Tanzania Safaris & Climbing Kilimanjaro (Rongai 7-Day Route)

Welcome to Kilimanjaro! On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) you will be met by our airport rep/driver who will transfer you to Chanya Lodge for your overnight stay. Located in Moshi, Lodge offers the ideal location from which to start your adventure. Strategically located at a base and the best view of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Freshen up after your journey to Tanzania and unwind in the lush gardens before enjoying a delicious meal. Enjoying the remarkable view of Mount Kilimanjaro by just walking in the tropical garden. Get an early night’s rest before your trip itinerary kicks off in the morning! Overnight Chanya Lodge or similar (with breakfast included) BB

Altitude: 1,950 m – 2,600 m
Hiking distance: 8 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
After breakfast at Chanya Lodge, you will meet your guides and porters and prepare your equipment before departing to Rongai Route. The climb begins from the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru on a small path that winds through crop fields before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains. Overnight 1st Cave Camp.

Altitude: 2,600 m – 3,450 m
Hiking distance: 4 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our campsite is in sheltered valley near Kikelewa Caves (3,600m) Dinner and overnight at 2nd Caves Campsite

Altitude: 3,450 m – 3,630 m
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Today is an acclimatisation day. Morning at leisure, striking out around noon, leaving the main trail and walking across the moorland on a smaller path toward the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Then onto the campsite at 3rd Caves for dinner and overnight.

Altitude: 3,630 m – 4,330 m
Hiking distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb all round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn, spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatisation. Overnight at Mawenzi Turn.

Altitude: 4,330 m – 4,750 m
Hiking distance: 9 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent. Dinner and overnight at Kibo Camp, and midnight start the ascent to Summit.

Altitude: 4,750 m – 5, 895 m – 3,720 m
Hiking distance: 16 km
Hiking time: 15+ hours
Wake at around midnight to a light breakfast, and then prepare for the summit ascent. This part of the hike is carried out during the early morning before dawn so that the climbers reach Uhuru Peak at around sunrise. Leave at about 1:00am and reach Gilman’s Point at about 7:00am. The climbers are met with views of the crater from Gilman’s Point because it is on the Crater Rim. Another 2 hours of hiking brings the climber to Uhuru Peak, the summit. From there you will descend back to Kibo Hut, collect your things and cross the saddle again at Horombo Hut where you will spend the night. Enjoy dinner and get some well-deserved sleep.

Altitude: 3,720 m – 2,700 m
Hiking distance: 18 km
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Wake as usual, pack and descend to Mandara Hut. Take lunch there and continue on to the park gate where you will be met by your transport back to Moshi. Continue on to the park gate where you will be met by your transport back to Moshi. Overnight at Chanya Lodge. Tips is recommended and highly appreciated and can be given to the Guide at your Hotel in moshi. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.

After breakfast, pack your bags and depart with the safari guide for your transfer through Arusha town to morning drive to Lake Manyara National Park. A welcome table will be set up either at the entrance gate or a short distance away, with tea and coffee, cold drinks and snacks, allowing you to refresh while your guide briefs you on the surrounding area. After hot/cold drinks and snacks, experience your first taste of the wild and beautiful Lake Manyara Set against the steep escarpment of the Rift Valley, you’ll find Lake Manyara National Park with its evergreen groundwater forest and variety of ecosystems including acacia woodland, grassy plains, a swampy fan delta, and – of course – the expansive lake. This diversity attracts a wide variety of mammal, bird, and wildlife species. Manyara is also home to rare tree climbing lions. The park offers excellent game viewing with buffalo, impala, giraffe, bushbuck, waterbuck, hippos, and lots of elephants roam near the lake. Also look out for blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, and the very active Olive baboon troops.

Depending on your preference, there are a couple of options with regards to how your day is structured at Lake manyara one option could be Explore nature like never before on a unique canopy walk through the treetops of Lake Manyara National Park, second optionis to start your day early and head out with a packed lunch on a walking safari, The walk will last for around 3-4 hours You stop in the shade where you will enjoy a delicious packed before heading back to the lodge, Overnight at Endoro Lodge or similar (with lunch, dinner & breakfast)

After an early breakfast, pack your bags and depart with your driver to Ngorongoro Crater, an early start to the day is best in order to avoid the later influx of tourists into the Ngorongoro Crater. The park gate opens at 0600, so it is best to be there as close to this time as possible. There are a number of lions which are typically larger in size than an average lion due the large amount of game in the area. The crater floor tends to get very busy, with there often being numerous vehicles at any wildlife sighting.
The Ngorongoro Crater is a large, unbroken, un-flooded caldera, formed when a giant volcano erupted and collapsed some three million years ago. Had it not become a caldera, it is possible that the volcanic mountain would be about the same height as Kilimanjaro. The caldera is 600m deep, 16km across and 265 sq km in area. Enjoy the spectacular scenery and game viewing, in what has been described as the eighth wonder of the world. Many of Tanzania’s last remaining black rhino can be seen grazing on the open grassland of the crater floor, surrounded by some of the 25,000 large animals that occupy the crater, including lion, cheetah, wildebeest, eland, zebra and gazelle. Flamingo, among other bird species, can often be seen feeding at Makat Soda Lake as well. Afternoon drive to your lodge for your overnight stay. Overnight at Maasailand Safari Lodge or similar (with lunch, dinner & breakfast)

Departure: After breakfast, you will say your goodbyes to the team at your lodge, making your way to Kilimanjaro International Airport where your adventure ends. While the memories will last forever, we do hope you will return one day to retrace the steps of the adventure you just completed with us. We wish you a safe and enjoyable trip to your next destination.

ADDITIONAL SAFARI INFORMATION
NOTES:
• All climbing & Safari rates quoted are based on a per person rate.

INCLUDED:
• Two nights’ accommodation at Chanya Lodge in Moshi (before and after the climb)
o First night includes breakfast
o Last night includes dinner and breakfast
• Return transportation from Moshi to/from the starting/finishing point on the mountain
• Return Airport transfers Kilimanjaro international Airport (JRO)
• Qualified guides with mountain crew
• National park fees
• Hut accommodation
• Cutlery / Crockery / Eating utensils
• Rescue fees
• Pulse oximeters
• First aid kit
• Guides, porters, cook, waiter salaries
• Boiled water on the mountain
• All meals on the mountain (breakfast, Lunch & dinner)
• Guides, porters, waiter, cook accommodation and entry fees on the mountain
• Full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner) accommodation while on safari
• Half board accommodation in Moshi and Arusha
• All game drives viewing in a custom built 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser
• All park and entrance fees
• Safari Transportation with 4×4 vehicles/viewing roofs
• Professional English-speaking driver/guide during the safari.
• Bottled water in safari vehicles 

• Ngorongoro Crater car supplement fee
• Current Government taxes and levies
• 24-Hour support during the safari from our office in Tanzania.

EXCLUDED:
• Internal or International flights
• Single rooms supplement (except on the 1-person rate)
• Guides, Porters, Cook & Waiters tips
• Gears for your climb
• Additional nights beyond the standard hotel nights included
• Entry Visas to Tanzania
• Emergency oxygen
• Travel and health insurance
• Walking Safari to elephant cave in Ngorongoro( Optional)
• Masaai village tour per car (Optional)
• Gratuities to your guide, hotel staff and porters
• Meals, drinks and excursions not described in the itinerary
• Any other items of a personal nature, laundry, telephone and postage
• Additional nights beyond the two standard hotel nights included