Wildlife Safari
Overview
Tanzania is one of the most attractive countries in Africa due to its diversity of facets. From Kilimanjaro, the breathtaking National Parks, to huge lakes, to the beautiful coast at the Indian Ocean with the offshore islands Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia, the country invites you to stay. Tanzania is also a true mosaic of ethnic diversity.
Look forward to extraordinary encounters with fascinating people and foreign cultures.
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Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport
- Day 2: Nale Muru Gate – Simba Camp
- Day 3: Simba Camp – Second Cave Camp
- Day 4: Second Cave Camp – Kikelewa Camp
- Day 5: Kikelewa Camp- Mawenzi Tarn
- Day 6: Mawenzi Tarn – Kibo Hut
- Day 7: Kibo Huts – Uhuru Peak Summit
- Day 8: Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate – Arusha
- Day 9: Departure Day
DAY 1
Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport
Welcome to Tanzania! We will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport and take you to your hotel in Arusha.
DAY 2
Nale Muru Gate – Simba Camp
Elevation: 1997m/6552ft to 2635m/8645ft
Distance: 7km/ 4.3 miles
Hours: 3-4 hrs.
Habitat: rainforest
Departing from Moshi a 4–5-hour drive will take you through the coffee plantations and Village of Nale Muru to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead Enjoy the beautiful, wooded scenery, and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife you are likely to see. Simba camp sits near the first cave at the edge of the moorland zone with spectacular views of the plains of Kenya.
DAY 3
Simba Camp – Second Cave Camp
Elevation: 2635m/8645ft to 3487m/11440ft
distance: 5.8 km/ 3.6 miles
Hours: 5-6 hrs.
Habitat: Moorland
After a good night sleep and a hearty breakfast, we continue along moorland terrain on a consistent ascending path. You will catch some terrific views of Kibo and get your first glimpse of the ice fields on the Eastern crater rim. The small shrubs of the moorland became thinner as you approve the Second Cave. Temperatures begin to drop.
DAY 4
Second Cave Camp – Kikelewa Camp
Elevation: 3487m/11,440ft to 3675m/12057ft
Distance: 5.9km / 3.7 miles
Hours: 2-3 hrs.
Habitat: Semi Desert
After breakfast and packing, you continue your stead ascent across the Moorland towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. This relatively short hiking day brings you closer to the Easter ice fields, continually drawing your attention to their beauty. Pay attention to your body and keep your guide informed of any signs of altitude sickness.
DAY 5
Kikelewa Camp- Mawenzi Tarn
Elevation: 3487m/11440ft to 4302m/14114ft
Distance: 2.75 km/ 2.3 miles
Hours: 3-4 hrs.
Habitat: Semi desert
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb views. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn, spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization.
If you are spending an extra day on the mountain, you will camp for two nights here. You can hike up and around Mawenzi for your acclimatization hike.
DAY 6
Mawenzi Tarn – Kibo Hut
Elevation: 4302m/14,114ft to 4714m/15,466ft
Distance: 8.9 km/ 5 miles
Hours: 4-5 hrs.
Habitat: Alpine desert
Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent on Summit Night.
DAY 7
Kibo Huts – Uhuru Peak Summit
Elevation: 4302m/14,114ft to 5895m/19,341ft
Distance: 4km/ 2.5 miles
Hours: 5-7 hrs.
Habitat: Glacier/ Snowcapped summit
Descent to 3721m/12,208ft
Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers trying to stay warm and focused of the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way.
Congratulations, one step at a time you have now reached Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!
After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent down to Horombo.
DAY 8
Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate – Arusha
Elevation: 3721m/12,208 to 1905m/6250ft
After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down stopping at the Mandara Huts for lunch. Remember. You return to the Marangu Park Gate and receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy, and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles. From the gate, a vehicle will meet you to drive you back to your hotel in ARUSHA (about TWO HOURS). Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner, and celebrations!!
DAY 9
Departure Day
After breakfast you will be taken by one of our representatives to the airport Zanzibar, where you will start your journey home.
(Flight time details are to be indicated)
Includes
- 2 nights in hotel (double room)
- Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Hotel
- Transfer from hotel to Kilimanjaro Airport
- All park entry, camping and rescue fees.
- All meals cooked and filtered drinking water on the mountain.
- Warm water for washing every morning and evening.
- Oxygen cylinder - for emergencies only
- English speaking guides (Wilderness First Responder - certified), cook and carrier.
- Staff salaries and fees
- Transport to / from National Park Gates
- First aid kit and pulse oximeter
- 3 delicious meals daily
- On the first day of your hike 3 liters of bot-tled drinking water will be provided, on the mountain the porters will fetch water from the streams, which will be cooked and fil-tered for you.
