All Dotcom safaris and tours are “tailor-made”, they are perfect for your dates, a charity or just with a group of friends. Please take a look at our tours below for inspiration before contacting us for your itinerary or quotes so as we can meet your expectations as close as possible.
Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Arusha town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming safari trip in East Africa.
Day 2: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
After your breakfast and short briefing in the morning, your safari will set off towards the Tarangire National Park. This park with its savannah, seasonal swamps and the life-giving Tarangire River is home to huge elephant herds – literally hundreds of animals. Animals gather at the river and besides elephants you should see mongoose, giraffes, bushbucks, hartebeests, dik-diks, waterbucks, warthogs and reedbucks all year round. After an extensive game drive then you will drive to your either Luxury Lodge or Luxury Tented in Karatu for dinner and overnight
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater – Serengeti National Park
You will have breakfast at dawn before the 4×4 safari vehicle takes you to the crater rim from where you descend into the crater on an adventurous and steep trail. Down here in the crater you have the possibility of seeing all the animals that can be found in the East African savannah including the Big Five – lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard. The Ngorongoro Crater is also one of the best places to see the magnificent but almost extinct black rhino. After an extensive game drive, you will exit the crater in the early afternoon. The journey then continues to the plains of the Serengeti National Park – the most famous park in Tanzania and where the biggest animal migration in the world takes place. Hundred thousands of wildebeests and zebras cross the border from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara in Kenya in search of fresh grass and water, with hungry predators following close behind. Dinner and overnight at either Luxury lodge or Luxury Tented
Day 4: Serengeti National Park full day.
Rise and shine! Up at the crack of dawn, you will be able to see the sunrise over the Serengeti before you join an early morning game drive. Upon your return to the camp, a hearty breakfast awaits. Adventurous guests may choose to experience the Serengeti from the sky and join a hot-air balloon ride followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush. This activity is not included in the tour price and needs to be booked in advance. Guests interested in visiting the visitor centre, are also able to do so. In the afternoon you will enjoy another game drive before returning to either Luxury Tented or Luxury lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Serengeti National Park – North of Serengeti (Boarder of Kenya & Tanzania).
After leaving the park, the safari continues toward the north to Isbania boarder where you will meet our Kenya drivers who will receive you and assist you in getting the entry visa to Kenya side
Day 6: Serengeti – Masai Mara Area
After an early start, you will travel through the Serengeti National Park and on your way out of the park you might spot animals you haven’t seen yet then you will set off on the trip to the Masai Mara. The road towards the Kenyan border is a long an adventurous one, but it should be worth it as the Mara is reputed to have the highest lion population of all reserves in Africa. Other large cats like leopards and cheetahs also live here and can be spotted all year round, as their sightings are not dependent upon the seasons or the migration. You will overnight in Either Luxury Tented or Luxury Lodge.
Day 7: Masai Mara Game Reserve full day.
After breakfast then you will be spent on game drives in the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The Mara is home to interesting animals such as Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, elands and Coke’s hartebeests. You will take a trip to the Mara River, the greatest hurdle for the wildebeests and zebras on their yearly trek. An incredible scene is set when the river has swollen to almost bursting levels and thousands of animals must cross it, knowing that certain death awaits them – crocodiles hiding just below the surface. It can be a gruesome sight. At other times of the year, hippos, hungry crocodiles and other animals can also be seen at the river. The reserve has over 470 bird species including about 60 raptor species. Dinner and overnight at either Luxury Tented or Luxury Lodge.
Day 8: Masai Mara Game Reserve – Lake Nakuru National Park
After breakfast you will leave the Mara to reach Lake Nakuru National Park in the early afternoon. The alkaline lake attracts seasonally huge flocks of flamingos. The park is home to over 450 bird species and 50 mammals such as Rothschild’s giraffes, common and Defassa waterbucks. If you are lucky, you will also see a leopard lounging in the branches of a fever tree. Most importantly, you might spot both the endangered white and black rhino as the park was declared a rhino sanctuary in 1987. Dinner and overnight at either Luxury lodge or Luxury Tented.
Day 9: Lake Nakuru National Park – Nairobi
Today you will leave the peace of the lake to return to civilisation and the bustling capital of Nairobi. Reaching the city in the early afternoon, there will be time to explore this frenzied city of people, traffic, markets and colors. Take a taxi to see the Karen Blixen museum, Uhuru gardens, the national museum or the live snake center next door. Then you will stay in the hotel in Nairobi.
