23-Day Kilimanjaro, Big Five and Kite Surf Adventure!

Day 1: Arrival Tanzania 
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be picked up and transferred to Sal Salinero Hotel in Moshi.

Meals: bed & breakfast

Day 2: Meet and greet
Before starting your Kilimanjaro Climb we strongly recommend you to take a resting day. At 10.00 am your expedition leader will come and visit you and tell you everything you need to know about your upcoming climb. The rest of the day is at own leisure at Sal Salinero Hotel.

Meals: full board

Day 3: Moshi – Mandara Hut (2700m – 8,858 ft ) 
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Distance: About 12 km’s
Habitat: Montane forest

After breakfast you will be picked up from Sal Salinero Hotel and drive in approximately 1 hours to the Kilimanjaro National Park Headquarters at Marangu Gate for registration. From the gate, you ascend a cleared ridge trail, formerly a vehicle track to Mandara Hut. The cleared trail is the fastest way to Mandara, but opportunities to see wildlife or enjoy the forest are limited due to the heavy foot traffic. An alternative is to ascend along the parallel forest trail and descend on the main trail. The forest trail branches off to the left, a few minutes after the gate, and follows the edge of a stream through the undergrowth. About halfway (1 1/2 hrs from the gate) you can choose to cross the stream and rejoin the main trail, or continue on the forest trail. Both trails continue on opposite sides of the stream, merging about one hour before Mandara Hut.

Day 4: Mandara hut (2700m – 8858 ft) – Horombo hut (3720m -12,205 ft) 
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Distance: About 15 km’s
Habitat: Moorland

From Mandara Hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest and skirts the base of Maundi Crater, crosses a meadow and a wooded stream, then emerges into grassland. It is well worth the short detour to scramble up to the rim of Maundi Crater for a superb view of the mountain and its surroundings. The trail crosses numerous moor land ravines before
ending at Horombo Hut, which is set in a rocky valley with a fine stand of giant senecios or groundsels.

Day 5: Acclimatization day at Horombo hut (3720m -12,205 ft) 
Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers! Normally bustling with hikers, guides, porters and with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. You will meet both ascending and descending hikers here. This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatisation. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1,5 hours down), is strongly recommended. This hike will further assist with the process of acclimatisation. Remember to drink enough water and move slowly! All meals for the day are provided at the hut.

Day 6: Horombo hut (3720m – 12,205 ft) – Kibo hut (4700m -15,420 ft) 
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Distance: About 15 km’s
Habitat: Alpine desert

From Horombo Hut there are two trails to the Saddle (they call it the saddle because it is located between 2 peaks and looks like a saddle). The right fork is very stony and eroded and is the most direct route to the Saddle and Mawenzi. From the Saddle (about 2 hrs from Horombo), there are trails to Mawenzi Hut (1/2hr) or Mawenzi Tarn Hut (2 1/2 hrs) and across the length of the Saddle to Kibo Hut (3 hrs). The left fork from Horombo Hut is
an easier trail and emerges on the Saddle much closer to Kibo and about one kilometer from Kibo Hut.

Day 7: SUMMIT ATTEMPT Kibo hut (4700m – 15,420 ft) – Uhuru Peak (5895m – 19,341 ft) 
Hiking time: 8-9 hours to Uhuru – 6-7 hours to descend to Horombo
Distance: 6 km’s ascent – 21 km’s descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.

You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m – 16,896), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section

is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. Probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly. From Gillmans Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m – 19,341 ft), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it! Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14-16 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and a well-earned sleep, filled
with memories and stirring emotions.

Day 8: Horombo hut (3720m -12,205 ft) – Marangu Gate (1980m – 6,234 ft) 
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Distance: About 27 km’s

After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate.At Marangu Gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. You now drive back for a long overdue hot shower,
dinner and celebrations at Kigongoni Lodge in Arusha.

Meals: full board

Day 9: Unwind at Kigongoni Lodge
Today is your day to relax before you go on safari. This day is at your own leisure at Kigongoni Lodge.

Meals: full board

Day 10: Tarangire NP
Your safari begins. You will be picked up from Kigongoni Lodge and drive in about 2 hours towards Tarangire NP. In this park you will find large herds of elephants near the Tarangire river, or already digging into underground streams elsewhere in the park. You will also see  large herds of migratory animals like wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, and gazelle. At the end of the afternoon you will leave the park and drive to the beautiful Osupuko Lodge, just outside the park.

Meals: full board

Day 11: Walking safari – visit Maasai Boma – Karatu
Today you will have to wake up early. At 06.15 am you will start your very exciting walking safari around Osupuko Lodge guided by a Maasai Warrior. You will return to the lodge for breakfast and after that do a morning game drive in Tarangire NP. Before lunch you will leave the park and drive to the village Mto wa Mbu. On your way you will visit an authentic Maasai boma (Maasai village). In Mto wa Mbu you will meet with the locals (this place has a representation of 126 different tribes) and you can visit a banana plantation (not included). At the end of the day you drive to Karatu for overnight at Endoro Lodge.

