We offer the Shira and Machame routes in either 7 or 8 days, but do not offer anything less than 7 days in order to assure proper acclimatization. The Shira is used less frequently than the Machame so you may not see see any other climbers until you reach the summit. Another reason some climbers prefer the Shira is the gradual ascent it makes crossing the Shira plateau.
The Machame crosses several valleys so you will spend more than one day hiking up and down steep grades. but the Machame is closer to the town of Arusha so the distance to transport clients and porters is shorter and that makes a difference in cost.
Lemosho Glades/Shira Plateau/ Southern Circuit - 7 days
Day 1 - Mti mkubwa Camp (9,000ft – 2,740m)
We drive to Lemosho Glades in Kilimanjaro National Park where you’ll meet your crew and start the hike. From here we’ll walk a few hours through the undisturbed forest to our camp. Lunch will be provided during our hike and with luck you’ll be able to see Colobus monkeys and signs of elephant or buffalo.
Day 2 - Shira Plateau East Side (12,950ft – 3,950m)
Our hike today will take us across the Shira Plateau and onto the western slope of the Kibo Massif. Camp will be in the upper heath zone. We'll begin in the Montane Forest and the Hagenia Zone. By taking our time walking through the forest, we should spot some of the plentiful game and bird life. Your guide will point out the unique environmental differences that characterize these separate equatorial zones. Day 3 - Barranco Hut (12,800ft – 3,900m)
We'll traverse east towards a prominent rock outcropping called ‘Lava Tower’ then descend into a valley below the Western Breach. The Barranco Camp is a beautiful camp in a valley filled with giant groundsel, lobelia and a small stream dropping from the Breach Wall. The elevation is close to that of Shira, but during the hike we will reach 15,000 which will be important for acclimatization.
Day 4 - Karanga Camp (13,800ft – 4,200m)
Trekking beneath the south face of Kilimanjaro and the Heim, Kersten and Decken glaciers we’ll cross two valleys traversing around the summit towards the Karanga Valley. The Karanga Valley is a little deeper than the others we’ll cross today, but not as large as Barranco Valley. Topping out just below the Heim glacier we'll descend in the lush Karanga Valley. From this camp you can look east and see the rugged peak of Mawenzi jutting into the sky
Day 5 - Barafu Hut (15,090ft – 4600m)
From the Karanga camp we’ll climb to our high camp at Barafu located on a high desert plain littered with volcanic boulders. Looking southeast we’ll see the dry plateau which the Marangu route crosses with Mawenzi Peak in the distance. A few platforms have been leveled for tents among the rocks and pumice for our alpine bivouac. This camp marks the completion of what is called the South Circuit which traverses the south side of Kilimanjaro providing views of the summit from many different angles.
Day 6 - Mweka Hut (10,500ft – 3,200m)
Summit day! Setting out in the dark between 1 and 2 a.m, it can be bitterly cold and windy ascending the pumice and rock scree. The sun will be up by the time we reach the crater rim at Stella Point which is about 19,000ft. We’ll finish the summit push by following the crater rim around to Uhuru Peak (19,340ft). From Kili's summit Mount Meru and the Pare Mountains punctuate the wide African plains beneath us. After summit photos and mutual congratulations we’ll descend to Mweka Camp.
Day 7 - Mweka Park Gate
We finish our climb of Kilimanjaro with a descent to the trail head today where we have lunch and say goodbye to our climbing crew before leaving the mountain.
We drive to Lemosho Glades in Kilimanjaro National Park where you’ll meet your crew and start the hike. From here we’ll walk a few hours through the undisturbed forest to our camp. Lunch will be provided during our hike and with luck you’ll be able to see Colobus monkeys and signs of elephant or buffalo.
Day 2 - Shira Plateau East Side (12,950ft – 3,950m)
Our hike today will take us across the Shira Plateau and onto the western slope of the Kibo Massif. Camp will be in the upper heath zone. We'll begin in the Montane Forest and the Hagenia Zone. By taking our time walking through the forest, we should spot some of the plentiful game and bird life. Your guide will point out the unique environmental differences that characterize these separate equatorial zones. Day 3 - Barranco Hut (12,800ft – 3,900m)
We'll traverse east towards a prominent rock outcropping called ‘Lava Tower’ then descend into a valley below the Western Breach. The Barranco Camp is a beautiful camp in a valley filled with giant groundsel, lobelia and a small stream dropping from the Breach Wall. The elevation is close to that of Shira, but during the hike we will reach 15,000 which will be important for acclimatization.
