Detailed Itinerary
Day one: Lake Manyara National Park - Serengeti National Park
From Lake Manyara to the Serengeti National Park, enjoy numerous game-viewing opportunities with various species of birds viewable along the way. Lake Manyara is a scenic gem, described by famed author Ernest Hemingway as "the loveliest I had seen in Africa". The short, hard-hitting game-viewing experience contained within this area provides a little taste of Tanzania's large variety of wildlife.
With lush groundwater likened to that of a jungle, this area supports an abundance of wildlife – blue monkey, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, impala, hippo and over 400 species of birds! In addition to the variety of wildlife, the landscape offers picturesque views such as forests, grassy floodplains stretching east, an alkaline lake and the dramatic, volcanic peaks of Maasai Steppes.
Overnight Accommodations: Shared Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day Two and Three: Serengeti National Park - N'gorongoro Conservation Area
Embark of a full day's safari with the exciting opportunity to experience the Serengeti from the awesome perspective provided within the Seronera – the epicenter of the Serengeti. The "crown jewel" of Tanzania's protected areas, the Serengeti makes up some 14 per cent of the country's total land area. It hosts the massive and famous migration of over a million wildebeest, along with approximately 200,000 zebra within its confines. Flowing from the northern hills to the southern plains for the short rains in October and November, a massive population of wildlife then moves west and north after the long rains in April, May and June. This ancient occurrence is so imbedded in the instinct of these animals that nothing prevents this massive migration - no drought, high cliff or crocodile-populated river serves as a hazard. The shifting seasons contained within the Serengeti offer various climates for an impressive catalogue of wildlife, including gazelles, zebras, cheetahs, wild dogs, leopards and over a million wildebeests. After experiencing all the wonderment this amazing park has to offer, set out for the N'gorongoro Crater.
Overnight Accommodations: Shared Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day Four: N'gorongoro Conservation Area – Moshi
Start the day with a descent into the N'gorongoro Crater for a full day of exploration within the high-reaching confines of this unique area. Deemed the "eighth wonder of the world's greatest natural spectacles", the N'gorongoro Conservation Area boasts a balanced combination of swirling landscapes, varied wildlife, wonderful people and beyond ancient archaeological finds making it unsurpassed by any other location in Africa. The volcanoes, grassland, waterfalls and forested mountains are home to an abundance of animals – lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos, flamingos, jackals, rhinos, antelopes as well as a prismatic catalog of hundreds of bird specimens. This area's magical setting and abundance of wildlife have fascinated visitors for years. Cap the day off with a journey back to the city of Arusha.
Day Five: Machame Gate to Machame
Awake for an early morning briefing and embark on a short drive from Moshi to the village of Machame. Hike through the lush lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, slowly gaining altitude while admiring the diverse flora and fauna of the rain forest. Upon arrival at the Machame Camp, a set up campsite will await you where you can relax and unwind for the evening.
Elevation: 3000 meter
Hiking time: 5-7 hrs
Overnight Accommodations: Campsite (shared accommodation)
Meals Included: Lunch & dinner
Day Six: Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
From Machame Camp, set out an early morning climb to the top of the rainforest, once out of the rainforest, ascend for a few hours before reaching the Shira Plateau. From this vantage point, the Western Breach is viewable revealing the mountain's glaciers. A short ascent later, end your day at the Shira Camp where accommodations will be set up upon your arrival. NOTE: at this elevation, you will begin feeling the colder temperatures that may dip below freezing.
Elevation: 3840m, Hiking time: 5-7 hrs
Overnight Accommodations: Campsite (shared accommodations)
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day Seven: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
Ascend to an altitude of 4630 meters "pole pole" (slowly, slowly). At this elevation, the symptoms often associated with such a high altitude may begin taking effect and often consist of difficulty breathing and constant headaches. Around midday, descend to Barranco Camp, viewing the Western Breach and the Breach Wall en route. Weather permitting, a beautiful sunset can be seen from the vantage point available from the day's final campsite.
Elevation: 3950m, Hiking time: 7-8 hrs
Overnight Accommodations: Campsite (shared accommodations)
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day Eight: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Today we tackle the Great Barranco Wall – an imposing face above your camp. A steady climb up the eastern wall takes us just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have some awesome views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Our trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley, where we finish this acclimatization day at Karanga Camp.
Elevation: 3900m, Hiking: 4-5 hours
Overnight Accommodations: Campsite (shared accommodations)
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day Nine: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
We begin the day trekking through the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley. Here the temperature will grow colder as we follow the trail climbing through this empty and dry landscape up to the Barafu Camp. The two peaks Kibo and Mawenzi can been seen from our camp, at 4550 meters. Here you will be able to familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark, and prepare you equipment and thermal clothing for the midnight start of the summit attempt.
Elevation: 4550m, Hiking time: 4-5 hrs
Overnight Accommodations: Campsite (shared accommodations)
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day Ten: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Today you will wake up before midnight. In the cover of darkness, you begin the most difficult though most rewarding day of the trek – your hike up to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. After several hours of slow but strenuous hiking, you will reach the rim of the main crater, Stella Point, at 5685 meters. Continue on the scree and snow-covered trail to Uhuru peak, which is the highest point in Africa, at 5895 meters. Take a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment, and start back down the same trail. Head down the rock and scree path into the Heather zone, reaching the forest, and eventually arriving at Mweka hut in the late afternoon.
Elevation: 5895, Hiking time: 14-17 hrs
Overnight Accommodations: Campsite (shared accommodations)
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day Eleven: Descent – Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Awake just before midnight and set out for Stella Point situated on the crater rim. Stopping for a short rest just around dawn, behold the area in all its glory as the sun rises over the Kilimanjaro area. Walking from Stella Point and setting out for Uhuru Peak, you will ascend snow covered trails until reaching the summit of mighty Mount Kilimanjaro. Observe the mountain and this astonishing vantage point. After spending some considerable time atop Africa's highest mountain, begin a descent (approximately 3-hours) to Barafu Camp where you can rest before heading back down to Mweka Hut. The descent will be significantly easier than the previous days' climbs.
Overnight Accommodations: Moshi Budget Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
This is sample Itinerary and can change to meet the changes in the field conditions
Dates and Price
Dates:
Flexible/climate/ground coordinator determines
Price:
US $2639 ONLY for current Global Crossroad volunteers
Program Fee Covers:
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- National park entry fees, camping fees
- English-speaking guide(s), cook and porters
- Rooms/Meals as per itinerary
- All camping equipments
- Transfer to the gate and return to Moshi
- Comprehensive insurance
Program Fee Does Not Cover:
- Sleeping bag and other clothes for climbing
- Beverages and bottled water
- Tips to porters and leaders
Please note: our safari packages are with verified, certified travel guides. When you arrive in Africa, you will almost certainly be approached by different people offering safaris to tourists for a cheaper price – in most cases, these are individuals with one vehicle and no back-up, and if they show you certification, it is almost always a forgery. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of our careful research and utilize the services of the partners we've formed in Africa. Our insurance will cover you through those trips, and you'll be in very safe hands, with people who take their responsibilities seriously and won't leave you unaccompanied at a campsite or on the road when their vehicle breaks down in the middle of a safari and they have nobody to call for back-up. Your safety is of the utmost importance to us, and we hope it's high on your priority list, as well!