12 Days: Kilimanjaro and Safari

After breakfast, you will leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, for the first time you will be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. The route now turns west onto a river gorge at 3,750. The night at this bare camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch, rest and spend the night at the campsite. -Elevation: 3,000m to 3,750m -Hiking Time: 4-5 hours -Distance: 5 km -Habitat: Moorland

In this new day your trek begins with an ascent above the Shira Plateau in the direction of the Lava Tower. The surrounding vegetation becomes more sporadic as the landscape changes to an alpine desert. It might be difficult, and you may feel some discomfort, but in order to successfully acclimate to the altitude you have to spend at least one hour, lunch will be served here before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4,630m). -Elevation: 3,750m to 4,630m -Hiking Time: 6-8 hours -Distance: 11 km -Habitat: Moorland

Today you will climb the “Barranco Wall”, where a steady hold will be needed. Hiking up the gorge wall is not difficult and only takes around an hour. Luckily a helping hand is never far behind and our guides will assist you wherever necessary. From the top of the Barranco Wall you will cross a series of hills and valleys until you descend sharply into Karanga Valley. You will stop for a lunch, before embarking on another 2 to 3 hours climb to Barafu Camp (4,640m). At the camp you will enjoy a well-deserved break, evening meal and prepare for the summit day. -Elevation: 4,630m to 4,640m -Hiking Time: 8-10 hours -Distance: 11 km -Habitat: Alpine desert

Around mid-night after getting hot tea with light snacks, you will start your climb to Uhuru Peak. Ascending in the dark, with only a headlight to shine the way, you will climb the screes of Kibo, reaching Stella Point in about 5 to 6 hours. This 6-hour walks to Stella point are for many climbers, mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5,757m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see if the weather permits. From Stella Point you will encounter snow all the way to Uhuru Peak. Walking along the crater ridge you will finally reach Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). On the “Roof of Africa” you will enjoy a 360° view over the surrounding landscape before starting your descent along the same route. From the summit descend back to Barafu, where you will have a warm meal and relax. Then continue to Mweka hut campsite (3,820m). At Mweka camp you will have your last evening meal on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. -Elevation: 4,640m to 5,895m - 5,895m to 3,820m -Hiking Time: 8-12 hours -Distance: 15 km -Habitat: Arctic

This will be the last day for the journey you will gently descend through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. After you descend, the whole group will gather to congratulate you and you will get a chance to share your opinion of the hiking on the guest book and certificate will be provided. Our driver will meet you at Mweka Village to drive you back to the hotel in Arusha. -Elevation: 3,820m to 1,640m -Hiking Time: 4-5 hours -Distance: 12 km -Habitat: Rainforest

In the morning after breakfast our driver/guide will pick you up from the hotel and start your journey heading to Tarangire National Park. The journey will take you 2 hours of drive, upon arrival at the gate you will have 5 minutes break while the driver proceeds with the registration. Our guide knows the wildlife routines better than anyone; where and when the animals like to drink, to eat and where the predators like to hunt. Prepare yourself for extraordinary experience. The park is huge; famous for its diverse landscapes and its astonishing number of elephants (the largest concentration of elephants in the whole country), with luck you will get a chance to see lots of wild animals like lions, wildebeests, leopards, buffalos, gazelles, giraffes, zebras etc. The park is particularly known for the abundance of Ancient Baobab trees the largest trees in the continent which fills the park, creating shades to the animals and nest to some of the birds. After lunch you will proceed with the game drive then exit the park heading to your lodge/camp.

In the morning after breakfast, you will head to Lake Manyara for a full day game drive. Although small in dimension (205 sq. miles), the park is described as one of the hidden gems of Tanzania, this park is famous for its tree climbing lions, lush acacia forest, mahogany trees, giant figs, and large herds of elephant, which are not shy to come straight up to the vehicle, without forgetting the growing population of the baboons and blue monkeys. The lake is also home to a large number of hippos. In the afternoon, transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area for overnight. You will have lunch inside the park facing the lake Manyara after lunch you will proceed with the game drive and exit the park heading to your lodge/camp.

After breakfast, you will commence your journey towards Serengeti National Park via Ngorongoro conservation area while having a game viewing on route to Serengeti. The journey will take long but it is spectacular. Serengeti is home to millions of wildebeest during the migration and over the huge flat plains, you are likely to find predator like lions, cheetah, leopards, hyenas, and many other small predators. It is a home other animals like honey badger, bat-eared foxes, jackals, rock hyrax, baboons, mongoose, monkeys along with nearly 500 species of birds. In the evening, you will drive to your lodge/camp for dinner and overnight.

After an early cup of coffee and biscuits, you will head for a game driver where animals are more active and a beautiful morning sunrise. Our guide will choose the best wildlife viewing, you will spend time at the hippo pool, watching these enormous animals laze about in the cool water, with luck you will see a lion stalking its prey. This diverse and interesting landscape will provide you with the ultimate in-game viewing. With a picnic lunch beside you, take your leisure while exploring this world heritage site. After a long drive and animal viewing you will head to your lodge/camp for dinner and overnight.

After an early breakfast, you will head for a game driver where animals are more active and a beautiful morning sunrise. You will then return to the camp for a full breakfast then venture into the Serengeti’s wilderness corners while exiting the park heading to Ngorongoro. With a picnic lunch beside you, take your leisure while exploring this world heritage site. After a long drive and animal viewing you will head to your lodge/camp for dinner and overnight.

On this day it is best to leave the hotel as early as possible so you can do an early morning game drive when the animals are more active (breakfast will be packed in lunchboxes specifically for this purpose). After registration, you will descend into the crater floor for an incredible morning of wildlife in one of the most stunning national parks in Tanzania. Ngorongoro Crater is unique in that almost all the wildlife lives within the crater walls; hence you have the opportunity to find the game easily. With luck you will see elephants, rhino, lions, wildebeests, buffalos, zebras, hippopotamus etc. Flamingos can often be seen in Lake Magadi, which occupies part of the crater floor. You will have lunch inside the crater facing Ngoitoktok swamp (Hippo pool), after lunch you will exit Ngorongoro Conservation Area and head back to Arusha.