If you love challenges and adventure, this trip is simply made for you!
Surrounded by the Tanzanian savannah, the tallest peak in Africa rises to a height of 5,895 metres above sea level. Our destination is Uhuru Peak. You don’t have to be an experienced climber to scale this majestic mountain, you simply need to be reasonably fit and have the proper equipment. And a determined mindset. Being able to say that you have climbed the highest mountain in Africa is often sufficient motivation in and of itself.
The ascent will take you through various forms of vegetation, everything from lush rainforest and heathland to rocky landscapes and alpine desert. From the Shira plateau, there is a breath-taking view all the way to the glaciers at Western Breach, while Stella Point is the perfect location to view a blood-red sunrise. It is a tough, demanding hike, but when you reach Uhuru Peak, you will be rewarded with a spectacular view from an altitude of almost 6 km – combined with an experience to cherish for a lifetime.
You can then look forward to exciting safaris in Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks, where you can experience the extraordinary and iconic wildlife of Africa right up close.
Having climbed the highest mountain in Africa and been on safari, it is time to treat yourself to a well-earned beach holiday on Zanzibar, where you can spend the days relaxing on the brilliant white sand.
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Today is departure day, where you will fly to Kilimanjaro with connecting flights along the way.
On arrival at Kilimanjaro’s international airport, you will be met by your guide who will accompany you to Springlands Hotel in the small town of Moshi – a drive of approx. 1 hour. From Moshi, you will catch your first glimpse of the snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro. The town is a prime example of African culture and atmosphere, packed with exotic experiences including the local market and numerous small shops.
There is a welcome meeting in the afternoon, where your guide will present the equipment you will be using and talk about the coming trek to the summit.
Heights: Moshi: 915 AMSL.
After breakfast, you will leave Moshi and take the 50-minute trip by car to the village of Machame, where you will meet your team of guides, cooks and bearers, who will prepare and pack your equipment. From here, you move on to Machame Gate, which is the south-western entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park. At the entrance, you need to check in and register before making a start on your hike through the rainforest towards the peak of Kilimanjaro. Mount Kilimanjaro actually consists of three extinct volcanoes: Kibo, whose highest point is Uhuru (5,895 masl), Mawenzi (5,149 masl) and Shira (3,962 masl).
The first section of the trail is at low altitude, and the ground may be wet and muddy. You will follow beautiful paths through the dense rainforest, where you may be fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife, which includes the wonderfully attractive and extremely rare black and white Colobus monkeys. The bearers will go on ahead, so your tent will be ready for you when you arrive at Machame Camp.
Heights: Moshi: 915 AMSL., Machame Gate: 1,634 AMSL., Machame Camp: 2,834 AMSL.
Ascent from Moshi to camp: 1,919 m ⭡
Distance: 11 km
Hike duration: 6-7 hours
Today takes you through the last section of the rainforest; the heath landscape soon opens up before you and the paths become rockier. Your route takes you over the Shira Plateau, from where you can see Kilimanjaro’s Western Breach – the westernmost crater edge with its amazing glacier. You are now to the west of the extinct volcano Kibo, on the opposite side of the Marangu route, and following a short hike to the west you will arrive at Shira 2 Camp.
Heights: Machame Camp: 2.834 AMSL., Shira 2 Camp: 3,840 AMSL.
Ascent from camp to camp: 1,006 m ⭡
Distance: 5 km
Hike duration: 4-5 hours
Today you will be heading east. The landscape starts to dry out, becoming more barren and stonier the higher you climb. As you continue your ascent, you can enjoy magnificent views of both Kibo and Mt. Meru, poking up above the white clouds behind you. Having followed the trail up the mountain for a couple of hours, you will reach the famous Lava Tower, which stems from Kilimanjaro’s previous incarnation as an active volcano.
After lunch at the foot of the Lava Tower, it is time to descend to Barranco Camp, which is located in a valley below the Great Barranco Wall. If the weather gods are kind, you can look forward to watching a truly stunning sunset from Barranco Camp, and to enjoying a magnificent view of the top of Kilimanjaro, a wonderful look down the side of the mountain to the valley, and – farther to the east – the Great Barranco Wall which rises up fully 300 metres.
Both the terrain and the altitude will make today’s stage physically and mentally challenging, so take your time and listen to your body. Even though you will finish the day ‘just’ 110 metres higher up than you started, the route involves climbing 790 metres higher than that at Lava Tower before the descent to Barranco Camp. A lot of people experience the first signs of altitude sickness at these heights, so please watch out for the slightest sign and inform your guide without delay.
Heights: Shira 2 Camp: 3,840 AMSL., Lava Tower: 4,630 AMSL., Barranco Camp: 3,950 AMSL.
Ascent from camp to camp: 110 m ⭡
Distance: 15 km
Hike duration: 7 hours
After a night at the foot of the impressive Great Barranco Wall and a solid breakfast, the time has come to climb the notorious cliff. Fortunately, it is easier than it looks … From the top, beneath Heim Glacier that hangs like a set of ice curtains across the cliff face, the full beauty of Kilimanjaro spreads out in all its glory.
