Tanzania Safaris
Game viewing at its best is a highly debated superlative on the continent of Africa, but one obvious contender is between the highest mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and Africa's largest lake, Lake Victoria. You can see game by roof-hatch or pop-top vehicle and participate in walking, hiking, mountain climbing, boating and ballooning. Accommodations vary from large lodges to small fixed tented camps and mobile tented safaris.

Please contact our office for additional safaris to Tanzania or to customize your own Tanzania safari.

Amboseli, Ngorongoro, Manyara - 3 nights

	Day 1: Drive through Masailand to Amboseli for lunch and p.m. game drive.
	Day 2: After breakfast, depart to Ngorongoro after crossing the Tanzania border at Namanga. Lunch is scheduled either in Arusha or Lake Manyara enroute to Ngorongoro.
	Day 3: Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater by four-wheel drive vehicle for game viewing. Return to your lodge for lunch and short drive to Lake Manyara.
	Day 4: After breakfast, game drive at Lake Manyara National Park. Depart to Arusha for transfer to the shuttle service to Nairobi.

Ngorongoro, Manyara, Tarangire - 3 nights

	Day 1:  After lunch, proceed to Ngorongoro.
	Day 2: Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater by four-wheel drive vehicle for game viewing. Return to your lodge for lunch and short drive to Lake Manyara.
	Day 3: After breakfast game drive at Lake Manyara National Park. Afternoon travel to Tarangire for dinner and overnight.
	Day 4: Game drive in Tarangire before return to Arusha by lunchtime.

Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Manyara - 3 nights

	Day 1:  After lunch, proceed to Ngorongoro.
	Day 2:  Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater by four-wheel drive vehicle for game viewing. Return to your lodge for lunch and depart for the Serengeti via the Olduvai Gorge. Dinner and overnight in the Serengeti.
	Day 3: After breakfast take a game drive in the Serengeti. After lunch, travel to Lake Manyara for dinner and overnight.
	Day 4: After breakfast, take a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. Return to Arusha by lunchtime.

Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro - 5 nights

	Day 1: Drive to Lake Manyara after lunch. The hotel is built at high altitude with a magnificent view of the lake and park. Dinner and overnight.
	Day 2:  Game drive in Lake Manyara. Lunch and afternoon safari to the Serengeti.
	Day 3:  Morning and afternoon game drives in the Serengeti.
	Day 4:  Visit Olduvai Gorge, site of archaeological findings, enroute to Ngorongoro.
	Day 5:  Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater by four-wheel drive vehicle with picnic lunches for a full day of game viewing. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
	Day 6:  Return to Arusha after breakfast.

Note: All itineraries will vary from departure to departure, depending on the planning, weather conditions, etc.

Mount Kilimanjaro Climb - 7 or 8 days (depending on route)

At 19,400 feet (5895 meters) above sea level, it is the highest mountain in Africa and one of the highest volcanoes (extinct) in the world, and reputed to be the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Located only 330 km south of the Equator on the northern boundary of Tanzania and amongst the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, Kilimanjaro with its snow capped peak is recognized throughout the world. For the adventure seeker wishing to see a fiery sunrise from behind Mawenzi. Gillman's Point, at 18,635 feet (acknowledged to be the top by the Park authorities) or to reach Uhuru and earn the satisfaction of having reached the "roof of Africa" this may not be an impossible dream. The peak can be reached by persons in good health, a reasonable level of fitness, adequate kit and definitely a positive mental attitude with some luck.

There are five principal routes up the mountain - Marangu, Shira, Mweka, Umbwe and Machame - of which the last three require special permission from the park headquarters because they are more difficult and potentially dangerous. The most popular and perhaps "easier" way to reach the summit is the Marangu route, which has huts with all the basic facilities. However, no routes can be attempted without a guide.

Mount Kilimanjaro Climb, Marangu Route - 7 days

It takes about five days, once on the mountain, to climb Kilimanjaro along the Marangu route (about 80km). The route begins at Marangu Gate at 1,860m and then passes through the tangled rain forest to the Mandara Hut at 2,725m, close by the Maundi Crater. 

