This 12 days programme combines a climb of majestic Kilimanjaro on the scenic Machame Route in 6 days which is a bit sportive with some safari highlights of the Northern Circuit. Emphasis in accommodation is given with smaller rustic lodges and tented camps with a welcoming, authentic atmosphere and less luxury hence always nice and of good  standard.

Day 1: ARRIVAL

You will be met at the International Airport of by your Driver/Guide and our representative. We will take you to the Mount Meru Game Lodge  with an attached game sanctuary.

Our safari manager will come to meet you and to provide you with a safari briefing. Dinner.

Overnight at Mount Meru Game Lodge. Dinner is included.

NB –if you arrive into another airport than Kilimanjaro  we’ll arrange a connection flight to Arusha either on arrival or the following day (at extra cost). From Nairobi also road transfers in private or shared vehicles possible.

Day 2: Kilimanjaro - Arusha - Machame Gate - Machame Camp
After breakfast we'll transfer you to the Machame Park Gate (5,870 ft./ 1,790 mt.). After registering with the park authority, we'll begin our climb through the lush forest.

Trekkers will likely hear the many exotic birds in the canopy above, and many even see black & white colobus monkeys and sykes monkeys as they hike along the knotted roots We'll continue on to some heath land before reaching our overnight camp at Machame Camp (9,875 feet, 5-7 hours of walking), just above the forest zone. The trek is quite long, thus not steep.

Overnight at Machame Camp. All meals included.

Day 3: Mt Kilimanjaro - Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Today's segment of the ascent will continue across beautiful heath land and afro-alpine moorland with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro Peak. We begin up the steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, and trees of Giant Heather and Erica. Scramble around large boulders as you enter the moorland zone, marked by lobelia and senecia plants, and volcanic rocks draped with lichen beards, which protect wild alpine flowers growing at their bases. We'll overnight at Shira Camp (12,615 feet, 4-5 hours of walking).

Overnight at Shira Camp. All meals included.

Day 4: Mt Kilimanjaro - Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
We'll draw nearer the peak as we get closer to the Lava Tower. The trek becomes a bit more strenuous as the trail steepens on the approach to the lava Tower, a 300 foot tall volcanic plug which marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet. In the afternoon, descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley.

Barranco Camp is set on a col (flat area) enclosed on three sides with steep valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, amidst the eerie landscape of plants such as the giant groundsels (Senecio Kilimanjari), and the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia. Then we slowly ascent to our overnight stop at Barranco Camp (12,990 feet, 5-6 hours of walking).

Overnight at Barranco Camp. All meals included.

Day 5: Mt Kilimanjaro - Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
The day will begin with a descent into the Gorge, before we climb its eastern wall where we will enjoy views of Kilimanjaro's ice fields, an equatorial anomaly.

We will continue trekking following the lava ridge to the Barafu camp. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting as a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight tonight.

Overnight at Barafu Camp. All meals included.

Day 6: Mt Kilimanjaro - Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Just after midnight we start of a challenging trek(12-17 hours of trekking). You begin trekking at 12:00 to 1am, passing between the Rebmann and Tarzel glaciers to the rim at Stella Point. The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight, to between 10 deg. F (-12 deg. C) to –10 F. (-23 deg. C) just before dawn at the summit.

As dawn nears, we'll summit at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 19,340 feet. Uhuru will be the culmination of - and the reward for - 6-7 hours of strenuous hiking. We'll then descend back to Barafu Camp, resting for a while before continuing our descent to Mweka Camp (10,105 feet, 3-4 hours of walking on the descent).

Overnight at Mweka Camp. All meals included.

Day 7: Mt Kilimanjaro - Mweka Camp to Park Gate – Arusha
We'll make our final descent to the park gate, a walk of about 2 to 3 hours. After bidding our farewells to our guide and porters, we'll take you to Arusha for overnight at Mount Meru Game Lodge (or similar).

Overnight at Mount Meru Game Lodge. All meals included.

Day 8: Lake Manyara
After breakfast we depart for to Lake Manyara. Nestling at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, the park is recognized for its incredible beauty. You can see many game animals such as Buffalo, Elephant, Giraffe, Impala, hippo and others.

Overnight at Kirurumu Tented Lodge or Rift Valley Lodge at Lake Manyara. Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 9: Lake Manyara  - Serengeti
After breakfast you start on your way to Serengeti National Park. After stopping for your picnic lunch on a kopje (rock outcropping) in Serengeti you will continue further into the park and go on a game drive.

Overnight at Mapito Tented Camp at Ikoma, Northern Serengeti. All meals included.

Day 10: Serengeti
A full day of game drives around Serengeti. Depending on the time of year and the migration of the herds you can expect to see wildebeest, lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, baboons, hippos, rhinos, antelopes and many birds and other species.

Overnight at Mapito Tented Camp, Serengeti. All meals included.

Day 11: Ngorongoro
After breakfast you drive  to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. After arrival you will decent into the crater for a wonderful game drive (with a picnic lunch) inside the Ngorongoro Crater.

As very few animals migrate in and out of the crater with its 2000 ft. high walls, you can expect to see lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, flamingos, jackals, rhinos, antelopes, many birds and other species. Your Driver/Guide will be in contact with other safari drivers and will amaze you with his skill at locating the hidden animals.

Overnight at Ngorongoro Farmhouse or Tloma Lodge in Karatu nearby . All meals included.

Supplement for Serengeti Sopa Lodge at 70 USD per person / day

Day 12: Ngorongoro –Arusha/Kilimanjaro - Departure
After breakfast (or lunch depending on your flight schedule) you return to Arusha and onwards to Kilimanjaro for departure. Breakfast and lunch included.

A dayroom will be arranged for your convenience if required.

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