KILIMANJARO, GAMEPARKS & GORILLAS

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KILIMANJARO, GAMEPARKS & GORILLAS Tanzania - Kenya - Uganda - Rwanda 2017-32 nights 02 Sep : Kilimanjaro Airport - Marangu (D) Fly into Kilimanjaro Airport where you will be met and transferred to

Later this afternoon there will be a climb brief and gear check. 04 Sep : Machame gate to Machame camp (B,L,D) Vehicles take climbers from Marangu to Machame Gate.

1 KILIMANJARO, GAMEPARKS & GORILLAS Tanzania - Kenya - Uganda - Rwanda nights 02 Sep : Kilimanjaro Airport - Marangu (D) Fly into Kilimanjaro Airport where you will be met and transferred to the hotel. 03 Sep : Moshi, Marangu (B,L,D) Relaxing day to acclimatise. There will be an option to take a guided walk through the village to see how they grow coffee and learn about the Chagga people. Later this afternoon there will be a climb brief and gear check. 04 Sep : Machame gate to Machame camp (B,L,D) Vehicles take climbers from Marangu to Machame Gate. This is a drive of around 2 to 3 hours. The gate is at 1800 metres at the entrance to the forest. From here, a 5 to 6 hour walk, gradually ascending through the lush forest to a ridge between two streams and then onwards to the camp which is just clear of the forest at 3000 metres. 05 Sep : Machame camp to Shira camp (B,L,D) The trail ascends a steep ridge from Machame camp through moorland to about 3600 metres, heading straight towards the peak. Then, after about 4 hours, the path turns left, crosses a number of streams, and ascends more gradually to Shira camp at 3840 metres on the Shira plateau to the west of Kibo. Total time is about 5-6 hours. 06 Sep : Shira camp to Barranco camp (B,L,D) The path continues through high altitude desert directly up the ridge towards Kibo. After about 4 hours, Lava Tower is reached at 4,500 metres. Climbers are now directly at the foot of the Great Western Breach of Kibo, the scene of a massive avalanche in pre-historic days which formed the Umbwe Valley. The path now forks to the right and descends into the Umbwe Valley, also called the Barranco Valley, and the night is spent at Barranco camp on the valley floor at 3985 metres. This is an interesting day, since climbers ascend to 4500 metres at lunchtime, but then descend to a camp which is only slightly higher than where they were in the morning. 07 Sep : Barranco camp to Karanga Valley camp (B,L,D) The path climbs out of the Barranco Valley via the Barranco wall. This is a steep 1 to 2 hour climb, ascending about 300 metres. The path then follows the gently undulating Kibo South Circuit. Wonderful views are to be had of Kibo's southern glaciers if the weather is clear. After about 3 hours the Karanga valley is reached. There is a short but steep descent into the valley, which has a small stream running through it, and then a short climb up the eastern valley wall. At the top of the wall, at 4000 metres, is the Karanga Valley camp. 08 Sep : Karanga Valley camp to Barafu camp (B,L,D) Although Barafu camp is visible from early on in the trek, as one nears the ridge upon which it is located it disappears from view. You are walking in high altitude over slate type scree with interesting views of the final ascent route and as one nears Barafu camp on the opposite side of the valley are terrific views of the ridge known as The Red Wall. 09 Sep : Barafu camp to summit then down to Millennium or Mweka camp (B,L,D) Climbers are woken at about 11pm. After dressing in all your warm clothing, have a hot drink and then set off at midnight. The first part of the ascent is on a rocky ridge. This then turns into scree. The surface is loose and can be hard going. On its steepest sections, the path zig zags up the scree. It takes an average of 7 hours to reach Stella Point on the crater rim. On a fine morning, the views of the sun rising from behind Mawenzi are spectacular. Stella Point is at 5,750 metres. From here, the path goes around the crater rim for a further hour to the summit at Uhuru Peak, 5896 metres. The descent

back to Barafu Camp can take a further 3 or 4 hours. After a rest and a meal, the descent continues to Mweka Camp at 3100 metres, a further trek of around 4 hours.

