Expedition Summary
Tanzania Adventures "Best of Tanzania" excursion includes
all of the major highlights of Tanzania - from Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro
to a Lodge Safari in the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Lake Manyara
to relaxing on the white sandy Indian Ocean beaches of Zanzibar. It's
unlikely that you'll go home disappointed after you've experienced
a visit of all of Tanzania's diverse pleasures.
Our journey begins with the "Snows
of Kilimanjaro." At 19,340 feet (5,895 meters), Mt. Kilimanjaro
is Africa's highest peak and the highest alone standing mountain
in the world. We offer an intensely rewarding trip and a chance
to Climbing one of the world's "seven summits" via the less
traveled Machame Route, one of the most beautiful trails to the
top of the mountain. We will hike five days before rising early
in the morning on the sixth day to reach the summit, just in time
to see a beautiful sunrise. Our guides have summited many times
so you will be in good hands as we Climbing the "roof of Africa."
Our expedition then leads to the safari part of
our tour, in the Ngorongoro Crater, called the "eighth wonder
of the world." This massive caldera is located right in the
heart of the "Land of the Masai" in the Great Rift Valley.
More than 5,000 feet (1,600 meters) below the crater rim, the bottom
of the crater (265 square kilometers) is dotted with watering-holes
with a rich birdlife. The crater floor shelters more than 20.000
animals in an area naturally enclosed by the high slopes of the
volcano. We will see elephants, buffalos, cheetahs, lions, hyenas,
hippos, wildebeest, Africas last remaining black rhino, and many
more of Africa's most spectacular game animals!
Our tour will then move on to the Serengeti National
Park, 'the place where the land moves on forever.' The Serengeti
is one of the world's last great wildlife parks. Various types of
vegetations, including grassy plains, acacia-dotted savannahs, wooded
hills and mountains, are the backdrop for an extraordinary concentration
of animals that reaches its peak during the annual wildebeest migration
from Kenya, with almost 1.2 million wildebeest pass the park during
the course of their circuitous 1,000-kilometer route in search of
new pastures and watering holes.
After we visit the Serengeti, we will travel on
to our last park, either Tarangire National Park or Lake Manyara
National Park. En route, we will stop at the famous Olduvai Gorge
where Dr. Leakey discovered the remains of Homo Habilis or "Handy
Man." Homo Habilis is regarded as one of mankind's first steps
on the ladder of human evolution.
Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its tree-Climbing lions,
as well as for its huge elephant population, hippos, giraffes, antilopes,
birds and smaller animals.
Tarangire National Park is famous for its acacia trees and baobab
forests, which serve as shelter for the game seeking refuge near
the river. Wildlife includes wildebeest, giraffes, Impalas, Elands,
lesser kudus, waterbucks, gazelles, zebras, elands, elephants, hartebeest,
buffalos, gerenuk, fringe-eared oryx and flocks of birds of many
different species and sometimes rhinos or leopards, which can be
seen throughout the yea .
We will conclude our grand Tanzanian tour with
several days on the spice island of Zanzibar, famous for its history
and the spices. Today, Zanzibar combines ancient ruins and noble
Arabic houses with miles of white, palm-fringed beaches. The lush
island landscapes open to reveal clear blue waters, idyllic off-shore
islands, excellent snorkeling and diving reefs and fantastic deep
sea fishing and other water sport venues. Of course, opportunities
for enjoyment also await us in the delicious seafood and traditional
spicy Zanzibarian dishes. And, a must if you visit Zanzibar, we'll
show you the spice plantations, where cloves, cinnamon, pepper,
nutmeg, vanilla, cardamom and others spices are produced.
Experience Required
No previous experience is required for this trip. Participants should
have a reasonable level of fitness in order to attempt an ascent
of one of the world's highest peaks.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Arusha Kilimanjaro Airport.
We'll meet for an introductory briefing by our representative upon
our rrival in Arusha, before transferring you to the Oasis Lodge
for the evening.
Day 2 Kilimanjaro Climbing - Arusha to Machame
Camp.
Early in the morning we'll transfer you to the Machame Park Gate.
After registering with the park authority, we'll begin our Climbing
through the lush forest. We'll continue on to some beautiful heath
land before reaching our overnight camp at Machame Camp (10,000
feet, 6-7 hours of walking).
