Ngorongoro Nature Walk

The Ngorongoro Crater rim walk normally takes two hours, and starts from Lemala Gate located about 4 kilometers to the northwest of Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge. The nature trail is confined to the eastern rim of the crater, and the walk from Lemala Gate takes a southeast direction as if returning to Ngorongoro Sopa. This is a forested area, excellent for botanical and bird-watching experiences. Occasionally visitors would encounter buffalos and elephants along the trail as well as Maasai cattle herders.

The destination of this walk is the Quarry Hill (2365metres) which offers an excellent view of the crater floor. This is a leisurely walk and would normally continue on to the junction of the main road to Ngorongoro Sopa, a kilometer up from the Quarry Hill, where a vehicle and driver would be waiting to meet them. Rarely though some visitors would choose to continue walking all the way to Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge about 2 kilometers further up, a bit strenuous walk. So the walk can take about 2 hours from Lemala Gate to the pick-up point at the main road junction, or 3 hours if one continues up to Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.