Day 4 - Karanga Camp (13,800ft – 4,200m)
Trekking beneath the south face of Kilimanjaro and the Heim, Kersten and Decken glaciers we’ll cross two valleys traversing around the summit towards the Karanga Valley. The Karanga Valley is a little deeper than the others we’ll cross today, but not as large as Barranco Valley. Topping out just below the Heim glacier we'll descend in the lush Karanga Valley. From this camp you can look east and see the rugged peak of Mawenzi jutting into the sky
Day 5 - Barafu Hut (15,090ft – 4600m)
From the Karanga camp we’ll climb to our high camp at Barafu located on a high desert plain littered with volcanic boulders. Looking southeast we’ll see the dry plateau which the Marangu route crosses with Mawenzi Peak in the distance. A few platforms have been leveled for tents among the rocks and pumice for our alpine bivouac. This camp marks the completion of what is called the South Circuit which traverses the south side of Kilimanjaro providing views of the summit from many different angles.
Day 6 - Mweka Hut (10,500ft – 3,200m)
Summit day! Setting out in the dark between 1 and 2 a.m, it can be bitterly cold and windy ascending the pumice and rock scree. The sun will be up by the time we reach the crater rim at Stella Point which is about 19,000ft. We’ll finish the summit push by following the crater rim around to Uhuru Peak (19,340ft). From Kili's summit Mount Meru and the Pare Mountains punctuate the wide African plains beneath us. After summit photos and mutual congratulations we’ll descend to Mweka Camp.
Day 7 - Mweka Park Gate
We finish our climb of Kilimanjaro with a descent to the trail head today where we have lunch and say goodbye to our climbing crew before leaving the mountain.
Shira/ Southern Circuit/ Crater camp - 8 days
Day 1 - Montane Forest (9,000ft – 2,740m)
We drive to Lemosho Glades in Kilimanjaro National Park where you’ll meet your crew and start the hike. From here we’ll walk a few hours through the undisturbed forest to our camp. Lunch will be provided during our hike and with luck you’ll be able to see Colobus monkeys and signs of elephant or buffalo.
Day 2 - Shira Plateau West side (11,300ft – 3,445m)
Today’s hike will take us through the Montane Forest and the Hagenia Zone. By taking our time walking through the forest, we should spot some of the plentiful game and bird life. Your guide will point out the unique environmental differences that characterize these separate equatorial zones.
Day 3 - Shira Plateau East Side (12,950ft – 3,950m)
Our hike today will take us across the Shira Plateau and onto the western slope of the Kibo Massif. Camp will be in the upper heath zone.
Day 4 - Barranco Camp (14,300ft – 4,360m)
Today we’ll hike past a prominent rock called Lava Tower to the Barranco camping area. This camp is situated in a valley below the Western Breach and Great Barranco Wall and is filled with large numbers of giant senecio and lobelia plants. This will be your first introduction to the alpine zone on Kilimanjaro, the only plant life being the hardiest of plants.
Day 5 - Barafu Hut (15,090ft – 4,600m)
After breakfast we leave the Barranco Hut to ascend a steep ridge, which bisects the Barranco Wall in the Karanga Valley. We join the Southern Circuit Path and follow it until it meets the upper portion of the Mweka trail. We than hike up the Mweka trail to Barafu Hut. The view from our camp is one of the best on the mountain and includes the main peak of Kibo, across the east plateau to Mawenzi and down to the plains below Kili.
Day 6 - Crater Camp (18,500ft – 5,640m)
Today we climb to the outer crater-rim of Kibo and reach Stella Point in time for sunrise. From here we continue along the flat, sandy floor of the crater until we reach the Furtwangler glacier at the bottom of the outer rim wall. Summit Crater Camp, just below Uhuru Peak and next to magnificent Furtwangler Glacier, is almost 3,000 feet (900m) higher than any mountain in the Alps and higher than all but two mountains in North America. If time permits, we can walk over to the ash pit of the Reusch Crater before returning to camp for dinner.
Day 7 - Mweka Hut (10,500ft – 3,200m)
Summit day! We will start our ascent to the summit (19,340ft - 5,896m) around 7:00am and reach the summit by 9:00am. After taking in the view from Uhuru Peak we’ll begin the long descent down to Barafu Hut for lunch and than to our camp at Mweka Hut.
Day 8 - Mweka Park Gate
We make the final descent to the trail head today. Here we will have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before leaving Kilimanjaro.
We drive to Lemosho Glades in Kilimanjaro National Park where you’ll meet your crew and start the hike. From here we’ll walk a few hours through the undisturbed forest to our camp. Lunch will be provided during our hike and with luck you’ll be able to see Colobus monkeys and signs of elephant or buffalo.
