WHY
TANZANIA?
Tanzania is a land of contrasts, from the snow-capped peak
of Mt-Kilimanjaroto the endless plains of Serengeti, from the sun-kissed
islands of the Zanzibar Archipelago to the gentle shores of Lake Victoria, the
country contains immense cultural and natural wealth; It was here on the dusty
floor of Olduvai Gorge, that early man left his first footprints. It was here
on palm-fringed Zanzibar, that Swahili traders welcomed dhows and trading boats
from across the Indian Ocean.
We don’t offer any ready-made itineraries here as we believe in talking to you and tailor making a safari to suit just you.
Many who come, come with the intention of inflicting western values and time scales, only to have left disheartened and broken, or they have succumbed to her tradition and rhythm.
Those that succumb find a certain peace within that only Africa can give. On Safari one will surely experience this, leaving the artificial world and all her worries far behind as one tunes into the smell, beat and life of the land. Come look through our website and let Safaris In Africa find out where you’d like to safari.
We don’t offer any ready-made itineraries here as we believe in talking to you and tailor making a safari to suit just you.
Many who come, come with the intention of inflicting western values and time scales, only to have left disheartened and broken, or they have succumbed to her tradition and rhythm.
Those that succumb find a certain peace within that only Africa can give. On Safari one will surely experience this, leaving the artificial world and all her worries far behind as one tunes into the smell, beat and life of the land. Come look through our website and let Safaris In Africa find out where you’d like to safari.
- Machame
- Marangu
- Rongai
- Lemosho
- Umbwe
- Shira
- Mweka (descent only)
- Day 1: Marangu Gate (1980 m) – Mandara hut (2700 m). Hiking time: 5 hours
- Day 2: Mandara hut (2700) – Horombo hut (3720 m). Hiking time: 6 hours
- Day 3: Horombo hut (3720 m) – Acclimatisation day (if necessary)
- Day 4: Horombo hut (3720 m) – Kibo hut (4700 m). Hiking time: 6 hours
- Day 5: Kibo hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Horombo hut (3720 m). Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru – 6 hours to descend to Horombo
- Day 6: Horombo hut (3720 m) – Marangu Gate (1980 m). Hiking time: 6 hours
- Day 1: Machame Gate (1490 m) – Machame camp (2980 m). Hiking time: 4-6 hours
- Day 2: Machame camp (2980 m) – Shira camp (3840 m). Hiking time: 6 hours
- Day 3: Shira (3840 m) – Lava Tower (4630 m) – Barranco camp (3950 m). Hiking time: 7 hours
- Day 4: Barranco camp (3950 m) – Barafu camp (4550 m). Hiking time: 7 hours (frequently broken into 2 days) to allow for acclimatization)
- Day 5: Barafu camp (4550 m)- Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Mweka (3100 m). Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak: 7/8 hours to descend to Mweka (frequently broken into 2 days with an overnight stay at Mweka camp)
- Day 1: Londorossi Gate (2100 m) – Mti Mkubwa camp (2750 m). Hiking time: 3 hours
- Day 2: Mti Mkubwa camp (2750 m) – Shira 2 camp (3840 m). Hiking time: 6/7 hours
- Day 3: Shira (3840m) – Lava Tower (4630m) – Barranco camp (3950m). Hiking time: 7 hours
- Day 4: Barranco camp (3950 m) – Barafu camp (4550 m). Hiking time: 7 hours
- Day 5: Barafu camp (4550 m) – Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Mweka (3100 m). Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak 7/8 hours to descend to Mweka
- Day 6: Mweka camp (3100 m) – Mweka Gate (1980 m). Hiking time: 3 hours
- Day 4: Barranco (3950 m) to Karranga Valley (4000 m). Hiking Time 4 hours. This segment takes you up the infamous ‘Barranco Wall.’
- Day 5: Karranga Valley (4000 m) to Barafu camp (4550 m). Hiking Time 3 hours
- Day 6: Barafu camp (4550 m) – Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Crater Camp (5640m). Hiking Time about 8 hours
- Day 7: Crater Camp (5640 m) – Mweka (3100 m). Hiking time: 7/8 hours to descend.
- Day 1: Rongai Gate (1950 m) – 1st Caves camp (2600 m). Hiking time: 5 hours
- Day 2: 1st Cave (2600 m) – Kikelewa Cave (3600 m). Hiking time: 6/7 hours
- Day 3: Kikelewa Cave (3600) – Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330 m). Hiking time: 3/4 hours
- Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m) – Kibo hut (4700 m). Hiking time: 4/5 hours
- Day 5: Kibo hut (4700 m) – Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Horombo hut (3720 m). Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru – 6 hours to descend to Horombo
- Day 6: Horombo hut (3720 m) – Marangu Gate (1980 m) . Hiking time: 6 hours
- It is permitted to camp on Mt Kilimanjaro for as many days as you want by paying the designated fees to the Kilimanjaro national Park authorities and camp in any of the nearest camps like the Machame Hut or the Mweka Hut.