Day 10: Nairobi – Amboseli National Park
Leaving the busy city, your journey takes you to the Amboseli National Park close to the Tanzanian border. This park is famous for iconic images of elephant herds on the plains with snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. We hope for good weather so you can see this scene for yourself. Apart from herds of elephants you might also see lions, leopards and the rest of the Big Five. Looking out from Observation Hill, you will see buffaloes, hippos and water birds frolicking in the swamps below. Then dinner and overnight at either Luxury Lodge or Luxury Tented.
Day 11: Amboseli National Park – Arusha
Today you will continue through the park on your way to the Tanzanian border. There will be time to see more animals on your way out of Amboseli. After going through customs you are back in Tanzania and you will continue to Arusha where you will either have a hotel stay or transfer straight to the Airport. If you chose to have a last night hotel accommodation in Arusha.
Clients can make any flight departing after 7:00pm from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day. Accommodation at Kili wonders hotel, Sal salinero hotel or Pink flamingo boutique hotel
Day 2: Lemosho Glades (2385m) to Big Tree Camp (2780m)
You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00am and transferred to the Lemosho gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process you will still start our climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree camp where you will be spending the night.
Day 3: Big Tree Camp (2780m) to Shira 1 Camp (3500m)
Today you will trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. Our destination for today is the Shira 1 Camp from where there is often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude today and parts of the route are fairly steep.
Day 4: Shira 1 Camp (3500m) to Shira 2 Camp (3900m)
Today you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views. Our destination today is the Shira 2 Camp. In the afternoon you will take an acclimatization walk then head back to camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Shira 2 Camp (3900m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)
Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking in to the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4640 m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch. In the afternoon we make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located in the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3960 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.
Day 6: Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)
Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
Day 7: Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp, we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
Day 8: Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m)
We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Day 9: Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a hot welcome shower. Accommodation at Kiliwonders hotel, Sal salinero hotel or Pink flamingo boutique hotel
Day 10: Moshi to Lake Manyara National Park
Today after breakfast you will leave the hotel for a tour to Lake Manyara National Park, one of the smallest but most diverse parks in Tanzania. The shallow and alkaline Lake Manyara covers a large area of the park and it is the seasonal home to thousands of flamingos – an awesome (pink) sight. However more than 500 other bird species are also found here as well as some wonderful mammals. Troops of monkeys live in the forests, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras and wildebeests on the grassy plains and elephants and lions in the acacia woodlands. After an intensive game drive and a picnic lunch, you will leave the park to Karatu/Ngorongoro by the late afternoon or early evening.
Day 11: Ngorongoro Crater
After an early start you will make your way to the crater of Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The exotic beauty and the varieties of games living here are some of the opportunities that no traveler want to lose on a visit to Tanzania. This is a massive carter of about 600 m. deep and its width is approximately 20Km. A few of the varieties of animals it hosts include the “Big Five” – lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard – to Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles and mountain reedbucks. Even you can spot the hyenas and the more than 500 bird species in the region has justifiably made it a paradise for the bird lovers. You would be served the lunch on the crater and in the late of the afternoon you have to travel back to Karatu/Tarangire, where you will overnight at the lodge.
Day 12: Tarangire National Park to Arusha
After breakfast, you will leave the highlands and continue to Tarangire National Park which is notably marked for its features such as the huge baobab trees, the perennial Tarangire River and seasonal swamps that is home to the largest elephant herds in northern Tanzania. You would be picked up from your hotel early after your breakfast and head for this park with our experienced guide. In the famous Tarangire River, the only source of water in the region, you would have the opportunity to find a lot of African games that include elephants, giraffes, bushbucks, hartebeests, dik-diks, waterbucks, warthog’s reedbucks, buffaloes, zebras and even the lions. While Leopards are seen every once in a while, cheetahs are rarely spotted. This would be the most fabulous experience for you to view the games through the open roof of our jeep. After the game drive you have to leave the park in the late afternoon and drive to Arusha. With prior arrangement, we can drop you off at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) after the safari or book additional lodging.
Clients can make any flight departing after 7:00pm from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Inclusions
♣ Hotel accommodations for the nights before and after the climb
♣ Airport transfers
♣ All park fees
♣ Guide and porters
♣ Crew salaries
♣ Meals and drinking water on the mountain
♣ A private portable toilet
♣ Tents and sleeping mattresses
♣ Emergency oxygen cylinder and first aid kit
♣ Full board accommodation on safari
♣ Customized safari vehicle (4WD)
♣ English-speaking driver guide on safari
♣ Bottled drinking water (2 liters) everyday
Exclusions
♣ International flights
♣ Tanzania entry visas
♣ Tips for the mountain crew (USD $450-$300) per climber per trip and safari guide (USD $30-$40) per car per day.