Day 2 - Shira Plateau West side (11,300ft – 3,445m)
Today’s hike will take us through the Montane Forest and the Hagenia Zone. By taking our time walking through the forest, we should spot some of the plentiful game and bird life. Your guide will point out the unique environmental differences that characterize these separate equatorial zones.
Day 3 - Shira Plateau East Side (12,950ft – 3,950m)
Our hike today will take us across the Shira Plateau and onto the western slope of the Kibo Massif. Camp will be in the upper heath zone.
Day 4 - Barranco Camp (14,300ft – 4,360m)
Today we’ll hike past a prominent rock called Lava Tower to the Barranco camping area. This camp is situated in a valley below the Western Breach and Great Barranco Wall and is filled with large numbers of giant senecio and lobelia plants. This will be your first introduction to the alpine zone on Kilimanjaro, the only plant life being the hardiest of plants.
Day 5 - Barafu Hut (15,090ft – 4,600m)
After breakfast we leave the Barranco Hut to ascend a steep ridge, which bisects the Barranco Wall in the Karanga Valley. We join the Southern Circuit Path and follow it until it meets the upper portion of the Mweka trail. We than hike up the Mweka trail to Barafu Hut. The view from our camp is one of the best on the mountain and includes the main peak of Kibo, across the east plateau to Mawenzi and down to the plains below Kili.
Day 6 - Crater Camp (18,500ft – 5,640m)
Today we climb to the outer crater-rim of Kibo and reach Stella Point in time for sunrise. From here we continue along the flat, sandy floor of the crater until we reach the Furtwangler glacier at the bottom of the outer rim wall. Summit Crater Camp, just below Uhuru Peak and next to magnificent Furtwangler Glacier, is almost 3,000 feet (900m) higher than any mountain in the Alps and higher than all but two mountains in North America. If time permits, we can walk over to the ash pit of the Reusch Crater before returning to camp for dinner.
Day 7 - Mweka Hut (10,500ft – 3,200m)
Summit day! We will start our ascent to the summit (19,340ft - 5,896m) around 7:00am and reach the summit by 9:00am. After taking in the view from Uhuru Peak we’ll begin the long descent down to Barafu Hut for lunch and than to our camp at Mweka Hut.
Day 8 - Mweka Park Gate
We make the final descent to the trail head today. Here we will have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before leaving Kilimanjaro.
Machame/ Southern Circuit/ Crater Camp - 8 days
Day 1 - Machame Camp (10,200ft – 3,110m)
We’ll drive to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and through Machame village to the trailhead where we will meet our crew. Following the trail through Montane forest and stands of giant heather our first camp is in a small clearing.
Day 2 - Shira Hut (12,600ft – 3,840m)
Today we'll hike up through giant heath forests and moorland. A portion of the hike follows a ridge which overlooks the Shira Plateau to the west where we’ll stop for lunch. The last part of the hike is magnificent as we enter the alpine desert zone with panoramic vistas including the southern ice fields.
Day 3 - Barranco Hut (12,800ft – 3,900m)
We'll traverse east towards a prominent rock outcropping called ‘Lava Tower’ then descend into a valley below the Western Breach. The Barranco Camp is a beautiful camp in a valley filled with giant groundsel, lobelia and a small stream dropping from the Breach Wall. The elevation is just a couple hundred feet higher than the camp at Shira hut, but during the hike we will reach 15,000 which will be important for acclimatization.
Day 4 - Karanga Camp (13,800ft – 4,200m)
Trekking beneath the south face of Kilimanjaro and the Heim, Kersten and Decken glaciers we’ll cross two valleys traversing around the summit towards the Karanga Valley. The Karanga Valley is a little deeper than the others we’ll cross today, but not as large as Barranco Valley. During the hike we’ll also see the Diamond Glacier just east of the Western Breach and the dramatic long icicles reaching down to the Balletto Glacier below it.
