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Kilimanjaro Trekking & Wildlife safari

Kilimanjaro Trekking & Wildlife safari

Overview - 12 Days Mountain Climbing & Trekking

For those who only have six days to climb Kilimanjaro, the Machame route is the best choice because of its acclimatization profile. Compared to other six day routes, the Machame route exposes the climber to higher elevations quicker (day three) which kick-starts the body’s adaptation to altitude. However, this route requires that a person be in good shape to be able to tackle the challenging elevation gains and losses. After the trekking, you will have a chance to visit the great game heavens of Lake Manyara Park, Serengeti Park and Ngorongoro Crater for 4 nights.
Best Time : All Year Round

Day to Day Tour Activities Description

Day 1 - Arrive JRO – This is Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha.

Meet on arrive at JRO and transfer to Arusha, check in at a Mount Meru hotel booked on half board basis, HB

Day 2 - Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Distance: 11 km , Elevation 5,400ft to 9,400ft
The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

Day 3 - Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Distance: 5 km, Elevation 9,400ft to 12,500ft
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite

Day 4 - Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft Distance: 10 km

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Day 5 - Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Distance: 9km, Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Day 6 - Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent, Elevation:15,300ft to 19,345ft
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 7 - Mweka Camp to Arusha

Distance: 10 km, Elevation: 10,000ft to 5,400ft

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to Arusha for overnight at Mount Meru Hotel, based on half board basis, HB.

Day 8 - Arusha – Lake Manyara

After breakfast depart Arusha in the morning for Lake Manyara, afternoon game drive, dinner and overnight at Lake Manyara at Serena lodge.

Day 9 - Lake Manyara – Serengeti national park

After breakfast depart for Serengeti passing through Olduvai Gorge, the site of the Leakey family discovery of fossils of human and animal ancestors dating back to almost two million years.The Serengeti National Park is a large national park in Serengeti area, Tanzania. It is most famous for its annual migration of over one and a half million white bearded wildebeest and 250,000 zebra. Meals and overnight at Serena lodge.

Day 10 - Serengeti Full day

Full day in Serengeti plains, search for wild game you might have missed the previous game drives. Morning and afternoon game drives. Meals and overnight at Serengeti Serena lodge.

Day 11 - Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast drive to Ngorongoro Crater where a 4-wheel drive vehicle will take you 2000ft down to the crater, enjoy picnic lunch at the crater, ascend back to lodge for dinner and overnight at Serena lodge

Day 12 - Ngorongoro – Arusha – Airport.

After breakfast depart for Arusha, with last minute shopping en route, arrive for lunch after lunch you will be drop of to Kilimanjaro International airport for your flight home.

Package Includes

  • All airport transfers
  • Accommodation, Half board in Arusha HB, full board on the climb and safari, FB
  • Knowledgeable Mountain Guide and porters on climbs for professional trekking.
  • All park entry fees, hut fees, rescue fees, Guide and porter’s fees.
  • Transport to and from the mountain gates
  • Cook and all kitchen utensils on the climb
  • Service of an English speaking mountain guide (Tanzanian)
  • Crew allowances and park entry fees
  • Safari transport, entry fees, a bottle of water
  • Service of an English speaking mountain and safari guides
  • Safari Transport based on an excellent 4x4 Vehicle with open roof for comfortable game viewing
  • Driver's allowances and park fees for vehicle and driver
  • Safari Activities as per the Itinerary
  • Complementary bottle of water daily and embroidery safari hat
  • Government taxes

Package Excludes

  • Mountain Gears, (available for hire, $20@ per trip)
  • Visa, Travel Insurance (highly recommended) and Intl. flight
  • Extras i.e. drinks, laundry, telephone and internet
  • Departure tax if any
  • Tips to the Crew (highly recommended)
     
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