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Make the top of Mount Meru, the summits of the Africa's
continent's highest and fifth highest peaks, and then
you will experience the 'Big Five' areas of Tanzania.
Trip Description:
This tour is a combination of Mountain climbing and
Wildlife Safari. The tour gives you a chance to make the
top of Mt Meru, a real gem of a mountain and is often
ignored by trekkers who only seem intent on climbing
Kili. Meru is the second highest mountain in Tanzania at
4,565 m, and there after you will experience the 'Big
Five' areas of Tanzania on 5 days, 4 nights safari.
The itinerary starts with 4days Mountain climbing
followed by 5 Wildlife Safari. Starting with Tarangire
N.P, Lake Manyara N.P, Serengeti N.P, and then continues
to stunning Ngorongoro Crater,
Note:
We do not place groups together. This way you are
ensured the full attention of our guide, but with the
added knowledge of our guides’ experiences. It also
means that we can start the climb on the day you prefer.
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Day 1: Arrival Day:
Arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. You
will be met at the Airport and transferred to the hotel
in Arusha for your overnight and briefing by our
mountain guide
Day 2: Arusha to Momalla Gate
Elevation(m): (1,387 m to (1,500 m)
Elevation(ft): 4,921 ft) to 3,000 ft )
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest.
Transfer from Arusha town to Arusha National Park, check
in with park personnel, and in the late morning, walk
under the Momella Gate to begin your trek. You soon pass
some open grassland where you can view buffalo,
warthogs, and elephants. Then, you continue a steady
climb through montane forest. You can pause for your
lunch at the famous Fig Tree. After lunch you, continue
through less dense forest, where you can see birds and
monkeys, including the black and white Colobus. By mid
afternoon, you have closer views of Meru’s towering
cliffs and Ash Cone. The Miriakamba Huts are situated in
anidyllic grassy glade, and you will reach it in time to
enjoy the afternoon sun and beautiful views over the
surrounding plains between Meru and Kilimanjaro. If you
are lucky, a giraffe may walk through camp.
Day 3: Miriakamba Huts to Saddle Huts
Elevation(m): 2,514 m to 3,570 m
Elevation(ft): 8,250 ft to 11,712 ft
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
Habitat: Forest and Moorland.
It is often clear in the morning, so if you want a view
of Kilimanjaro, get up early. From the Miriakamba Huts,
you climb steeply to the crater rim, which is called
Elephant Ridge at this point. Then, you follow a steep
path through attractive open lush Montane Forest to
reach the giant heather in the Moorland near the saddle
between Little Meru and Meru. A hot lunch will be ready
for you when you arrive at the Saddle Huts. Your
afternoon is free to rest and enjoy the views, but
energetic trekkers can make the short climb to the
nearby summit of Little Meru (3,820 m/12,533 ft) or
superb views just before sunset.
Day 4: Summit Day! Saddle Huts to Mount Meru Summit
to Miriakamba Huts
Elevation(m): 3,570 m to 4,565m to 2,514m
Elevation(ft): 14,977ft to 11,712 ft to 8,250ft
Distance: 5 km up 13 km down
Hiking Time: 10 - 12 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert Moorland and Montane forest.
Start early at 2 AM and climb steeply for an hour to
Phino Point (3,800m/ 12,467ft). In icy conditions or in
strong winds it may be unreasonable to progress beyond
Rhino Point but sunrise from hereis equally as
spectacular as from Cobra Point. If the weather is fine,
descend slightly and continue along or near a rough
undulating ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point
(4,350 m/14,271 ft) near sunrise. The stunning views
include the cliffs of the crater rim, the Ash Cone
rising from the crater floor, Kilimanjaro floating on
the morning clouds, and the Rift Valley. Hike for
another hour on a superb but often steep path into the
unfolding day to reach the summit of Meru. The view rom
the top of this steep-sided peak can make you feel quite
unique and suspended. Your hike back to Rhino Point in
the still sharp morning light between the crater’s
sloping outer wall and sheer cliffs of the inner wall is
one of the most dramatic and exhilarating walks in
Africa. Enjoy brunch and a well-earned rest at the
Saddle Huts before continuing your descent to the
Miriakamba Huts where you will spend the night if you
are on the 4-day itinerary. If you are on a 3-day
itinerary, you will descend all the way to Momella Gate
on Day 3.
Day 5: Miriakamba Huts to Momella Gate to Arusha
Elevation (m): 2,514 m to 1,500 m to 1,387 m
Elevation (ft): 4,921 ft to 8,250 ft to 4,921ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 2-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Taking a slightly different route, make a fast descent
through open grassland and mixed forest, with good
chances of seeing wildlife. This trail has excellent
views back toward the crater and over the plains of the
national park. You will reach Momella Gate by late
morning. Remember to tip your guides and porters, since
you will be leaving them here. A vehicle will take you
back to the Hotel in arusha where it is definitely time
for celebration
Day 6: Tarangire National Park
In the morning at 0830hrs pick up from your hotel in
Arusha and drive on tarmac road 120km to Tarangire
National Park for game drives. Lunch picnic and there
after lunch continue with afternoon game viewing in the
park to look for Lion, Leopard, Elephant, buffalo,
Python, Zebra, Oryx, Impala and more… Over 450 species
of birds have been observed. Late in the afternoon the
driver will take you for dinner and overnight at
campsite, Tarangire. FB
Day 7: Manyara National Park
After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park for
game viewing. Stay overnight at Campsite, FB.
Day 8: Serengeti National park
After breakfast leave Lake Manyara National Park to
Serengeti National park with picnic Lunch on route
passing through Olduvai Gorge the archeological site of
Leakey's family. Stay overnight at Campsite, FB.
Day 9: Serengeti/Ngorongoro
After break fast half game drive afternoon Leave the
Serengeti National Park with your picnic lunch, depart
for Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, one of the
natural wonders of the world. Dinner and overnight at
Campsite, FB.
Day10: Ngorongoro/Arusha
Descend in to the Crater for 6 hours Crater tour. This
100 square mile natural amphitheatre is host to an
astonishing array of wildlife and you may be lucky
enough to see rhino, elephant, lion, buffalo as well as
large herd's zebras and wildebeest. A picnic lunch will
be taken in to the Crater. Later in the afternoon drive
back to Arusha.
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