10 Sep : Mweka camp to Mweka Gate (B,L,D) The path descends for around 3 hours through the forest to Mweka gate.

2 back to Barafu Camp can take a further 3 or 4 hours. After a rest and a meal, the descent continues to Mweka Camp at 3100 metres, a further trek of around 4 hours. If climbers are very tired, or if it is late, camp can be made at Millennium Camp at 3800 metres this simply increases the length of the following walking day by around an hour. 10 Sep : Mweka camp to Mweka Gate (B,L,D) The path descends for around 3 hours through the forest to Mweka gate. Vehicles will be waiting to transport climbers and crew back to Marangu Hotel for a well-earned hot shower and cool beverage! 11 Sep : Karatu (B,L,D) Today we drive through Arusha and the northern highlands. After climbing the Manyara Escarpment, the vegetation becomes more lush and green, especially around the highlands of Karatu where we overnight. The extinct volcano of Ol Deani has gentle slopes and is a prominent feature of the landscape Accommodation: Kudu Lodge (H) 12 Sep : Serengeti (B,L,D) You will be picked up this morning in 4WD vehicles and driven to The Serengeti National Park. The largest national park in Tanzania, the Serengeti, is famous for its migratory herd of more than 1.5 million wildebeest, along with masses of zebra and of course their predators. This afternoon enjoy a game, before arriving at Seronera before dinner. Accommodation: Seronera Campsite (C) 13 Sep : Serengeti Ngorongoro (B,L,D) Morning game drive before travelling across the plains to Naabi Hill where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we continue into the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area and drive to Olduvai Gorge. The gorge has a geology that fossil-hunters love. A river cuts through several layers of strata with four distinct beds. The oldest, is about 2 million years old and famous for the first fossil ape skulls to be found, including the 25- million-year-old primate found by Louis & Mary Leakey. Later we drive up to the crater rim where we overnight. Accommodation: Simba Camp, Crater Rim (C) Ngorongoro Crater. This area is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful parts of Tanzania, steeped in history and teeming with wildlife. Within the crater, large herds of zebra and wildebeest graze, and we will hopefully spot The Big 5. Outside the crater s ridge, tall Maasai herd their cattle and goats over green pastures through the highland slopes. This evening we stay at the unique Snake Park don t worry the snakes are locked up! You can take a guided tour and learn about some of the most dangerous snakes in the world, including the Black and Green Mamba, Egyptian Cobra, Puff Adders and many more. You can even hold a live snake. This evening relax and enjoy a fully equipped camp site and legendary bar. Accommodation: Snake Park (C) 15 Sep : Nairobi (B,L) Today we cross the border into Kenya and drive through to Nairobi, Kenya s capital. Our base for the next two nights is in the suburb of Karen, named after Karen Blixen - author of the popular book Out of Africa. (B,L) Accommodation: Karen Camp (A/E) 16 Sep : Nairobi (B) Free day to kick-back, catch up on your washing, s, shopping etc. There is a good choice of restaurants and bars close-by, plus a modern supermarket where you can stock up on personal supplies. Option to visit the nearby animal orphanage. Accommodation: Karen Camp (A/E) 17 Sep : Masai Mara (B,L,D) Today is a reasonably long, but interesting, drive into The Masai Mara stopping along the way for lunch. As we get closer to the park you will see herds of goats & cows wandering the vast plains and dutifully watched by their Masaai owners. Accommodation: Mara Springs Tented Camp (PT) 18 Sep : Masai Mara (B,L,D) We spend the day game driving within the Park. You will not be disappointed with the game in the Masai Mara! Vast herds of Zebra, Wildebeest and Antelope and the home of The Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo & rhino). The Masai Mara is quite simply, one of the greatest wildlife attractions in the world and at this time of year we should see the migration which is spectacular. We ll have lunch by the Mara River and free time to wander about for photo opportunities of whatever animals might be around the river at the time. In the afternoon we will visit a Masai village to meet the locals and learn about some of their age-old customs and the way they live their semi-nomadic lifestyle. Accommodation: Mara Springs Tented Camp (PT) 14 Sep : Ngorongoro Crater Snake Park (B,L,D) We will enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area early in the morning and spend a half day game driving in the

Joy became world famous for her pioneering conservation work and relationship with the lioness Elsa, as told in her best selling book and subsequent film, Born Free.