The path then continues down through Karanga Valley, merging with the Mweka route, which you will follow all the way to the peak. A hike of about an hour brings you to Barafu Camp, which is located at an exposed site on a mountain ridge. The ground is stony and the winds often blow strongly here. Make sure to familiarise yourself with the terrain in and around the camp before darkness falls to ensure you are well prepared when the ascent to the summit commences shortly after midnight.
Ready your equipment and warm clothes for the next day’s hike to the peak, and store your drinking water in a Thermos to prevent it freezing solid. Settle down for the night early to ensure your ‘human batteries’ are fully charged in preparation for Kilimanjaro’s ultimate challenge.
Heights: Barranco Camp: 3.950 AMSL., Barafu Camp: 4,600 AMSL.
Ascent from camp to camp: 650 m ⭡
Distance: 8 km
Hike duration: 6-8 hours
Around midnight, you will be woken up and served a snack before starting the final section of your ascent to the summit – in pitch darkness. Most people consider the difficult terrain you have to traverse on the 6-hour hike to Stella Point the biggest challenge of the entire trip. The aim is to reach Stella Point shortly after sunrise so that you can admire the sight of the blood-red sun rising gently above the horizon. You are not given long to rest, however, because otherwise it would be almost impossible to shake off the cold and fatigue and continue along the rim of the crater to Uhuru. The last stretch of the climb features an even incline. Depending on the season, you may encounter snow on the last part of the route to Uhuru Peak, which is your final goal: the top of Kilimanjaro and the highest point in Africa. Once you reach the peak at an altitude of 5,895 masl, you can give yourself a pat on the back, enjoy the magnificent view and have your picture taken in front of the Uhuru Peak sign as a lasting souvenir of your achievement.
It is then time to start your descent to Barafu Camp, which takes approx. 3 hours. When you arrive there, you can enjoy a short, well-deserved rest before continuing along the rocky trail to Mweka Camp – and a much-needed night’s sleep! The camp is situated in the upper reaches of the rainforest, so the weather is often foggy and rainy late in the afternoon. The absolute highlights here are the promise of hot water and a hot meal!
Heights: Barafu Camp: 4,600 AMSL., Uhuru Peak: 5,895 AMSL., Mweka Camp: 3,100AMSL.
Ascent from camp to camp: 1,500 m ⭣
Distance: 5 km up and 12 km down
Hike duration: 6-7 hours up, 7 hours down
The final walking stage is an easy 3-hour stroll through the national park to Mweka Gate, where you check out before being picked up and driven back to the village of Moshi. A tasty lunch awaits you at the hotel, as well as something you have been looking forward to for days: a wonderfully hot bath. Everyone who has completed the climb is awarded a diploma.
Heights: Mweka Camp: 3,100 AMSL., Mweka Gate: 1,850 AMSL., Moshi: 915 AMSL.
Ascent from camp to Moshi: 2,185 m ⭣
Distance: 10 km
Hike duration: 3-4 hours
Today you will head to Tarangire National Park, which is the sixth largest national park in Tanzania.
The name of the park originates from the Tarangire River that crosses through the park, which is the only source of water for the animals during dry seasons.
The park is famous for its huge number of elephants. Here you can find one of the largest concentrations of elephants anywhere in the world. Tarangire is also home to cheetahs, leopards, lions, hyenas and a variety of other African wildlife.
he landscape and vegetation is incredibly diverse as the hilly landscape embraces nine different growth zones. The savannah is filled with majestic baobab trees and acacias, which are almost on scale with the vast amount of animals to be found.
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, you head to Lake Manyara National Park. Extending over an area of 330 m2, this is one of Tanzania’s smallest national parks, of which the lake itself covers a good two-thirds, depending on the season.
It was here on the southern shore of the lake that Ernest Hemingway’s camp was situated in the mid-1930s, while he went hunting for the largest and most beautiful kudu in the nearby area, known today as Tarangire National Park.
Lake Manyara National Park was established in 1960 to preserve the region’s unique ecosystem, and in 1981, it became part of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB).
The area is part of the spectacular Great Rift Valley, which runs all the way through the African continent from the Middle East to Mozambique. Researchers believe that this rift system will at some point in the future cause the African continental plate to split into two separate continental plates and thus tear a large part of the African continent apart from the rest.
The national park, which is long and narrow, is bordered to the east by Lake Manyara itself, and to the west by the slopes of the Rift Valley, which are up to 600 metres high. In between are open grasslands, a jungle-like forest, mangroves, hot springs and swamps. The diversity is unrivalled, and it is impressive to see how drastically the landscape changes in a relatively small area. With the many different habitats comes a great variety of wildlife – although the animals can be difficult to spot amidst all the lushness.
The great biodiversity in the park also attracts many birds – more than 400 different bird species have been recorded here.
Lake Manyara itself is a soda lake, and the water level fluctuates a lot depending on whether it’s the rainy season or the dry season. Along the shore, you may be lucky enough to see large flocks of flamingos.
After this final nature experience, you’ll be driven to the airport where you’ll catch a plane to the exotic island of Zanzibar.
Spend the days in Zanzibar at your own leisure.
The time has now come to leave Zanzibar and head for home. You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the airport to catch your flight home, which will include connecting flights along the way.
You will arrive at your chosen airport after the experience of a lifetime.
Children under 12 years from £3029
Single room supplement from £509
Catriona is passionate about helping other people fulfill their travel dreams, as she knows how much travel has only improved her life for the better!
