A journey Through the Rift Valley

A JOURNEY THROUGH THE RIFT VALLEY, THE BEST WALKING SAFARI EXPERIENCE

A journey Through the Rift Valley : The Great Rift Valley is the natural wonders of the world that runs approximately 6,000 kilometers and passes through different countries including Tanzania. The rift valley in Tanzania is divided into two branches which is western branch as well as the eastern branch. The rift valley is the main factor that lead to the formation of the deepest lake in the World that is Lake Tanganyika and almost all the great rivers are formed due to the rift valleys and lies within the rift valley which includes the Lake Victoria which lays between the two branches of the rift valley which is between the eastern and western rift valley. The world’s longest rift valley is the Great Rift Valley that runs 6000 kilometers and it’s the one that passes across the east Africa. The rift valleys are formed due to the movement of the tectonic plates that are found in the earth and sometimes in the ocean, they pull apart from each other hence leading to the formation of this landscapes.

The eastern rift valley lead to the formation of many mineral lakes such as the Lake Natron and it borders the Kilimanjaro Mountain. The most remarkable volcanoes can also be located along the rift valley including the Ngorongoro, the empakai, the olmoti and the lengai.

The walking safari along the rift valley is normally the most active and unique safari adventure which has a lot of beautiful scenery that cannot be easily forgotten. It’s a great opportunity to watch the changing lives of the Maasai communities in both Ngorongoro crater and along the shores of Lake Natron.

Trekking on the Great Rift Valley.

Trekking in this Great Rift Valley it can take up to two nights as it normally begins with spending a night at the Empakai crater in Ngorongoro conservation area. The hiking begins here on the rim of the Ngorongoro crater then all the way down to the heart of the Maasai land, A journey Through the Rift Valley. The beautiful sceneries begin soon as you start walking along the stretched uphill that ends with the panoramic view over the surrounding grassland. it’s the 3-4 hours trekking that leads you towards the Empakai volcanoes walking through the bushy areas you will also spot the Oldonyo Lengai mountain in a distance its view will even make your safari less tired because its has the impressive view from afar. Along the way you will also spot most of the birds and will be entertaining your ears all the way when hiking. Spotting elephants, zebras as well as antelopes is also common while hiking. It’s a worthy 9 kilometers walk as you will experience the serenity and quite beauty of this wild area.

On the arrival at the Empakai crater you will spend a night at the camps and have dinner here.in the morning enjoy the sunrise at the wilderness before having another walking safari towards the Ngarasero campsites with a lot of descending the outer hills of the Great rift valley, all the way towards the open plains of the Embulbul depression, as usual the beautiful scenery of the great Oldonyo lengai cannot be missed as it can be easily seen. 

Hiking the Oldonyo Lengai Mountain

Oldonyo Lengai is the only active mountain that is found in Tanzania and it’s found along the Great Rift Valley on the eastern branch. Trekking all the way from the rim of the Ngorongoro crater will could spot the beautiful mountain and it’s finally time to hike to the climax of this mountain. The name of this mountain originated from the Maasai language as it means the holy mountain or the mountain of God. Trailing in this mountain it will lead us down into the rift valley escarpment where the route is hard and has a lot of steeps. Its 5-6 hours walk till you reach to the peak of this mountain.

On the arrival the choice is yours as you can decide to head towards the Engarasero campsite or settle at the Mlima campsites. The Engarasero campsites are more comfortable than the Mlimani campsites because they have working shower and its less hot there, after walking for several hours the only thing that can satisfy your warm boy is the working shower and so I will advise you to pick the Engarasero campsites.

Have a walk towards the lake Natron and meet the Maasai community. From the Engarasero campsite the journey down the valley begins and towards the lake Natron which is the home of flamingos, the beautiful sceneries all the way down towards this lake are exciting and makes you wonder how nature can amaze you that much. Have a chance to go around and walk along the shores of this lake which is found on the Eastern rift valley.  The soda lake Natron is believed to turn birds into stone. The alkaline nature of this lake can reach up to 12Ph, it’s not a good idea to swim in this lake as it can cause itching to your skin due to the level of alkaline and off course it will not turn you into the stone.

In the evening is the perfect time to visit the Maasai community that are found in this area. Have a chance to learn little bit of their culture, their warm welcoming smiles will make you comfortable and feel at home all the time that you’re around them. Enjoy the Maasai dances and see their amazing dressing style as it is different from any other that are found around the world, A journey Through the Rift Valley. Spot their Bomas and houses that are made up mud and woods, their beautiful decorations made up of beads are just wonderful and maybe grab gifts for your friends and families that are made from the Maasai community.

Walk towards the Olduvai Gorge is the cradle of mankind have a chance to explore the fascinating paleoanthropological significance on your way in or out of the Ngorongoro national park. This place is important as it helps in understanding the human evolutions well as the early human occupation. Trekking towards the Olduvai Gorge is visiting the history of the mankind, the geology and landscape that has the life span of about 250 million years. This Tanzania safari is incredible because it feels like walking towards or away from the footsteps of the mankind.

The impressive gorges that are formed after the drifting apart can be up to 30-100 kilometers away from each other that is why the Great Rift Valley is also considered as the wonders of the world. The hot springs, lakes, and the volcanic landscapes is a total unique setting and natural wonder that will impress you will trekking through it.