Next day, the forest soon gives way to rolling alpine meadows with giant heather trees. The altitude begins to make itself felt. Horombo Hut is 12km away at 3,780m. From here, the landscape becomes progressively more rugged and rocky and giant groundsels and lobelias appear on the open moor. The path skirts Mawenzi and crosses the desert of the saddle towards the last hut that nestles below Kibo at 4,740m. 

The final ascent begins well before dawn and is the most strenuous part, requiring approximately six hours to reach Gillman's Point in the crater rim at 5,685m. The highest point is Uhuru Peak at 5,895m, an hour's walk along the crater's rim. The descent takes two days with an overnight at Horombo.

Detailed Itinerary:

	Day 1: Marangu Arrive at Marangu after an Ivory Photo Safari or transfer from Kilimanjaro/Nairobi Airport. The day is spent preparing your kit for the climb, meeting your companions and other climbers, and getting to know your guide.
	Day 2 : Marangu to Mandara Hut 9,000 feet After breakfast, drive to the park entrance, roughly 4 miles from Marangu Hotel. After clearing the formalities at the Park entrance, enter the rain forest for a gentle 3 hour walk to Mandara. Although this section can be covered faster, being the first day, it is worth maintaining a slow pace as to acclimatize a little better, and to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
	Day 3: Mandara to Horombo Hut 12,500 feet After breakfast hike past the rain forest before emerging into alpine meadow for the approximately 10 mile walk to Horombo. If the day is clear there are splendid views to be had of both peaks and also of the plains stretching away below the mountain. The vegetation around is also spectacular and you might see giant lobelia. It is not uncommon to start experiencing some effects of altitude, commonly shortness of breath, at this stage.
	Day 4: Horombo to Kibo Hut 15,500 feet After breakfast start the climb to Kibo Hut. At this stage you are closer to Mawenzi than to Kibo, and the climb appears to be taking you to the wrong peak. There is a more direct route to Kibo which the porters use, but it is not advisable on the ascent; the route you will follow will assist in a more gradual acclimatization, and there is the added advantage of spectacular views of Mawenzi. The terrain is very similar to the previous day until you reach the saddle which resembles a semi-desert. There is also a teaser-on clear days, the Kibo Hut looks very close but is actually a few hours walk. The pace should be steady, and no rushing; take this slowly in order to acclimatize. The last half hour to the hut can be very tiring as the hut is some way up the peak. Furthermore, the prospect of next day's hiking can seen pretty daunting, and discouraging. Given a few hours rest and by having paced the climb well, many climbers are able to regenerate part of their strength and spirits.
	Day 5: Kibo Hut to Summit (18600+ feet) and descend to Horombo Hut You will be woken shortly after midnight with a hot drink to prepare for departure (the reason for the early departure is to have an opportunity to see a spectacular sun rise over Mawenzi, the frozen scree will make it a little easier to progress. The first part of the ascent to the Hans Meyer cave is quite indirect, going around large rock outcrops and it is not as steep as the latter part. The surface is loose and hard going; again it is very important to pace yourself. After the cave, the scree slope becomes extremely steep and you have to climb in a zigzag fashion. It takes an average of 6 hours to cover the 4 miles from Kibo Hut to Gillman's Point on the crater rim. If you are lucky you will see a fiery sunrise from behind Mawenzi.  Gillman's Point, at 18,635 feet is acknowledged to be the top and you will receive a certificate from the Park authorities for reaching it. From here, one has splendid views of the ice cliffs across the crater. After a rest, if you feel able, if weather conditions and time permit, and most important, if your guide says it is possible, you may attempt to reach Uhuru Peak around the crater rim. This is about another one and a half to two hours' walk. If you reach Uhuru you will get a gold certificate, and the satisfaction of having reached the roof of Africa! The descent that follows is almost, if not as difficult as the ascent. You will be tired, and the slope will have lost none of its steepness. Back at Kibo Hut you will have an opportunity to rest, change and repack your kit before continuing to the Horombo Hut by a more direct route. This is quite likely going to be a long and tiring day.
	Day 6: Horombo Hut to the Park Gate and Marangu Today, hike all the way down to the Park Gate, while still maintaining a steady and controlled pace so as not to cause yourself injury. From the gate, transfer back to the hotel for a well deserved hot bath and drink.
	Day 7:  After breakfast, connect to an Ivory Photo Safari, or transfer to the International Airport at Kilimanjaro or Nairobi.

