LOCATION: Tanzania.
DESTINATION:Mt. Kilimanjaro Climbing, Safari &Zanzibar.
DURATION: 15 Days Safari
ITINERARY FOR 7 DAYS MACHAME ROUTE, 3 DAYS SAFARI & 4 DAYS ZANZIBAR
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT.
Representative of Sirikwa Travel will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and escort you to tonight’s accommodations in Moshi/Arusha. To this day, will meet your mountain guide (s) and discuss about the route and he will check all necessity things that should be carried during the hiking and if anything will be missed, he will escort you to the rental place.
DAY 2: MACHAME GATE & MACHAME CAMP.
Elevation: 5,380 ft. to 9,350 ft.
Distance: 11 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
From here, we will be driving from Moshi to the Machame Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. As we leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Machame Camp and overnight.
DAY 3: MACHAME CAMP TO SHIRA 2 CAMP.
Elevation: 9,350 ft. to 12,500 ft.
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Heath
We leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp and overnight.
DAY 4: SHIRA 2 CAMP TO LAVA TOWER.
SHIRA 2 CAMP
Elevation: 12,500 ft. to 15,190 ft.
Distance: 7 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
LAVA TOWER TO BARRANCO CAMP
Elevation: 15,190 ft. to 13,044 ft.
Distance: 3 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft. tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.
DAY 5: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP.
Elevation: 13,044 ft. to 13,106 ft.
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft. cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
DAY 6: KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP.
Elevation: 13,106 ft. to 15,331 ft.
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
DAY 7: BARAFU CAMP TO UHURU PEAK.
Elevation: 15,331 ft. to 19,341 ft.
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
UHURU PEAK TO MWEKA CAMP
Elevation: 19,341 ft. to 10,065 ft.
Distance: 12km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft.), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
DAY 8: MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE.
Elevation: 10,065 ft. to 5,380 ft.
Distance: 10km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel and get prepared for the tomorrow’s 3 days Safari.
DAY 9: TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
You will be picked up at your hotel in Moshi/Arusha at 07:00hrs and transferred to the Tarangire National Park to start off your game viewing experience in this magnificent park which is famous for its large collection of baobab trees, spectacular large mammal population and variety of bird species, not to mention one of the largest concentration of elephants in the country. After your tour around the park, you will be transferred to your tented camp/lodge where you will be spending the night.
Meals: breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 10: NGORONGORO CRATER.
You will depart the camp around 06:00hrs and head to the Ngorongoro Crater for your final game drive. The crater is not only the largest unbroken caldera in the world but it is also one of the new 7 natural wonders of Africa. After your morning game drive, you will take a break to enjoy your packed lunch at the Hippo Pool Picnic site before you continue with your afternoon game drive. In the early evening you will be transferred back to your tented camp/lodge where you will be spending the night.
Meals: breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
DAY 11: LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK.
You will depart the camp around 0700hrs and head to Lake Manyara National Park for your final game drive. The park is renowned for its elusive tree climbing lions and diverse bird life. After your tour around the beautiful lake and the amazing ground water forest you will be transferred back to Moshi/Arusha in order to prepare yourself for the tomorrow’s 4 days Zanzibar safari.
Meals: breakfast & Lunch
Day 12: Arrive in Zanzibar.
Our driver from Sirikwa Travel will be waiting at either the airport or ferry dock to transfer you to your hotel. Spend the evening relaxing in Stonetown. Overnight at Tembo House
Day 13: Stonetown Tour
Enjoy an early breakfast before taking a privately guided tour of Stonetown that includes the traditional spice markets, the old fort and the slave museum. After lunch make the 45min drive to the northern coast of the Island. Overnight at Amaan Bungalows
Day 14: Mnemba Island
Start with a half day boat ride with lunch and snorkeling to the small island of Mnemba, famous for its white sands, clear waters and colorful tropical fish. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the beach or at the pool. Overnight at Amaan Bungalows.
Day 15: Departure
We will come to pick you and transfer you to the airport for your onward journey.
*Please note*
This itinerary is subject to change with or without prior notice according to local conditions / park rules. The order of places visited could also be changed according to the guide’s decision.
