Climbing Kilimanjaro and Safari Adventure

Welcome to Tanzania. On this once in a lifetime buck list experience, you will have the opportunity to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. This experience is one you will talk about for the rest of your life! At 19,341 feet, Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain in the world. The Lemosho Glades route is perhaps the least used initial ascent route on Kilimanjaro, partly because of its remote location and likewise the difficult roads leading to the trailhead. The trailhead is at relatively high elevation, and thus we start slow and easy on this route. Buffalo and elephant sightings are possible on the first day trekking through the forest, and the trail is often overgrown from lack of use. The route leads up to the western edge of the Shira Plateau, and the hike across the plateau is said to be one of the most stunningly beautiful hikes in Africa. The trail merges on day three of the trek with the Shira Route, and on day four merges with the Machame Route. From this point, all three trails continue to Lava Tower, and then down into the Great Barranco Valley, where the Umbwe route joins steeply from the south. From here, the trail circumvents counter-clockwise around the upper slopes of the Kibo massif, over the high-desert ridges to the Karanga Valley, then to an exposed campsite set on a high ridge. From Barafu Camp, we overnight attempt at Africa’s highest peak which will be an experience that few ever forget. The route as per this itinerary is the longest distance to trek up Kilimanjaro, so fitness certainly plays a role in the enjoyment and success of this trek. We start slow and gain altitude slowly for the first four days, then the physical and mental demand will continue to increase. The many changes of scenery and spectacular hike across the Shira Plateau make this trek truly special. The accommodation during the trek is in mountain tents and dining is in mess tents. After the trek is complete, continue to Ngorongoro where you will have daily nature walks and safari game drives in search of the Big Five.

Hotels:

Park View Inn, Sal Salinero, Hotel, Panama Garden or Bristol Cottages, Moshi
Trekking Tents, Kilimanjaro Trek
Balloon Safari Camp, Tarangire National Park
Ngorongoro Serina Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro

Included:

Meals:

11 Breakfasts
10 Lunches
11 Dinners

Activities:

Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro
Game drive in Tarangire National Park
Enjoy lunch with locals at Mto Wa Mbu village
Game drive Lake Manyara National Park
Multiple game drives at Ngorongoro Crater

Other Services:

Ground transfers with pick up and drop off from Arusha or JRO to/from base Hotel in Moshi
Transport from Moshi to the Mountain gate
Park fees, park entry fees and fees of national park approved guides and porters
Drinking water & fruit juices
Experienced cooks, guides and porters
Tents, dining or mess tents, camping table and chairs.(On camping routes only).
Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
Ground transportation in a 7 seater 4x4 safari vehicle with English-Speaking driver-guide
VAT on Ground Transportation, Crater Service Fee, & Park Entry Fees

Not Included:

Meals not mentioned in the program
Tips for porters, guide and driver- the value of the tip is up to the client
All other services not mentioned as included
International airfare throughout the program
International airport taxes, airport porter and extra baggage
Hotel early check-in and late check-out
Personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities
Any expenses of personal nature such as telephone, laundry, alcohol, etc.
Travel Visa
Travel Insurance
Inoculations and travel insurance
Other beverages apart from fruit juices and drinking water given on the first day of the climb. Boiled water is given during the climb
Mountain gear equipment on the mountain outside of tents, camping table and chairs

Notes:

International flights should arrive and depart out of Kilimanjaro International Airport

Liability and risks:

The company and its agents act only as an agent of agents in all matters relating to tours and shall not be liable for injury, death, delay, loss, damage, illness or weather conditions for a cause in any manner.

The company's liability carried in the vehicle is governed by the respective laws of the country and all claims are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of the country.

The company reserves the right to subcontract all or any part of the services agreed to be supplied.

The company cannot be held responsible for loss or damage to baggage or equipment.

The company draws your attention to the fact that there are certain inherent risks present when on safari, or when engaging in any strenuous physical activity. It is your sole responsibility to obtain appropriate medical advice as to medication, immunization, and whether or not you are fit enough to undertake the trip, prior to departure.

Alteration of tours:

The right is reserved to change any arrangements should conditions so necessitate.

Re-routing of Itineraries due to limited space availability: There may be some departures operated on a re-routed version depending on the status given, but reflecting the same experience and number of game drives.

Refund:

A refund will not be provided if parts of the service/ climb are not utilized.

Cancellation during the climb, the client will not receive any refund on not used service. If the client has to be brought down to Moshi for injuries and does not complete the climb, the refund will not be made to the unused services/ climb.

Any extra cost will be barred by the client.

Baggage:

Your personal baggage limit is 12 kg per person for the climb.

Luggage space: Soft-sided luggage or duffels are preferable to hard luggage for storage on safari vehicles within East Africa. Large suitcases of dimensions greater than 24'x 17'x 7' are impossible to store in vehicles and on aircraft and should not be used. (Baggage and personal effects are at owner's risk throughout the tour and baggage insurance for members is strongly advised).

Rates:

Should the government introduce/increase any fees, taxes, levies etc. affecting the above rates the same will be passed on to the client

Government Taxes and Levies: The rates above are inclusive of current levies & taxes as of today, however, should there be any new statutory taxes introduced and/or increase of any current levies by Government/statutory bodies the same shall be passed on to you
Tanzania National Park Authority (TANAPA): The quoted Park Entry Fees are based on the current tariff which is valid up to 30th June 2021. Should TANAPA increase the entry fees from 1st July 2021 the same will be passed on to each traveler.