Karibu
/ Welcome!
On our company have detailed what we consider some of the best
areas and National Parks within the listed countries to visit and as you look
through we would like to invite you to contact us about what interests you
most.
Africa has a rhythm all of its own.
A stop over on the way to Europe or a full safari
experience, or if you’re not sure let us suggest something that’ll free your
soul, rekindle your spirit and enrich your life forever as only Africa can. We
look forward to hearing from you and would love to talk to you about our
beloved Africa.
FLORA AND FAUNA
The mountain is rich in flora and fauna. You get to see
the various climatic conditions starting from the bushland on the bottom of the
mountain to the arctic ice region on top of the mountain. You have the tropical
rain forests, the evergreen forests, the moorlands and the alpine desert
regions in between. It is something like walking from the equator to the arctic
pole in a matter of days. You get to see some unique plants and flowers on the
mountain which is specific to Mt Kilimanjaro. Though there is not much of
wildlife on the mountain, you can see some wild buffaloes, elephants and
leopards while traversing through the Lemosho Route. You are accompanied by
armed rangers in the initial day of the trek while going via the Lemosho route.
CLIMATE
Due to Mount Kilimanjaro’s proximity to the equator, this
region does not experience the extremes of winter and summer weather, but
rather dry and wet seasons. January and February are the warmest months, April
and May are the wettest months, June and July are the coolest months, and
August and September are the driest months. January, February, and September
are considered to be the best months to climb Kilimanjaro in terms of weather.
The journey from the gate to the peak is like traveling from the equator to
Antarctica in a matter of days. This is because the routes to the Uruhu peak
cross different ecological zones. Throughout the climb, temperatures vary
considerably with the altitude and time of day. Mount Kilimanjaro has five
major ecological zones, each approximately 3,280 feet (1,000 m) in altitude.
Each zone is subject to a corresponding decrease in rainfall, temperature and
life as the altitude increases. At the beginning of the climb, at the base of
the mountain, the average temperature is around 70°F to 80°F (27°C to 32°C).
From there, the temperatures will decrease as you move through Mount Kilimanjaro’s
ecological zones. At the summit, Uruhu Peak, the night time temperatures can
range between 0°F to -15F (-18°C to -26°C). Due to Mount Kilimanjaro’s great
height, the mountain creates its own weather. It is extremely variable and
impossible to predict. Therefore, regardless of when you climb, you should
always be prepared for wet days and cold nights.
GET IN
The closest International Airport is Kilimanjaro (IATA:
JRO), and if coming from Europe, KLM (Delta Air Lines) has a daily non-stop
flight from Amsterdam to
JRO. Air Viva offers
connections between Kilimanjaro and several domestic airports, such as Arusha,
Year 2012 several International Airlines launched direct
flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport, these are Turkish Airlines and
Qatar Airways. These are in addition to other International Airlines like
Ethiopian Airways, Condor Air and Kenya Airways.
If you are coming from Nairobi, Kenya, you can fly with
Kenya Airways which works with Precision Air, and that would cost you about
$400/person for a round trip ticket. Alternatively, you can schedule shuttle
buses, which are at 8am and 2 pm daily, for about $35/person, one way, and its
a 5-6hrs bus ride. Shuttle buses can be booked in advance by visiting Bus Africa.net.
If coming from Dar es Salaam,
you can fly into JRO for $320/person round trip; or take a 7-8hrs bus ride for
$40/person one way to Arusha or Moshi.
There are six routes officially sanctioned for climbing
Kilimanjaro and two routes used for descent. These are:
Marangu Route Commonly called the Coca-Cola Route, because
it is considered the easiest route and vendors sell Coca-Cola at some of the
huts. Marangu is by far the most popular route to the summit of Kilimanjaro.
Typical duration is either 5 or 6 days depending upon whether you elect to
spend an extra day for acclimatization to the altitude. This is the only route
that offers huts versus tents. In spite of these, do be aware that 1) a faster
ascent means less time for acclimatization and a lower chance of reaching the
summit and 2) it is actually colder to stay in huts compared to staying in
tents.
