13 days safari
Tour Overview Experience two of Africa's most famous natural wonders from ground level on this combined tour, designed for those with a passion for adventure. The imposing peaks of Mt Kilimanjaro inspire awe and rouse a spirit of adventure, while the vast plains of the Serengeti evoke a sense of wonder and deep respect for the animal kingdom. Rise to the challenge and conquer Africa's highest peak on a difficult trek to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. Safari through the savanna in search of stealthy predators, then spot other game in the gigantic Ngorongoro Crater. This is a journey that will reward those with an appetite for excitement and an appreciation for nature, so get ready for thrills, challenges and discovery.
& Rhino Safari Tour Highlights Mount Kilimanjaro the highest Mountain in Africa and world free standing mountain Tarangire's diverse geological landscapes, plentiful birdlife and wildlife The 'endless plains' of Serengeti, a stunning landscape and surely the world's most celebrated national park with an incomparable range of predators and their intended prey: see leopard and cheetah, antelope and zebra. Ngorongoro's awe-inspiring crater, a collapsed volcano some 12 miles across, with its incredible year-round display of wildlife. A truly inspiring setting which plays host to lion and elephant, rhino, buffalo, hippo as well as many other species and endless birdlife.
Tour Summary You'll go to Tanzania This tour starts and ends in Arusha You'll visit Arusha (Town), Mt Kilimanjaro, Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Activities: Trekking and Game Drive Getting around: Minivan & Pop-up Roof Safari Vehicle A transfer from and back to the airport (or hotel) is included
Day 1 Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha & Rhino Safari Touch down at the Kilimanjaro International Airport where your own personal driver will be waiting to greet you. Let your driver whisk you away to your chosen hotel in the bright and bustling city of Arusha gateway to Tanzania. Arusha is the beating heart of the wild the last port of civilization before heading out into dense jungles and rich savannah plains. The markets of Arusha burst with color, and throng with locals picking up their weekly wares. The numerous cafes sell dark and deliriously good coffee from the plantations, and close by the infamous National Park lures visitors in to explore her evocative Maasai culture and exotic flora and fauna. Today you can relax in Arusha, enjoy a quick de-briefing about your trip, recover from your journey, and soak upthe vibrant atmosphere of Africa.
Day 2 Trekking from Machame Gate to Machame Camp To Machame Hut, 3000m. After a transfer to the park gate, a 7-hour walk through the forest takes you to Machame Hut. You camp throughout the climb, and your crew will take good care of you, erect and dismantle the camp, and provide you with tasty, filling food. Full board. A guide and mountain supporting crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park entrance: Machame Gate (1,800 m). After quick formalities of acquiring climbing permit and registering with the search and rescue service, you will start trekking up to Machame Camp (3, 010 m). The trekking route include passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable), we strongly recommend you take not only spare clothes, but also your raincoat.
Day 2 This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on: Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently) Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies. a we are protecting, you are ensured total privacy and exclusivity of game viewing At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness. Change in Elevation: Machame Gate (1,800 m) Machame Camp (3,010 m) Hiking distance: 5 km Hiking time: 5 6 hours
Day 3 Trekking from Machame Camp to Shira Camp & Rhino Safari To Shira Cave, 3800m. An initial steep climb followed by a gentle incline. After lunch, a descent and ascent bring you to the camp. Walking time approx. 5 hours. Full board. After breakfast you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp; Shira Camp (3, 845 m). On this day you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to see stunning view of the shira Plateau laid out in front of you. Physically speaking, the trekking is not very difficult, but you many feel the changes in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important to good trekking. When you reach the camp you will have lunch and same rest, after which you will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 300-meter gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp you will be served a hot dinner.
Day 3 Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness. a we are protecting, you are ensured total privacy and exclusivity of game viewing Trekking from Machame Camp to Shira Camp: Change in Elevation: Machame Camp (3,010 m) Shira Camp (3,845 m) Hiking distance: 5 km Hiking time: 4 5 hours Acclimatization hike: Change in Elevation: Shira Camp (3,845 m) Destination point en route to Lava Tower (4,120 m) Hiking distance: 2 km Hiking time: 1 2 hours
Day 4 Trekking from Shira Camp to The Lava Tower and Descend to Barranco Camp After breakfast you will leave Shira Camp (3, 845 m) and start your way to the key point of the route Lave Tower (4,630 m). This section of the route has a lot of ascents and descents that end in a camp at over 4600 meters. It might be difficult, and you may feel some discomfort, but in order to successful acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least 1-2 hours here, so this is where lunch will be. Then you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! Next day you will be climbing it, but don't worry: it features a very simple hiking trail.
