15 Days Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and Safari
All our adventure safaris we use well-maintained Toyota Land Cruisers with roof hatches for unobstructed and up-close game-viewing. Day 1: Arrive in Arusha. You will be welcomed on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport and transferred to Arusha Safari Lodge, for relaxation. We will gather in the hotel for a pre-safari briefing and an equipment check. We will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance. Dinner and overnight at Arusha Safari Lodge: Half board. Day 2: Game drive in Tarangire National Park. Depart after breakfast and drive to Tarangire National Park Tanzania’s third largest national park and sanctuary for an unusually large elephant population, the theater of the wild in Tanzania. Tarangire national park has a lot to offer you in terms of wildlife and its awe- inspiring sights of the gigantic baobab that dot the park. The Tarangire River is the lifeblood of this wonderful reserve and it ensures an abundance of wildlife along the river when they come to get a fair share of the valuable commodity especially in dry seasons. Among animals spotted in Tarangire includes, lions, elephants, leopards, Oryx , dik diks, and a wide range of birds species. Later in the afternoon you will check in at Nsiya Tented Lodge for dinner and overnight: Full board. Day 3: Game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. Early morning game drive is worthy taking if you wish and after breakfast depart Tarangire National Park for Lake Manyara national Park. Lake Manyara is a small beautiful national park famous for the legendary tree climbing lions. Lake Manyara National Park is a birding paradise that has more than 350 species of birds, hot springs, and many other large and small mammals. Lunch can be served at the numerous picnic sites in the park or if you wish you may go for hot lunch at the lodge before returning for game drives in the afternoon. You will drive in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight at Nsiya Lodge Day 4: Game drive in Serengeti National Park. we proceed to Olduvai Gorge, known as the ‘Cradle of Mankind’. It was here, in the Great Rift Valley, that the remains of early hominids dating back 2 million years were uncovered. Afterwards, we visit the most famous wildlife sanctuary in the world – Serengeti National Park. The word ‘Serengeti’ means ‘endless plains’, which describes the park’s 5,600 square mile boundary. Yet for its sprawling area, the Serengeti does not disappoint when it comes to rich game-viewing. Annually, from May to December, millions of animals embark on a migration which brings them from central Serengeti to Kenya’s Masai Mara and back again in an incredible spectacle. Even during the ‘down-time’, vast herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle roam here, along with groups of elephant, giraffe, and buffalo. As the lions, leopard, cheetah, hyenas and jackals stalk their meals, we enjoy a picnic lunch in this open arena. Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Wild Tented Lodge: Full board. Day 5: Game drive in Ngorongoro Crater. We depart from Serengeti for an encore game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater. At the top of the crater, the views of the caldera and the scattered animals below are breathtaking. We venture onto the crater floor for an up close at the residents of this World Heritage Site, and enjoy a picnic lunch here. The Ngorongoro Crater provides great game-viewing all year-round. The wildlife here makes up a permanent population because grazing and water supplies are plentiful throughout the seasons. We have our final dinner and around evening drive back to Arusha. Dinner and overnight at Arusha Safari Lodge: Half board. Mount Meru-Climb Mt. Meru is the best for acclimatization prior to Mount Kilimanjaro climbing; The Mountain is the third highest peak in Africa and is the second highest mountain in Tanzania at 4,568m. The mountain is located within Arusha National Park, Tanzania’s gem. This prime location gives trekkers the chance to spot some of wildlife that inhabits the area. The ascend is quite steep, the route to the summit passes over streams, through parkland, montane forest, a giant heather zone and moorland. The summit is reached by a narrow, barren ridge, which provides stunning views of the Ash Cone lying several thousand feet below in the crater. Day 6: Arusha to Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m). We start from Momella Gate (1,500 m) in late morning and begin our guided hike by a park ranger. Trekkers often spot buffalo, zebra, giraffe, monkeys, antelope, and often elephants along the route. We take lunch at, or near, the Fig Tree Arch, which is big enough to drive a car through! After lunch, the route continues through less dense forest, where there are an abundance of birds and monkeys. Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m). (5-7 hours walking). Day 7: Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m) to Saddle Hut (3,570 m). The hike from Miriakamba Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a short day but a steep climb. The morning starts still in the forest, which slowly gives way to giant heather and groundsel as we zig-zag up the steep slopes. As we hike along the ridge we have our first views of the Meru Crater and the impressive Ash Cone. We reach the Saddle hut for hot lunch. The afternoon is free to relax and to enjoy the views of the mountain. The more energetic can make the short climb to the summit of Little Meru (3,820 m). (3-5 hours walking). Day 8: Saddle Hut (3,570 m) to Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m). We start early at around 2 a.m. to climb steeply to Rhino Point (3,800 m.). Then the path continues along a ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point to the summit of Socialist Peak (4,566 m) is an hour further on a steep path with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro. Kilimanjaro can normally be seen in the distance. However, the fascinating Meru Crater and its cliffs that make up the inner wall will probably capture most of your attention. We enjoy a short rest and brunch at Saddle Hut before continuing the descent to Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m, 10-12 hours walking). Day 9: Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m) – hotel in Arusha. We take a fast descent through open grassland and mixed forest, with good chances of seeing wildlife. This trail has excellent views back towards the crater and over the plains of the National Park. Momela Gate is reached by late morning (2-3 hours walking). Once you reach the end of the climb you will be transferred to your hotel. Rongai Route 6 Day Itinerary Begins at the northern side of Kilimanjaro. We walk through a true wilderness area towards the toothed Mawenzi Peak. The Rongai route is a steady ascent, and is favorite by those with little experience. Day 10: Rongai One (2,600 m); 3-4 hours walking. After completing the necessary registration formalities at Marangu National Park gate, we transfer to Rongai. The climb begins from Nale Moru Gate (1,950 m) on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey. These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white tail. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp, Rongai One, is at the edge of the moorland zone (2,600 m) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains. Day 11: Kikelewa campsite (3,600 m); 6-7 hours walking. The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3,450 m) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern icefields on the crater rim. After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Kikelewa campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant senecios near Kikelewa Caves (3,600 m). Day 12: Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m); 3-4 hours walking. A short but steep climb is rewarded by superb allround views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m), 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 acclimatisation. Day 13: Kibo campsite (4,700 m); 5-6 hours walking. We cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite (4,700 m) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night. Day 14: Horombo Hut (3.720); 11-15 hours walking. We will start the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5,685 m) we will rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi and worm up with cup of tee. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo (4,700 m) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, we continue the descent to reach Horombo Camp (3,720 m). Day 15: Marangu Gate (1,830 m); 5-6 hours walking. A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. We then continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m). As planned will be a private transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) after unforgettable memory. Do feel free to e-mail us at any time to discuss your travel plans and get the accurate quotation. Price Includes: Hotel lodging the night before and the night after the climb (dinner and breakfast included) (double occupancy). Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents: Professional, experienced, mountain guides: Two nights hotel in Marangu All Park fees Rescue fees All meals while on the Mountain Arrival and Departure transfers Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees Quality Mess tents with table and chairs: Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food: Clean, purified drinking water: Private, portable chemical flush toilets: Crisis management and safety procedures: Fair and ethical treatment of porters: Summit Emergency Oxygen: Walking Poles: Sleeping Mattress: Flying Doctor Service: Price Excludes: Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.) Meals not listed above Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc) Tips and any items of personal nature. Safety: Success is what we want during our trip. We are prepared for any urgent situation and also have in place a complete evacuation procedure in case of altitude sickness. We carry first aid supplies and supplement summit oxygen. Travel insurance: All customers travelling with Kuwa huru Adventue Tanzania are required to have fully comprehensive travel insurance. The policy needs to be valid from the date that the initial order is placed so as to provide cover for a cancellation prior to departure. During travel the insurance needs to provide comprehensive medical, evacuation and repatriation cover. Read the full article
