World Expedition Trip will includes Climbing the highest peak of Africa and one of the 7 summits – Mt Kilimanjaro. Acclimatize on Mt Meru and spot the Big 5 during safari game drive. Mt Meru (4,565m) 4 day trek is part of our acclimatization program leading towards successful summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. Mt Kilimanjaro (Uhuru Peak 5,895m) is non-technical climb.
6 Day trek – Rongai route is the only northern start point, on Kenyan border. This route descends via Marangu route on the south. Safari game drive – 9 days camping – Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater including visit of Masaai village and local bushmen tribes at lake Eyasi. Good chance to see great migration of wildebeests.
Day 0: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport
Pick up from the airport and transfer to the lodge accommodation in Arusha. The drive from Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha is approximately one hour. You will have your own free time and opportunity for rest. In the evening, we will attend a briefing in preparation of our upcoming trek and organize our gear for next 4 days of trekking. Anything what we don’t need for next 4 days of trekking will stay at the storage of our accommodation. No meals included on this day.
Day 1: Arusha – Momella Gate (1,500 m) – Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m): 4-5 hour walking.
In the morning, we will get picked up from our accommodation in Arusha and after a scenic drive through the Arusha National Park we will reach the Momella gate. Once the formalities have been sorted out we will start our trek from here. Right from the start we might spot giraffes and buffaloes as we walk through open grasslands. An armed park ranger will accompany us for entire trek. After approximately 2 hours we will reach the Maio Falls – the perfect spot to rest and have a picnic. Thereafter we will continue our trek to the well-known “fig tree arch”. After about another two hours we will arrive at the Miriakamba Hut, just in time for afternoon tea and snacks. Overnight at the Miriakamba Hut. (huts are shared / dorm kind of accommodation) B/L/D
Day 2: Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) – Saddle Hut (3,550 m): 3-4 hour walking.
In the morning we will follow wooden steps along a steep track. Due to the gain in altitude, it will be noticeably cooler than the previous day which can make walking a little bit easier. The clouds often hang low in the rainforest, creating a moody atmosphere in the lush vegetation. After ascending for approximately 2 hours, we will reach the vantage point “Mgongo wa Tembo” (elephant back) at an elevation of 3,200 m, where we will enjoy a well-earned break. The vegetation now changes from rainforest to heather and moorland and we should reach Saddle Hut (3,550 m) at around midday. During the afternoon, we have the option to hike to Little Meru (3,820 m) which should take about 1 to 1½ hours. From here, we will enjoy wonderful views of Arusha National Park and Mt Kilimanjaro about 80 km away. Back at Saddle Hut we will have dinner before we retire to bed early as the wake-up call for summit push with be just after midnight. B/L/D
Day 3:Summit day! Saddle Hut (3,550 m) – Socialist Peak (4,562 m) – Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m): 10-14 hour walking.
After a small snack and some tea, we will leave the camp very early, just after midnight. Lighting the way with head torch, we will follow the trail through bush land to Rhino Point (3,821 m). From here, the path becomes more challenging and occasionally some rock scrambling will be necessary. We will walk on volcanic ash, rocks and gravel, following the crater rim. After about 4 to 5 hours you should reach the summit, Socialist Peak. From here, you will experience the sun rising above Mt Kilimanjaro and enjoy the fantastic view of Mt Meru’s crater with its steep sides and the “ash cone” in the middle. The descent follows the same route back to Saddle Hut (3,550 m) where we will take a break and recuperate with hot soup and tea. Once refreshed, we will continue the descent and in the afternoon we reach Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) where we stay overnight. B/L/D
Day 4: Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) – Momella Gate (1,500 m) – Arusha. 2-3 hour walking.
After breakfast, we will follow the so-called “northern route” back to the Momella gate. The descent follows a shorter route than the ascent but there is still a chance to see elephants, buffaloes, giraffes as well as the black and white colobus monkeys. At the gate, we will say farewell to our hiking crew (porters and cook) and chip in some tips for their hard work. Before we drive back to our accommodation, we will go for a short safari game drive in Arusha NP. Then our driver will take us back to our accommodation in Arusha where we will celebrate our achievement. B/L/D
Day 5: Today is a rest day and your own free time.
All we need to do today is to organize our gear for next 6 days of trekking to Kilimanjaro. Chance to do some washing if needed or check out Arusha townB
Day 6: Nalemoru Gate to Rongai Cave (2,600 m): 3-4 hours walking.
After an early breakfast, we will drive to the Rongai (Nalemoru) Gate near the Kenya border. We begin our climb on this unspoilt wilderness route. The walk then starts climbing consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (2600 m.) withextensive views over the Kenyan plains. The first day is only a half-day walk. Overnight camping at Rongai camp. B/L/D
Day 7: Rongai Cave – Kikelewa Caves (3,600 m): 6-8 hours walking.
