East Africa Itinerary
- July 18 & 19: Travel to Tanzania from USA
- Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, transfer to Mt. Meru Game Lodge for your overnight.
- July 20: Arusha
- Spend the day relaxing to recover from any jet lag before climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Transfer to the Kibo Hotel where you will attend a briefing for all climbers. Overnight at the Kibo Hotel.
- July 21: Rongai
- After completing the necessary registration formalities at Marangu National Park gate, transfer by land rover to Rongai. The climb begins from the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (6,400′) on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes 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. These monkeys are black with a long cape of white hair and a flowing white tail, The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (8,500′) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains. [3-4 hours walking]
- July 22: Second Cave
- The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (11,300′) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern icefields on the crater rim. After lunch, leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant Senecios near the Kikelewa Caves (11,800′) [6-7 hours walking]
- July 23: Mawenzi Tarn
- A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb views and a tangible sense of wilderness. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (14,100′), 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 acclimatization. [3-4 hours walking]
- July 24: School Camp
- Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach School campsite (15,580′) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night! [4-5 hours walking]
- July 25: Gilman’s Point/Uhuru Peak/Kibo
- Begin the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. Proceed very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (18,640′) Rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (19,340′), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo (15,400′) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, you will continue the descent to reach the final campsite at Horombo (12,200′). (11-15 hours walking]
- July 26: Marangu
- A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (9,000′), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (6,000′). [5-6 hours walking]. It is easier to go down than up. Packed lunch on the way down. Dinner and overnight at Moivaro Lodge or similar.
- July 27: Arusha/Zanzibar
- We return to Arusha for lunch. Transfer to the airport in Arusha (Kilimanjaro airport) for your flight to Zanzibar Island. Clear local customs in Zanzibar and meet your guide just outside of the luggage claim area. It will probably be hotter here than where you have come from. Overnight at the Tembo House in Stone Town.
- July 28: Stone Town
- After breakfast enjoy a half day tour of historic Stone Town. Beginning in the city market, you will have the opportunity to see and taste some of the fruits available in Zanzibar, such as Mabungo and Baobab fruits. Visit “kuku” the chicken market and the fish market where many exotic fish are sold. This is a good first day orientation to Stone Town, which you can follow with your own exploration. The Palace museum holds fascinating artifacts of the long colonial and imperial past. It helps to have a guide to provide interpretation of what you are seeing. The same is true of the many other historic buildings. You will also learn about the slaving and the mercantile history of the island. After spending the day in Stone Town you will be transfered to the coast for the next 3 nights at the Breezes Beach Club.
- July 29: Jozani Forest and Dolphin Tour
- Depart early in the morning, from the hotel, for the 45 minute drive to Jozani Forest, the habitat of the Red Colobus Monkey. These monkeys are very attractive and easy to photograph. You will get very close. Very little of the natural forest of Zanzibar remains, and most of it is in the Jozani preserve. Spend the day walking in the forest, visiting a small fishing village where the houses are made of white sand and coral stone. Enjoy a Dolphin Tour in Kizimakazi, nestled snuggly on the Souther tip of the island. This is an ideal starting point to spot Bottlenose and Spinner dolphins. These magnificent animals school in the rich hunting grounds of the cove. Enjoy a traditional Zanzibar lunch overlooking the sea. You also may stop to purchase fruit, crafts, or other items from roadside vendors.
- July 30: Changu (Prison) Island
- Visit Changu Island in local wooden boats with an outboard engine and a canopy to protect you from the sun. There are several historic islands just off the coast of Zanzibar, and this trip is both a pleasant day on the tropical sea as well as an opportunity to acquire a sense of perspective on island life. You will have time for swimming from the beach or snorkeling around the reef. A lunch of fish and rice or chips is served before returning to your hotel.
- July 31: Zanzibar/Nairobi
- Late afternoon/early evening flight to Nairobi. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the Fairview Hotel.