Machame Route Some call this the most beautiful route up
Kilimanjaro. Where accommodation on the Marangu route is in huts, the Machame
route offers strictly tents only. This makes Machame (also referred to as the
“Whiskey route”) better suited to the slightly more adventurous hiker, however
rewarding him/her with a scenic splendor such as not seen on the Marangu route.
Lemosho Route Little used and more remote than other
routes. The route is one of the few where groups may be accompanied on the
first day by an armed ranger, as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are rich
in buffalo, elephant and other big game animals.
‘ A variation on the Lemosho Route inserts two extra days
in the itinerary for acclimatization and also to avoid having to climb up to
the summit in the dark.
Rongai Route The Rongai route provides ascent up
Kilimanjaro from the northeastern side of the mountain, along the border
between Tanzania and Kenya.
EAT
The various food requirements are met by the porters and
cooks who come along with you on the mountain. However, the quality of the food
depends on the reputation of the tour operator you are climbing with. The
quality of the food tends to go down towards the end of the trek due to
reduction in rations carried by the porters and also due to the food becoming
stale by the end of the trek. It is recommended to carry along some high energy
food like chocolates and nuts for surviving and successful completion of the
trek. It would be worthwhile to carry along some ready made noodle packets and
like items for cooking them at the end of the trek.
DRINK
Staying hydrated on the mountain is very important. A key
reason why people suffer from Acute Mountain Sickness is because they become
dehydrated. You should aim to drink at least 3L of water a day. Your guides
will provide you with water on Day 1 of the hike and from then on porters collect
water from streams on the mountain. It is important that you purify this water
using water purification tablets. Also recommended is adding high energy
powders to improve the taste and give you an added boost. Also, a lot of oral
rehydration salts (ORS) are recommended for preventing dehydration while
trekking on the mountain.
SLEEP
LODGING
Lodging on the mountain is limited to designated
campsites. Cave sleeping is now prohibited. A number of huts are available, but
generally not advisable. Pre-climb lodging is generally found in Moshi or Arusha.
CAMPING
BACKCOUNTRY
CONTACT
GSM mobile phone coverage is available on the summit of
the mountain. Various networks like Vodacom, Airtel,Zaintel and Tigo operate in
the region and can be accessed from various high points on the mountain.
However, with no electric supply on the mountain, it is advised to carry
portable mobile travel chargers along for accessing the mobile services atop
the mountain.
STAY SAFE
Several immunizations are recommended for yellow fever,
tetanus, typhoid, polio, Havrix (Hepatitis A Vaccine), and an anti-malaria
prophylactic.
Air at the summit of Kilimanjaro contains only about half
the amount of oxygen that it does at sea level. Altitude sickness is caused by
the failure of the body to adapt quickly enough to this reduced level of oxygen
as one gains altitude. It is likely that you will experience some form of
altitude sickness at some point while climbing Kilimanjaro.
During a trek on Kilimanjaro it is likely that more than
75% of trekkers will experience at least some form of mild altitude sickness
caused by a failure of the body to adapt quickly enough to the reduced level of
oxygen in the air at an increased altitude.
This type of altitude sickness is known as altoxia, a term
which is used almost exclusively on Kilimanjaro, since this is the only
commonly trekked mountain where these extreme altitudes are encountered so
quickly.
LIFESAVING TIPS: This can be a life or health saving
resource site: http://www.africaserengetisafaris.com.
This organization provides essential free tips and referrals re: high altitude
hiking, as well as some tours that are often funded mostly by lodges.
Most high altitude medical experts recommend against using
the ALTOX Personal Oxygen System. Please consult your physician prior to
considering this product that is sold at an additional expense by some agents.
Preparing for kilimanjaro trekking adventures need update
current information about nature of Kilimanjaro formation, weather at
Kilimanjaro,volcanic rocks, kilimanjaro elevation on particular route of
choice, Kilimanjaro climbing routes details, safety and security, forest and
wildlife, acclimatization and even price cost to climb kilimanjaro. These
information can be found online for free and through inquire online contacts.
More go here Mount Kilimanjaro blog:- About Mount Kilimanjaro and Tanzanite
1.
Rate of ascent
2.
Altitude attained
3.
Length of exposure
4.
Level of exertion
5.
Hydration and diet
6.
Inherent physiological susceptibility
7.
Use of oxygen systems or drugs
Always be prepared and use a tried and tested kit list.
Make sure that you do your homework and that you have all the essentials. Keep
up to date on the weather on Kilimanjaro. Conditions can be unfavorable and
dangerous to favorable and pleasant, and a well planned trip has to take the
weather patterns into consideration
Safari lodge room
