16 Days Climbing Kilimanjaro With Wildlife Safari
This safari is for you who want to explore the East Africans finest Safari destination which are Masai Mara in Kenya in search of the big five, The Endless plains of Serengeti and the beautifully untouched and well-preserved natural phenomenon that has become sanctuary for all kind of wildlife. Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania and finally challenging your endurance by climbing the largest free standing mountain rise in the world (Mt Kilimanjaro) Then to Zanzibar Island Africa's tropical Paradise.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 : Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park
You will be picked by our company representative from the airport or your accommodation facility in Nairobi for a scenic drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. You will have a stopover at the spectacular Great Rift Valley viewpoint to stretch your legs and photograph the contrasting landscapes including Mt. Longonot arriving at the park in time for lunch, check in to your lodge and later depart for an afternoon game drive in the park returning back to the lodge at sunset.
Lake Nakuru is among Kenya's finest national parks. The Park is gorgeous all year-round and boasts of rocky escarpments, patches of yellow-barked acacia forest and a waterfall. It is home to flamingos, both black and white rhinos; lions, leopards, buffaloes, hippos and the endangered Rothschild's giraffe. The forested area below the cliff is a favourite lion-spotting point where lionesses love to sleep in the trees; and leopards frequent the same area. Afterward, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation:
Mid-Range Accommodation
Day 2 : Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara
After breakfast, you will drive through the Rift Valley floor to Masai Mara National Reserve arriving at the camp in good time for lunch. After lunch, embark on your first game drive in this rich wildlife sanctuary also known as the 'eighth wonder of the animal world' in search of the big five namely the Lions, Leopards, Elephants, & Rhinos. return to the camp at sunset for dinner and overnight.
One of our favourite places to look for wildlife in Kenya is the Masai Mara National Reserve. That's because the wildlife here is incredible, with big cats (lions, leopards and cheetahs) and elephants among the highlights. There's a very good chance you'll also see giraffes, buffaloes, wildebeests, zebras, hippos, hyenas, and, of course, impalas. And bring your binoculars, because more than 500 species of birds have been recorded in the reserve. It's a place of beautiful savannah landscapes as well, with lots of acacia trees.
Accommodation:
Mid-Range Accommodation
Day 3 : Masai Mara - Masai Mara
This is a full day spent game viewing across the rich tree studded grassland and rolling hills of the famous "Eighth Wonder of the animal World". The Mara is renowned for its great herds of plains game animals like leopards, Cheetahs & Lions. It also has numerous Elephants and virtually every other type of wildlife to be found in Kenya. You will have a full-day game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve.
Your lunch today is picnic lunch boxes in the savannah under a flat-top acacia tree while watching the animals grazing. Continue with the game viewing on-route to your camp, arriving at your late in the afternoon after thoroughly exploring this massive grassland savannah measuring 1,500sq km.
You have an option of booking a balloon ride today which takes off early in the morning. After landing, the crew helps you out of the basket and escorts you to a lovely setting for a bush breakfast. It is a lifetime experience and worth the price.
Accommodation:
Mid-Range Accommodation
Day 4 : Masai Mara Kenya To Serengeti Tanzania
Today after breakfast, carrying picnic lunch boxes, You will head towards the border separating Kenya and Tanzania, Prepare to pay for your visa which cost $50 (Visa cards NOT accepted) then after clearing the border, You will be transferred to our Tanzanian driver guide then proceed to this expanse Serengeti National park in Tanzania which means (endless plains) you will have your first Serengeti game drive en-route to your camp keeping an eye out for millions of animals that call this place home. Tonight, you'll have a true African safari experience, the lodge is unfenced site within the national park, Right in the heart of the animal action. Your driver guide and the camp manager will give you a full safety briefing once you arrive..
Accommodation:
Day 5 : Serengeti - serengeti
Wake to another glorious day in the Serengeti. Start the day with an early morning game drive to search for animals when they're at their most active, Then return to the Lodge for a relaxed breakfast and lunch. Spend the hottest part of the day relaxing in camp reading your favourite book or writing your journal about the safari or just listening to your favourite music while observing the birds – don't stress, The animals will be doing the same – then head off again in the afternoon for another drive through the park. Return to the lodge for dinner and another night under the Serengeti's stars.
