14 Days Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar

14 Days Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar

Day 1:

Arrive anytime at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), there will be a pick up private transfer waiting to Plane lodge in Arusha. All airport transfers are the part of the package, no extra fee is required. We will gather in the evening for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check. We will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance. Dinner and overnight at Arusha Planet Lodge.

Day 2:

After completing the necessary registration formalities at Machame National Park gate, we begin to trek through a beautiful and lush forest. We have a picnic lunch en route. We camp at Machame Camp (9,800 ft). [5-6 hours walking]. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

Day 3:

We soon leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone of giant heather. The trail climbs steadily through rocky hills with wide views of the Shira Plateau (11,000 ft). From our camp near Shira Hut (12,600 ft), we take in the unforgettable views of Mt. Meru as she floats among the clouds. [4-5 hours walking]. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

Day 4:

A morning of sustained ascent and panoramic views brings us to lunch near Lava Tower (14,900 ft). The trail then descends to the bottom of the Barranco Valley (12,800 ft), where we stay in the spectacular Barranco Camp sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below. [7-9 hours walking]. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

Day 5:

with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and there is only a short distance to our camp at Karanga Camp (13,100 ft), the last water point on the approach to the summit. [5-7 hours walking]. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

Day 6:

We follow an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach Barafu Hut (14,800 ft) for lunch. There is a short acclimatisation hike to the plateau at the bottom of the southeast valley (15,700 ft). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the early morning final ascent. [3-5 hours walking]. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

Day 7:

We start our ascent by torchlight about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (18,800 ft), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshments, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite, Mweka Camp (9,300 ft). [12-15 hours walking]. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

Day 8:

A sustained descent on a well constructed path takes us through a lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Mweka (5,400 ft); and on through coffee and banana farms to Mweka Village, where we are transferred to our lodging in Arusha. [4-6 hours walking]. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

Day 9:

We depart from your lodge in Arusha and proceed to Tarangire National Park. Tarangire is known for its vast herds of elephants. It is estimated that there are over 2,500 elephants in the park. We enjoy an outdoors lunch overlooking the bluff and viewing Tarangire’s plains. After the game drive we dine and stay overnight at Lake Manyara Hotel.

Day 10:

Today we visit the largest intact volcanic crater in the world, the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater. At more than 2,000 feet deep and 12 miles in diameter, the Ngorongoro Crater has one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. 30,000 animals make their home in this crater, making it an ideal place for sightings of the ‘big 5’ – lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard. We enjoy a picnic lunch in this truly world-class attraction, also known as the ‘8th Wonder of the World. We return to the same lodging for dinner and our second overnight at Lake Manyara Hotel.

Day 11:

After breakfast, we depart the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and proceed to Lake Manyara National Park. Although small in size, this park is one of the most diverse reserves in the country. Lake Manyara covers two thirds of the park. At the backdrop is the wall of the Great Rift Valley, before which lies the ground water forest, areas of open grassland near the lake foreshore, and the Soda Lake. We enjoy a picnic lunch in this area, which consists of open grassy areas, hot springs, dense woodlands and steep mountainsides. Lake Manyara National Park is a birding paradise that has more than 350 species of bird. The park is also famed for its unique and elusive tree-climbing lions. Afterwards, we head back to Arusha or with prior arrangement to Kilimanjaro International Airport for the flight to Zanzibar.

Day 12:

We will drive you from your hotel in Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) where you will fly via Precision Air to Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) in the early afternoon. We will attempt to get you on the earliest flight possible so that you will maximize your time in Zanzibar. Once in Zanzibar, we will transfer you from the airport to your lodge where you will spend the night. Dinner may or may not be included depending on the lodge that you choose.

Day 13:

The lodge can arrange for various tours and activities such as snorkeling, fishing, spice tour, tour of Stone Town, boating and more. Breakfast is included. Dinner may or may not be included depending on the lodge that you choose.

Day 14:

We will transfer you from the hotel to the airport (ZNZ) where you will fly via Precision Air back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) usually arriving around 5pm. We will attempt to get you on the best flight possible to fit your schedule. Return flights to Nairobi are also available (additional costs may be required).

Price:

USD 3,650 per person (at least 2 persons), contact us for Single Supplement and extra nights extension.

Price includes:

All Park Fees

Hotel Lodging the night before and the night after the climb, with dinner and breakfast included (double occupancy)

Transport from the hotel to the trailhead

Transport from the trailhead back to the hotel

Tents (double occupancy)

Private toilet tent

All meals and water on the mountain

Support personnel (guides, cooks and porters)

Pick up and drop off from any hotel in Arusha

Lodging during the nights of the safari (double occupancy)

Safari vehicle and personal driver/guide

All meals during the safari

Transfer from lodges in Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK)

Airfare to Zanzibar (ZNZ) from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK)

Transfer to lodging from Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ)

Two nights lodging, breakfast (double occupancy)

Transfer to Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) from lodging

Airfare from Zanzibar (ZNZ) back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK)

Price excludes:

All items of a personal nature (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)

Gratuities for safari guide and lodge staff ( please tip separately)

Any domestic connection flights on arrival or departure

Travel insurance if needed

Visa fee ( 50 US$ /100 US$ for American or Irish Passport holders – to be paid upon arrival)

Drinks and beverages in lodges

Increase in park fees or other charges beyond our control

NOTE:

Depending on your budget and requirements, the itinerary can be altered to make use of a different standard of accommodation

There are various Kenya safari options that can be booked in conjunction with this itinerary as an add-on package