Climb Kilimanjaro, enjoy a safari experience in Tanzania’s best National parks, and end relaxing on the beach in Zanzibar. A Private Safari with knowledgeable and competent driver/guides.
Trip Information:
An unforgettable holiday! The very best of Tanzania’s wildlife parks and Kilimanjaro mountain climbing, combined with a relaxing beach holiday in Zanzibar. Ideal for adventurous Honeymooners or any travelers looking to see the best of Tanzania.
This trip will give you a chance to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, a wildlife safari to the Northern circuit National Parks of Tanzania (Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti), and also relaxation on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar.
Experience and enjoy the nature, wildlife and habitat of small to large mammals, birds, and reptiles in their natural areas. Our driver guides are knowledgeable and competent.
Note:
We do not place groups together. This way you are ensured the full attention of our guide, but with the added knowledge of our guides’ experiences. It also means that we can start the tour on the day you prefer.
Detailed Itineraries:
DAY 1: Arrival day
Pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transfer to Meru Simba Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Half Board
Accommodation: Meru Simba Lodge
DAY 2: Mandara Hut
1700m to 2740m
5500ft to 9000ft
7 km, 4-5 hours
Montane Forest
After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (45 minutes), register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment located at 9000 ft / 2740 m. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colubus monkeys
DAY 3: To Horombo Camp
2700m to 3700m
9000ft to 12,100ft
11 km, 6-8 hours
Heathland
After about 1 hour, you will leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and grounsels. You will start to feel the affects of the altitude.
If you wish to extend your trek, here you can spend an extra day resting at Horombo or climbing the small peak of Mawenzi.
DAY 4: To Kibo Camp
3700m to 4700m
12,100ft to 15,400ft
10 km, 6-8 hours
Alpine Desert
Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape.” Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb
DAY 5: To Summit and Horombo
4700m to 5895m, (and down to 3700m), 15,400ft to 19,300ft
(and down to 12,100ft)
4 km up / 14 km down
10-15 hours
Alpine Desert
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s point located on the crater rim at 18640 ft / 5861 m (4-7 hours). Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa: 19340 ft / 5895 m (1-2 hours).
Unbelievable views at every turn. Get your picture taken at the summit to show your friends. From here, we now descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment for dinner and a tired but happy overnight (1-2 hours).
The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is, by far, the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. “Pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
DAY 6: To Arusha
3700m to 1700m
12,100ft to 5500ft
18km, 5-7 hours
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m.), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m.). 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).
A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to Meru Simba Lodge in Arusha. Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters — it is time for celebration!
Meals: Full Board
Accommodation: Meru Simba Lodge
Day 7: Arusha to Lake Manyara Park 130 km / 2 hrs
After your breakfast at 08.30, drive from Arusha with your packed lunch to Lake Manyara for game viewing. At 1300 hrs, take your lunch in the park picnic area, then in the evening drive to your lodge for dinner and overnight at Manyara Serena Lodge.
Meals: Meals: Full Board
Accommodation: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge
About Manyara National Park:
A major attraction of the Lake Manyara National Park is the tree-climbing lions. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that you will spot them. However, there are countless other things to see: elephants, hippos, zebras, impalas, buffalos, baboons, and plains animals, as well as huge variety of birdlife, both resident and migratory.
At certain times of the year, Lake Manyara is home to thousands of flamingos (attracted by the Lake itself), which form a shimmering pink zone around the lake shore. Other birds found here include ostriches, egrets, herons, pelicans and storks. Also seen are African spoonbills, various species of ibises, ducks and the rare pygmy geese. The most noticeable feature of the landscape within this park are the very impressive baobab trees with their huge trunks.
Day 8: Lake Manyara National Park – Serengeti National Park 190 km / 3.5 4 hrs
After breakfast at 0800hrs, disembark from Lake Manyara National Park with your packed lunch and game drive en route to the great Serengeti Plains via Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Late afternoon drive to your lodge for dinner and overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge.