Day 5 - Barafu Hut (15,090ft – 4600m)
From the Karanga camp we’ll climb to our high camp at Barafu located on a high desert plain littered with volcanic boulders. Looking southeast we’ll see the dry plateau which the Marangu route crosses with Mawenzi Peak in the distance. A few platforms have been leveled for tents among the rocks and pumice for our alpine bivouac. This camp marks the completion of what is called the South Circuit which traverses the south side of Kilimanjaro providing views of the summit from many different angles. Day 6 - Crater Camp (18,500ft – 5,640m)
Today we climb to the outer crater-rim of Kibo and reach Stella Point in time for sunrise. From here we continue along the flat, sandy floor of the crater until we reach the Furtwangler glacier at the bottom of the outer rim wall. Summit Crater Camp, just below Uhuru Peak and next to magnificent Furtwangler Glacier, is almost 3,000 feet (900m) higher than any mountain in the Alps and higher than all but two mountains in North America. If time permits, we can walk over to the ash pit of the Reusch Crater before returning to camp for dinner. Day 7 - Mweka Hut (10,500ft – 3,200m)
Summit day! We will start our ascent to the summit (19,340ft - 5,896m) around 7:00am and reach the summit by 9:00am. After taking in the view from Uhuru Peak we’ll begin the long descent down to Barafu Hut for lunch and than to our camp at Mweka Hut. Day 8 - Mweka Park Gate
We finish our climb of Kilimanjaro with a descent to the trail head today where we have lunch and say goodbye to our climbing crew before leaving the mountain.
We’ll drive to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and through Machame village to the trailhead where we will meet our crew. Following the trail through Montane forest and stands of giant heather our first camp is in a small clearing.
Day 2 - Shira Hut (12,600ft – 3,840m)
Today we'll hike up through giant heath forests and moorland. A portion of the hike follows a ridge which overlooks the Shira Plateau to the west where we’ll stop for lunch. The last part of the hike is magnificent as we enter the alpine desert zone with panoramic vistas including the southern ice fields.
Day 3 - Barranco Hut (12,800ft – 3,900m)
We'll traverse east towards a prominent rock outcropping called ‘Lava Tower’ then descend into a valley below the Western Breach. The Barranco Camp is a beautiful camp in a valley filled with giant groundsel, lobelia and a small stream dropping from the Breach Wall. The elevation is just a couple hundred feet higher than the camp at Shira hut, but during the hike we will reach 15,000 which will be important for acclimatization.
Day 4 - Karanga Camp (13,800ft – 4,200m)
Trekking beneath the south face of Kilimanjaro and the Heim, Kersten and Decken glaciers we’ll cross two valleys traversing around the summit towards the Karanga Valley. The Karanga Valley is a little deeper than the others we’ll cross today, but not as large as Barranco Valley. During the hike we’ll also see the Diamond Glacier just east of the Western Breach and the dramatic long icicles reaching down to the Balletto Glacier below it.
Day 5 - Barafu Hut (15,090ft – 4600m)
From the Karanga camp we’ll climb to our high camp at Barafu located on a high desert plain littered with volcanic boulders. Looking southeast we’ll see the dry plateau which the Marangu route crosses with Mawenzi Peak in the distance. A few platforms have been leveled for tents among the rocks and pumice for our alpine bivouac. This camp marks the completion of what is called the South Circuit which traverses the south side of Kilimanjaro providing views of the summit from many different angles. Day 6 - Crater Camp (18,500ft – 5,640m)
Today we climb to the outer crater-rim of Kibo and reach Stella Point in time for sunrise. From here we continue along the flat, sandy floor of the crater until we reach the Furtwangler glacier at the bottom of the outer rim wall. Summit Crater Camp, just below Uhuru Peak and next to magnificent Furtwangler Glacier, is almost 3,000 feet (900m) higher than any mountain in the Alps and higher than all but two mountains in North America. If time permits, we can walk over to the ash pit of the Reusch Crater before returning to camp for dinner. Day 7 - Mweka Hut (10,500ft – 3,200m)
Summit day! We will start our ascent to the summit (19,340ft - 5,896m) around 7:00am and reach the summit by 9:00am. After taking in the view from Uhuru Peak we’ll begin the long descent down to Barafu Hut for lunch and than to our camp at Mweka Hut. Day 8 - Mweka Park Gate
We finish our climb of Kilimanjaro with a descent to the trail head today where we have lunch and say goodbye to our climbing crew before leaving the mountain.
Machame/ Southern Circuit - 7 days
Day 1 - Machame Camp (10,200ft – 3,110m)
We’ll drive to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and through Machame village to the trailhead where we will meet our crew. Following the trail through Montane forest and stands of giant heather our first camp is in a small clearing.
Day 2 - Shira Hut (12,600ft – 3,840m)
Today we'll hike up through giant heath forests and moorland. A portion of the hike follows a ridge which overlooks the Shira Plateau to the west where we’ll stop for lunch. The last part of the hike is magnificent as we enter the alpine desert zone with panoramic vistas including the southern ice fields.
