Clive and Barbara Last, Sheffield

Our week involved a half day in the Lake Manyara National Park, a short walk in the 

Endoro Forest before moving into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. We stayed at 

Rhino Lodge close to the crater. We had a half day in the Crater. We then walked for 

a couple of hours around the crater rim through forests and with great views down 

into the crater.

Our other walks were more substantial down into the Empakaai Crater, up to the 

Olmoti Crater, we climbed Mount Makarot and a long walk around the Crater rim. 

The Mount Makarot walk was around 7 hours with about 800m of ascent. The views 

were stunning and varied. We finished across the Malanja Depression, this was a 

highlight for us. The longer Ngorongoro Crater rim walk about 5 and a half hours 

about 25km. This was at a steady pace suited to our fitness.

We felt that the first couple of shorter walk enabled our guide (Dennis Lyamuya) to 

assess our levels of fitness so that they were able to tailor the rest of the walks to our 

abilities. The Empakaai and Olmoti Crater and Mount Makarot walks involved some 

steady climbs. The first two fairly short but the latter quite a long climb. However, 

they were easily manageable for people who are used to hill walking.

Once the week had started, the programme was flexible and adjusted to both our 

tastes and ability. Originally our programme had involved a walk up Mount Oldeani 

with views over Lake Eyasi but this was changed for a walk around the Ngorongoro 

Crater rim walk as this would offer more variety.

One of the things we particularly liked about the walking was being on the ground 

rather than in a vehicle. It was much more exciting to see animals, albeit in the 

distance, when you're on foot. Walking meant that you went through villages and 

amongst local people going about their day to day business; going to tend bee hives, 

returning from the market, taking cattle to water and for women, the relentless task of 

gathering firewood and collecting water. As with our experience on our Kenyan 

safari, the guide's knowledge was extensive and also specific to the area we were in 

so that we learned about local village life and wildlife.

Interestingly, walkers in the area are obliged to have an armed ranger accompany 

them. This is for protection against animals. Our ranger was very friendly and also 

had lots of local knowledge. Walking in an environment like this does have an 

element of danger but you feel entirely safe having the guide and ranger alongside. 

They were both very careful and conscious of our safety, wellbeing and enjoyment at 

all times.

Finally, we would recommend a visit to Shanga Shangaa in Arusha which provides

employment for about 55 disabled adults – a great place to but locally produced

souvenirs.

Thanks again

Clive and Barbara Last