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Savage Wilderness Safaris
Typical Itinerary
Day 1
We collect you from your hotel at 0800. It's then about 2 1/2 hours from Nairobi to where we cross the border into Tanzania. This border process usually takes about 45 min, then it's on to Arusha for lunch, (about 1 1/2 hr's). A further 2 hours driving gets us to our hotel, (where we spend the night), at the base of the mountain. Your guide then spends the rest of the afternoon arranging for the required porters and the mandatory local guides.
Day 2
After breakfast one or more of the party will be driven up to the Marangu Park Gate where all necessary fees will be paid, and our "permit to climb" obtained. You then return to the hotel, load the food and equipment, collect the porters, and then drive back through Moshi to the start of the road track up through the local shambas to the edge of the forest and the path up the mountain. Hopefully we are able to start walking by about 1130, lunch at a small stream by about 1400 and arrival at the first nights cave, (2,900m) by about 1730. Quite a hard days walk.
Day 3
From our campsite at the cave, we continue to move steeply up through the last of the forest, to join the main ridge after about 30 min. and a couple of hours later, the start of the moorland proper. This ridge section is especially spectacular, in places it's knifedged with some steep drops down to the Lonzo river 400m below, and it's from this ridge that we usually get our first views of the summit cone - Kibo.
Day 4
A real easy day's walk, though sometimes with fit groups we will combine it with day 5. Walk eastwards across a wide glacial outwash plain, and moraines to the "Breach wall". Steeply up for about 300m to the top of the wall, and the spectacular views of the whole of that side of the mountain and the expanse of the Southern Glaciers above. Descend a short ridge, then after about an hour (from the ridge), drop down into the Karanga Valley. Total time required for this day's walk is less than 3 hours.
Day 5
Another easy day's walk. After climbing out of the Karanga Valley we continue contouring around the mountain. An hour and half later at the top of the ridge bordering the Charrongo Valley to the east, we turn left and start to head on up towards the main cone of the mountain itself. Barafu Hut (4,600m), is reached after some 5 hours walking. At the hut, subject to available space, we will set a tent up inside one of the huts. It keeps the wind off us and we all sleep a little warmer. Retire to the sleeping bags early.
Day 6
Well, rather it's still day 5 when we get up for breakfast, Ugh, and a hot drink before a midnight departure for the walk up to the crater rim at Stella Notch (5,780m), where, with luck, we should arrive in time to view the usually magnificent sunrise with the crater rim as a foredrop and the jagged peaks of Mawenzi in the background. Another hour to Uhuru Pt. then it's time to return back round the crater rim to Stella Pt. and the start of the big scree slopes leading back to Barafu Hut. From this hut it's another 3 hours on down to the Mweka Huts (3,050m), where an early night will be had by all.
Day 7
Leisurely departure for the 3 hour walk back to the Park Gate at Mweka roadhead. Transport awaits us here, and after obtaining "Achievement" certificates (assuming we got you to Uhuru or Gillmans), we head on down to Moshi, change clothes and on to Arusha for lunch. Mid afternoon departure for Nairobi.
Options available
- Ascent of the mountain by another route (Machame, Mweka or Shira).
- An extra night at an hotel in Moshi / Arusha or at the Kibo Hotel, departing for Nairobi / Serengeti / Ngorongoro the next day.
- On the 9 day variation to this safari it is possible for the fit and well acclimatised person to spend one or more nights actual camped in the crater of the Volcano, and to spend a day exploring this fascinating area; The Reuche Crater, the Ash Pit and the sulphur deposits, plus of course the northern and western icefields.
We publish a "Map (1:50,000) and Guide" to both Mt.'s Kenya and Kilimanjaro. Described in the "Lonely Planet" guide to East Africa as the definitive guides. Printed A1 format with the map to the relevant mountain on one side and brief but concise information covering the following subject printed on the reverse. Access to the peaks. Mountain Medicine. Huts and accommodation. Porters and guides. Geology and glaciology. Useful addresses. Mountain rescue. Fauna and flora. Equipment and clothing. Cooking and mountain foods.
Costs Include:
- Transport by Land Rover from Nairobi, to as high as possible on the mountain and return to Nairobi.
- Park entrance and camping fees.
- High quality fresh food but with some prepared, packaged and frozen before the trip. (client to advise any particular likes / dislikes or dietary considerations).
- Porters for all food and tentage, plus up to 15 kgs. of the clients personal equipment.
- All tents, sleeping mats, eating and cooking utensils etc.
- Services of self or other guide as applicable.
- All gear and equipment, i.e. Helmet and harness, 2 x 9mm ropes, (we use double rope system unless otherwise requested), Slings, karabinas and other protection devices.
See Map (1: 50,000) and Guide to Kilimanjaro ref. personal clothing and sleeping bag required.
Not Included:
- Any hotel accommodation, except as detailed in the individual itineraries.
- Tips to porters / guides.
- Foot wear and sleeping bag
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