Itinerary

Day 1    

Depart from Dar es Salaam city centre by 4×4 safari vehicle to the Selous Game Reserve. Enjoy a late lunch at the Rufiji River Camp. Embark on an afternoon game drive in the reserve, and then return to Rufiji River Camp for dinner and overnight

Day 2    

Enjoy a full day game viewing in the reserve. Participate in some classic – style game drives – exploring the bush in 4 x 4 vehicles. Waterbuck, southern reed buck and bushbuck are common in the Selous. Rare sable antelope, lion and greater kudu also frequent this area. Meals and overnight at Rufiji River Camp

Day 3    

After breakfast, accompany an armed ranger on a waking safari in the reserve. The sights and sounds (and smells) of a walking safari are a special treat that will live long in your memory. The thrill of creeping up to animals to “shoot” them with your camera is a great experience. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat safari where you will explore the different channels and lakes of the Rufiji River System, surrounded by hippos and crocodiles. A large variety of herons, storks, ducks, stilts, and other water birds may be seen. And you also see land mammals, such as giraffe and elephants. Meals and overnight at Rufiji River Camp

Day 4    

Another full day game viewing in the Selous Game Reserve. Meals and overnight at Rufiji River Camp

Day 5    

Collect picnic lunches and drive to Mikumi National Park and proceed driving to Vuma Hill Tented Camp. The camp is perched above the trees stretching over the seemingly endless wilderness south west of Mikumi National Park. Dinner and overnight at Vuma Hill Tented Camp

Day 6    

After breakfast drive to Ruaha National Park, which is famous for its rare sable antelope, roan antelope, and big herds of elephants. The park represents a transition zone where eastern and southern African flora and fauna overlap. Although Ruaha is one of the largest parks in Africa, it is comparatively unknown and, due to its remoteness, remains unspoiled. Enjoy a late lunch at the lodge followed by an afternoon game drive. Ruaha River Lodge is the only lodge in the reserve and is built on a rocky ridge with spectacular views of the Great Ruaha River. Dinner and overnight at Ruaha River Lodge

Day 7    

Enjoy a full day game drive in the park. Nearly 500 bird species have been sighted within the park. The river area features large numbers of hippo and crocodile and attracts lion, leopard, hunting dog, waterbuck, impala, giraffe, warthog and eland. Grants gazelle, ostrich and cheetah may be seen on the plains. Meals and overnight at Ruaha River Lodge

Day 8   

After an early breakfast drive to Mikumi National Park. Lunch at Vuma Hill Tented Camp, followed by an evening game drive in Mikumi National Park. The park is well known for its population of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, elands, and greater Kudu, wildebeest, roan and sable antelope. Predators include tree-climbing lions, leopards, wild hunting dogs and black-backed jackal. You may also see crocodiles, monitor lizards, yellow baboon and hippos. Dinner and overnight at Vuma Hill Tented Lodge

Day 9    

After breakfast, enjoy another game drive in Mikumi National Park. Return to the camp for lunch and then depart for your return to Dar es Salaam. Drop off in the city centre.

End of our services

Booking and inquiry 

The post Selous-Ruaha-Mikumi (By Road) 8 nights 9 days Africa safari appeared first on Vacations Of Africa.

Itinerary

Day 1    

The tour starts with lunch in Arusha town at 1230hrs. 1400hrs, drive to Tarangire National Park. Enjoy an evening game drive in the park. Dinner and overnight at the camp

Day 2    

Depart for a morning and afternoon game viewing in Tarangire National Park.  Lesser kudu, eland, lion and gerenuk can be found in this beautiful park, noted for its multitude of baobab trees and its tree-climbing lions. Meals and overnight at the camp

Day 3    

After breakfast drive to Lake Manyara. Lunch at Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp, followed by an afternoon game drive in Lake Manyara National Park whose inhabitants include hippos, monkeys, tree climbing lions, flamingos and other varieties of birdlife. Afternoon game drive in the Lake Manyara National Park. Dinner and overnight at Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp

Day 4    

After a late leisurely breakfast drive to Serengeti National Park. Dinner and overnight at the Camp in Serengeti.

Day 5+6   

Spend two full days of game viewing in the Serengeti National Park. Meals and overnight at the camp in

Serengeti

Day 7    

Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area via Olduvai Gorge, the site of Louis and Mary Leakey’s renowned archaeological discoveries. Their findings include some of the man’s earliest known ancestral remains. Proceed driving to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Lunch at Ngorongoro Standard Camp. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Standard Camp

Day 8    

Today you will descend 2000 feet (over 600 meters) to the floor of the crater for a half day crater tour. Explore the forest areas that are inhabited by monkeys and elephants, the lake area, where you may see the flamingos and the open savannah where the lions hunt for food. Picnic lunches will be served in the crater. Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Standard Camp

Day 9    

After breakfast return to Arusha. Lunch at Impala Hotel.

End of our services

Booking and inquiry 

The post Nyika Safari Camping (Mobile Standard Camping) Tarangire-Manyara-Serengeti-Ngorongoro 8 nights 9 days Africa safari appeared first on Vacations Of Africa.