- August 1 & 2: Kitui
- Drive to Kitui and stay at Syomasango. Take an afternoon hike in local villages and visit women groups in the area. Evening hike up Nzambani for sunset with drinks and snacks. The second day will be spent visiting local wood carvers and basket weavers. It may also be possible to participate in local tree planting efforts.
- August 3 & 4: Mwingi
- Drive to Katumbi village in Mwingi. On the way, stop at the wood carvers workshops. Katumbi is well off the main road and few non-Kenyans ever reach this area. You will hike in the area observing village life, watching birds and animals and enjoying a demonstration of village crafts, music and dance. The area is known for honey and we will join a local honey hunter as he inspects his hives. You will camp under a huge baobob tree at the edge of the village.
- August 5 & 6: Samburu Game Reserve
- After breakfast we will head westward, toward Mt. Kenya Northern Frontier District of Samburu. You will be staying at the Samburu Serena Lodge. You will enjoy four game drives during your stay. After checking in and lunch at the lodge, there will be a short break before you head out for the afternoon game drive until the late evening. This area is excellent for predators such as leopard and cheetah. You will almost certainly spot the local specialties: Grevvy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe and fringe-eared oryx. Overnight and meals at the Samburu Serena Lodge.
- August 7 & 8: Laikipia
- After breakfast, you will drive back south to the Laikipia area. This area is known mainly for the early explorers who came to this area for hunting. The current land owners are later generations of the early settlers. Notables include Kuki Galmann, author of “I Dream of Africa”. The people of this area share their land with the animals that migrate from Samburu on their way to Mt. Kenya and Aberdares. Most of the land owners are involved in wildlife conservation with the adjacent Lewa Wildlife Forum. You will be camping near a school which you will visit and learn about the women’s programs that are found in these areas. Hike with the local Samburu people and learn their lifestyle first hand. Overnight and meals at our private camp.
- August 9 & 10: Lake Nakuru National Park
- Drive to the Rift Valley and proceed to the famous Lake Nakuru. You will be camping at the edge of Lake Nakuru National Park in a spacious, private campground. You may hear the sound of tens of thousands of flamingos flying overhead at night. Plan on arriving in the evening, to your camp. On day 10, carrying our picnic lunch, you will have a full day visit to the famous Lake Nakuru Park. Besides the hundreds of thousands of flamingos, Lake Nakuru is a rhino sanctuary with a great success story in the breeding of rhinos. The two types of rhinos, black and white are both found in this park. You will also search for colobus monkeys, leopard, lion, elephant, masai giraffe and many other species of birds and animals. Besides the day game drives to the park, there are night game drives for an additional cost, where you may see nocturnal species like porcupine, aardvark and spring hares.
- August 11 & 12: Loita Plains
- Depart for the Loita plains, arriving to the camp by late afternoon. This is Maasai country and you will be their guests. Time permitting, there will be a short hike arranged around the camp, led by the local contact, David. While in the Loita plains, you will hike among the wild animals, talk about the medicinal plants, look at the birds, visit the watering areas for the cattle, and visit a local Masai manyatta (village). You might even try throwing a spear. At this time of year there are likely to be large herds of zebra, gazelle and wildebeest throughout this area. You may even hear lions roaring, from the campsite at night. A Masai warrior will stand guard all night.
- August 13 & 14: Masai Mara
- On this day you will bid farewell to the camping crew and head for the Masai Mara, where you will spend two nights at the Mara Serena. While in the Mara, you will enjoy very early morning and evening game drives. One of these days, carrying a picnic lunch, you will head for a full day game drive in the reserve. This is the time of year when the great Serengeti herd of wildebeest numbering as many as one million animals, tends to concentrate on the rich grasslands of the Mara. Predators like lions, cheetah, hyenas and jackals are abundant and you will always be on the lookout for a kill. Weather and skies should be excellent for photography of what many people agree is the greatest large mammal wildlife spectacle on Earth.
- August 15: Nairobi
- After breakfast, drive back to Nairobi. Dayrooms will be reserved for refreshments before evening transfers to the airport for homebound flights.