Meals: Full Board
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Lodge
About Serengeti Endless Plains of Nature\’s Wonders: The Serengeti National Park, covering 14763 square kilometers is one of the world\’s largest wildlife sanctuaries. One of the most breathtaking events in the animal kingdom, the migration of thousands of wildebeest takes place here every year. The Serengeti, 320 kilometers from Arusha, was gazetted in 1951. It was accepted by the World Heritage Convention as a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve in 1981.
Day 9: Serengeti
After breakfast, leave with your packed lunch for game drive in the Serengeti park in the central area to the east region. Around 12.30 pm to 13.00 pm, break for your picnic lunch; thereafter proceed with afternoon game drive for the rest of the day before heading back to your lodge. Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge.
Meals: Full Board
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Lodge
Day 10: Serengeti – Ngorongoro/Olduvai.
After breakfast, disembark with your packed lunch and game drive en route to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It is your option whether you pass via Olduvai Gorge (a historical site whereby the early man lived) or via the Maasai Boma (if you are interested in African tradition and culture). Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Meals: Full Board
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Day 11: Ngorongoro Crater – Lake Manyara Serena Lodge
After breakfast, descend into the crater for a tour around the unbroken caldera that encloses the wildlife. Lunch at Ngorongoro Crater picnic site near Lerai Forest or hippo pool, and after lunch proceed with game viewing in the crater. In the evening, ascend the crater and drive to Lake Manyara Serena Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Full Board
Accommodation: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge
Day 12: Tarangire National Park – Arusha
After breakfast head to Tarangire national park with packed lunch for a full day game drive before heading back to Arusha. Dinner and overnight at Ilboru Safari Lodge.
Meals: Half Board
Accommodation: Ilboru Safari Lodge.
Day 13: Arusha to Zanzibar
Flight (Precisionair) departs Arusha at 1100hrs and arrives in Zanzibar at 1215hrs. Meet & greet at the airport and transfer to your hotel in Stone Town (Tembo House Hotel) for overnight.
Meals: Half Board
Accommodation: Tembo House Hotel.
Day 14: Excursion in Zanzibar
In the morning after breakfast, pick up from the hotel for any two tours mentioned (Spice Tour, Historical Stone Town Tour, Jozani Forest Tour, Prison Island Tour or Sunset Cruise). Note that a Dolphin Tour can be arranged on request. In the evening drive back to the hotel for dinner and overnight
Meals: Half Board
Accommodation: Tembo House Hotel
Day 15: Stone town to East coast
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the hotel in the East Coast (Karafuu Hotel Beach Resort) for overnight.
Meals: Half Board
Accommodation: Karafuu Hotel Beach Resort.
Day 16: Rest & Relax
At leisure and overnight at your beach hotel.
Meals: Half Board
Accommodation: Karafuu Hotel Beach Resort
Day 17: Zanzibar – Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) – Home
Pickup from your East Coast hotel and transfer to Zanzibar airport for your flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in connection with your departure flight back home.
End of Tour.
Costing Above Includes:
– Accommodation on the first night upon your arrival at Meru Simba Lodge
– All Airport transfers as per Itinerary
– Flights Arusha – Zanzibar – JRO
– Transport to and from mountain gates
– All parks entry fees.
– All camping fees.
– Rescue fees.
– Guide and porters.
– Service of Professional English Speaking driver guide(s).
– Complimentary bottle of drinking water (1.5liters per person per day).
– All accommodations indicated in the Itinerary.
– Cook and all kitchen utensils.
– Activities as stipulated in the itinerary
Costing Above Does NOT Include:
– International flights to/from JRO (Tanzania)
– Hot Air Balloon Ride over Serengeti (Can be arranged at a cost of US$499 per person)
– Hard and soft drinks
– Sleeping bags but we can provide for hire on request.
– All Mountain Gears (we can arrange hire of this)
– Tips to the mountain guide(s), driver guide(s), cook(s) and Porters
– All items of personal nature/use.
– And all not mentioned on the plan