Meals: full board

Day 12: Ngorongoro Crater – Serengeti NP
You will leave after an early breakfast for a game drive into the crater. It is also known as eight World wonder is absolutely a unique. You will descend 610 meters into the crater. Highlight is the rare black Rhino, which is one of the so called “big five” and only found here. After a maximum allowed stay of 6 hours in the crater you will start your journey Serengeti NP for overnight at Kenzan Luxury Mobile Camp for the ultimate “Out of Africa” experience.

Meals: full board

Day 13: Serengeti NP
Full day game drive in Serengeti NP where you will look for the great migration but also for predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah. You have lunch in the park. At the end of the day you return to Kenzan Luxury Mobile Camp for a nice “sundowner”.

Meals: full board

Day 14: Serengeti NP – Karatu
You will leave Serengeti NP and is drive towards Karatu. On your way you will automatically do a game drive. At the end of the afternoon you will arrrive at Endoro Lodge in Karatu.

Meals: full board

Day 15: Lake Manyara NP – Arusha
After about an hour drive you will arrive at Lake Manyara NP for your last game drive. This is a beautiful and relatively small park is famous for the large numbers of flamingos but also for the tree climbing lions. At the end of the afternoon you will start your journey back to Arusha for overnight at Machweo Wellness Retreat & Fine Dining.

Meals: half board included selected wines during dinner

Day 16+17+18+19+20+21+22: Kite Surfing Zanzibar
This is the last part of your exciting holiday. After breakfast you will be transferred to Arusha Airport for your domestic flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival in Zanzibar you will be provided a taxi to transfer you to Bellevue Zanzibar where you will spend 7 nights in a Deluxe Bungalow. In this package a 3 day Kite Surfing course is included for beginners and you will receive an IKO certificate at the end which allows you to kite surf anywhere in the world. For the experienced kite surfer the package includes a week full kiteboard rental.

Meals: half board

Day 23: Departure
Your adventure has come to an end. You will be transferred to Zanzibar Airport for your domestic flight to Dar es Salaam to connect with your international flight back home

Just so you know

• This tour accepts children who are 12 years and older
• This tour can be customized according to the client’s preferences
• Zanzibar Kite Seasons: June 15th – October 15 & December 15th – February 28th/29th

from USD 5,560 per person sharing, excl. international flight

Rates include

– All taxes/VAT

Transfers and domestic flights:
– Transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Sal Salinero Hotel in Moshi.
– Transfer from Sal Salinero Hotel to gate Kilimanjaro NP.
– Transfer from gate Kilimanjaro NP to Kigongoni Lodge.
– Transfer from Machweo Wellness Retreat to Arusha Airport.
– Transfer from Zanzibar Airport to Bellevue Zanzibar.
– Transfer from Bellevue Zanzibar to Zanzibar Airport.
– Domestic flight from Arusha Airport to Zanzibar.
– Domestic flight from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam.

Kilimanjaro Climb:
– Expedition team, 1 guide, 1 assistant guide, 1 cook, 1 waiter and 2-3 porters per person depending on the weight of your personal luggage.
– Three meals a day during the climb.
– 2x medical checkup during the climb.
– Water (bottled or the first expedition days, then boiled and filtered on the mountain).
– Overnight in cabins.
– Rescue fees and permits for the visit to the National Park.

Safari:
– Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle.
– English speaking private driver/guide + fuel.
– Park fees.
– Walking safari Osupuko Lodge.
– Visit Maasai Boma.
– Accommodation and meals as described.
– Picnic lunches in National Parks.
– Your personal driver/guide will provide coffee/tea/mineral water during game drives.

Zanzibar:
– 3 day kite surf course for beginners or a full week kite surf rental for advanced.

Rates exclude

– International flight tickets to/from Tanzania.
– Drinks and laundry service.
– Facultative excursions.
– Other personal expenses.
– Visa.

Tipping guideline Mount Kilimanjaro Expediton Team:
– Per guide per group per day $20,- to $25,-
– Per assistent guide per group per day $15,- to $20,-
– Per cook per group per day $10,- to $15,-
– Per waiter per group per day $7,- to $10,-
– Per porter per person per day $5,- to $7,-

Tipping driver/guide safari:
– It is common in Tanzania to thank the person providing a good service with a tip. Guideline for your driver/guide is about $ 15 – $ 20 per group per safari day.
Just so you know

• This tour accepts children who are 12 years and older
• This tour can be customized according to the client’s preferences
• Zanzibar Kite Seasons: June 15th – October 15 & December 15th – February 28th/29th

This tour doesn’t have fixed departure dates. Instead, the departure dates can be customized in consultation with Ajabu Adventures. The final departure dates will depend on the client’s preferences and availability of accommodations and/or other components of this tour.

Just so you know

• This tour accepts children who are 12 years and older
• This tour can be customized according to the client’s preferences
• Zanzibar Kite Seasons: June 15th – October 15 & December 15th – February 28th/29th