Note: there's also an option of an early hot air balloon ride here. Please ask the tour manager before booking this trip if you're interested.
Accommodation:
Day 6 : Serengeti To Karatu Via Ngorongoro Crater
Enjoy a final game drive through the Serengeti as you exit the park this morning. Drive through the Ngorongoro crater Conservation area en route to Karatu, this afternoon you'll descend to the Ngorongoro's crater floor for a game drive.
If all goes to plan, you'll see some or maybe even all of the Big Five animals that reside here. The animals here are less wary of humans and vehicles and as a result it's easier to watch them from up close.
Take in the spectacular views from the rim of the crater as you make your way to the bottom, where animals roam the lakes, rivers, woodlands and hills. Keep an eye out for wildebeest, lion, zebra, cheetah, buffalo, gazelle and the endangered black rhino. Later you will drive out of the crater to your lodge located in a small town of Karatu on the outskirts of Ngorongoro crater your base for the next 1 night.
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Day 7 : Karatu To Tarangire Via Lake Eyasi
After breakfast this morning, you’ll make your way to Lake Eyasi, A huge seasonal soda lake. Lake Eyasi has been home to the Hadzabe people for more than 10,000 years and is one of the few places in Africa where traditional tribal life continues without modern influence. Today’s visit to the Hadzabe lands which offers incredible insight into this ancient culture and a chance to learn about their way of life. You’ll have the opportunity to meet members of the community and join in on daily activities like hunting, Gathering and traditional dances. You’ll also learn about their unique ‘click’ language, which is thought to be one of the oldest languages still in use today. Proceed to your lodge in Tarangire for your dinner and overnight.
Accommodation:
Day 8 : Tarangire To Arusha Town
Today Embark on your last safari early morning then return to the camp for your leisurely breakfast and then thereafter, drive to Arusha town which is approximately 2hrs. On arrival after check in and have lunch, you will have an optional city tour, Arusha Museum visit or just relaxing in your hotel while listening to your favourite music while preparing for your Mt Kilimanjaro Climbing experience.
Accommodation:
Day 9 : Arusha To Machame Camp
Departing from Arusha 45-minute drive will take you through the Village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.
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Day 10 : Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite. Temperatures begin to drop.
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Day 11 : Shira Camp To - Lava Tower - Barranco camp
Elevation: 3839m/12,595ft to 3986m/13,077ft Altitude gained: 147m Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before we then continue, South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. We then continue to descend to overnight at Barranco Camp. .
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Day 12 : Barranco Camp To Karanga Camp
Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft Altitude gained: 48m After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up to the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears such ease. Overnight at Karanga Camp.
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Day 13 : Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp
Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft Altitude gained: 628m We continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once reached you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night Overnight at Barafu Camp.
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Day 14 : Barafu Camp - Summit - Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft Altitude gained: 1233m Descent to 3106m/10,190ft Altitude lost: 2789m
Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers trying to stay warm and focused on the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a north westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim.
You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way.
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Day 15 : Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate - Moshi To Arusha
Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft Altitude lost: 1473m After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.
From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel Arusha (about 58 minutes). Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!
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Day 16 : Arusha to Zanzibar
After a leisurely breakfast this morning, you will be transferred from your hotel in Arusha-to-Arusha airport for your scheduled flight to Zanzibar Stone town where you will be met by our company representative and a driver to transfer you at your hotel in stone town Zanzibar.
Your trip finishes in Stone Town on arrival, usually around 1p but That doesn’t mean your adventure has to come to an end! If you would like to spend more time here, we’ll be happy to organize additional accommodation and Stay in the northern beaches (subject to availability). (Nungwi or kendwa beaches).
It's a pity that it has to end, but this is where your safari will draw to a close. We're sure that you will return home with so many exciting and happy memories, and we hope that you will join us again on safari sometime in the future.