Gradual ascent through beautiful open moorland towards jagged pinnacles of Mawenzi to Kikelewa Camp (3,679 m) we reach in late afternoon at Kikelewa Caves for dinner and overnight at the camp. B/L/D
Day 8: Kikelelwa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m): 3-4 hours walking.
A Short but steep ascent to Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m). Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn. The afternoon is free to help with our acclimatization. B/L/D
Day 9: Mawenzi Turn to Kibo Hut (4,700m): 5-6 hours walking.
Today we cross the lunar desert which is part of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo Hut (4,700m), at the bottom of the Kibo Crater wall by early afternoon. There is no running water at Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent relaxing in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night. B/L/D
Day 10: Summit day! Kibo Hut to Summit (5895m) to Horombo Hut (3100 m): 13-15 hours walking. Wake up before midnight to have an early breakfast. We begin a steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to rim of the main crater, Gillman’s Point 5,685 m. It can be windy and cold at this elevation and time of day. We will rest at Gillman’s Point for a bit and enjoy the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Then we will continue slowly to the summit. It is about three hour return trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru peak 5,895 m – which is the highest point in Africa. Time to take lots of pictures and selfies in front of the sign and appreciate our accomplishment before we start descending to Kibo Hut. Coming back to Kibo Hut is amazingly fast, and we stop there for some refreshment, before we continue to descend through Marangu Route (south-east part of the mountain) to Horrombo Hut. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. B/L/D
Day 11: Horrombo Hut – Marangu Gate. 5-7 hours walking.
On our last day, we have a long trek mostly downhill through the tropical rainforest. We will descend past Mandara hut to Marangu Gate, successful climbers will receive their summit certificates. From here we will be transferred back to our accommodation in Arusha for dinner and overnight.B/L
Day 12:Arusha – Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, we will drive to Tarangire National Park, for afternoon game drive with our lunch boxes. Tarangire is the sixth largest national park in Tanzania and is home to Tanzania’s largest population of African elephants. Generally in the dry seasons Tarangire comes alive as wildlife and birdlife congregate on the Tarangire River, which is a permanent source of water. Huge magnificent baobab trees and volcanic mountain ranges add to the scenic splendor of this unique national park. Dinner and overnight at Lilic tented camp. B/L/D
Day 13:Tarangire – Lake Manyara National Park
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park soon after breakfast for a full day game drives. This is one of Tanzania’s smaller parks but still offers a rewarding and diverse safari experience. The lakeshore at Manyara teems with birdlife. The most famous residents of the park are the tree climbing lions, which are occasionally seen on the branches of acacia trees. There are a surprising number of other large mammals and the striking cliffs on the Rift escarpment form a dramatic backdrop. In the late afternoon we make a short journey from the park to our camp. Dinner and overnight at Lilic tented camp. B/L/D
Day 14: Lake Manyara – Lake Eyasi Visit Local tribes Tindiga, Hadzabe and Bushman
Lake Eyasi is just about an hour drive south-west of Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Lake Eyasi is a mildly alkaline lake about 55km long; to the north-east you can see the Ngorongoro Highlands and to the north are the plains of the Serengeti; around 150 years ago when the warlike Masai tribes invaded Ngorongoro and Serengeti, the Datoga and other indigenous Bushmen lived there were driven south. Many of these groups founded the Lake Eyasi area their home.Lake Eyasi’s principal source of water is the Sibiti River, which enters the southwestern end. The river may continue to flow all year round in wetter months and all the other inflows disappear in the dry season.
Seasonal variations in the lake are large even though the northwestern shore is constrained by the Serengeti Plateau. During the dry season the lake can almost entirely disappear. The lake is also a seasonal stop for migrating flamingos. Over 100 years ago when the stronger Masai tribes moved into the Ngorongoro and Serengeti, the Datoga and other indigenous bushmen lived there were pushed south. Many made Lake Eyasi and its surrounding bush and forests their home. Dinner and overnight at Lake Eyasi Tented Camp.
B/L/D
Day 15: Lake Eyasi – Serengeti National Park
We head towards the Serengeti National Park with packed lunch boxes and proceed for game drive. In December, January and February we will normally meet the migration with large herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle. There are always plenty of resident animals, such as giraffe, buffalo, and elephant, and many large predators such as lion, cheetah, and leopard. We return to the Camp for Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Bush Camp B/L/D
Day 16: Serengeti National Park
Full day spent exploring the park in search of the big 5. Morning and afternoon game drives are offered. Dinner and overnight stay at Serengeti campsite. Serengeti is Africa’s most famous and Tanzania’s largest park covering 14,736 sq km and is adjoining with the Masai Mara National reserve in Kenya. With a wildebeest population of about 2 million and several other hoofed species (which include zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, impala, topi, grants gazelle, Kongoni, Eland, Kirk’s dik dik, klipspringer, roan, oryx, oribi, waterbuck, buffalo, giraffe and warthog), the Serengeti is sure to attract a string of prey such as lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, golden jackals and bat eared foxes. Elephants are relatively scarce and the few remaining black rhinoceros are restricted to the Moru Koppies area. Serengeti also offers rewarding bird viewing with ostrich and kori bustard being common, a variety of larks, finches, and raptors can be seen but the most distinctive small bird is the lilac breasted roller. Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Bush Camp. B/L/D
Day 17:Continuing at Serengeti National Park B/L/D
Day 18: Serengeti National Park – Ndutu – Ngorongoro conservation.