Day 3 - Barranco Hut (12,800ft – 3,900m)
We'll traverse east towards a prominent rock outcropping called ‘Lava Tower’ then descend into a valley below the Western Breach. The Barranco Camp is a beautiful camp in a valley filled with giant groundsel, lobelia and a small stream dropping from the Breach Wall. The elevation is just a couple hundred feet higher than the camp at Shira hut, but during the hike we will reach 15,000 which will be important for acclimatization.
Day 4 - Karanga Camp (13,800ft – 4,200m)
Trekking beneath the south face of Kilimanjaro and the Heim, Kersten and Decken glaciers we’ll cross two valleys traversing around the summit towards the Karanga Valley. The Karanga Valley is a little deeper than the others we’ll cross today, but not as large as Barranco Valley. During the hike we’ll also see the Diamond Glacier just east of the Western Breach and the dramatic long icicles reaching down to the Balletto Glacier below it.
Day 5 - Barafu Hut (15,090ft – 4600m)
From the Karanga camp we’ll climb to our high camp at Barafu located on a high desert plain littered with volcanic boulders. Looking southeast we’ll see the dry plateau which the Marangu route crosses with Mawenzi Peak in the distance. A few platforms have been leveled for tents among the rocks and pumice for our alpine bivouac. This camp marks the completion of what is called the South Circuit which traverses the south side of Kilimanjaro providing views of the summit from many different angles.
Day 6 - Mweka Hut (10,500ft – 3,200m)
Summit day! Setting out in the dark between 1 and 2 a.m, it can be bitterly cold and windy ascending the pumice and rock scree. The sun will be up by the time we reach the crater rim at Stella Point which is about 19,000ft. We’ll finish the summit push by following the crater rim around to Uhuru Peak (19,340ft). From Kili's summit Mount Meru and the Pare Mountains punctuate the wide African plains beneath us. After summit photos and mutual congratulations we’ll descend to Mweka Camp.
Day 7 - Mweka Park Gate
We finish our climb of Kilimanjaro with a descent to the trail head today where we have lunch and say goodbye to our climbing crew before leaving the mountain.
We’ll drive to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and through Machame village to the trailhead where we will meet our crew. Following the trail through Montane forest and stands of giant heather our first camp is in a small clearing.
Day 2 - Shira Hut (12,600ft – 3,840m)
Today we'll hike up through giant heath forests and moorland. A portion of the hike follows a ridge which overlooks the Shira Plateau to the west where we’ll stop for lunch. The last part of the hike is magnificent as we enter the alpine desert zone with panoramic vistas including the southern ice fields.
Day 3 - Barranco Hut (12,800ft – 3,900m)
We'll traverse east towards a prominent rock outcropping called ‘Lava Tower’ then descend into a valley below the Western Breach. The Barranco Camp is a beautiful camp in a valley filled with giant groundsel, lobelia and a small stream dropping from the Breach Wall. The elevation is just a couple hundred feet higher than the camp at Shira hut, but during the hike we will reach 15,000 which will be important for acclimatization.
Day 4 - Karanga Camp (13,800ft – 4,200m)
Trekking beneath the south face of Kilimanjaro and the Heim, Kersten and Decken glaciers we’ll cross two valleys traversing around the summit towards the Karanga Valley. The Karanga Valley is a little deeper than the others we’ll cross today, but not as large as Barranco Valley. During the hike we’ll also see the Diamond Glacier just east of the Western Breach and the dramatic long icicles reaching down to the Balletto Glacier below it.
Day 5 - Barafu Hut (15,090ft – 4600m)
From the Karanga camp we’ll climb to our high camp at Barafu located on a high desert plain littered with volcanic boulders. Looking southeast we’ll see the dry plateau which the Marangu route crosses with Mawenzi Peak in the distance. A few platforms have been leveled for tents among the rocks and pumice for our alpine bivouac. This camp marks the completion of what is called the South Circuit which traverses the south side of Kilimanjaro providing views of the summit from many different angles.
Day 6 - Mweka Hut (10,500ft – 3,200m)
Summit day! Setting out in the dark between 1 and 2 a.m, it can be bitterly cold and windy ascending the pumice and rock scree. The sun will be up by the time we reach the crater rim at Stella Point which is about 19,000ft. We’ll finish the summit push by following the crater rim around to Uhuru Peak (19,340ft). From Kili's summit Mount Meru and the Pare Mountains punctuate the wide African plains beneath us. After summit photos and mutual congratulations we’ll descend to Mweka Camp.
Day 7 - Mweka Park Gate
We finish our climb of Kilimanjaro with a descent to the trail head today where we have lunch and say goodbye to our climbing crew before leaving the mountain.
