Finest Of Tanzania – Kilimanjaro, And Zanzibar Expedition
Abacus Vacation’s finest of Tanzania excursion includes all of the major highlights of Tanzania – from climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to a Lodge Safari in the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Lake Manyara to relaxing on the white sandy Indian Ocean beaches of Zanzibar. You will not regret your Safari.
Day Location Accommodation meals
Mt. Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak and the highest alone standing mountain in the world. Our journey begins with the “Snows of Kilimanjaro.” At 19,340 feet (5,895 meters), Abacus Africa vacations offer an acutely remunerative trip and an opportunity to climb one of the world’s “seven summits” through the less traveled Machame Route, one of the most ravishing trails to the top of the mountain.
It will take you five days to hike before ascending early morning on the sixth day to reach the apex, just in time to see a gorgeous sunrise. Our guides are experienced so you will have a good time as you climb the “roof of Africa.”
Our safari then leads to the expedition part of our tour, in the Ngorongoro Crater, called the “eighth wonder of the world.” This massive caldera is located right in the heart of the “Land of the Masai” in the Great Rift Valley. More than 5,000 feet (1,600 meters) below the crater edge, the bottom of the crater (265 square kilometers) is speckled with watering-holes with a rich birdlife.
The crater floor harbors more than 20.000 animals in an area naturally enclosed by the high slopes of the volcano. We will see elephants, lions buffaloes, cheetahs, hyenas, wildebeest, hippos, Africa’s last remaining black rhino, and many more!
Our Safari will then proceed to Serengeti National Park, ‘the place where the land moves on forever!’ It is one of the world’s last great wildlife parks.
It encounters Various types of vegetations, including acacia-dotted savannahs, grassy plains, wooded hills, and mountains, are the backdrop for an extraordinary concentration of animals that reaches its peak during the annual wildebeest migration from Kenya, with almost 1.2 million wildebeest pass the park during the course of their circuitous 1,000-kilometer route in search of new pastures and watering holes.
Our last tour will be to Tarangire National Park or Lake Manyara National Park. En route, we will stop at the famous Olduvai Gorge where Dr. Leakey discovered the remains of Homo Habilis or “Handy Man.”
Homo Habilis is regarded as one of mankind’s first steps on the ladder of human evolution. Tarangire National Park is famous for its acacia trees and baobab forests, which serve as shelter for the game seeking refuge near the river.
Wildlife includes giraffes, wildebeest, Elands, Impalas, waterbucks, lesser kudus, gazelles, zebras, elands, buffaloes, elephants, gerenuk, fringe-eared oryx hartebeest, and birds of many different species in flocks and sometimes rhinos or leopards, which can be seen throughout the year.
Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, as well as for its huge elephant population, hippos, giraffes, antelopes, birds, and smaller animals.
We will conclude our grand Tanzanian tour with several days on the Spice Island of Zanzibar, famous for its history and the spices. The luxuriant island panorama opens to reveal clear idyllic offshore islands, blue waters, peculiar deep sea fishing, excellent headlong jumping and diving reefs, and other water sport venues.
Indulge in the tastes of the seafood and traditional spicy Zanzibarian dishes so delicious. Today, Zanzibar combines ancient ruins and noble Arabic houses with miles of white, palm-fringed beaches. Visit the spice plantations where nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, pepper, cardamom, and other spices are produced.
You have to be so fit and no experience is required. Maybe only a reasonable amount of fitness is required to enable you to ascent the high peaks.
Day 1: ARRIVAL AT ARUSHA KILIMANJARO AIRPORT
After an introductory briefing by our tour representative, He will then transfer you to the Oasis Lodge for the evening.
Day 2: KILIMANJARO CLIMB – ARUSHA TO MACHAME CAMP.
You will then be connected to Machame Park Gate. On registration with the park, we’ll begin our climb through the lush forest. Then continue on to some gorgeous heathland before reaching our overnight camp at Machame Camp (10,000 feet, 6-7 hours of walking).
Day 3: KILIMANJARO CLIMB – MACHAME CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP.
Today’s part of the climbing will continue across the heathland and alpine moorland with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro Peak. Overnight at Shira Camp (12,500 feet, 6-7 hours of walking).