3 19 Sep : Lake Naivasha (B,L,D) We leave the Masai Mara this morning and drive to Lake Naivasha. This afternoon we take a boat ride on the lake viewing hippos, fish eagles, and lots of birdlife before arriving at Elsamere, the former home of the late Joy & George Adamson. Joy became world famous for her pioneering conservation work and relationship with the lioness Elsa, as told in her best selling book and subsequent film, Born Free. After a video presentation on the life of the Adamsons, we ll spend some time relaxing over a delicious afternoon tea in the gardens. This is a haven for lovers of nature, set in Acacia forest on the banks of Lake Naivasha. Accommodation: Fish Eagle Camp (AE) 20 Sep : Nakuru National Park (B,L,D) Today we enter Lake Nakuru National Park and spend the day game driving. This park is small by comparison to the Mara and packed with wildlife. The soda lake has over 400 species of birdlife, including thousands of pink flamingos an ornithologists paradise. It is also home to both the black and white Rhino, and where many of the scenes from the movie Out of Africa were filmed. Accommodation: Camping Nakuru NP (C) 24 Sep : Kampala (B,L) A short drive brings us to colourful, chaotic Kampala, Uganda s capital. This evening you have the opportunity to dine out in one of the great restaurants on offer and experience the night life of Kampala (optional). Accommodation: Silver Springs Hotel (H) 25 Sep : Fort Portal (B,L,D) Leaving Kampala in the morning, we drive west to Fort Portal. This laidback un-touristy town is located in the heartland of lush tea-growing plantations and also offers numerous great walking and swimming opportunities with the abundant flora, fauna, Lake Nyabikere, and Rwenzori Mountains all within easy reach of Fort Portal. Accommodation: Mountains of the Moon Hotel (H) 26 Sep : Fort Portal (B,L,D) The Kibale Forest is 766 sq km and largely comprises of rainforest where 60 mammal and 335 bird species reside, as well as many different insects and plants. There are 13 primate species, of which the chimpanzees 21 Sep : Nakuru (B,L,D) After a morning game drive we stop in Nakuru town for a shop and then drive out to Kembu Farm. This camp has great facilities and is set in beautiful gardens - a great place to kick-back. You can spend the afternoon going on a farm walk and/or visit the Kenana knitters project. Accommodation: Kembu Farm (A/E) 22 Sep : Kenyan Highlands (B,L,D) We drive up the very picturesque Eldama Ravine today towards Eldoret. We will be staying at Naiberi River Camp up in the highlands where it is much cooler. The camp is more of a laid-back resort and has a pool, shady gardens, great restaurant and a very vibrant bar with unique furnishings. Accommodation: Naiberi River Camp (AE dorm) option to upgrade to private room with ensuite from US$40pp 23 Sep : Jinja (B,L,D) After breakfast, we cross in to Uganda and drive through to Jinja where we will spend the night on the shores of the Nile River, close to Bujagali Falls and the source of the Nile. The luxuriant vegetation covering the river banks, and the diversity of bird life attracted by the multitude of fish, complete a stunning vista. Our camp has a great bar overlooking the river and view of the bungy jump. Accommodation: Adrift Camp (PT) are a star attraction. Today you will be driven deep in to the forest to meet your guides who will escort you through the park to look for these fascinating primates in their natural habitat. Sometimes high up in trees, sometimes on the ground playing around wherever you find a chimpanzee community you will be left in awe of their strong family ties and their pure athletism. The rest of the day is free to relax at the hotel, or explore the town & surrounds. Accommodation: Mountains of the Moon Hotel (H) 27 Sep : Queen Elizabeth National Park (B,L,D) Uganda is often dubbed 'the Pearl of Africa or the Switzerland of Africa'. Our destination is Queen Elizabeth National Park which is especially scenic, with two lakes connected by a channel overlooked by a high peninsula. We arrive here after lunch and take an afternoon boat cruise on The Kazinga Channel. It is well worth the trip to see the thousands of hippo, the abundant bird life and busy fishing village. This evening we dine in the luxury lodge s scenic restaurant. Accommodation: Mweya Lodge (H) 28 Sep : Lake Bunyonyi (B,L,D) Today s drive is particularly scenic through lush banana and tea plantations. Early afternoon we reach the

colourful town of Kabale and stop for supplies, before driving on to Lake Bunyonyi. The Lake is reputed to be one of the deepest in Africa and is fantastic for swimming in.