♣ Travel insurance
♣ Personal trekking gear
♣ Snacks on the mountain
♣ Meals and drinks at the hotel
♣ Alcohol/soft drinks at safari hotels/lodges/camps
Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania
Arrive Kilimanjaro airport, meet and transfer to hotel in Moshi
Day 2: Moshi/Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast you are met by our tour guide/driver, who will deliver a short safari briefing. You will be driving to Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive with our picnic lunch. Upon your arrival Manyara you will be welcomed by the Great Rift Valley Escarpment view and fun makers’ baboon at the entrance of Manyara in large groups. We will travel through the agricultural and fresh produce market town of Mto Wa Mbu, which is situated next to the entrance of the Lake Manyara National Park. The town is a souvenir hunters paradise, harboring thousands souvenir salesmen – ready to pounce at your slightest invitation. The Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s most dramatically located African wildlife areas, consisting of a massive but shallow soda lake (covering two-thirds of the park) at the foot of the Great Rift Valley’s western escarpment. The park’s varied habitat attracts a wide variety of animals; including one of Africa’s densely populated of herd of African elephant, famous tree-climbing lions, as well as large flocks of flamingos, attracted by the algae in the lake. We will enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park and do two exciting morning and afternoon game drives, in search of the wildlife and birdlife that Manyara host along with a view of famous hot spring known as “Maji Moto”. Late afternoon you will be transferred to the Campsite for hot shower, dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Lake Manyara to Olduvai Gorge then transfer to Serengeti
The Olduvai Gorge or Oldupai Gorge in Tanzania is one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world; it has proven invaluable in furthering understanding of early human evolution
Day 4: Serengeti National Park
Serengeti is home to millions of wildebeest during the migration and over the huge flat plains, you are likely to find lions, cheetah, leopards, hyenas, and many other small predators. Your guide will choose the best wildlife viewing locations for the time of year. Spend time at the hippo pool, watching these enormous animals laze about in the cool water alongside the crocodiles, watch a lion stalking its prey, or be staggered by the scale of the great wildebeest migration. The journey from wide, open plains to the kopjes, volcanic rocky outcrops that provide protection and shelter for a wide variety of animals. This diverse and interesting landscape will provide you with the ultimate in-game viewing. Overnight Serengeti National Park.
Day 5: Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro crater is a part of the larger Ngorongoro Conservation Area, one of three natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites found in Tanzania, the Crater is the remnant of a mighty volcano that collapsed inward upon itself after a mighty eruption between 2 and 3 million years ago.
Day 6: Tarangire National Park
We visit 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. The name of the park originates from the Tarangire River that crosses the park. The Tarangire River is the primary source of fresh water for wild animals in the Tarangire Ecosystem during the annual dry season. The Tarangire Ecosystem is defined by the long-distance migration of wildebeest and zebras. During the dry season thousands of animals concentrate in Tarangire National Park from the surrounding wet-season dispersal and calving areas. After game viewing, drive to Arusha or JRO airport for a flight to Zanzibar. Accommodation at Serena Zanzibar, Park Hyatt Zanzibar or Kisiwa House
Day 7: Zanzibar Stone Town
Rooftop breakfast. Morning at your leisure. Afternoon trip to Prison Island. A mere 4 kilometers and 20 minutes boat ride from the bustle of Stone Town lies quiet Changuu (Prison) Island, which received its name from the prison that was built in 1893 under Zanzibar’s British administration. The buildings were never used as a prison and instead became a quarantine center. The ruins are still intact and the cells can be visited. A protected colony of giant tortoises – some over 100 years old – live on the island. A number of rare bird species may also be seen on the island. Accommodation at Pongwe beach hotel, Zuri Zanzibar or Tulia Zanzibar
Day 8 & 9: Zanzibar Northeast Coast
After breakfast, take a private island Spice Tour. Visit a spice plantation where you will have the opportunity to pick, smell and savor some of the world’s most exotic fruit & spices – many of which you have never seen on the supermarket shelf. Cloves, star fruit, ‘bulls’ heart’, tangerine trees, lemon grass, mangos and lip-stick trees… perhaps you will fancy buying a basket of freshly picked spices to take home with you! Included are stops at the ruins of the Maruhubi Palace, the site of David Livingston’s house, and the Kidichi Persian Baths. After the tour, your driver will drop you off in a quiet bay on the north east coast of Zanzibar. Relax at the beautiful beach at Pongwe or enjoy one of the multiple activities available: snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, cycling, boating in a traditional wooden longboat, and swimming, among others. Some activities require an extra fee payable directly to the hotel. Accommodation at Pongwe beach hotel, Zuri Zanzibar or Tulia Zanzibar
Day 10 & 11: Zanzibar East Coast
Day at your leisure. Accommodation at White Sand Zanzibar or Kisiwa on the Beach
Day 12: Zanzibar/ East Coast / Zanzibar Airport
Day at your leisure to explore Stone Town until transfer to the Zanzibar airport for your international flight home.