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Day 1

Arrival

Pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi town, which is commonly known as the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro. This evening will be at your leisure to prepare for an experience of a lifetime climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Park View Inn or Sal Salinero Hotel, Panama Garden or Bristal Cottages

Day 2

Lemosho Trailhead- Forest Camp

Depart this morning from the hotel for Londorossi gate, here you will complete entry formalities and double check you have all your gear. Once completed, we will drive about an hour to the Lemosho trailhead entry way. Upon arrival at trailhead, we will have lunch, then begin through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp. Today we will trek for approximately 3-4 hours.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at Forest Camp (Mtee Mkubwa Camp)

Day 3

Forest Camp-Shira 1 Camp

After breakfast, we will ascend out of the forest and take a steep trek into a Savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we continue, the scenery keeps getting more spectacular as we trek through the lush rolling hills below the Shira plateau and finally reach camp at the edge of the plateau. After you complete your trek for approximately 5-6 hours, you will have a chance to relax at the Shira 1 Camp and take in the amazing view of Kibo from across the plateau.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at Shira 1 Camp

Day 4

Shira 1 Camp- Shira 2 Camp

Embark on a full day exploration of the Shira plateau. Start your trek East toward Kibo’s glacier peak, with the option to visit the ancient collapsed Shira cone, the oldest of Kilimanjaro’s three volcanoes. After your 3-hour trek, you will eventually arrive at Shira 2 camp with an elevation of 12,600 ft. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth, averaging 12,500 feet.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at Shira 2 Camp

Day 5

Shira 2 Camp- Barranco Camp

Start your day trekking for 4 hours as you steadily make your way upward over the expansive ridgelines of the high desert to Lava Tower for lunch. Lava Tower, known for being a 300-foot volcanic plug, marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet. In the afternoon, descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set in a valley enclosed on three sides with the massive valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, amidst the eerie landscape of plants such as the giant groundsels (Senecio Kilimanjari), and the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia. Total trekking time is 6-7 hours.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at Barranco Camp

Day 6

Barranco Camp- Barafu Camp

The day begins with a scramble up the steep “Barranco Wall”, then traversing up and down the slopes of valleys which have carved their way into the mountain’s southern face. Kibo’s glaciers loom above to your left and the jagged peaks of Mawenzi jut into the African sky at just under 17,000 feet straight ahead. We will reach the Karanga Valley after 3-4 hours of trekking to find a hot lunch served. In the afternoon the trail turns steadily uphill. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting as a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight tonight. Eat and drink as much as possible before retiring to your tent for rest and sleep.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Barafu Camp

Day 7

Barafu Camp- Uhuru Peak-Mweka Camp

A steaming hot drink will arrive very early on this momentous day. A midnight wake-up call is the start of a juggernaut (12-17 hours of trekking). You begin trekking at 1 am. The winding path of endless switchbacks will take form and shape in the shadows of the Ratzel and Rebman glaciers at early dawn, and behind you the spires of Mawenzi will be silhouetted against the red glow of the sun from beneath the clouds. After about 6 hours of walking, you will come to the edge of the crater; Stella Point, at 19,000 feet on the crater rim, is the end of the steep track. From here, there is a gentle slope about 1 hour to Uhuru Peak. The strength it takes to ascend this final 340 feet is, for many, monumental. After a short time at the summit, descend the steep scree trail back to Barafu Camp for some rest, then summon your strength again for further descent to Mweka Camp for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at Mweka Camp

Day 8

Mweka Camp- Mweka Gate

Descend straight to the gate for 2-3 hours, where you’ll have lunch and will be awarded climbing certificates for completing this trek. Upon return, transfer to the base hotel for a hot shower, dinner and overnight in a long awaited bed to sleep in.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at Park View Inn, Sal Salinero Hotel, Panama Garden or Bristal Cottages

Day 9

Moshi –Arusha – Tarangire

After breakfast, drive to Tarangire where we will arrive for lunch at Balloon Safari Camp. You will enjoy an afternoon game drive in the park searching for the big 5 before returning to your hotel to have dinner and an evening of leisure.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodations: Balloon Safari Camp

Day 10

Tarangire – Manyara – Ngorongoro

After breakfast, depart to Lake Manyara National Park where you will enjoy a morning game drive followed by Treetop walk. Enjoy lunch and visit Mto Wa Mbu village where you will have a chance to visit the people, markets, and learn about the daily life of the local villagers. Enjoy an afternoon of leisure unless you wish to take part in an optional biking tour around the village. Later this evening, we will continue our drive to Ngorongoro where we will spend the final two nights of our journey.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodations: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Day 11

Ngorongoro Crater Tour

Early this morning we will pick up a warm beverage at reception and head out in search of the Big Five.

After searching for lions, hyenas, elephants, giraffes, and antelope, we return to the lodge mid-morning for some time at leisure before a delightful lunch. After lunch, enjoy leisure time at the lodge or take part in an optional afternoon Ngorongoro Nature Walk. This evening’s dinner will be served at the lodge unless you wish to take part in an optional bush dinner in the Ngorongoro Crater.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodations: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Day 12

Ngorongoro – Arusha – Depart

Early this morning we will pick up a warm beverage at reception and head out in search of the Big Five. After your return, enjoy breakfast, then continue to Arusha for lunch. After lunch, continue to Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will depart after completing this bucket list adventure.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

The activity Level for this tour is:

Challenging - Come prepared to sweat and exercise. Multiple high-altitude hikes, cycling, or other instances of heavy exercise. Prior training and/or frequent exercise highly recommended before travel.

Optional items for Kilimanjaro hike:

Oxygen Cylinder
Hyperbaric Pressure Bag
Chemic Toilet
Pulse Oximeter