Day 3 Kilimanjaro Climbing - Machame Camp
to Shira Camp.
Today's part of the ascent will continue across the heath land and
alpine oorland with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro Peak. Overnight
at Shira Camp (12,500 feet, 6-7 hours of walking).
Day 4 Kilimanjaro Climbing - Shira Camp to
Barranco Camp
We'll draw nearer the peak as we pass the Lava Tower. The trek becomes
a bit more strenuous as the trail steepens on the approach to our
overnight stop at Barranco Camp (13,800 feet, 5-6 hours of walking).
Day 5 Kilimanjaro Climbing - Barranco Camp
to Karanga Valley Camp
The day will begin with a descent into the Gorge, before we Climbing
its eastern wall where we will enjoy views of Kilimanjaro's ice
fields, an equatorial anomaly. We will continue trekking until we
reach our camp in Karanga Valley (13,900 feet, 4-5 hours of walking).
Day 6 Kilimanjaro Climbing - Karanga Valley
Camp to Barafu Camp
We'll trek up through the Karanga Valley, following the lava ridge
to the Barafu camp (15,500 feet, 6-7 hours of walking), where we
will overnight.
Day 7 Kilimanjaro Climbing - Barafu Camp to
Summit to Mweka Camp
Just after midnight, we'll begin our summit attempt, passing between
the Rebmann and Tarzel glaciers to the rim at Stella Point. 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 (9,840 feet, 3-4 hours of walking on the descent).
Day 8 Kilimanjaro Climbing - Mweka Camp to
Park Gate, Transfer to Arusha
On our final day we just descend to Machame Gate, where
our car waits for you. After bidding our farewells to our guide
and porters transfer to Oasis Lodge, for relaxation. (2-3 hrs walking)
Day 9 Start of Safari: Ngorongoro Crater
Your Safari starts with the drive to Ngorongoro Crater.
Your Driver/Guide will make several stops along the way at various
places of interest, including a stop at the edge of the escarpment
overlooking Lake Manyara. After arrival in Ngorongoro you will descend
into the crater for a game drive at the bottom. As very few animals
migrate in and out of the crater with its 2000 ft. high walls, you
can expect to see lions, elephants, giraffes, 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 a lodge
at Ngorongoro. All meals included
Day 10
After breakfast you start on your way to Serengeti National
Park. A picnic lunch will be provided. On the way you will
stop at the Olduvai Gorge where anthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey
made many significant discoveries, contributing to the theory that
human life originated in Africa. 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 a lodge
at Serengeti. All meals included.
Day 11
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.
As in Ngorongoro 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 a lodge at Serengeti. All meals included
Day 12
After breakfast we head 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 a lodge at Lake Manyara. All meals included
Day 13
Early morning game drive in the Lake Manyara, then
drive back to Arusha. Overnight in the Oasis Lodge. All meals included.
Day 14
Flight from Arusha airport to Zanzibar in the morning. On arrival
on Zanzibar we will bring you to your Zanzibar beach hotel,
the Sau
Inn Hotel, Chwaka Bay Hotel or Baobab
Beach Bungalows . Enroute we will do the Spice Tour.
Overnight at the beach hotel of your choice. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 15-16
Relax and enjoy the beaches of Zanzibar. There is a wide range of
water sport activities you can do, like snorkeling, scuba diving,
boat trips and more. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 17
Transfer to Stonetown, Tembo Hotel. Here we will
show you this ancient town on our Historical Stone Town Tour, where
history appears to stand still. With visits to the House of Wonders,
the Palace Museum (People's Palace), Dr Livingston's House and the
Arab Fort amongst others, it is a fascinating look at the essence
of Zanzibar. You will see Zanzibar's bustling market, winding alleyways,
ornately carved and studded doors, two cathedrals and countless
mosques! Overnight Tembo Hotel.
Day 18
transfer to the airport or harbour Zanzibar.
| |
Price
Per Person |
| Price for 2 clients in high
season |
$4.632 per person |
| single supplement |
$US 468 |
| Xmas/New Year supplement (22.12.-6.1.)
- 15% |
|