
life, the ways of the warriors, their beloved cattle,
and many other aspects of a proud and traditional people.
We’ll have the opportunity to discuss Masai life
firsthand and perhaps our hosts will want to ask questions
about your lives as well .
Day 6 Wilderness Camp Near Ole Dorop’s Boma
Today is designed for superlative wildlife viewing inside
the Ngorongoro Crater. The Crater floor is mostly grassland,
so wildlife visibility is excellent, providing a wonderful
opportunity for photography and meaningful observations.
Zebras, wildebeests, and gazelles mingle together, while
herds of buffalo graze the long grass areas. Bull elephants
and rhinos are often seen feeding in green marshes and
there are plenty of hyena and lion. We may be fortunate
to witness predation in action.
Day 7 Wilderness Camp Near Ole Dorop’s Boma
Lemagrut Mountain commands wide views of the surrounding
landscape: the Gregory Rift Valley that sweeps down to
the shore of Lake Eyasi, and around to the broad plains
surrounding Lake Ndutu and Olduvai Gorge. For those who
relish the challenge of a strenuous hike, we can climb
to the summit of the old volcano whose rim is dominated
by the gnarled forms of the Masai Tree of God, Ol Chani
Lengai. Once back at camp we can either rest or take a
short walk in to the local Masai village to watch the
evening activities around the traditional homestead.
Day 8 Wilderness Camp Near Ikapusi Village
After a relaxing morning we will drive to the remote area
between Ngorongoro and Embakai Craters in the heart of
the Ngorongoro Highlands. Here we begin the wilderness
hiking section of the trip. We will walk to our first
wilderness camp situated at over 8,000 ft. in the high
grasslands between the villages of Irkepus and Nainokanoka.
The name Nainokanoka is derived from the Maasai word for
“mist” and reflects the conditions often encountered
in this rare and unique African environment that challenges
stereotypes of the African bush. You will see a very different
Africa to the one shown on the “Discovery” channel;
cool mornings, clear air and vigorous hiking in a landscape
of extinct volcanoes where the Masai have established
a lifestyle that differs radically from their ancestors’
life on the hot plains.
 Day
9 Wilderness Camp on the Slopes of Olmoti Crater
During our hike today we will pass through the village
of Nainokanoka which is the center of life for the many
Masai homesteads in the area. It is the only trading post
for many miles around and is a hive of activity; maybe
to sell a goat to pay for some cow medicine, or perhaps
just spending some time catching up on local news with
relatives and friends. We will hike through the nearby
Olmoti Crater, a critical watershed and underground reservoir,
slowly releasing water throughout the year for the livestock
and wildlife of Ngorongoro Crater. We walk onto our second
wilderness camp on the volcano’s northern flank,
which offers unparalleled views of the Serengeti’s
eastern plains and distant Gol Mountains.
Day 10 Wilderness Camp on the rim of Embakai Crater
Today we hike around the flank of Olmoti Mountain among
the herds of Masai cattle, sheep and goats. The focus
of the day is a visit to one of these highland dwellings
where we will see daily life close-up. In the afternoon
we will make our way across the wide expanse of the “Embulbul
Depression,” a retreat for wildlife from the Ngorongoro
Crater. Our hike continues into the third wilderness camp
situated on the knife-edge rim of the hidden gem of the
highlands, Embakai Crater. This extinct caldera is one
of the best-kept secrets of the area with spectacular
Rift Valley views from its rim. Its thickly forested sides,
and the sparkling lake covering half of its floor is full
of flamingos and lurking predators.
Day 11 Wilderness Camp on the rim of Embakai Crater
A full exploration of Embakai Crater will take up the
whole day. In the morning we will hike down the steep
forested slopes of the caldera, hopefully catching glimpses
of rarely seen forest animals such as bushbuck, duikers
and even leopards. Around the lakeshore we will find many
species of water birds, and an abundance of flamingos.
Up to four million flamingos roam the Rift Valley lakes
in great flocks throughout the year searching for the
best feeding and bathing conditions. Our day will end
with an ascent back to the same camp on the crater rim.
Day 12 Donkey Supported Camp near Nyobi Village
Leaving the cars behind we descend from the Ngorongoro
Highlands to the Great Rift Valley. We will descend through
lush grassland pastures scattered with Masai villages.
