TREK THE GREAT RIFT VALLEY
Rift Valley
Walking Safari with Maasai
Join us as we explore the beauty of Africa's Tanzania - home to the breathtaking Great Rift Valley. This very exclusive challenge will us trek approximately 100km through wild African country, along a route where Maasai villages and majestic volcanoes rise out of the acacia and savannah bush - this makes the most dramatic but beautiful backdrop imaginable to hold our trekking challenge...
Your Challenge
Starting in the foothills of 8,500ft Mt Longido, a sacred Maasai mountain, we will trek across the floor of the Great Rift Valley right to the foothills of the visually stunning Crater Highlands with the Maasai as our guides! En route, you will also have the chance to climb the volcano Kitumbeine, on whose higher slopes hide remote Maasai settlements, which are hardly ever visited by outsiders.
Our challenges take place just after the monsoon season, which is said to be the very best time to trek. The Great Rift Valley is characterized by rich colours, flora, and fauna that have developed through the rains. In addition to experiencing this fantastic trek, we will also visit Lake Manyara Park and experience a game drive. Lake Manyara is one of the most beautiful lakes in Africa, where orphaned and injured animals from the wild are cared for.
Places are extremely limited due to the nature of this challenge, so don’t delay and register as soon as you can. With the local Maasai as our guides, the best scenery imaginable, and wildlife beyond our imagination, we are sure you will carry the memories of this Maasai Challenge for many years to come.
Your Itinerary
Day 1
Depart from your home for your overnight flight to Tanzania.
Day 2 - Briefing and preparation in Arusha city.
Upon our arrival, we will be met at the airport by our local guides and will transfer to the Maasai land and safari Lodge for dinner and overnight. A detailed briefing with a welcome note will be conducted after check-in at your lodge.
Day 3 - Trek to Longido
Following breakfast, we take the short transfer (half hour) to Kawawa Camp, located in the foothills of the dramatic Mt. Longido – one of the few high peaks in the region that is not volcanic. We then embark on an afternoon acclimatisation trek, taking us into the bush to the small community of Longido. The climate will be very, very hot and dry, but it will help us to adjust sufficiently to the local conditions. Tonight will be spent in the wilderness camp.
Trekking distance approx. 10km
Day 4 - Longido to Kitumbeine
We begin our day with another short transfer (20km) heading west towards Kitumbeine to reach the day’s trek start-point. Today’s Passing Maasai villages and herdsmen, we’ll have our first views of the celebrated mountain, Ol Doiyno Lengai (2,878m) – the most sacred Maasai Mountain in the region. About 2km beyond Kitumbeine Village is Kitumbeine Camp. Our trek today will give us a real understanding of how hardy the Maasai are, who walk these distances regularly as part of their day-to-day life. By the end of the day, we will be captivated by the mystical, eternal beauty of this region, which is known as “The Cradle of Mankind”. Overnight will be spent at Kitumbeine Camp.
Trekking distance approx. 22km
Day 5 - Kitumbeine Mountain & Village
Today’s trek will show us the breathtaking mountain scenery, and also traditional Maasai Bomas (villages). We trek partway up Kitumbeine Mountain (16 km), which takes us to the high Maasai lands and Endaleta Village, where we will have time to visit the market and meet the local people. We will be passing through lands very rarely visited by tourists, and we will have wonderful views across the plains below, which make up the floor of the Great Rift Valley. We then return to our camp for the night.
Trekking distance approx. 16km
Day 6 - Across Dustpans of Nagarirat to Gelai
After breakfast at camp, we start our day with a vehicle transfer to the north-east of Kitumbeine Village. We then cross the low saddle between the mountains of Kitumbeine and Gelai, where we then trek up into the foothills – this section is very challenging with a lot of up hills and very hot weather! From now on, we will start to see more of the wild game that populates the region – in particular, look out for Zebra, Gerenuk, and Giraffe. The birdlife is rich along the entire route, and we will be fascinated by the nests of the Weaver bird, Starling, and the “Go Away” bird. Tonight we camp at Gelai Village.
Trekking distance approx. 18km
Day 7 - Sunken Crater & the Lava Plains
We begin our day very early today and cross a beautiful plain marked by dead volcanic vents. Our trek brings us ever closer to the escarpment of the Rift Valley, which rises from the bush up to Ngorongoro Crater Highlands. After lunch, we trek to the impressive Sunken Crater, where we will be camping overnight at the rim!
Trekking distance approx. 22km
Day 8 - To Engaruka
Another early start greets us today! Following our breakfast, we transfer by vehicle to Ol Doinyo Lengai Tributary, south of the Sunken Crater. We will cross the Ol Kerii plain, passing by small settlements, until we finally reach the Engaruka Stream campsite situated quite near to the ruins of the ancient Engaruka settlement. We will be camping near the riverbank, so there will be plenty of water for showers after a very hot and dusty day.
Trekking distance approx. 15-30 km (dependent on group strength)
Day 9 – Lake Manyara Park
This morning, we waved goodbye to our support team and headed to Lake Manyara Park, where injured and orphaned animals in Tanzania are cared for. We will embark on a game drive around the park to gain a true insight into how the animals are looked after once they have been rescued from the wild. This evening, we celebrate our achievements at our special celebratory dinner. Tonight’s
Accommodation will be at the Masailand Coffee Lodge -Karatu, or Serena Lake Manyara Lodge.
Day 10 - Transfer to Arusha
After a leisurely breakfast, we will transfer to Arusha for last-minute gift shopping with our guide, followed by lunch. We then continue to Kilimanjaro International Airport for the night flight to London, arriving the next day.
Day 11 - Departure
Arrive back home.
