One Month On An Epic Safari – Climb Kilimanjaro, North Tanzania (Serengeti & Nogorongoro) & Discover The Beautiful South in a 28 Days Camping Adventure.

DAY 1: WELCOME TO TANZANIA

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. You will be met and transferred to Moshi town for overnight at Bristol Cottages. You are booked here on bed and breakfast basis.

DAY 2: MOSHI TO LONDOROSSI GATE TO FOREST CAMP

•Elevation (ft.): 7,800ft to 9,500ft
•Distance: 6 km
•Hiking Time:3-4 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest

We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

DAY 3: FOREST CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP 1

•Elevation (ft.): 9,500ft to 11,500ft
•Distance: 8 km
•Hiking Time 5-6 hours
•Habitat: Moorland

We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.

DAY 4: SHIRA CAMP 1 TO SHIRA 2 TO MOIR HUT

•Elevation (ft.): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft.
•Distance: 14 km
•Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
•Habitat: Moorland

We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

DAY 5: MOIR HUT TO LAVA TOWER TO BARRANCO CAMP

•Elevation (ft.): 13,800ft to 13,000ft
•Distance: 7 km
•Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
•Habitat: Semi Desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

DAY 6: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP

•Elevation (ft.): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
•Distance: 5km
•Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
•Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

DAY 7: KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP

•Elevation (ft.): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
•Distance: 4 km
•Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
•Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

DAY 8: BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MWEKA HUT

•Elevation (ft.): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
•Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
•Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
•Habitat: Arctic

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (18,600 ft.), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. 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 9: MWEKA CAMP TO MOSHI

•Elevation (ft.): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
•Distance: 10 km
•Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
•Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to Bristol Cottages in Moshi, bed and breakfast

DAY 10: MOSHI TO TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

Breakfast then transfer to Tarangire National Park with packed lunch. Head out for game drives of the different areas of this diverse park.
Tarangire is famed for its large elephant populations along with its abundance of birdlife. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park. In the early evening transfer to Kigongoni Campsite for dinner and overnight. Full Board Basis

DAY 11: AFRICAN RIFT VALLEY

Breakfast transfer to Lake Manyara National Park with packed lunch. Here you will enjoy a spectacular view of the African Rift Valley whilst having a picnic lunch. Afternoon game drive looking for Manyara’s famous tree climbing lions. Dinner and overnight at Twiga Campsite. Full Board Basis

DAY 12: NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA

An early breakfast then transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You will have a view of the Crater from Hero’s Point. descend the 600 meters down to the crater floor. A 6-hour (the maximum-permitted time) game drive in the crater. The crater is famous for its large mammal populations – keep an eye out for the elusive black rhino; there are around 23 in the crater. Most of the elephant you see will be bulls as females tend to avoid the area due to its having the highest predator density in Africa. In the afternoon leave the crater via the spectacular ascent road and transfer to Simba Campsite for lunch. Full Board Basis

DAY 13: NGORONGORO TO CENTRAL SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

An early breakfast then leave for Serengeti National Park with packed Lunch for game drive for the rest of the day. Late afternoon settle into Seronera Campsite for dinner and overnight. Go to sleep surrounded by the sounds of the African night! Full Board Basis

DAY 14: A FULL DAY IN CENTRAL SERENGETI

A full day to explore the Central of the Serengeti with packed lunch. Based at Seronera Campsite. Full Board Basis

DAY 15: CENTRAL TO NORTHERN SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

Morning balloon safari with champagne bush breakfast followed with game drive enroute to Northern tip of Serengeti. Although predicting the movements of the famous wildebeest migration is not an exact science, you have a good chance of seeing this unforgettable spectacle at this time of year

The wildebeest migration continues moving northwards during July and August, often spreading out across a broad front: some heading through Grumeti Reserve and Ikorongo, others north through the heart of the Serengeti National Park.

