kilimanjaro

BARRON ADVENTURES

MT. KILIMANJARO CLIMB WILDLIFE PHOTO SAFARI TARANGIRE RIVER, NGORONGORO CRATER,

TRIBAL MAASAI

SERENGETI, O

Mount Kilimanjaro rises majestically from the rolling plain of Tanzania, close to the Indian Ocean -- from hot savanna through rainforest jungle and afro-alpine moors, to the barren and glaciated 3-1/2 mile high peak. It's the highest mountain in Africa and one of the largest free standing mountains in the world. Climbing Kilimanjaro is the great challenge for almost every trekker and mountaineer, and only a dream to most. We ascend the non-technical Marangu Route, suitable for strong hikers, and overnight in A-frame huts along the way. Native porters carry all gear and prepare all meals. You carry only a day pack with your coat, water bottle, camera, etc.. We spend an extra two days on our climb, which allows for the best acclimatisation, and high summitt rate.

Our safari travels into the finest game reserves and wilderness regions of Tanzania. Exploring by LandRovers and walking safaris we stay in comfortable lodges and deluxe camps, yet experience the true Africa in isolated, off the beaten track areas. We mix the incredible experience of climbing one of the most sought after mountains in the world with meeting the greatest concentrations of wild animals on the planet, "up close", and visit native Masai. Experience the real Africa distanced from game hotels and throngs of tourists in mini buses. Timed during the height of the dry season and designed for the best wildlife game viewing. Transportation is in four wheel drive LandRovers (four or five to a vehicle) over rolling Savannah with some rough roads and game tracks. Lodging is 6 nights in first class hotels or game lodges, 5 nights A-frame climbing huts, and 2 nights deluxe tent camping with full safari crew; walk-in tents with beds, linen, toilet and hot showers, large dinning tent with comfortable directors chairs.

Day 1-3 ARUSHA Fly to Arusha,Tanzania. Arrive 14th, and transfer to our beautiful coffee plantation lodge. D

DAy 4 MARANGU After a leisurely breakfast we travel overland to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro where you spend the day in the forest, relaxing and preparing for the climb. Dinner and overnight at the Marangu Hotel. BLD

DAy 5 MANDARA Begin climb through forest crossing several streams to Mandara hut situated at 9,000 feet near a volcanic cone. Arriving in time for lunch, the balance of the day free to rest. Overnight Mandara Hut. BLD

Day 6 MANDARA Acclimatization and rest day. We take a short hike to Maundi Crater and We take a short hike to Maundi Crater and then spend the rest of the day resting and exploring nearby. Overnight Mandara Hut. BLD

Day 7 HOROMBO Rising early the trail passes through a short stretch of forest and skirts the base of Maundi Crater, crosses a meadow and then emerges into grassland. The trail crosses numerous moorland ravines before ending at Horombo Hut, 12,300 feet. Giant lobelia begin to appear at 11,000 feet. This is a 10 mile walk, which takes about 5 hours. Overnight Horombo Hut. BLD

Day 8 HOROMBO Acclimatization and rest day. We take a short hike up to 13 or 14,000ft. and return to Horombo. Overnight Horombo Hut. BLD

Day 9 KIBO Climb through the last vegetation zone to the double crater Saddle between the twin peaks of Mawenzi 17,000ft, and Kibo at 19,3402ft. We walk along the barren moonscape for several miles to our summit camp at Kibo Hut, 15,200ft. BLD

DAy 10 SUMMIT DAY, HOROMBO Rise very early, normally at 2am, and climb switchbacks past Hans Meyer Cave to Gilman's Point 18,655 feet situated on the top rim of the crater and watch the dawn break. Then on to Uhuru Point, the summit, 19,340 feet. Descend to Horombo Hut for overnight. BLD

DAy 11 MANRANGU Descend the mountain slopes to the Marangu Hotel arriving in time for lunch. The balance of the day will be free to rest with splendid views of Mt Kilimanjaro "the roof of Africa". Dinner and overnight at the Marangu Hotel. BLD