Day 4 Note: If one or more participants feel sick, the group may refrain from passing the Lava Tower and adjust the route, following instead the road for porters. In this case you will not reach an altitude of 4,630 meters, getting up only to a maximum of 4,400 meters. a we are protecting, you are ensured total privacy and exclusivity of game viewing Change in Elevation: Shira Camp (3,845 m) Lava Tower (4,630 m) Barranco Camp (3,960 m) Hiking distance: 11 km Hiking time: 6 8 hours
Day 5 Trekking from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp Early wakeup, breakfast and the start of summiting Barranco Wall (we recommend you leave the camp as early as possible to avoid crowds of the other groups). Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. After the climb you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano. Then you start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don't worry: our guides are experts at choosing an optimal pace for the group. After reaching the camp you will be offered warm lunch. After a couple of hours, you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Barafu Camp with a 200- meter gain in altitude, and then descent back down to the camp.
Day 5 Trekking from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp: Change in Elevation: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) Karanga Camp (4,035 m) Hiking distance: 5 km Hiking time: 4 5 hours Acclimatization hike: Change in Elevation: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) Destination point en route to Barafu Camp (4,270 m) Hiking distance: 2.5 km Hiking time: 1 2 hours
Day 6 Trekking from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp In the morning after breakfast you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,640 m), the starting point for a night summiting Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization hike towards the intermediate Summit Camp (4,800 m) and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting. Trekking from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp: Change in Elevation: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) Barafu Camp (4,640 m) Hiking distance: 6 km Hiking time: 4 5 hours
Day 7 Ascent to Uhuru Peak and descent to Mweka Camp Barafu to Uhuru, 5895m, then descends to Mweka, 3100m. You will wake at about midnight for the torchlight climb to Stella Point, approx. 7 hours with rest stops, and finally to the highest point, Uhuru Peak with fantastic views of glaciers and plains far below. Descend to Mweka or High Camp, arriving late afternoon. Full board. Departure from Barafu Camp (4,640 m) at night and the start of summiting Kilimanjaro: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Technically the climb is relatively simple; however, the most challenging part is the high altitude. Each pair of climbers will get a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor your physical and mental conditions. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Barafu Camp and after a 2 hours rest continue your descent to Mweka Camp (3,100 m).
Day 7 Note: Don't forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails. Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) Millennium Camp (3,820 m) Hiking distance: 15 km Hiking time: 8 12 hours
Day 8 Descent from Mweka Camp to Mweka gate The camp is situated in a tropical rainforest. When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction of the height and the satisfaction of reaching the summit. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park's exit: Mweka Gate (1,650 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates in our office and provide you a transfer back to the hotel. Change in Elevation: Millennium Camp (3,820 m) Mweka Gate (1,650 m) Hiking distance: 12 km Hiking time: 4 5 hours
Day 9 Arusha to Tarangire National Park Tarangire National Park is dominated by the perennial Tarangire River and is characteristically known for its giant baobab trees that stretch and wind their branches into the blue sky. After breakfast you will be greeted at your accommodation by your guide who will brief you about safety in the parks whilst on safari. You will then depart for your first day of safari and make your way to the picturesque Tarangire National Park for an adventure packed day of game driving. You will reach your accommodation in time for you to settle in and enjoy a lunch. In the afternoon you will enjoy an afternoon game drive. The most spectacular feature of Tarangire is its large elephant population. In fact, it has the largest population of any park in northern Tanzania. These gentle giants abound in excess of 3,000. Tarangire is currently experiencing and elephant baby boom and you will notice a lot of juniors and babies as members of the herd. Also expect to see zebra, eland, mongoose, giraffe, bushbuck, hartebeest, dik-dik, impala, warthog, and reedbuck. Primates you may encounter are olive baboon, velvet monkey and bush baby. Many carnivores are abundant throughout the park such as lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and jackal
Day 10 Tarangire to Serengeti National Park Millions of wild animals on the vast Serengeti plains! The wildlife encounters continue as you transfer today from Tarangire area into the Serengeti National Park. Your transport into the park is by Safari vehicle, and you will enjoy the magnificent views over the endless plains from the jeep as you take in your surroundings for the next 3nights. Enjoy visit a traditional Maasai village here you will be greeted by the Chief who will guide you around the nearby Boma and explain the culture of the Maasai people. After saying goodbye to the Maasai people, you will head towards the Serengeti National Park. Enjoy lunch en-route as you head towards the entry gate for the world famous Serengeti National Park. Tanzania s oldest and most popular National Park, also a world heritage site and recently proclaimed a 7th world wide wonder, the Serengeti is famed for its annual migration, when some six million hooves pound the open plains, as more than 200,000 zebras and 300,000 Thomson s gazelle join the wildebeest s trek for fresh grazing. Yet even when the migration is quiet, the Serengeti offers arguably the most scintillating game-viewing in Africa
Day 11 Serengeti National Park World's most celebrated national park with an incomparable range of predators and their intended prey After breakfast in the morning you will start game drive in the eastern, southern or north part of the park. The aim is to get you within a comfortable driving distance of the massive herds. This does depend on the annual rains. Guides will always try to get you as close as possible, but should the herds not appear when expected, there is plenty of resident game.