Here are some suggested Safari itineraries that are among our most popular with clients.
Savanna/ Grasslands/ & Highlands Safari - 6 days
Day 1 - Tarangire Park
We depart the town of Arusha for Tarangire Park passing through the open plains to the south towards central Tanzania. During the dry season Tarangire has the greatest concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti ecosystem and its wetlands in the southeast portion of the park support over 500 varieties of birds. We’ll see herds of wildebeest, buffalo, impala, zebra and elephant during a full day of game viewing. With less tourists than other parks, Tarangire’s rolling savannah dotted with thousands of baobab and acacia trees offers a great chance to enjoy Africa's wilderness and solitude..
Day 2 - Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast we depart for Ngorongoro Crater passing through the forested slopes of Ngorongoro Crater Highlands before arriving at the rim of the crater. We’ll descend into the crater which is one of the most densely crowded game areas in the world, home to nearly 40,000 animals. Here we’ll have a good chance of seeing the big five: lion, leopard, rare Black Rhino, buffalo and elephants. Along with the big five; we will also see herds of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle. After a picnic lunch we’ll continue our game drive than depart the crater and arrive at our accommodations just before dusk for dinner on the crater rim.
Day 3 - Serengeti Park
After an early breakfast we descend through the forested slopes of the Ngorongoro Highlands enroute to the Serengeti. We’ll stop at Olduvai Gorge to visit the site where the fossils of a distant ancestor of man, believed to be about 1.8 Million years old, were discovered. We arrive at our accommodations in time for dinner after a game drive through the central Serengeti.
Day 4 - Serengeti Park
We will have a full day game drive today, with picnic lunch in the Serengeti. Our game drive on this day might include a drive along the banks of the Seronera river in search of lions or tracking cheetah through the Gol Kopjes. Dinner and overnight in the central Serengeti.
Day 5 - Lake Manyara Park
Today’s drive takes us though the central Serengeti from west to east and back through the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands to Lake Manyara Park. Often overlooked, this small park is game rich and best known for its tree climbing lions. We’ll have time for an evening game drive and after dinner, a night drive in the park. We overnight at a lodge near the park.
Day 6 - Arusha Town
After breakfast and a morning game drive we will drive back to Arusha having time to shop at some of the curio shops in Makuyuni and Arusha.
We depart the town of Arusha for Tarangire Park passing through the open plains to the south towards central Tanzania. During the dry season Tarangire has the greatest concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti ecosystem and its wetlands in the southeast portion of the park support over 500 varieties of birds. We’ll see herds of wildebeest, buffalo, impala, zebra and elephant during a full day of game viewing. With less tourists than other parks, Tarangire’s rolling savannah dotted with thousands of baobab and acacia trees offers a great chance to enjoy Africa's wilderness and solitude..
Day 2 - Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast we depart for Ngorongoro Crater passing through the forested slopes of Ngorongoro Crater Highlands before arriving at the rim of the crater. We’ll descend into the crater which is one of the most densely crowded game areas in the world, home to nearly 40,000 animals. Here we’ll have a good chance of seeing the big five: lion, leopard, rare Black Rhino, buffalo and elephants. Along with the big five; we will also see herds of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle. After a picnic lunch we’ll continue our game drive than depart the crater and arrive at our accommodations just before dusk for dinner on the crater rim.
Day 3 - Serengeti Park
After an early breakfast we descend through the forested slopes of the Ngorongoro Highlands enroute to the Serengeti. We’ll stop at Olduvai Gorge to visit the site where the fossils of a distant ancestor of man, believed to be about 1.8 Million years old, were discovered. We arrive at our accommodations in time for dinner after a game drive through the central Serengeti.
Day 4 - Serengeti Park
We will have a full day game drive today, with picnic lunch in the Serengeti. Our game drive on this day might include a drive along the banks of the Seronera river in search of lions or tracking cheetah through the Gol Kopjes. Dinner and overnight in the central Serengeti.
Day 5 - Lake Manyara Park
Today’s drive takes us though the central Serengeti from west to east and back through the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands to Lake Manyara Park. Often overlooked, this small park is game rich and best known for its tree climbing lions. We’ll have time for an evening game drive and after dinner, a night drive in the park. We overnight at a lodge near the park.
Day 6 - Arusha Town
After breakfast and a morning game drive we will drive back to Arusha having time to shop at some of the curio shops in Makuyuni and Arusha.