Mount Kilimanjaro Climb, Machame Route - 8 days

This is probably the most beautiful way to climb up Mount Kilimanjaro. With a lovely, gradual ascent through forest you emerge to see wide views of the moorland on Shira Plateau and further on the crags and snow of Kibo and the Western Breach. Beautiful and varied vegetation enhances the scenery along the route.

Detailed Itinerary:

	Day 1: Marangu Arrive at Marangu after an Ivory Photo Safari (LINK to safari list) or transfer from Kilimanjaro/Nairobi Airport. The day is spent preparing your kit for the climb, meeting your companions and other climbers, and getting to know your guide.
	Day 2: Machame Gate to Machame hut Landrovers take climbers to the gate at 1800 meters at the entrance to the forest where you will register. From here, a 5 to 6 hour walk, gradually ascending through the forest to a ridge between the Weru Stream and the Makoa Stream until the main trailhead is reached and then onwards to the hut which is just clear of the forest at 3000 meters to Machame Campsite.
	Day 3: Machame hut to Shira hut After hiking through the forest, the trail and vegetation will dry and you will hike up a steep boulder ridge from Machame hut through moorland to about 3600 meters, heading straight towards the peak. Then, after about 4 hours, the path turns left, flattening out into a gorge and ascending more gradually to Shira hut (3840 meters) on the Shira plateau to the west of Kibo. Total time is about 5-6 hours.
	Day 4: Shira hut to Barranco hut  The path continues directly up the ridge towards Kibo. After about 4 hours, the path forks to the right and descends into a gorge (Barranco) and the night is spent at Barranco hut (3950 metres). Total time about 5-6 hours.
	Day 5: Barranco hut to Barafu hut Cross the Barranco valley, climb the Barranco wall (not technical climbing), then follow the Kibo South Circuit. Wonderful views are to be had of Kibo's southern glaciers if the weather is clear. Lunch next to the river in the Karanga valley, then on to the intersection of the South Circuit with the Mweka ascent path. Turn left and climb up a ridge for about 2 hours to Barafu hut (4600 metres). Total time about 6-7 hours.
	Day 6: Barafu hut to the top Leave hut at 01:00 hrs on a steep climb over scree and rock towards the Rebmann Glacier, pass a cliff and then enter the gap between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, arriving at the crater rim near Stella point. (About 6-7 hours). If you are lucky you will see a fiery sunrise from Gillman's Point, at 18,635 feet (acknowledged to be the top and you will receive a certificate from the Park authorities for reaching it). From here, one has splendid views of the ice cliffs across the crater. After a rest, if you feel able, if weather conditions and time permit, and most important, if your guide says it is possible, you may attempt to reach Uhuru Peak around the crater rim. This is about another one and a half to two hours' walk. If you reach Uhuru you will get a gold certificate, and the satisfaction of having reached the roof of Africa! The descent that follows is almost, if not as difficult as the ascent. You will be tired, and the slope will have lost none of its steepness. This is quite likely going to be a long and tiring day.
	Day 7: Mweka Hut to the Park Gate and Marangu Today, hike all the way down to the Park Gate, while still maintaining a steady and controlled pace so as not to cause yourself injury. From the gate, transfer back to the hotel for a well deserved hot bath and drink.
	Day 8: After breakfast, transfer to the International Airport at Kilimanjaro or Nairobi.