DAy 12 LAKE MANYARA / GREAT RIFT VALLEY On to Lake Manyara National Park nestles at the base of the Great Rift Valley. The park is 320 sq km of which about 70% is the Lake. Lake Manyara is an ornithologist's paradise with over 400 bird species. Small herds of zebras, wildebeest, and giraffe begin to appear on the approach to the gate. Our lodge is perched on the edge of the spectacular Gregorian Escarpment of thhe Rift. BLD

Day 13 SERENGETI/OLDUVAI Drive to the Serengeti with game viewing en route and a picnic lunch at Olduvai Gorge. Serengeti National Park is the largest of Tanzania's parks. It covers an area of over 14763 sq km. Serengeti is derived from a Maasai word ( siringet) meaning extended or endless plains, with its northern boundary abutting Kenya's Maasai Mara Game Reserve and Lake Victoria. In this precious wildlife sanctuary, there still exists the greatest concentration of game animals found anywhere on earth. When the grasses lose their green flush, millions of wildebeest and zebra and gazelle as well as eland and other plain animals begin to mass in preparation for their migration to the north and the west. The animal's coverage in millions and move in winding columns miles and miles long. Though essentially, a wildebeest affair, large contingents of other animals participate. The terrain of the park varies from the short and long grass, open plains in the south, the acacia savanna in the central area, the hilly, more densely wooded northern section, and the extensive woodland and black clay plains, dominated by the central ranges of mountains in the western corridor. The plains are dotted with rocky outcrops known as "kopjes", and there are several rivers running through the park, notably the Seronera River in the central area, the Grumeti River in the Western corridor and the Mara River in the north. Our exclusive tented camp lies on the Grumeti River. BLD

Day 14 SERENGETI Another fantastic day in the Serengeti. Continue in this paradise with morning and evening game drives. Travel to a remote Masai village and visit with these remarkable native people. In the evening a unique opportunity for a night game drive to view nocturnal wildlife. BLD

Day 15 NGORONGORO CRATER Overland to Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Crater) & Olduvai Gorge; A UNESCO protected "World Heritage Site" Ngorongoro Conservation Area covers an area of 8288 sq. km and is situated 190 km. from Arusha between Lake Manyara and Serengeti National Park. Surrounded by very steep walls rising 610m from the Crater floor, this natural amphitheatre measures about 16-19kms across in diameter and has an area 256sq.km. It is one of the wonders of the world. The floor includes a large lake and forms a perfectly preserved and self contained habitat for a huge number and variety of animal species - Elephant, Buffalo, Hippo and many other species can generally be seen here at any time of year. The animals are not trapped in the crater, and there is some migratory movement in and out, but because of the protected nature of the habitat and the availability of grazing and water, much of the animal population remains resident year round. This makes Ngorongoro ideal for game viewing. There are several prides of lion, and some of the last surviving rhino to be found in Tanzania. The alkaline soda lake is home to huge flocks of flamingos. The whole crater has a quite unique almost magical atmosphere. Our lodge is situated around the crater rim, and we descend into the crater for game drives. Overnight Ngorongor Crater Lodge. BLD

Day 16 TARANGIRE After breakfast depart for Tarangire National Park on the Masai Steppe, for game drive and picnic lunch. Tarangire is situated along The Great North Road in the large open grass plains of the southern Maasailand and covers an area of 2600 sq. km. The name Tarangire is derived from the river, which provides permanent water for wildlife. In the dry season after the long rains, concentration of wildlife in Tarangire is second only to Ngorongoro. Over 300 species of birds are recorded in the park, including some Eurasian migrants. Large numbers of wildebeests, zebras, elephants, elands and Oryx gather and stay in Tarangire until the onset of the rains, when they move to better grazing grounds. Great opportunities along the Tarangire River to view elephant, giraffe, crocodile, waterbuck, impala, zebra, leopard and rhino. Dinner and overnight at Tarangire. BL

Day 17 Fly to London. Evening and morning sightseeing, overnight London. (or straight flight home)

Day 18 Fly home.