Savanna & Highlands Safari - 5 days
Day 1 - Arusha Park
We’ll begin with a safari to Arusha National Park for a full day tour of the park. The day will include a game drive and an optional foot safari; either on the lower slopes of Mt. Meru or around the rim of Ngurdoto Crater. The crater is an animal sanctuary (no humans are allowed) and has great views of Kilimanjaro and the surrounding area. We will overnight at a local lodge.
Day 2 - Tarangire Park
After breakfast we depart for Tarangire Park passing through the open plains south of Arusha town. With herds of wildebeest, buffalo, elephant, impala and zebra, Tarangire has the greatest concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti ecosystem during the dry season. Plus, its wetlands in the southeast portion of the park support over 500 varieties of birds. We will have lunch and an afternoon game drive before arriving at our accommodations for the night.
Day 3 - Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast we depart for Ngorongoro Crater passing through the forested slopes of Ngorongoro Crater Highlands before arriving at the rim of the crater. We’ll descend into the crater which is home to nearly 40,000 animals. Here we’ll have a good chance of seeing the big five: lion, leopard, rare Black Rhino, buffalo and elephants. Along with the big five; we will also see herds of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle. After a picnic lunch and an afternoon game drive, we’ll arrive at our accommodations just before dusk for dinner.
Day 4 -Lake Manyara Park
We will have a full day game drive today, with picnic lunch in the Serengeti. Our game drive on this day might include a drive along the banks of the Seronera river in search of lions or tracking cheetah through the Gol Kopjes. Dinner and overnight in the central Serengeti.
Day 5 - Lake Manyara Park
Today’s drive takes us back down through the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands to the base of the Rift Valley Escarpment; a dramatic bluff nearly 2,000 ft high. At its base is a narrow belt of acacia woodland and a floodplain that is filled seasonally by Lake Manyara. Encompassing this area is Lake Manyara Park which is often overlooked, but this small park is game rich and best known for its tree climbing lions. We’ll have time for a long game drive and after dinner, a night drive in the park. We overnight at a lodge near the park.
Day 6 - Arusha Town
After breakfast and a morning game drive we will drive back to Arusha having time to shop at some of the curio shops in Makuyuni and Arusha.
We’ll begin with a safari to Arusha National Park for a full day tour of the park. The day will include a game drive and an optional foot safari; either on the lower slopes of Mt. Meru or around the rim of Ngurdoto Crater. The crater is an animal sanctuary (no humans are allowed) and has great views of Kilimanjaro and the surrounding area. We will overnight at a local lodge.
Day 2 - Tarangire Park
After breakfast we depart for Tarangire Park passing through the open plains south of Arusha town. With herds of wildebeest, buffalo, elephant, impala and zebra, Tarangire has the greatest concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti ecosystem during the dry season. Plus, its wetlands in the southeast portion of the park support over 500 varieties of birds. We will have lunch and an afternoon game drive before arriving at our accommodations for the night.
Day 3 - Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast we depart for Ngorongoro Crater passing through the forested slopes of Ngorongoro Crater Highlands before arriving at the rim of the crater. We’ll descend into the crater which is home to nearly 40,000 animals. Here we’ll have a good chance of seeing the big five: lion, leopard, rare Black Rhino, buffalo and elephants. Along with the big five; we will also see herds of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle. After a picnic lunch and an afternoon game drive, we’ll arrive at our accommodations just before dusk for dinner.
Day 4 -Lake Manyara Park
We will have a full day game drive today, with picnic lunch in the Serengeti. Our game drive on this day might include a drive along the banks of the Seronera river in search of lions or tracking cheetah through the Gol Kopjes. Dinner and overnight in the central Serengeti.
Day 5 - Lake Manyara Park
Today’s drive takes us back down through the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands to the base of the Rift Valley Escarpment; a dramatic bluff nearly 2,000 ft high. At its base is a narrow belt of acacia woodland and a floodplain that is filled seasonally by Lake Manyara. Encompassing this area is Lake Manyara Park which is often overlooked, but this small park is game rich and best known for its tree climbing lions. We’ll have time for a long game drive and after dinner, a night drive in the park. We overnight at a lodge near the park.
Day 6 - Arusha Town
After breakfast and a morning game drive we will drive back to Arusha having time to shop at some of the curio shops in Makuyuni and Arusha.
Tanzania Safari on Foot - 6 days
Day 1 - Ndarakwai Ranch
We start our trip on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro's west side at the 10,000 acre Ndarakwai Ranch. This private reserve has over 63 species of mammals, including elephant, zebra, eland, giraffe, wildebeest, lesser kudu, and mountain reedbuck; plus more than 340 species of bird. We will take a guided half-day walk after lunch followed by a night game drive after dinner. We will overnight at Ndarakwai Camp, a permanent tented lodge at the ranch.