Optional Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari to join us in an extraordinary adventure. Float in a hot air balloon over the famous Serengeti National Park with its enchanting scenery and vistas. On this day, Experience the wildlife of Serengeti National Park in a new, unique way. Wake up early to catch the sunrise, as you silently fly over the plain of Serengeti National Park. Admire the heads of wildebeest, buffaloes, and elephant and enjoy the Serene tranquility of the bush Africa. You will take off early at down around 5:00 for a flight that lasts for approximately 1 hour. Rise as the sunrise and float in whatever direction the winds of the morning takes you. Fly higher than the trees and hills and enjoy the best Tanzania, with many great photo opportunity of the scenery and wildlife below. After a smooth landing you can celebrate this amazing adventure with a Bush Breakfast Out of African Style and followed by glass of champagne your driver will pick you up for your full-day game drive. Price for balloon safari is US$ 550 per person
Day 12 Serengeti National park to Ngorongoro Natural Wonders of the World Filmed and documented by naturalists from the four corners of the earth, The Ngorongoro Crater, the largest dry caldera of its kind, is home to almost all the animals that you would wish to see in East Africa The stirring sounds of Africa will rouse you from your sleep. You make the most of the by 8:00 start, heading for your morning game drive section, later, afternoon the adventure continue when you travel to Ngorongoro Conservation Area In Serengeti there is always something new to experience and see. With more than 2million herbivores and many more predators, and the changing of seasons and natural light, with the help of driver guide you sport as many more species as possible, teaching you about their fascinating habit and habitats. After lunch in the picnic is time to drive to another African Africa spectacular wildlife setting, the world famous Ngorongoro Crater. On the arrival, settle in the accommodation while a test, hot dinner is prepared for you
Day 13 Ngorongoro Crater to Airport The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most densely crowded African wildlife areas in the world and is home to an estimated 30,000 animals including some of Tanzania s last remaining black rhino. At sunrise, we descend 600 meters into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive. Animals that you may find in the crater include wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo and elephant. Another big draw card to this picturesque national park is the dense population of predators, which include lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs and the ever elusive leopard, which sometimes requires a trained eye to spot. Tour the Lerai Forest with its yellow-barked acacias, searching for giant-tusked elephant, rare black rhino and black- mined lion. Bird lovers can view flamingo and other species, which share the shallow waters with a big game. You may also see Maasai herdsmen and their cattle the crater is in their territory, and the Maasai continue to coexist with wildlife as they have for centuries. Stop for a picnic lunch near the hippo pool and watch resident hippos bobbing in the river. Ascend the crater in the early afternoon depart to airport for your return flight back home.
INCLUSION INCLUDES All park fees All activities (unless labeled as optional) All accommodation (unless listed as upgrade) A service of professional driver/guide Roundtrip airport transfer (Local Flight) All transportation (unless labeled as optional) All flights during the tour Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section) Bottled water 24/7 phone support Thermos with hot tea/coffee Medical Kit Binocular (I per SUV) Wet wipes All Taxes/VAT
EXCLUSION EXCLUDES International flights (from/to home) Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour Tips (gratitude for your trip crew) Visa ($100 per person for US Nationals and $50 per person for other Country Nationals) Personal items (laundry, toiletries, souvenirs, travel insurance, etc.) Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees Drinks (all type of all type of hard drinks) Balloon ride (Serengeti National Park) Sleeping bags
www.bush2cityadveture.com The Ultimate African Experience