Two peaks climb means climbing Mount Meru (4566m) then Mt Kilimanjaro (5895m). The climb of Mt. Meru helps greatly in succeeding in reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro due to the acquired acclimatization. Besides the acclimatization, the Mt. Meru climb is very enjoyable and beautiful, offering a unique landscape, flora and fauna found in the park plus some great views of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania
Arrive Kilimanjaro airport, meet and transfer to hotel in Moshi
Day 2: Moshi to Momela Gate (1200m) to Miriakamba Hut (2470m).
You will be picked up from your hotel and transported to the park gate. From there you walk through game-filled park land up to Miriakamba Hut (2470m). Along the way there are many spectacular views; including Kilimanjaro from Miriakamba Hut. You will encounter varieties of wildlife as you trek past the glades which support them. This day’s trek is not difficult because the terrain is very gradual which makes it a pleasant walk. Dinner and overnight at Miriakamba Hut.
Day 3: Miriakamba Hut (2514m) to Saddle Hut (3570m)
The trail passes through fine forests and heather to the Saddle Hut (3570m). It is a steep day as you will gain 1056m of altitude. After reaching Saddle Hut, an ascent to Little Meru is possible in the afternoon this segment takes one hour both ways and it is an acclimatization session before the summit attempt. Today you will be having a very early dinner then half night sleep at Saddle Hut.
Day 4: Saddle Hut (3570m) to Socialist Peak (4566m) to Miriakamba Hut (2514m).
A very early start at 2:00am takes us to a superb viewpoint called Rhino Point on the crater rim and then onto an airy ridge which leads up to the summit. The trek will take about 5 hours then return back to Saddle Hut for a short rest and lunch. Following this, the descent continues to Miriakamba Hut where dinner and overnight will take place.
Day 5: Miriakamba Hut (2514m) to Momela Gate (1500m)
Walk back to the park gate in approximately 2 hours. You will be using the same route that you used to climb the mountain. Reaching back to the gate will allow the presentation of the certificates return by vehicle to your hotel.
Day 6: Kilimanjaro Preparation
This is relaxation day at your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
Day 7: Machame Gate (1790m) to Machame Camp (3010m)
One hour’s drive from Moshi to Machame gate, where we complete park formalities, meet our crew of porters and start to climb! The first section of the route climbs steadily and passes through magnificent, dense rainforest. This path is less well-trodden so it can get somewhat overgrown in places and it is often wet and muddy underfoot.
Day 8: Machame Camp (3010m) to Shira Camp (3845m)
Our route continues on up through the forest until we reach the steep ascent onto the Shira Plateau, where there are rewarding views of the mountain. Looking back, you will be able to see Mt Meru rising high above Arusha town in the distance.
Day 9: Shira Cave (3845m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)
Walking now on high moorland, the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and finally reach camp. The day has been spent at altitude (up to 4600m), but we have followed the mountaineering code of ‘walk high, sleep low’ to aid your body’s acclimatization to altitude.
Day 10: Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)
Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
Day 11: Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp, we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
Day 12: Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m)
We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Day 13: Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
A gentle trek takes us down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome hot shower.
Clients can make any flight departing after 7:00pm from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day. Accommodation at Kili wonders hotel, Sal salinero hotel or Pink flamingo boutique hotel
Day 2: Lemosho Glades (2385m) to Big Tree Camp (2780m)
You will be picked up at your hotel at around 08:00am and transferred to the Lemosho gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. After the registration process you will still start our climb steadily through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree camp where you will be spending the night.