Day 2 - Arusha Park
After breakfast we depart for Arusha National Park for a two day tour of the park. We’ll arrive in time for lunch followed by a hike on the lower slopes of Mt. Meru with a ranger in the afternoon. We are almost guaranteed of close encounters with the resident herd of Cape Buffalo and many of the giraffe that inhabit the park. If we are lucky we will also see dik-dik, waterbuck and warthog. A short game drive follows the hike before dinner and overnight at a local lodge.
Day 3 - Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast we depart for Ngorongoro Crater passing through the forested slopes of Ngorongoro Crater Highlands before arriving at the rim of the crater. We’ll descend into the crater which is home to nearly 40,000 animals. Here we’ll have a good chance of seeing the big five: lion, leopard, rare Black Rhino, buffalo and elephants. Along with the big five; we will also see herds of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle. After a picnic lunch and an afternoon game drive, we’ll arrive at our accommodations just before dusk for dinner.
Day 4 - Olmoti Crater
At Olmoti we will have another chance to stretch our legs with a hike from Nainokanoka through the forest up to the top of a spectacular waterfall. The waterfall is part of the Munge river which flows through the crater on its way to Ngorongoro Crater. An armed ranger from the local ranger post will accompany us. We’ll return to our lodge on the Ngorongoro Crater rim for dinner and overnight.
Day 5 - Lake Manyara Park
Today’s drive takes us back through the Crater Highlands to the base of the Rift Valley Escarpment; a dramatic bluff nearly 2,000 ft high. Here lies a narrow belt of acacia woodland and a floodplain that is filled seasonally by Lake Manyara. Encompassing this area is Lake Manyara Park which is often overlooked, but game rich and best known for its tree climbing lions. We’ll have time for an evening game drive and after dinner, a night drive in the park. We overnight at a lodge near the park.
Day 6 - Arusha Town
After breakfast and a morning game drive we will drive back to Arusha having time to shop at some of the curio shops in Makuyuni and Arusha.
We start our trip on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro's west side at the 10,000 acre Ndarakwai Ranch. This private reserve has over 63 species of mammals, including elephant, zebra, eland, giraffe, wildebeest, lesser kudu, and mountain reedbuck; plus more than 340 species of bird. We will take a guided half-day walk after lunch followed by a night game drive after dinner. We will overnight at Ndarakwai Camp, a permanent tented lodge at the ranch.
Day 2 - Arusha Park
After breakfast we depart for Arusha National Park for a two day tour of the park. We’ll arrive in time for lunch followed by a hike on the lower slopes of Mt. Meru with a ranger in the afternoon. We are almost guaranteed of close encounters with the resident herd of Cape Buffalo and many of the giraffe that inhabit the park. If we are lucky we will also see dik-dik, waterbuck and warthog. A short game drive follows the hike before dinner and overnight at a local lodge.
Day 3 - Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast we depart for Ngorongoro Crater passing through the forested slopes of Ngorongoro Crater Highlands before arriving at the rim of the crater. We’ll descend into the crater which is home to nearly 40,000 animals. Here we’ll have a good chance of seeing the big five: lion, leopard, rare Black Rhino, buffalo and elephants. Along with the big five; we will also see herds of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle. After a picnic lunch and an afternoon game drive, we’ll arrive at our accommodations just before dusk for dinner.
Day 4 - Olmoti Crater
At Olmoti we will have another chance to stretch our legs with a hike from Nainokanoka through the forest up to the top of a spectacular waterfall. The waterfall is part of the Munge river which flows through the crater on its way to Ngorongoro Crater. An armed ranger from the local ranger post will accompany us. We’ll return to our lodge on the Ngorongoro Crater rim for dinner and overnight.
Day 5 - Lake Manyara Park
Today’s drive takes us back through the Crater Highlands to the base of the Rift Valley Escarpment; a dramatic bluff nearly 2,000 ft high. Here lies a narrow belt of acacia woodland and a floodplain that is filled seasonally by Lake Manyara. Encompassing this area is Lake Manyara Park which is often overlooked, but game rich and best known for its tree climbing lions. We’ll have time for an evening game drive and after dinner, a night drive in the park. We overnight at a lodge near the park.
Day 6 - Arusha Town
After breakfast and a morning game drive we will drive back to Arusha having time to shop at some of the curio shops in Makuyuni and Arusha.