Itinerary

LEMOSHO(SHIRA) GLADES ROUTE

The Lemosho Glades route is perhaps the least used initial ascent route on Kilimanjaro, partly because of its remote location and likewise the difficult roads leading to the trailhead. The trailhead is at relatively high elevation, and thus we start slow and easy on this route. Buffalo and elephant sightings are possible on the first day trekking through the forest, and the trail is often overgrown from lack of use. The route leads up to the western edge of the Shira Plateau, and the hike across the plateau is said to be one of the most stunningly beautiful hikes in Africa. The trail merges on day three of the trek with the Shira Route (which begins near this point, at the end of the 4×4 track at the Morum Barrier Gate), and on day four merges with the Machame Route. From this point all three trails continue to Lava Tower, and then down into the Great Barranco Valley, where the Umbwe route joins steeply from the south. From here, the trail circumvents counter-clockwise around the upper slopes of the Kibo massif, over the high-desert ridges to the Karanga Valley, then to an exposed campsite set on a high ridge; Barafu (meaning literally “ice” in Kiswahili). From Barafu Camp we make our overnight attempt at Africa’s highest peak…an experience that few ever forget.

The route as per this itinerary is the longest distance to trek up Kilimanjaro, so fitness certainly plays a role in the enjoyment and success of this trek. We start slow, and gain altitude slowly for the first four days, then the physical and mental demands increase. The trek from Barranco to Barafu and then the overnight trek to the summit is a serious challenge due to the short amount of time to rest before the overnight summit attempt. Overall, the distance covered and the intensity of the final few days make this trek a good choice only for the experienced hiker. The many changes of scenery and spectacular hike across the Shira Plateau make this trek truly special. There are no huts on this route; the accommodation is in mountain tents and dining is in our mess tents.

Daily itinerary

DAY 1

Pick up from Arusha town or Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi town, which is commonly known asthe gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro. Half Board accommodation at a Base Hotel in Moshi.

DAY 2 

LEMOSHO TRAILHEAD (7,800 ft./ 2,375 m) ~ FOREST CAMP (9,500 ft./ 2,895 m)

Departure from the base hotel for Londorossi gate, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp, only about 3-4 hours of trekking. Overnight at Forest Camp (Mtee Mkubwa Camp)

DAY 3 

FOREST CAMP ~ SHIRA 1 CAMP (12,200 ft./ 3,720 m)

Once out of the forest, take a steep track into a Savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. Ascend through the lush rolling hills below the Shira plateau, finally reaching camp at the edge of the plateau, a day of 5-6 hours trekking. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.

DAY 4 

SHIRA 1 CAMP ~ SHIRA 2 CAMP (12,600 ft./ 3,950 m)

Full day exploration of the Shira plateau; Trek east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, with the option to visit the ancient collapsed Shira cone, the oldest of Kilimanjaro’s three volcanoes. Arrive at Shira 2 camp at 12,600 ft. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth, averaging 12,500 feet. Trekking time without the optional excursions is about 3 hours.

DAY 5 

SHIRA 2 CAMP ~ BARRANCO CAMP (12,950 ft./ 3,950 m)

Proceed steadily upward over expansive ridgelines of high desert to Lava Tower, for lunch. The trek is about 4 hours. Lava Tower, a 300 foot volcanic plug, marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet. In the afternoon, descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set in a valley enclosed on three sides with the massive valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, amidst the eerie landscape of plants such as the giant groundsels (Senecio Kilimanjari), and the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia. Trekking time is 6-7 hours.

DAY 6 

BARRANCO CAMP ~ BARAFU CAMP (15,200 ft./ 4,630 m)

The day begins with a scramble up the steep ‘Barranco Wall’, then traversing up and down the slopes of valleys which have carved their way into the mountain’s southern face. Kibo’s glaciers loom above to your left and the jagged peaks of Mawenzi jut into the African sky at just under 17,000 feet straight ahead. We reach the Karanga Valley after 3-4 hours of trekking to find a hot lunch served. In the afternoon the trail turns steadily uphill. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight tonight. Eat and drink as much as possible before retiring to your tent for rest and sleep.

DAY 7 

BARAFU CAMP ~ UHURU PEAK (19,340 ft./ 5,895 m) ~ MWEKA CAMP (10,200 ft./ 3,110 m)

The steaming hot drink will arrive very early on this momentous day. A midnight wake-up call is the start of a juggernaut (12-17 hours of trekking). You begin trekking at 1am. The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight, to between 10 deg. F (-12 deg. C) to –10 F. (-23 deg. C) just before dawn at the summit. The winding path of endless switchbacks will take form and shape in the shadows of the Ratzel and Rebman glaciers at early dawn, and behind you the spires of Mawenzi will be silouhetted against the red glow of the sun from beneath the clouds. After about 6 hours of walking, you will come to the edge of the crater; Stella Point, at 19,000 feet (5,790 m) on the crater rim is the end of the steep track. From here, there is a gentle slope about 1 hour to Uhuru Peak. The strength it takes to ascend this final 340 feet is for many monumental. After a short time at the summit, descend the steep scree trail back to Barafu Camp for some rest, then summon your strength again for further descent to Mweka Camp for the night.

DAY 8 

MWEKA CAMP ~ MWEKA GATE (6,000 ft. /1,830 m)

Day 9 

Moshi – Airport or Arusha

After breakfast, transfer back to Arusha town. End of our services

Booking and inquiry 

The post Kilimanjaro Climbing LEMOSHO SHIRA GLADES ROUTE Africa safari appeared first on Vacations Of Africa.