During the early morning hours, a Masai who will guide you for the next  couple of days will reach the camp. The Masai guide is escorted by a  couple of donkeys who will carry the luggage for the upcoming trek.  After breakfast and loading the donkeys, the journey begins through the  highland passing many traditional Masai Bomas and their cattle. After a  short distance, 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 are  observing the situation. The campsite for the night will be reached  after 16km, close to the Masai village Bulati.  

After breakfast, the journey goes up a hill where you can take a last  panoramic view of the grass plains. The trek continues up and down  through the bushy landscape which finally opens up to the active  volcano, Oldonyo Lengai. A well-maintained track goes to the crater  bottom, of which one third is covered by the Empakai Lake. This  (alkaline) soda lake is an important source for flamingos, which can be  observed throughout the year. When returning to the camp, a good dinner  will be waiting for you. During the night you might hear the flamingo  calls when flying back to their breeding nests at Lake Manyara and Lake  Natron. 

The loading of the donkeys goes easier every day, as the participants  and the animals are getting familiar with each other. Today, the journey  goes to the Masai village Naiyobi. While following a good track, the  village as well as Oldonyo Lengai can be seen from a distance. Just  after lunch in Naiyobi, the trek leaves the Ngorongoro Crater  Conservation Area and the landscape becomes drier and warmer. The camp  will be set up at a forest with yellow acacia.  

The last stage of the journey is not too long and goes mainly downhill.  The highlights of the trek are the great views of Oldonyo Lengai, Lake  Natron and the Rift Valley. Just before lunchtime you will reach the  waiting jeep. The Masai guide still has to climb the steep escarpment  and will say goodbye soon. Our driver will bring you to Lake Natron  Lodge for a well-deserved cold drink or straight back to Arusha.