NORTHERN TANZANIA WALKING SAFARIS
Mt. Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Highlands, Lake Eyasi,
Tarangire Conservation Area, Zanzibar
Highlights
An ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro from the west on the Shira Plateau route,
visiting the Ngorogoro Crater, trekking in the Ngorongoro Highlands, visiting
the Hadza tribe of Lake Eyasi, foot safaris in the Tarangire ecosystem
and visiting a Masai boma, relaxing on the beaches of Zanzibar.
Safari type
An 18-day safari combining mobile camping and luxury lodges. This itinerary
is designed to meet and interact as much as possible with the local peoples
and to experience Tanzania on foot.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Tanzania and transfer to Mountain Village Lodge on the shores
of Lake Duluti for dinner and overnight.
Day 2
After an early breakfast, transfer to Londerossi gate on the western slopes
of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The Shira route approaches Kilimanjaro through forest
and moorland from the west, crossing the caldera of Shira volcano and
exploring the rock formations of the plateau, before a traverse beneath
the southern icefields of Kibo. We walk from the Londorossi National Park
gates through farmland and plantations and continue climbing steadily
on a broad track through forest and stands of giant
heather to reach the rim of Shira Plateau (3200m) This area is home to
a variety of game including buffalo, and so we are accompanied by an armed
park ranger. We camp in the heart of the plateau at Simba Camp (3,500
m.)(6-8 hrs walking).
Day 3
An acclimatisation day to explore the grassy moorland and the volcano
rock formations of the Shira plateau. There are few paths and our exact
route will depend on the weather and the guide assessment of group wishes.
We might walk to summit of Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock surrounded
by steep spires and pinnacles. There is a tangible sense of wilderness
here (especially when the afternoon mists come in ) and the views from
our camp near Shira Cave (3,720 m.) of Mt Meru floating above the clouds
are simply unforgettable. (3 – 6 hours walking).
Day 4
A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau
behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach.
After lunch near the Lava Tower junction (4500 m ) we descend to the bottom
of the Great Barranco valley (3,900 m) sheltered by towering cliffs and
with extensive views of the plains far below. (5 – 7 hours walking).
Day 5
A steep climb up the Barranco Wall is followed by an undulating trail
on the southeastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of southern icefields.
Lunch is usually taken at Karanga the last water point, in a steep valley.
After lunch the terrain changes to scree and we climb steeply to reach
the Barafu campsite (4,600 m ) by mid afternoon. The remainder of the
day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent and a very early
night (6 –8 hours).
Day 6
We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a .m so that we can
be up on the crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic
scree has some well-graded zigzags and a slow but steady pace will take
us to Stella Point ( 5,735 m ) in about fiive or six hours. We will rest
there and enjoy the Sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are feeling strong
can make the two-hour round trip from here along the Crater rim to Uhuru
Peak ( 5,896 m ), in about five or six hours. The descent to Barafu is
surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to reach our
final campsite (3800 m.) at the edge of Mweka Forest. (11-15hours walking).
Day 7
A sustained descent through lovely forest with lush under growth takes
us to the National Park gate at Mweka (1,650 m ) (4 - 6 hours walking),
where our transport will transfer us to Mt Village Lodge for a well-deserved
dinner overnight and the finest shower of your life!
Day 8
Early this morning we depart for Ngorongoro Highlands and crater with
a picnic lunch. Our route takes us through the valley, passing Lake Manyara
and climbing the Rift Valley escarpment to the Ngorongoro Highlands. In
the afternoon we will descend into the crater for gameviewing before returning
to the top of the crater and our lodge on the crater rim. Dinner and overnight
is at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.
Day 9
This morning we descend into the crater for gameviewing. The crater has
often been described as The Garden of Eden with verdant growth on its
upper slopes and masses of wildlife on the crater floor. After a picnic
lunch we head towards the Serengeti plains and Olduvai George. It was
here that the Leakeys made their famous discovery of Australopithecus
Zinjantropus Boisei or the ‘nutcracker man’ who lived about
1,750,000BC. We will spend the afternoon at the Gorge with
an expert guide showing where these finds a were made. We return to the
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 10
After breakfast we depart for our starting trek through the Ngorogoro
Highlands and down the escarpment to Lake Eyasi. Dinner and overnight
is in our custom-built bush camp.
Day 11 and 12
These days are spent continuing our trek towards Lake Eyasi. Lake Eyasi
is situated on the remote southern border of the Ngorongoro Highlands
on the western wall of the rift valley. The area is rarely visited and
is home to the Hadza people who live near the shore and who are hunter-gatherers.
Our stay here will include the opportunity to visit this tribe and share
their culture and lifestyle as they hunt game with traditional methods.
Dinner and overnight are spent in our bush camps.
Day 13
We spent the morning in and around the Lake Eyasi area co-exisitng with
our Hadza hosts before departing for the Tarangire Conservation Area and
our overnight at Naitolia eco-lodge.
Day 14 and 15
After an early breakfast we depart with our guide for our walking safari.
Naitolia is situated is a grove of acacia and Baobab trees overlooking
a seasonal swamps and floodplains. Our trek takes us towards the flat
grasslands of the Lemiyon plains and our lunch-stop below a rocky Kopje,
with spectacular views of the Tarangire valley. After lunch we head on
a short walk of about two three hours towards our overnight camp overlooking
a large Sand River. During the night elephants can be heard digging their
trunks into the sand searching deep for the sub surface water.
On our second day we trek along the sand river and small gullies towards
Boundary Hill ridge where we find our vehicles waiting for us in the mid–afternoon
to return to Naitolia camp and welcomed hot showers. After dinner we can
experience the rare pleasure of a night drive where we can spot nocturnal
animals such as African wildcats, genet cats and Bat eared Foxes. Dinner
and overnight is at Naitolia eco-lodge.
Day 16
This morning is spent walking around the camp or game viewing within the
park by vehicle. After lunch we depart for the Arusha airstrip and our
flight to Zanzibar Island where will be met and transferred to Ras Nungwi
Lodge on the east cost of Zanzibar.
Day 17
Full day spent relaxing on Zanzibar, enjoying the beaches, diving or sailing
on a fully rigged dhow. Overnight at Ras Nungwi.
Day 18
Transfer to airport for flight to Dar Es Salaam or Nairobi.
Included:
All transfers, tours, game drives, walking safaris, all accommodation
as indicated, all park fees conservation area fees, all meals as indicated,
camping equipment, English speaking guide and cooks.
Not Included:
Visas insurance, tips, items of a personal nature, alcoholic drinks, departure
taxes or airfare.
Please contact us for more information, details of availability
and price:
East African Safari and Touring Company
P.O. Box 1215,
Arusha,
Tanzania
Tel: (+255) 786185567
e-mail: simon@eastafricansafari.info
