Day 2 LONDOROSSI GATE TO FOREST CAMP
Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft We depart Arusha for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.
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Day 3 FOREST CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP 1
Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.
During your game drives and nature walks, spot abundant sightings of monkey, jackal, mongoose, hyena, hyrax, zebra, hippo, warthog, buffalo, Masai giraffe, duiker, waterbuck, impala, elephants, black rhino, leopards and a wealth of bird life such as sugar-pink Lesser Flamingos, significant numbers of Greater Flamingos and a host of other woodland, plains and water birds.
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Day 4: SHIRA CAMP 1 TO SHIRA 2 TO MOIR HUT
Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
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Day 5: MOIR HUT TO LAVA TOWER TO BARRANCO CAMP
Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
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Day 6: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP
Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft after breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
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Day 7: KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP
Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft after breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
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Day 8: BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MWEKA HUT
Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft) Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
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Day 9: MWEKA CAMP TO ARUSHA
Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Arusha.
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Day 10: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
Distance: 120km
Time : 2hrs
After breakfast, drive to Tarangire to discover the giant termite mounds and baobab trees of Tarangire. This park which is home to elephant, sports a particularly dense wildlife such as waterbuck, giraffe, dik dik, impala, eland, Gants Gazzelle, vervet monkey, banded, mongoose and olive baboon, Lion , leopard, cheetah, caracal, honey badger and African wild dog. All these will be explained by our knowledgeable driver guide.
Later in the evening our driver guide will drive you to your camp which is located inside the park for leisure and hot dinner.
Dinner and Overnight at Tarangire Tree Tops on Full board basis
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Day 11: Tarangire – Lake Manyara National Park
Distance :115km
Time :2hrs
Departs to Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive and later on to Mto wa Mbu for Cultural Tour. The Lake Manyara National park is serene and beautiful with main attractions of a rich bird life, tree-climbing lions, its elephants, and hippos that you can see at closer range than most other places. The game drive here is excellent throughout of the year.
Lake Manyara is an alkaline lake and at certain times of the year hosts thousands of flamingos and a diversity of other bird life. Although it is one of the smallest parks, its vegetation is so diverse enabling it to host a variety of wildlife habitats.
In the afternoon heading to Mto Wa Mbu for cultural tour with local lunch and later on drive to your lodge for overnight.
Dinner and overnight at Escarpment lodge on Full board basis.
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Day 12: Lake Manyara - Central Serengeti
Distance : 205 km Time: 4:5hrs Depart for Serengeti after breakfast passing through Olduvai Gorge, the site of the Leakey family discovery of fossils of human and animal ancestors dating back to almost two million years. The Serengeti National Park is a large national park in Tanzania. It is most famous for its annual migration of over one and a half million white bearded wildebeest and 250,000 zebra. The game drive here is excellent throughout of the year due to permanent source of water. Aside from the wildebeest you will be able to view a large number of animals in the area include giraffe, Hibbo, Elephant and many others.
Later in the evening you will drive to your camp located inside the park for leisure and hot dinner.
Dinner and overnight at Sametu Camp Serengeti on Full board basis
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Day 13: Central Serengeti
After breakfast you will departs for full day game drive a Central Serengeti. We continue to focus on this area where Blue wildebeests, gazelles, zebras and buffalos inhabit the region, along with lions and spotted hyenas familiar to fans thanks to Disney film “The Lion King.” But they are not the only wildlife involved that you will have the opportunity to spot in the Central Serengeti. If you are lucky enough you will be able to see many other animals in Seronera Valley like herds of buffalo, topi, hartebeest and Impala, waterbuck, reedbuck and dik dik, giraffe , warthog and birdlife of all colors and sizes. It is famous for its abundant lions and leopard.
Later in the evening drive back to you are camp which is located inside the park for leisure and hot dinner.
Dinner and Overnight at Sametu Camp Serengeti on Full board basis.
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Day 14: Central Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro
Distance : 145km
Time: 3:30hrs
After breakfast we make the most day with 08:00 start, heading off to Serengeti for the final game drive before heading to Ngorongoro another African icon. You will continue to focus on the area with large concentration of animals like big cats/predators – lion, leopard and cheetah and also the laughing hyena.
Early in the afternoon after lunch the adventure will continue while enroute to Ngorongoro for leisure and hot dinner.
Dinner and Overnight at Lion Paw Ngorongoro on Full board basis
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Day 15: Ngorongoro – Kilimanjaro International Airport
Distance: 245km
Time: 5hrs
After breakfast you will be departing from your camp and descending to crater floor over 600meters to view wildlife. Ngorongoro the park is teeming with wildlife such as Zebra, buffalo, hyenas, Wildebeest, and Lion thriving the area. Ngorongoro is home to one of the highest densities of lions in Africa. Also, this is perhaps the best place to see the Black Rhino. If you are itching to see big 5, in Ngorongoro you’re likely to spot all five in one places. Soon after ascending from the crater floor you will be heading to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back home. When back home, post your photos share your stories and relive your memories with Siware Adventure.