Ngorongoro highlands hiking
Karatu, Tanzania
About
Trek the forested crater highlands and Empakaai or Olmoti craters with a ranger guide.
Established in 1959, this sprawling conservation area features a volcanic caldera, a gorge & more.
Opening hours
- Monday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Where it is
Getting to & around Karatu
From other cities: Light aircraft use the nearby Lake Manyara airstrip, and most visitors arrive by road from Arusha via Lake Manyara on the way up to the crater.
Getting around: Around town, daladalas, bajaji and taxis cover short trips, while safaris continue by 4x4 up to the Ngorongoro gate and beyond.
Full getting-there guideMore in Karatu
Lodging
Gibb's Farm
A historic coffee estate and lodge with gardens, a working farm and celebrated farm-to-table food.
Lake
Lake Eyasi
A Rift Valley soda lake south of Karatu, home to the Hadzabe and Datoga peoples and rich birdlife.
Tourist Attraction
Ngorongoro Conservation Area gate
The Loduare entrance just above town, threshold to the crater and highlands.
Association / Organization
Karatu coffee estates
Working plantations such as Shangri-La and Ngila offering tours and tastings of local arabica.