Late afternoon settle into Lobo Campsite for dinner and overnight. Full Board Basis

DAY 16: FULL DAY IN SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

AM & PM game drive around the Camp. Watch thousands of wildebeest and zebra in their natural habitat. See male wildebeest battle for control of the uninterested females. Based at Lobo campsite. Full Board Basis

DAY 17: SERENGETI TO LATE NATRON

After breakfast, you will depart for Lake Natron with packed lunch, passing through Engaruka Maasai Village, famous for its historical ruins. On arrival at Lake Natron, you will spend a couple of hours exploring the shoreline photographing the many thousands of flamingos and other birds that frequent this soda lake. Dinner and Overnight at Kamakia Campsite. Full Board Basis

DAY 18: TRANSFER TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT THEN FLY TO DAR ES SALAAM

Breakfast then drive to Arusha with packed lunch. Catch the 1610hrs Fastjet from Kilimanjaro Airport to Dar ES Salaam Airport, arrive at 1715hrs. Here you will be met and transferred to Transit Motel. Overnight based on bed and breakfast basis.

DAY 19: DAR ES SALAAM TO MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK

At 0700hrs, pick up from your hotel then drive to Mikumi National park. Arrive in time for lunch at Mikumi Wildlife Camp (Kikoboga) followed with afternoon game drive. Late afternoon drive to Mikumi town for dinner and overnight at Morio Motel. Full Board Basis

DAY 20: RUAHA NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, transferring to Ruaha National Park where you will stay at Msembe Bandas with packed lunch. These are basic, but clean rooms located on a bend in the Ruaha river. Giraffe and elephants frequently walk between the rooms and cheetah have been seen on the river bed. Here you will have dinner and overnight. Full Board Basis

DAY 21 & 22: FULL DAY RUAHA NATIONAL PARK

Two full days exploring Ruaha. There will still be plenty for you to see in this large, visually stunning park. Look for wild dogs and leopard near the kopje or watch large herds of elephants and buffalo coming down to drink. Dinner and overnight at Msembe Bandas. Full Board Basis

DAY 23: UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

Morning game drives in Ruaha before driving to Udzungwa Mountains National park lunch as you go; Evening rest and relax at leisure waiting for dinner and overnight at Hondo Hondo Campsite. Full Board Basis

DAY 24: WONDERFUL WALKING/HIKING IN UDZUNGWA PARK

Breakfast then drive to Udzungwa Mountain National Park. Make final preparations for your trek into the mountains, including a visit to the park HQ to complete the formalities. The hike up to Sanje Waterfalls Campsite, where you will overnight, is relatively short (max 2hrs) but is quite steep in places. This is the park’s most popular attraction, although it is unlikely that you will meet any other hikers. Once at Sanje there will be time to explore the forest and waterfalls, and even go for a swim in one of the plunge pools. Bush babies can be heard calling through the night and there will be a night search near camp looking for endemic chameleons. Full Board Basis

DAY 25: UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

Wake up to watch the sunrise over the Kilombero Valley, an amazing sight from the natural viewing platform of rock above the waterfalls. Descend and transfer back to Hondo Hondo Campsite for dinner and overnight. Full Board Basis

DAY 26: SELOUS GAME RESERVE

An early breakfast then leave the camp for Selous Game Reserve with packed lunch. Game drive en-route to Tagalala Campsite where you will have dinner and overnight. Full Board Basis

DAY 27: SELOUS – FULL DAY GAME DRIVES

Morning after breakfast, full day game drives in Selous game Reserve with picnic lunch.

Mind you that Selous G.R is larger than Switzerland and Denmark, that reserves largest

population of elephant in Tanzania as well as large number of buffalo, Hippo and Wild

dog, others are Lion, Eland, bushbuck, giraffe, impala, baboon, zebra, Crocodile, greater

kudu and is the chance to see the rare Sable antelope.

Based at Tagalala Campsite. Full Board Basis

DAY 28: FULL DAY WALKING AND BOAT SAFARI

An early start at 6am for a coffee/tea with freshly baked biscuits before leaving camp to explore the Selous Game Reserve on foot on a two-hour walking safari with a guide and armed ranger. Return to camp for breakfast and then at 10am set out from camp on the Lake Manze.  Dinner and overnight at Tagalala Campsite. Full Board Basis

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DAY 29: DAR-ES-SALAAM

Breakfast then leave Selous for Dar Es Salaam with packed lunch. We will bring you to Dar Es Salaam International Airport for your connection flight back home. End of Services.