KILIMANJARO, SERENGETI & ZANZIBAR

17 days from GBP2,563 to GBP3,013 including flights

Tripcode: TYC

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart London on the scheduled overnight service of Kenyan Airways to Kilimanjaro, with brief stopovers in Nairobi.
Day 2: Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport in the morning and transfer by private bus to Marangu (a distance of about 85 km). Those not flying with the group will join us in Marangu. The afternoon is free to relax or to explore the local village and waterfalls. We stay in an old colonial hotel, with a long history of Kilimanjaro climbs (and the memorabilia and pictures to prove it!), so a good inspiration for the coming days!
Day 3: After completing the necessary registration formalities, we transfer by Landrovers to Nale Moru (1,950 m.) to begin our climb on this unspoilt wilderness route. The first day is only a half-day walk on a small path that winds through farmland and pine plantations. It is a consistent but gentle climb through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. We reach our first overnight stop by late afternoon at the edge of the moorland zone (2,600 m.).
Day 4: The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the 'Second Cave` (3,450 m) with superb views of the Eastern ice fields on the rim of Kibo, the youngest and so highest of the three volcanoes that form the entire mountain. After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, the second of Kilimanjaro's volcanoes. Our campsite, which we reach in late afternoon, is in a sheltered valley near Kikelewa Caves (3,600 m.).
Day 5: A steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb panoramas of the plains across the border in Kenya. We leave vegetation behind close to Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m), spectacularly situated in a cirque beneath the towering cliffs of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or to explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatisation.
Day 6: We leave our attractive campsite to cross the lunar desert of the 'Saddle` between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite (4,700 m.) at the bottom of the Kibo Crater wall by early afternoon. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night!
Day 7: We will start the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight at around midnight. We plod very slowly in darkness and cold on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the Crater rim at Gillman's Point (5,685 m). We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip along the snow-covered rim to the true summit of Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo Hut (4,700 m) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshments and rest, we continue descending to reach our final campsite at Horombo (3,720 m). This is an extremely long and hard day, with between 11 to 15 hours walking at high altitude.
Day 8: A sustained descent with wide views across the moorland takes us into the lovely forest around Mandara (2,700 m.), the first stopping place on the Marangu route. The trail continues through semi-tropical vegetation - monkeys are often seen - to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m). We transfer to Arusha (a distance of about 125 km) by private bus to our hotel in a coffee plantation by late afternoon for a well-earned rest and a much-needed shower! A beer by the pool is probably also a very attractive option.
Day 9: Leaving Arusha in Landrovers, we drive to Mto-wa-Mbu before climbing the Rift Valley wall, with spectacular vistas, and continue through lush farmland to reach Ngorongoro Crater rim (a distance of about 200 km). The afternoon game drive is a wonderful opportunity to see animals in close proximity; the Crater floor is home to vast herds of game, including the rare black rhino, and we will be unlucky not to see all the large plains animals.
Day 10: We head for Seronera in the Serengeti National Park (a distance of about 150 km), and en route there is an opportunity to visit the small museum which houses some of the fascinating discoveries made at Olduvai Gorge. Much of the day is spent game viewing in the vast plains that are broken only by stands of acacia trees and the occasional kopje. In December, January and February we will normally meet the migration with large herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle. There are always plenty of resident animals, such as giraffe, buffalo, and elephant, and many large predators such as lion, cheetah, and leopard. We stay in a small permanent tented camp in the Ikoma region.
Day 11: Today can be spent gameviewing all day, or there is the possibility to do an optional walk, either to a lovely viewpoint overlooking the Serengeti plains, or visiting a nearby village. There are excellent opportunities for gameviewing around the nearby Seronera River, with crocodiles and hippos in the pools and large lion prides in the area. Our camp is excellently situated, so you have good chances of catching the migration, also outside the obvious months of December, January and February; in fact you might not need to go very far in July and August, since the herds often pass close to, and even through, the camp! In July a drive to the Western Corridor is an excellent opportunity to see the wildebeest cross the Grumeti River, home to some of the largest crocodiles in Africa. In August and September, a drive to the Northern part of Serengeti near Lobo, both gives a chance to view the migration and to see a scenic and little visited part of Serengeti.
Day 12: Today we fly to Zanzibar, so after a morning gamedrive en route to the airstrip, we leave Serengeti around midday by small aircraft. This is a chance to enjoy the magnificent scenery from the air, and get a real impression of the size of Serengeti (15,000 square kms of uninhabited wilderness). The flight to Zanzibar goes via Arusha, then we transfer by private minibus to Jambiani (a distance of about 50 km) on the east coast of Zanzibar, arriving late afternoon. The early evening is free to relax on the beach and maybe enjoy a barbecue.
Day 13 - 14: Free days in Jambiani. Attached to our hotel is a diving school, so diving and snorkelling are obvious options and give you a chance to explore the coral reef and the colourful marine wildlife. For those who wish to dive we would only recommend this to competent certified divers. Snorkelling is open to everyone who can swim! On the other hand, you might want to just to relax and enjoy the beautiful beach and the swimming pool! You may also choose to watch the fishermen bringing in their catch and local women farming the sea, to see Red Colobus monkeys at Jozani Forest, take a village tour including a visit to a local school, or go for a bicycle ride along the beach.
Day 15: After a relaxed morning we leave the beach to go to Stone Town, in time for lunch and an afternoon of exploration. Discover Stone Town, with its twisting, narrow streets, some beautiful old houses, the infamous former slave market � and some good possibilities for buying souvenirs. Another option is a spice tour; much of inland Zanzibar is dominated by the production of exotic spices and we can visit several farms with a professional guide, with the chance to taste and buy! The hotel we stay in is an excellent example of an old Arab merchant house, restored and refurnished with traditional Zanzibari furniture. It is located right on the waterfront, as well as having a swimming pool, so for those wishing to have a last afternoon of relaxation, there is that option too. A celebration dinner can be taken in one of the excellent local restaurants, enjoying the finely spiced food.
Day 16: Another relaxed morning is free to relax or explore, or even just grab those last minute souvenirs. An early afternoon transfer to Zanzibar Airport for our flight back to UK. Those not flying back with the group leave us after breakfast in Stone Town
Day 17: Arrive London.