A challenging hike that takes you through the thick jungles and down the steep caldera sides to the bottom of the incredible Empakaai Crater. It is a full day's excursion but it is completely worth the effort.

The steep slopes mean hikers need to be reasonably fit, but the walk through the lush forest, with its ancient strangler figs and rich birdlife, is well worth the effort. The trail continues to the lakeshore, where you can view water birds such as flamingo.

A caved in volcanic caldera, Empakaai Crater stands at 300 metres in height and more than six kilometres in width. Rippling at its heart is Empakaai Lake, an 85 metre deep alkaline pool that envelops three quarters of the crater’s floor.

The crater and its surrounds are home to plenty of animals and birds. Look out for blue monkeys, buffalo, bush bucks, water bucks, and an extensive array of kaleidoscopic bird life.