We start the day with an early morning game drive before heading to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where we will have enroute game drive in Ndutu. The prime game viewing spot in the Ndutu Region is around Lake Ndutu. A big draw of the Ndutu Region is to see the full circle of the Great Migration, from the return of the herds to graze in December, and then the calving which takes place in January and February, and then the departure of the herds again in April as they start making their journey northwards. Calving season is particularly dramatic – a million wildebeest give birth to 8000 babies every day, and as these newborns take their first steps, they’re targeted by lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena. Late afternoon drive to Ngorongoro for dinner and overnight.B/L/D
Day 19:Ngorongoro Crater Tour
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is home of Ngorongoro Crater. The Ngorongoro Crater is often called ‘Africa’s Eden’ and the ‘8th Natural Wonder of the World,’ a visit to the crater is a main draw card for tourists coming to Tanzania and a definite world-class attraction. It was formed some 2.5 million years ago from a volcanic mountain sinking due to inactivity, and was initially thought to be higher than Tanzania’s famous Kilimanjaro. The crater has evolved into a unique and integral part of Tanzania’s eco-system. The crater is actually a caldera, measures 22.5 km’s across and the rim walls stand 600m high. The crater houses 30,000 animals and a large variety of birds, which rarely move from the area due to the availability of water through wet and dry seasons. The crater is famous for viewing black rhinos, for which there are very few left. Other animals that can be seen include elephant, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, monkeys, and ever hungry predators including lions and hyenas. Late afternoon drive to Lilic tented camp for dinner and overnight. B/L/D
Day 20: Ngorongoro – Maasai Village Tour – Arusha
Today, after a good breakfast, we will collect our lunch boxes and drive to Maasai village to experience a life of Maasai tribe. We will learn about Maasai traditions, preparation of food, drinks, medicine, traditional clothes and jewellery making. We will have chance to visit their shelters and learn how they are built. After lunch, in the afternoon we will drive back to our accommodation in Arusha. On the way we can stop for souvenirs shopping. B/L
Price per person sharing
- 2Pax: 8250 USD
- 3Pax: 8080 USD
- 4Pax:7500 USD
- 5Pax:6850 USD
- 6pax:6450 USD
What is included:
Pick up and drop off from / to Kilimanjaro or Arusha airport.
Hotel / Lodge Accommodation in Arusha with breakfast – 5 nights in total. Twin share.
All land transport to start and from finish of the trekking routes.
Safari jeep (pop-up roof) for safari game drive and transport to NPs.
Full board of meals during trekking and safari (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner – Non-vegetarian or Vegetarian options available) hot water / tea. Bottled mineral water during safari.
Trek accommodation Huts (Mt Meru) / Tents – camping (Mt Kilimanjaro) – 2pp per tent.
Tents accommodation during safari.
Mess tent, tables, chairs, sleeping tents, sleeping mats, private toilet (Kilimanjaro trekking).
Professional English speaking trekking guide.
Assistant trekking guide(s).
Professional English speaking guide/driver during safari.
Necessary porters to carry all personal gear and group equipment and food during trekking. (weight limit of personal gear is 20kg per client).
Private cook and waiter.
All NP entry fees and government levies and tax.
First aid kit with Diamox and other related medicine, oximeter, + emergency oxygen.
Peak climbing certificates after successful summit.
What is not included:
International flight in / out to Kilimanjaro or Arusha (Tanzania)
Tanzanian Visa (USD $95)
Your meals in Arusha, except provided breakfast at the hotel.
Items of personal expenses: laundry, telephone, satellite phone, internet access, beverages, etc.
Travel insurance that also covers trekking to altitudes up to 6000m as well as medical evacuation from the mountains.
Rescue costs or other cost due to the abandonment of the group. (Individual transfer, helicopter flight, extra nights, meals, extra costs for changes in your flight tickets etc.)
Personal equipment and all trekking gear.
Sleeping bag.
Liabilities of loss, theft and damages.
Tips to mountain crew. Recommendation per day: porter is from USD $6, assistant guide / cook from USD $12, guides from USD $20. (ratio client : porter = approximately 1 : 4-5 on Kilimanjaro trek).
Tips to safari crew (guide and cook)
Single supplement or any kind of upgrade.
Any other service not detailed as included in the paragraph above.
- This tour starts and ends in Arusha/Moshi
- Africa Joy Tours as an operator can help select your international flights, but you’ll have to book them yourself
- Fly to/from Kilimanjaro Airport near Arusha/Moshi
- A transfer from and back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost