African Big Cats Safaris

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$3,042 pp (USD)

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Age at the end of the tour
*This tour does not accept children under 12.
Travelers

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

  • You'll be collected from the airport.
  • Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Day 1

Arrival in Arusha

Arrival in Arusha

Upon your arrival at the airport, our driver will be waiting for you. He will take you to Arusha Planet Lodge in Arusha. The rest of the day is for you to relax and prepare for your upcoming trip. You can also visit the town of Arusha (a taxi is required). In the late afternoon, our Kilimanjaro team will meet you at the lodge to brief you on your upcoming trek and check your equipment.

Main Destination:
Arusha (City)
Accommodation:
Mtoni River Lodge
  • Mid-range lodge located near Arusha (City)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 2

Lemosho (2385m) – Big Tree Camp (2780m)

Lemosho (2385m) – Big Tree Camp (2780m)

In the morning, you will be taken to Londorossi Gate (2,250m). Upon completion of all the entry formalities and a final 15km drive on a bumpy road, you will reach your starting point at the edge of the rainforest. You will enjoy lunch before you set out on the trail through the rainforest. Today’s walk is quite short, thus giving you time to enjoy lush scenery which will drastically change over the course of your trek. You might even catch a glimpse of the thumbless Colobus monkeys sitting in the branches above you. Your dinner and overnight stay await you at the beautiful Big Tree Camp.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 3

Big Tree Camp (2780m) – Shira Camp 1 (3500m)

Big Tree Camp (2780m) – Shira Camp 1 (3500m)

As you walk along the thin trail through the rainforest, you will notice the vegetation becoming scarce and scarcer until you finally reach moorland filled with lobelia and erica plants. Ascending through rolling hills, you will reach Shira Camp 1 in about 3 to 4 hours. Looking over the Shira Plateau from your camp, you will be able to see the unmistakable snow-capped summit of Kibo. A hearty evening meal and a last glimpse at the starry sky will bring the day to a close.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 4

Shira Camp 1 (3500m) – Shira Camp 2 (3900m)

Shira Camp 1 (3500m) – Shira Camp 2 (3900m)

Today you will cross Shira Ridge with its rocky ground, low grasses, and shrubs. As the terrain is much flatter than the day before, your hike will seem more leisurely and you will enjoy fantastic views of the Great Rift Valley and Mount Meru. Beautiful and distinctive giant lobelias still dot the moor landscape. Walking on the ground where lava used to flow, you will reach Shira Camp 2, where you will have your evening meal and overnight stay.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 5

Shira Camp 2 (3900m) to Lava Tower (4640m) Barranco Camp (3960m)

Shira Camp 2 (3900m) to Lava Tower (4640m) Barranco Camp (3960m)

After breakfast, you will start your ascent to Lava Tower through a boulder-strewn terrain. In a distance, you will see Kibo encouraging you to continue uphill. Reaching Lava Tower, you will rest and allow your body to get used to the higher altitude, after which you continue downwards to Barranco Camp. This method of climbing high but sleeping low allows your body to acclimatize to the differing altitudes and gives you a good idea of how your body reacts to changes in altitude. Along the way, the scenery changes once more and soon you are surrounded by giant senecios and smaller lobelias. After 6 to 7 hours, you will reach the beautiful and green Barranco Camp, which offers great views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. After dinner, you will settle in for the night.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6

Barranco Camp (3960m) – Karanga Camp (4035m)

Barranco Camp (3960m) – Karanga Camp (4035m)

The famous Barranco Wall, which is probably the steepest part of the entire route, awaits you after breakfast. Although no technical climbing is necessary, some spots do require you to use your hands for a better grip and to pull yourself up. Your guide will be close by to help you if necessary. After you have pulled yourself around the Kissing Rock, you will make your way along the mountain ridge and through the Karanga Valley. You will also pass the last water spot as you finally reach Karanga Camp. After a well-deserved meal, it is off to bed.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 7

Karanga Camp (4035m) – Barafu Camp (4640m)

Karanga Camp (4035m) – Barafu Camp (4640m)

Today you will make your way to Barafu Camp. The landscape is very dry and the ground cracks like glass under your boots. As you make your way through the afro-alpine dessert to the rocky Barafu Camp, a sense of excitement sweeps over you as your final stretch is only a few hours away. The Barafu Camp with its rocky scenery allows for a stunning view of Mawenzi Peak and the summit path ahead. After an early dinner and last-minute preparation for tomorrow, you will go to bed.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 8

Barafu Camp (4640m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3080m)

Barafu Camp (4640m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3080m)

At around midnight, you will be woken up with some hot tea and biscuits in order to get you ready for today’s ascents. You will ascend in a north-westerly direction through heavy scree toward Stella Point, arriving there in about 5 to 7 hours. At Stella Point (5,730m), you may rest if necessary before taking on another 1 to 2 hour stretch along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak – the highlight of your trip. A breathtaking view awaits you as you stand on the highest mountain in Africa. After taking as many pictures as your camera will allow, you will leave behind the glistening glaciers and snowy peaks and make your way back down to Barafu Camp. Here you will have time to catch your breath before heading further down to Mweka Camp, an approximate 3-hour walk. A scrumptious dinner and a peaceful night’s sleep awaits you.

Main Destination:
Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • In or near Mt Kilimanjaro
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 9

Mweka Camp (3080m) – Mweka Gate (1630m) – Arusha

Mweka Camp (3080m) – Mweka Gate (1630m) – Arusha

After a hearty breakfast and a traditional farewell ceremony by your mountain crew, you will start your final descent to Mweka Gate. A leisurely 2 to 3 hours walk will take you once more through the lush rainforest, where the endemic Impatiens Kilimanjaro flower grows. Reaching Mweka Gate, you will be greeted by our transfer driver, who will take you back to the hotel. The rest of the day is for you to enjoy at leisure. Enjoy a long shower, jump in the pool, or just relax at the bar.

Main Destination:
Arusha (City)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

  • Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • You'll be dropped off at the airport.

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Disclaimer

  • This tour is offered by African Big Cats Safaris, not SafariBookings.
  • This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
  • If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
  • The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
  • If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.