4 colourful town of Kabale and stop for supplies, before driving on to Lake Bunyonyi. The Lake is reputed to be one of the deepest in Africa and is fantastic for swimming in. The surrounding hills are the home of the Bakiga people who are cultivators by tradition. Later this afternoon we take a cruise around the islands and visit a boarding school. Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Resort (PT) 29 Sep : Lake Bunyonyi (B,L,D) Free day to enjoy the lake, and maybe do a guided walk, visit an orphanage, or hire a dugout canoe. There are plenty of optional activities to enjoy. Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Resort (PT) 30 Sep : Ruhengeri (B,L,D) Today we cross into Rwanda and drive through to Ruhengeri where we base ourselves for the next few days. Our hotel has a lively rooftop bar, and is only five minutes walk from the town centre. 01 Oct : Gorilla Trekking Day (B,L,D) We will be picked up early in the morning and taken up to the park entrance headquarters. From here we will be split into groups of 8 with a guide and park rangers and driven to the Parc National des Volcans to begin our hike in to see the awesome Mountain Gorillas. Expect to trek anything from 1 to 4-hours around and up a thickly forested volcano with overhanging vines, moss covered trees and giant Lobelias that thrive in the tropical climate. Depending on where the gorillas are, you may have to go off the track and climb steeply through thick bush. After all the effort of your climb, your heart will be in your throat when you finally come across a family of gorillas. There are around 700 gorillas left in the world and nothing could be more of a privilege than to spend an hour watching them as they go about their daily routine of feeding, playing, cleaning and resting in their own territory. An unforgettable experience! 02 Oct : Ruhengeri (B,L,D) Yesterday was getting up close to gorillas, today we get to know the Rwandan people. We ll drive to a village close to Ruhengeri where you can spend time with the locals and visit the widows and orphans huts for an insight in to how they live, work and cook their local foods. 03 Oct : Kigali (B,L) Leave Ruhengeri in the morning and drive through the mountains to Kigali, Rwanda s capital city. We will spend a sobering few hours at the Genocide Museum in the morning, then after lunch visit the carving and curio markets. Our hotel has a popular bar and rooftop restaurant for you to enjoy the last evening in. Accommodation: Chez Lando Hotel (H) 04 Oct : Kigali Airport (B) You will be transferred from the hotel to the airport for your onward flight. DATE Start Kilimanjaro, Tanzania - 02 Sept 2017 End Kigali, Rwanda 04 Oct 2017 COST NZ$13,500 per person twin share NZ$1220 single supplement * * If you are willing to share, we will endeavour to match you up with another same-gender solo traveller to share at the twin price. If we are unable to provide a share, you will need to pay the single supplement. INCLUSIONS Kilimanjaro Climb with experienced Guides, accompanied by porters and cook 32 nights accommodation as indicated Meals as indicated : B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner Sightseeing as indicated Services of experienced driver/guide plus camp/cook assistant Fully equipped safari vehicle, with camping / cooking equipment All road tolls, vehicle taxes, National Park entry fees Airport transfers on Days 1 & 33 between the hours

EXCLUSIONS Gorilla Permit (valued at US$770), Chimpanzee permit (USD$170 per person) Tipping Guides and Porters for Kilimanjaro climb and Gorillas and Chimps (USD$200) International airfares Travel

5 EXCLUSIONS Gorilla Permit (valued at US$770), Chimpanzee permit (USD$170 per person) Tipping Guides and Porters for Kilimanjaro climb and Gorillas and Chimps (USD$200) International airfares Travel Insurance Entry Visa to all countries (purchased at border) Items of a personal nature (eg. drinks, souvenirs) Sleeping bag & pillow Any other optional activities you choose to take yourself ACCOMMODATION H standard hotel with ensuite facilities. A/E basic accommodation (most with ensuite facilities), eg. chalet, cottage, banda. PT permanent tent with wooden floor and twin beds. Short walk to shared bathroom facilities. C camping in easily erected dome tents. 50mm foam mattress. Built in mosquito net. Short walk to basic shared bathroom facilities. GROUP SIZE: Minimum 8, Maximum 18 VISAS NZ passport holders can get visas on arrival in Africa. Approx prices: US$50 Tanzania US$100 East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda) KILIMANJARO TREK Being generally fit and healthy is paramount to coping with altitude. Your training before you go should be focussed on cardio along with some hill walks and swimming. When you are trekking in altitude even the fittest people can suffer and it affects everyone differently. Hydration is extremely important. Our Guides are very experienced and specially trained to ensure you have a safe and rewarding climb. You will also be accompanied by a cook and porters. Pre-Departure Information and Climbing Equipment list will be sent to you well in advance so you can start preparing early.

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