This was the travel plan. The price did not include both visas and the mandatory amount for tips and small expenses that the guide has on the way.
Mighty Mt. Kenya and Kilimanjaro + safari 20 days
• Ascent to the roof of Africa, mighty Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya
• Real safari in the famous Tanzanian national parks
• Let's go hunting with the real Bushmen tribe Tindiga
Departure: December 2010
1st day LJUBLJANA – NAIROBI. Departure from Ljubljana to Munich, from where we fly to the capital of Kenya Nairobi. Upon arrival accommodation in hotel and rest. (plane, H)
2nd day NAIROBI – MT. KENYA. We leave the chaotic Kenyan capital and head north. The road takes us to Mt. Kenya, which at 5199 m is the second highest African peak. Point Lenana at 4985 m is accessible to us and we will climb it. Upon arrival in the national park we take a few-hour acclimatization walk at the foot of the mountain. Just enough to slowly get used to Africa. We overnight in tents. (O, ZKV)
3rd day MT. KENYA/day 1. After breakfast we head to Sirimon gate from where we start the ascent. After a few hours we reach the first camp with an interesting name Old Moses Camp at 3300 m (4 – 5 hours). (O, ZKV)
4th day MT. KENYA/day 2. Today we start earlier, cross valleys, streams, all the time accompanied by unique giant lobelias and senecios. Most of the day we walk through Makinder's valley, constantly the three peaks appear before us. We camp at 4200 m in Shipton camp (7 hours). (O, ZKV)
5th day MT. KENYA/day 3. We get up in the middle of the night and go to Point Lenana at 4985 m (3 – 4 hours), "hiking peak". We are at the top just at sunrise. On a clear day you can even see the mighty Kilimanjaro far in the distance. We descend the other side and spend the last night on the mountain in Chogoria camp (3000 m, 3 - 4 hours). (O, ZKV)
6th day MT. KENYA – NAIROBI. After breakfast we descend to the vehicles and slowly return to Nairobi, accommodate in hotel and relive memories of the ascent. (H, Z)
7th day NAIROBI – ARUSHA. Time to head to Kilimanjaro. We leave Nairobi and via Namanga border crossing enter Tanzania, the land of Africa's highest peak. After border formalities departure to Arusha, accommodation in hotel and rest before safari. (H, Z)
8th day ARUSHA – LAKE MANYARA NP. Time for what Tanzania is also famous for. A real safari in some of the world's most beautiful national parks. Over 4 million wild animals hide in Tanzanian ones and it won't be surprising if we find ourselves in the middle of a herd of elephants, buffaloes, zebras, gnus, giraffes,… spot a lioness with cubs, wake a sleeping leopard on a tree, disturb Nile hippos bathing,… Of course it's nature and much will depend on luck. For the first day we head to Manyara NP, famous for lions and Nile hippos. Of course the location itself on the western edge of the great tectonic rift is a treat. We overnight in tents. (O, ZKV)
9th day NGORONGORO CRATER. We cross the edge of the great rift all the way to the world-famous Ngorongoro crater, which impresses with its wonderful location, blue-green views and huge concentration of animals. Definitely one of the highlights of the trip. We sleep right on the crater edge and enjoy listening to mother nature all night. (O, ZKV)
10th day NGORONGORO – EYASI LAKE. We leave the crater edge and continue south to Eyasi Lake. It is not famous for wildlife, but for Bushmen. And what could be better than spending a day with them and going hunting. Do you remember the movie "The Gods Must Be Crazy"?? If not, we recommend you watch it and we'll make a comparison… (O, ZKV)
11th day EYASI LAKE – TARANGIRE NP – ARUSHA NP. We also visit the baobab-covered Tarangire national park, famous for huge elephant herds and incredible landscape, then slowly head to Arusha national park, which lies below the second highest peak in Tanzania - Mt. Meru 4566 m. It will serve us as acclimatization for Kilimanjaro. (O, ZKV)
12th day ARUSHA NP. After breakfast we head on a real "walking" safari. With an armed ranger, with a bit of luck we will approach giraffes, buffaloes, elephants,… Where else could we acclimatize like this. Return to Arusha and overnight in hotel. (H, Z)
13th day ARUSHA – KILIMANJARO/day 1. We leave Arusha and head to the mighty 5895 m high Kilimanjaro. The name translates to "Small white mountain", but it's not small at all once you stand under it. From cultivated agricultural areas in the lower part, through tropical forest, over alpine meadows and barren lunar landscape we reach "Freedom Peak", as the top of Kilimanjaro is called in the local language. We choose the Machame route, known as the most beautiful of the 5. Along a winding path through rainforest we reach our first camp Machame at 3100 m (5 - 7 hours). (O, ZKV)
14th day KILIMANJARO/day 2. After breakfast we leave the camp, slowly also the rainy forest. Along a rocky ridge we reach Shira plateau. For the first time we see all 3 peaks of Kilimanjaro (Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira). We camp in Shira camp at 3840 m (5 – 7 hours). (O, ZKV)
15th day KILIMANJARO/day 3. We turn east into semi-desert and rocky landscape surrounding the lava tower at 4630 m sometimes also called "Shark's tooth". Extremely important acclimatization day. After a short rest at the tooth we descend to Barranco camp (3950 m, 5 – 7 hours), where we overnight. (O, ZKV)
16th day KILIMANJARO/day 4. After spending the night at the great Barranco wall we climb it, cross and reach Heim glacier. Only now do we truly realize how wonderful Kilimanjaro actually is. Then through Karanga valley and we are in Barafu camp at 4600 m (7 – 8 hours). The summit is only 1345 vertical meters away. (O, ZKV)
17th day KILIMANJARO/day 5. Just after midnight we get up and attack the summit. First goal is Stella point at 5745 m, short stop and magnificent sunrise. From here on snow we go to the top, to Uhuru Peak, to "freedom" at 5895 m (7 – 8 hours). After short enjoyment at the top of Africa, and storing the memory that will stay with us for life, we descend to Barafu, pick up gear and continue to Mweka (3100 m, 5 hours). (O, ZKV)
18th day KILIMANJARO/day 6 - ARUSHA. Short walk to Mweka gate, then transfer to Arusha, accommodation in hotel and enjoying well-deserved comfort. Time for celebration and going for well-deserved Kilimanjaro beer. They say if you don't conquer it, you can at least drink it…. (H, Z)
19th day ARUSHA – NAIROBI. After breakfast we return to Kenya, from where we fly via one of the airports back home. (plane)
20th day NAIROBI – LJUBLJANA. Another flight via one of the airports to Munich, and transfer to Ljubljana and our journey ends.
In certain departure dates it can be from Venice, Vienna…, organized bus transfer from Ljubljana.
Price per person in double room: 3290 EUR (listed price)