Day 3: Big Tree Camp (2780m) to Shira 1 Camp (3500m)
Today you will trek across a plateau of grassy moorland and heather scattered with volcanic rock formations. Our destination for today is the Shira 1 Camp from where there is often views of Kibo Peak floating on the clouds. We gain a reasonable amount of altitude today and parts of the route are fairly steep.
Day 4: Shira 1 Camp (3500m) to Shira 2 Camp (3900m)
Today you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo. Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views. Our destination today is the Shira 2 Camp. In the afternoon you will take an acclimatization walk then head back to camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Shira 2 Camp (3900m) to Barranco Camp (3960m)
Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking in to the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4640 m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch. In the afternoon we make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located in the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3960 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.
Day 6: Barranco Camp (3960m) to Karanga Camp (3963m)
Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley. From here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.
Day 7: Karanga Camp (3963) to Barafu Camp (4640m)
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude. On arriving at camp, we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.
Day 8: Barafu Camp (4640m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m)
We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.
Day 9: Trek Millennium Camp (3790m) to Mweka Gate (1630m)
A gentle trek takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a hot welcome shower. Accommodation at Kiliwonders hotel, Sal salinero hotel or Pink flamingo boutique hote
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Day 10: Fly to Zanzibar
One-hour morning flight to the Spice Island from Kilimanjaro Airport. Transfer to Stone town, rest and lunch at your leisure, afternoon private guided Stone town walking tour. Stone town is rich with the history, culture, and architecture of the diverse peoples that have called the island home. A walking tour is the only way to truly experience this ancient city, which exists today much as it did when Zanzibar was a great trading center known the world over for spices, ivory, and slaves. The two-and-a-half-hour tour takes you through the streets and back alleys to Stone town’s famous and infamous spots, including the location of the slave market, Sultans’ palaces, Beit el Ajaib (House of Wonders), the old Arab Fort, artists’ studios, and museums. Feel the rhythm of life in the main marketplace, alive with the chatter of locals bargaining in Swahili and the vibrant palate of colors from the fabrics, tropical fruits, spices, and intricately carved wooden handicrafts. The Zanzibar Coffee House provides a touch of magic and romance in the heart of Stone Town. The hotel is an exquisitely transformed mansion, originally built in 1885 in authentic Arab style by the Wazir to Sultan Said Bargash, containing harmonious interiors, antique furniture, rich fabrics and traditional Zanzibar four-poster beds. The day begins in the tower top teahouse for breakfast with fresh coffee and home baked goods from the hotel’s cafe. At the end of the day, as you relax with the sunset and gaze across the minarets, there’s a feeling of timelessness that conjures up a bygone era. Accommodation at Serena Zanzibar, Park Hyatt Zanzibar or Kisiwa House
Day 11: Zanzibar Stone Town
Rooftop breakfast. Morning at your leisure. Afternoon trip to Prison Island. A mere 4 kilometers and 20 minutes’ boat ride from the bustle of Stone Town lies quiet Changuu (Prison) Island, which received its name from the prison that was built in 1893 under Zanzibar’s British administration. The buildings were never used as a prison and instead became a quarantine center. The ruins are still intact and the cells can be visited. A protected colony of giant tortoises – some over 100 years old – live on the island. A number of rare bird species may also be seen on the island. Accommodation at Pongwe beach hotel, Zuri Zanzibar or Tulia Zanzibar
Day 12 & 13: Zanzibar Northeast Coast
After breakfast, take a private island Spice Tour. Visit a spice plantation where you will have the opportunity to pick, smell and savor some of the world’s most exotic fruit & spices – many of which you have never seen on the supermarket shelf. Cloves, star fruit, ‘bulls’ heart’, tangerine trees, lemon grass, mangos and lip-stick trees… perhaps you will fancy buying a basket of freshly picked spices to take home with you! Included are stops at the ruins of the Maruhubi Palace, the site of David Livingston’s house, and the Kidichi Persian Baths. After the tour, your driver will drop you off in a quiet bay on the north east coast of Zanzibar. Relax at the beautiful beach at Pongwe or enjoy one of the multiple activities available: snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, cycling, boating in a traditional wooden longboat, and swimming, among others. Some activities require an extra fee payable directly to the hotel. Accommodation at Pongwe beach hotel, Zuri Zanzibar or Tulia Zanzibar
Day 14: Zanzibar Northeast Coast / Zanzibar Airport
After a final day at the beach, transfer in the afternoon to the Zanzibar airport for your international flights home.