Day 4: KILIMANJARO CLIMB – SHIRA CAMP TO BARRANCO CAMP
Draw nearer the peak as we pass the Lava Tower. This trek is a bit more strenuous as the trail steepens on the approach to our overnight stop at Barranco Camp (13,800 feet, 5-6 hours of walking).
Day 5: KILIMANJARO CLIMB – BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA VALLEY CAMP
The day will begin with a tailspin into the Gorge, before climbing its eastern wall where we will enjoy views of Kilimanjaro’s ice fields, an equatorial aberration. Continue trekking until we reach our camp in Karanga Valley (13,900 feet, 4-5 hours of walking).
Day 6: KILIMANJARO CLIMB – KARANGA VALLEY CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP
Trek up via the Karanga Valley, following the lava ridge to the Barafu camp (15,500 feet, 6-7 hours of walking), for overnight.
Day 7: KILIMANJARO CLIMB – BARAFU CAMP TO TOP TO MWEKA CAMP
After midnight, we’ll begin our summit attempt, passing between the Rebmann and Tarzel glaciers to the rim at Stella Point. As dawn nears, we’ll summit at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 19,340 feet. Uhuru will be the climax of the 6-7 hours of strenuous hiking.
We’ll then descend back to Barafu Camp, resting for a while before persisting our tailspin to Mweka Camp (9,840 feet, 3-4 hours of walking on the descent).
Day 8: KILIMANJARO CLIMB – MWEKA CAMP TO PARK GATE, TRANSFER TO ARUSHA.
Descend to Machame Gate, board the company vehicle. Transfer to Oasis Lodge, for relaxation. (2-3 hrs walking).
Popular Camping Safaris
Day 9: SAFARI TO NGORONGORO CRATER
Your Driver/Guide will make several stops along the way at various places of interest, including a stop at the brim of the parapet towering over Lake Manyara. Move downward into the crater for a game drive at the bottom.
As very few animals migrate in and out of the crater with its 2000 ft high walls, you can expect to see lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras, flamingos, hippos, jackals, antelopes, rhinos, many birds and other species. Your Driver/Guide will be in contact with other safari drivers and will astonish you with his skill at locating the hidden animals. Overnight at a lodge at Ngorongoro (FB).
Day 10: TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
A picnic lunch will be provided on your way to Serengeti. stop at the Olduvai Gorge where anthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey made many significant discoveries, contributing to the theory that human life originated in Africa.
After stopping for your picnic lunch on a kopje (rock outcropping) in Serengeti you will continue further into the park and go on a game drive. Overnight at a lodge at Serengeti. All meals included.
Day 11: Game drives in Serengeti
A full day of game drives around Serengeti. Depending on the time of year and the migration of the herds you can expect to see wildebeest, lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, baboons, hippos, rhinos, antelopes and many birds and other species.
As in Ngorongoro your Driver/Guide will be in contact with other safari drivers and will amaze you with his skill at locating the hidden animals. Overnight at a lodge at Serengeti. All meals included
Day 12: Lake Manyara
After breakfast we head to Lake Manyara. Nestling at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, the park is recognized for its incredible beauty.
You can see many game animals such as Buffalo, Elephant, Giraffe, Impala, hippo and others. Overnight at a lodge at Lake Manyara. All meals included
Day 13: MORNING GAME DRIVE
Board an early morning game drive in the Lake Manyara, then drive back to Arusha. Overnight in the Oasis Lodge. (FB)
Day 14: Flight from Arusha airport to Zanzibar in the morning
On your arrival, you will be transferred to your proposed hotel the Chwaka Bay Hotel, Sau Inn Hotel, or Baobab Beach Bungalows. En route and do the Spice Tour. Overnight at the beach hotel of your choice. (BD)
Day 15-16: Zanzibar
Relax and take pleasure from the beaches of Zanzibar. There is a wide range of water sport activities you can do, like snorkeling, scuba diving, boat trips and more. (BD)
Day 17: TRANSFER TO STONE TOWN.
You will see Zanzibar’s bustling market, winding alleyways, ornately carved and studded doors, two cathedrals and countless mosques! Overnight Tembo Hotel.
Here we will show you this ancient town on our Historical Stone Town Tour, where history appears to stand still. With visits to the House of Wonders, the Palace Museum (People’s Palace), Dr Livingston’s House and the Arab Fort amongst others, it is a fascinating look at the essence of Zanzibar.