AFRICAN LION SAFARI | MT KILIMANJARO HIKE

TANZANIA SAFARI - VIEW OVER AFRICA - KILIMANJARO/NGORONGORO CRATER

12 Days

Tour Type: Mobile Camp/Luxury Game Lodge

Highlights:

Combines a spectacular Mt Kilimanjaro hike on the Lemosho route followed by a stay at the luxurious Ngorongoro Crater Lodge perched on the edge of the crater with amazing views. The Ngorongoro Crater 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.

Itinerary

Day 01: Arusha

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be met and transferred to a lovely resort in the foothills of Mt. Meru, Africa’s 5th highest mountain. Those arriving especially early can book optional activities. Then, spend the afternoon with your mountain guide preparing for the climb (half board).

Day 02: Forest

Morning transfer to the Machame gate where the track begins. The day is spent walking to Machame Hut through the mountain’s lush lower rain forest. Depending upon weather conditions, this can be a moderate to demanding day’s work. Camp is pitched at around 3000m (full board).

Day 03: Shira

Rising early you cross a valley and a stream and then climb up a steep ridge for 3-4 hours. The path then drops into a river gorge before ascending more gently onto the moorland of the Shira Plateau, one of the most fascinating areas of the Mountain. Camp is placed near the Shira Hut at 3840m (full board).

Day  04: Kilimanjaro - Barranco

Today you walk for 5-6 hours enjoying sightings of the typical Kilimanjaro mountain vegetation (Senecios, Lobelia, Helichrysum) and reaching a high point of around 4600m before descending for the rest of the day. On clear days the Lava Tower can be seen as well as some distinct glaciers. These glaciers are shrinking as world temperatures increase. It is speculated that in a mere 15 years many of these glaciers will disappear, forever. The path down to the Barranco Valley can be particularly rewarding and the view of Kibo peak is truly spectacular. In the evening the blanket of cloud often hangs just below the valley, pulsating in the dying light. Camp is pitched in the Barranco Valley at around 3950m (full board).

Day 05: Karanga

Today you ascend the Barranco wall, then walk across scree and ridges into the Karanga valley (4100m) with breathtaking views of the Western Breach and the southern glacier. You arrive in time for lunch in camp and then have plenty of time to relax and even go for a short acclimatisation walk (full board).

Day 06: Barafu

From Karanga you will head up a morraine ridge taking your time and going slowly. The views here can be spectacular on the southern glaciers and of the glacial valleys that snake their way down the mountain. The final stage to Barafu is quite steep, and as always you will take it very slowly. As with the day before you reach camp by around lunch time leaving lots of time to prepare and relax. In the evening your guide briefs you for the final ascent (full board).

Day 07: Summit - Mweka

The attempt on the summit occurs at night in the very early morning. Each climber is assigned a summit guide to ensure that everyone makes it to the top, or returns as required in complete safety. The going is slow, and often quite frustrating on the scree, but persistence and patience ensure steady progress. Near the summit you pass through the gap between the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers. At Stella point you can then choose to return - you are after all already higher than any point in Africa! Otherwise, continue to Uhuru peak (5896m). Despite the distance being relatively short, progress is slow - there is less than half the oxygen than at sea level! Uhuru Peak provides a unique satisfaction and usually releases a plethora of emotions. If progress is good you can watch the sunrise from the rooftop of Africa. Most people then start returning quite soon after sunrise as the return journey today is quite long. Camp is pitched at Mweka at around 3100m (full board).

Day 08: Arusha

The final descent takes you through the lower heath section that quickly turns into rainforest. Your time on Kilimanjaro ends at Mweka Gate where your landrover will be waiting to transfer you back to your evening's accommodation. You may now relax, take a hot shower or even relax by the pool! Enjoy a wonderful celebration dinner! (full board).

Day 09, 10 & 11: Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area

Enjoy breakfast before your transfer to Arusha Airport for your scheduled flight to Manyara Airstrip. On you arrival at the airstrip, you will be met by a representative from Ngorongoro Crater Lodge for your road transfer of approximately 2 hours to the Lodge.

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. Nearby Olduvai Gorge - a famous early archaeological site - is situated to the west of the Crater in the eastern Serengeti Plains. In the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, 42 000 Maasai live and herd their livestock in harmony with Africa’s wild animals.

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is perched on the edge of the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater at the eastern edge of the Serengeti in northern Tanzania. It lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which covers more than 8 000 square kilometres (3 100 square miles) of pristine African wilderness. Inspired in design by the Maasai mud-and-stick manyatta (homestead), Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is without doubt one of the most architecturally spectacular safari lodges in Africa.  

The intimate camp comprises romantic suites perched on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater with spectacular views. Each suite has a private viewing deck, exclusive butler service, and spacious en suite bathroom. Enjoy extraordinary guest areas and an African gift shop and art gallery. Your stay is on a full board basis including scheduled activities and park fees.  

Activities include two game-drives on the Crater floor. Additional activities may be booked directly at the lodge, subject to extra cost and availability of vehicles.  Such activities include excursions to Olduvai Gorge and Shifting Sands, a visit to a Maasai village and walks at Empakai Crater.  Massages are offered for those who need to relax after a day’s game-viewing

Day 12: Arusha

After breakfast you will be transferred to Manyara Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport where your African Tanzania Safari ends.  

Safari Price: US $5,547 to $7,182 pps

Single Supplement: US $280.00
Per person single room supplement for the first two single rooms booked

Notes:
Rates are based on no single supplement at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge for the first two single rooms booked per reservation.  Thereafter single supplement will apply. Rates are based on a minimum of two guests travelling

Price Includes:
Meet and assist on arrival, twin or single accommodation, scheduled road transfers: Kilimanjaro International Airport / Mount Kilimanjaro / Arusha Airport, fully trained guides for your trek, mountain mess tent, client tents (with mattress & pillow) and toilet tent, water for the duration of your climb (filtered with puritabs), scheduled domestic flights: Arusha Airport / Manyara Airstrip / Kilimanjaro International Airport, meals as specified above, soft drinks, house wine, local brand spirits, local beer, teas and coffees at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, scheduled road transfers: Manyara Airstrip / Ngorongoro Crater Lodge / Manyara Airstrip, scheduled game activities as specified, laundry at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, personal butler service at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Tanzania National Park fees, airport taxes and fuel surcharges, emergency medical evacuation insurance

Price Excludes:
Gratuities and all items of a personal nature, meals and drinks not specified above, alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks: Day 01 - Day 09, porterage, visa fees (please thoroughly check requirements, for the countries being visited, prior to travel), scheduled flights to / from Kilimanjaro International Airport

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