21 Days Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar

21 Days Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar

Day 1:

You will be welcomed on arrival and transferred to Arusha for relaxation and overnight stay at The African Tulip Hotel including Breakfast.

Day 2:

Tarangire retains an air of undiscovered Africa, as it is less visited than other northern Tanzanian parks. It is a haven for birds. 550 bird species, the world’s largest selection found in one habitat, find their home in Tarangire. The stocking-thighed ostrich, the world’s largest bird, might greet you in its party dress of plumes! After dinner, you can go for a night game drive to spot nocturnal animals such as aardvarks, dik diks, genets, civet, serval cats, bush babies and various night birds. (Optional activity: extra fees apply.) Overnight at Tarangire Safari Lodge. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 3:

The lush plains of the Serengeti have made it an ideal home to wildlife for millions of years. This ancient ecosystem continues to thrive, and wildebeests, zebras, gazelles and giraffes are often seen grazing in herds. This is one of the best places in the world to spot lions dozing in a shade, leaping after a marked prey or gnawing off a share of their hunt. Depart Tarangire and drive to Central Serengeti via Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Overnight at Kiota Camp. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 4:

Early morning breakfast then depart for full day game drives at the northern Serengeti near the Tanzania and Kenya border.

Wildebeest Migration – July to October:
This is the long dry season and the wildebeest migration is moving north with the thundershowers. July, August and September are the months when wildebeest herds cross the crocodile-infested Mara River to reach the Masai Mara. And this provides for some amazing wildlife viewing. Hundreds of thousands of wildebeest can congregate at crossing points: all crossing in a single continuous wave of beasts. And all this while tooth and claw are waiting around the sides to pick off the weak and the careless. Overnight at Chaka Camp – Serengeti North. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 5 - 6:

Early morning breakfast and then depart for full day game drives in Kogatende with your expert guide. Many visitors only want to see the river crossings but the true spectacle of the migration is more than 1,245,000 wildebeests, 200,000 Burchell’s zebras, 18,000 elands and 500,000 Thomson’s Gazelles filling the entire stretch of landscape. The shifting columns of the herds as they traverse the valleys and the hills can only be watched in awe. There is nothing else like this on earth. Overnight at Kiota Camp. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 7:

Leave Northern Serengeti early in the morning and head to Ngorongoro Crater rim for dinner and overnight. The world-famous Ngorongoro Crater is at the eastern edge of the Serengeti in northern Tanzania. Nearly three million years old, the ancient caldera of the once-volcanic Ngorongoro shelters one of the most beautiful wildlife havens on earth, ringed with towering walls and sheltering forests, grasslands, fresh springs and a large soda lake. Overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 8:

Descend into the Ngorongoro caldera very early in the morning to view the wildlife on the crater floor. The Ngorongoro Crater is often called “Africa’s Eden” and the “8th Natural Wonder of the World”. A massive extinct volcano, the sheet walls drop thousands of feet to a “Noah’s Ark” of animals on the verdant floor below. Large herds of zebra, buffalo, antelope and wildebeest graze nearby while sleeping lions laze in the sun. At dawn, the endangered black rhino returns to the thick cover of the crater forests after grazing on dew-laden grass in the morning mist. Leave the crater late afternoon and drive back to Arusha for dinner and overnight at The African Tulip Hotel.

Day 9:

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be driven to Londorossi Gate for registration at Kilimanjaro National Park. Your 4WD vehicle will take you further up to Lemosho Glades, where you will begin your 3-4 hours hike through beautiful forest to Lemosho Forest Camp. The flora and fauna are very rich in the rainforest and you may get a chance to see monkeys hanging on trees. Overnight at Basic Camping (with tent and foam mattress supplied). Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 10:

After breakfast at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp, begin your climb towards the heather and moorland zone. After lunch, continue hiking for a couple of hours to reach Shira Plateau, a high altitude desert that is very different from the rainforest you have left behind. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic cones, after Kibo and Mawenzi. It was once filled with lava flow from the Kibo summit. Weather and volcanic activities have decimated the crater rim. Today, you will get your first view of the snow-capped Kibo – the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Overnight at Basic Camping (with tent and foam mattress supplied). Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 11:

Today, we cross Shira Plateau, a crater whose rim has been flattened by weather and volcanic activities over many years. It is a gentle walk from Shira 1 Camp, passing Shira Cathedral on the way to reach Shira 2 Camp, which is located next to a stream. Enjoy this easy hiking day, and prepare for the more challenging ones up ahead. Overnight at Basic Camping (with tent and foam mattress supplied). Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 12:

After breakfast, you will walk up a steepening path above the highest vegetation toward Kilimanjaro’s looming mass. After a few hours of walking, you pass through a rocky landscape to reach a prominent landmark called Lava Tower, also called the “Shark’s Tooth”, at 4,630m/15,190ft. This chunky remnant of Kilimanjaro’s earlier volcanic activity is several hundred feet high, and the trail passes right below it. After a lunch stop near Lava Tower, descend for 2-3 hours below the lower cliffs of the Western Breach to reach Barranco Camp at 3,950m/12,960 ft. There are numerous photo opportunities on this hike, especially if the cliffs are festooned with ice. Barranco Camp is located in a valley below the Western Breach. While you are waiting for your dinner, the Great Barranco Wall in the backdrop will provide you with a memorable sunset. On this day, be careful to notice any signs of altitude sickness. Although you will end the day at almost the same elevation as when you started, this “climb high sleep low” approach is very useful for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day. Overnight at Basic Camping (with tent and foam mattress supplied). Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 13:

After spending a night under the Great Barranco Wall, you climb this awesome obstacle, which is one of the highlights of the trek. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you can now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The Machame route then winds down through Karanga Valley and goes over intervening ridges and valleys to join the Mweka route, which you will use later for descending the mountain. You have now completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Tonight, you will rest at Karanga Camp, where the last water stop is. Overnight at Basic Camping (with tent and foam mattress supplied). Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 14:

The famous snows of Kilimanjaro are near the summit of the mountain far above Barafu Camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice”. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales, Bafaru Camp is not a very hospitable place to spend the night. Your tent will be pitched on a narrow, stony, wind-swept ridge, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. Prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit attempt. This should include replacing your headlamp and camera batteries and making sure that you have a spare set available. To prevent freezing, consider carrying your water in a thermal flask. If you are using a water bladder/hydration pack, make sure you have an insulation sleeve for the drinking tube. After an early supper, go to bed by 7pm and try to get a few hours of precious sleep before a very early start the next day. Overnight at Basic Camping (with tent and foam mattress supplied). Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 15:

This long but memorable day of trekking starts with rising around midnight. After some steaming hot tea and a light breakfast, you shuffle off into the night. The 6-hour climb northwest up through heavy scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers to Stella Point on the crater rim is the most challenging part of the route for most climbers. At Stella Point (5,685 m/18,650 ft), you can stop for a short rest and a chance to see a supremely sanguine sunrise. But do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Depending on the season and latest weather conditions, you may encounter fresh snow on your remaining hike along the Kibo crater rim to Uhuru Peak. On the summit, you can enjoy your accomplishment and know that you are creating a day that you will remember for the rest of your life. Overnight at Basic Camping (with tent and foam mattress supplied). Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 16:

After a well-deserved breakfast, you will have a short, scenic hike down to the park gate. Hiking trails in the rainforest at lower elevations are often wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts are probably sufficient but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy on your hike. Remember to tip your guides, cook and porters at the gate as you will be leaving them there. After signing your name at the register, you will receive your summit certificates at Mweka Gate. Climbers who have reached Stella Point are issued green certificates and those who have reached Uhuru Peak will receive gold certificates. You will be served a delicious lunch at Mweka Village, after which you will be driven back to Arusha for an overdue hot shower and comfortable night. Overnight at Basic Camping (with tent and foam mattress supplied). Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 17:

Enjoy your morning in Arusha at leisure before transferring to Arusha Airport for your flight to Zanzibar. Virtually unchanged for the past 200 years, Stone Town is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar. It is a place of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses whose original owners vied with each other over the extravagance of their dwellings. This one-upmanship is particularly reflected in the brass-studded, carved wooden doors – there are more than 500 different examples of this handiwork. You can spend many idle hours and days just wandering through the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways.

Before transferring to the coast, you have the option to join a guided Walking Tour of Stone Town. The history of Zanzibar would be incomplete without the cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper, cardamom, curry leaves, lemon grass, turmeric, cumin and coriander seeds that make this island famous. You can go for a guided tour in Stone Town, and combine it with a Spice Plantation Tour.

Located on the northernmost peninsula of Zanzibar island, Essque Zalu Zanzibar combines contemporary luxury with traditional Zanzibari culture. This boutique hotel offers view of the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean to one side and lush green forests to the other. It provides the perfect ambience for your holiday. Breakfast and Dinner included

Day 18:

Enjoy the great service, great food and great location at Essque Zalu! Overnight at Essque Zalu Zanzibar. Breakfast and Dinner included

Day 19:

You can go for a walk in Nungwi Village, or enjoy the infinity swimming pool at your Zanzibar resort. Overnight at Essque Zalu Zanzibar. Breakfast and Dinner included

Day 20:

Dhow sailing is one of the best ways to explore what Zanzibar has got to offer. Overnight at Essque Zalu Zanzibar. Breakfast and Dinner included

Day 21:

After breakfast at your resort, you will be transferred back to Zanzibar Airport for your departure flight. We hope you’ve enjoyed your 3-week holiday with us in Tanzania!

Price:

USD 9,950 per person (at least 2 persons), contact us for Single Supplement and extra nights extension.

Price includes:

One-way flight from Arusha Airport (ARK) to Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ)

Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) to Arusha on arrival

Transfer from Arusha to Arusha Airport (ARK) for Zanzibar flight

Transfers from/to Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ)

Transport to and from mountain gates

All park entry fees and camping fees

Rescue fees & Emergency oxygen tank(s)

Services of English-speaking guide/assistant guide(s)

Professional cook and all kitchen/dining utensils

Camping equipment (sleeping tent, mattress, mess tent, table and chairs)

Salaries, food and shelter for guide(s), cook and porters

Three meals a day on the mountain

Use of radios & cell phones to increase your safety

Game viewing in 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof on exclusive basis

Accommodation as per itinerary

Meals as per itinerary

Drinking water while on safari provide in safari vehicle

Park fees and Conservation fees as per itinerary

Government taxes and levies

Price excludes:

All items of a personal nature

Mountain trekking gears, e.g. walking poles, gaiters (available for hire upon request)

Sleeping bag (available for hire upon request)

Soft drinks or alcoholic beverages

Portable toilet on Kilimanjaro trek (available for hire upon request)

Any domestic flights not mentioned above

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