The scenery alternates between the mountains of Gelai
and Ketembeni – both extinct volcanoes - and Lake
Natron stretching into the distance. The active volcano
Oldonyo Lengai, “Mountain of Gods”, dominates
the view. Camp tonight will be a lightweight camp which
uses the same tents but we sleep in sleeping bags on lightweight
therma-rest pads. Dinner will be around the fire in traditional
African style!
Day 13 Wilderness Camp at the base of Oldonyo Lengai
Continue hiking down into the Rift Valley – by now
Oldonyo Lengai is towering above us. Cross the old lava
flows and hike toward camp set by a stream at the base
of the escarpment. The main camp will have driven around
to your new site and will have everything, including hot
showers and cold beer, ready for you.
Day 14 Wilderness Camp at the Base of Oldonyo Lengai
Some options on the last day of hiking: Those who want
a gentler finale to their safari can opt to hike up to
the waterfalls above the camp for a relaxing swim or to
watch the baboons leaping back and forth on the cliffs.
Those who want to finish with more of a bang can climb
Ol’donyo Lengai. This is a steep 5,000-ft. climb
and involves leaving at 2:00 am in order to reach the
rim by dawn; the rewards of seeing the sun rise over the
great Rift Valley are incredible. Our final night is at
the same camp on the river under the vast African skies,
watching the flamingos pass overhead on the way back to
nesting sites in the middle of Lake Natron.
Day 15 Day Room in Arusha
The drive back to Arusha will take about 5 hours with
a picnic lunch stop enroute. Once in Arusha you can shop
for souvenirs before checking into a day room where you
can shower and pack for your flight. After an early dinner
we head off to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight home.
Day 16 Arrive Home or Onward Destination
TOP
|
Equipment
List
|
|
Safari dress is casual and your wardrobe does not require
any “special purchase” items. Most people
wear shorts and a t-shirt during the day and long sleeved
shirts and long pants in the evening. If you are particularly
sensitive to the sun, wear a loose, long-sleeved cotton
shirt during the day. In a few areas, it can get quite
chilly at night. It is preferred that your daytime clothing
be in neutral colors to blend in with the surroundings.
General Safari Clothing:
·1 warm sweater or fleece jacket
· 1 lightweight waterproof jacket or parka
· 1 pair walking shoes, tennis, or running shoes
· 1 bandanna (many uses)
· shade hat with wide brim or baseball cap
· 1-2 pairs of sturdy cotton shorts ·
2 pairs of lightweight cotton pants
· 1 skirt or dress slacks for hotel evenings
· 2 long-sleeved shirts
· 1 pair sandals, Tevas, or rubber thongs (great
for camp showers)
· 4-6 short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts
· plenty of changes of underwear and some warm
socks for evening.
· 1 bathing suit (optional)
General Safari Equipment:
· 1 duffle bag
· 1 small padlock to lock suitcase or duffle
· 1 daypack · wide-mouth plastic water
bottle, minimum 1 qt. Capacity
· toilet kit including biodegradable shampoo
and soap
· plenty of sunscreen · flashlight (head
lamps are great) with spare batteries
· nylon stuff sacks or plastic bags to organize
clothes, laundry, and other items in your duffle
· pocket knife
· thin, quick-drying washcloth ( a small towel
is provided)
· binoculars, essential for good wildlife viewing
Trekking Safari Specific Items:
· A sturdy daypack with some back support
that can carry two one liter water bottles, extra clothes
for wind or rain, cameras and binoculars.
· Lightweight hiking boots or “approach”
shoes that are comfortable
· Gaitors, preferably short ankle height, to
prevent dirt and grass seed from getting in your boots
and socks
· 3-5 pr extra socks, lightweight wool socks
are ideal
· Extra one liter water bottle or water bag such
as a “Camelback”
· Walking sticks or poles (optional)
· Moleskin and second skin for blister treatment.
Optional Items:
· camera, film, and spare batteries.
· paperback reading and writing material (keep
weight at a minimum)
· travel clock or watch
· snacks: trail mix, nuts, hard candies, decaf
beverages, powdered electrolyte replacement drink mixes
such as Gatorade
· clip-on book light
In hotels, you will occasionally find 240 volt AC/55-cycle
current—you will need to bring an adaptor for your
appliances.
MAKE IT HAPPEN!
TOP
|
|
|
