Climb Kilimanjaro by a more original & less frequented route (Rongai route) and then continue on an adventurous walking safari. Discover Ngorongoro Crater by vehicle, then walk the Serengeti plains, down the Rift Valley escarpment to Lake Natron and up an active volcano. Combination of mountain climbing, game viewing, amazing landscapes & walking amongst wildlife, as well as some cultural contact with the Masai people.

Price includes: Transport in 4WD Landcruiser or Landrover equipped with roof hatches for game viewing; Experienced guide for Masai Trek & Kilimanjaro climb; Full board except meals in Nairobi. Treated drinking water; All camping equipment including tables, chairs, cutlery & crockery, igloo-type tents, mattresses, wash bowls, bush toilet, and bush shower (water permitting). Cook & drivers who assist with the camp; 8 kgs maximum luggage on Kilimanjaro climb in separate bag. (safari luggage will meet you at Arusha hotel).

Price excludes: National park entry & camping fees (approx. USD 480) per pax; Alcoholic drinks - we suggest that you bring a bottle of spirits to share for the evening sundowners; Sleeping bag, small torch light & personal toiletries; Tips for porters & drivers & visa fees;

Detailed intinerary

Day 1 NAIROBI - LOITOKITOK : Transfer to Loitokitok at base of Mount Kilimanjaro. We cross the Serengeti plains where we see many animals grazing alongside the Masai cattle. Giraffe, zebra, and gazelle come to drink from the water pipeline that crosses this hot dry plain. Customs clearance in Kenya and transfer to Tanzania customs (Rongai). After immigration formalities transfer to cottages where we spend the night.

Day 2 KILI CLIMB - FIRST CAVE (2800 m) : Starting after breakfast we walk through the moorland to the Kikelewa caves at 3600m. Lunch break at Second Cave (3300 m). The climb takes about 6 hours. Overnight in tents.

Day 3 KILI CLIMB - SECOND CAVE (3300 m) : Starting after breakfast we walk through the moorland to the Kikelewa caves at 3600m. Lunch break at Second Cave (3300 m). The climb takes about 6 hours. Overnight in tents.

Day 4 KILI CLIMB - MAWENZI TARN HUT : After a good rest and a heavy breakfast we proceed to the Mawenzi Tarn hut (4330 m) with a lunch break on the way. The night is spent in tents, as the hut is rather small. The climbers enjoy great views towards Kibo, the final target.

Day 5 KILI CLIMB - SCHOOL HUT : The journey continues after breakfast crossing the saddle to School hut (4750m). Lunch on the way and the walk takes us about 6 hours. Night in hut or tents.

Day 6 KILI CLIMB - GILLMANS POINT / UHURU PEAK : After a short night and a hot drink the final ascent starts at about 1.30 am. The path leads through gradually steeper scree to Gillman’s Point (5685m) where we can watch the sunrise and gaze over the magnificent ice fields. After a short break we proceed along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5896 m) and reach there about 9 am. By 12.00 noon we are back at Kibo Hut where we take a light lunch before walking down for another 3 hours to Horombo (3720m). Night in tents.

Day 7 KILI CLIMB - MARANGU & TRANSFER ARUSHA : From Horombo we descend the final leg to the park gate at Marangu (1800 m). Here we are met by our vehicles and transferred to Arusha to spend the night at the Impala Hotel.

Day 8 NGORONGORO CRATER : After stocking up with fresh supplies from Arusha we head across the Rift Valley and up into the highlands of Ngorongoro. Ngorongoro Conservation Area was created with a separate entity from the Serengeti to protect the Masai herdsmen. The Masai had in fact found themselves thrown out of their traditional pasturelands. It was decided that to protect the ancestral rights of the Masai they should be given the right to graze their cattle in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area but not in the Serengeti. This compromise seems to be a success as we are able to observe an enormous variety of wildlife against the backdrop of some spectacular landscapes. The amateur photographer will appreciate the contrast of the cloud charged skies, the brilliant golden sunlight illuminating the vegetation on the crater floor, and the white soda lake where pink flamingos search for food. Night in lodge.

Day 9 OLDUVAI GORGE & SERENGETI PLAINS : Early morning descent into the crater for game drive. Afternoon visit to Olduvai Museum and then overnight camping on Serengeti plains. Ngorongoro Conservation Area is not only an animal reserve but also a very important location for research into the roots of mankind. At Olduvai and Laetoli, Louis Leakey discovered several Australopithecus as well as footprints that date back 3.5 million years. Serengeti National Park is one of the largest animal reserves in Africa and covers an area of 14500 km². During the annual migration we can observe immense herds of several hundred thousand animals. The last aerial census counted 1.2 million wildebeest, 700 000 zebra, 400 000 gazelle, and of course all the predators that follow and hunt the feebler of the animals. Over 2 million animals follow the rhythm of the seasons.

Days 10-12 THE GOL MOUNTAINS TO LAKE NATRON : On a small unused track we head towards the Gol Mountains in the heart of Masailand. Once these people of Nilotic origins frightened even the bravest explorers, but today these warriors live a peaceful existence principally caring for their enormous herds of cattle. We meet them grazing their herds, and perched on the top of the highest granite rock they keep guard over the plains for any lion or other possible threat to their cattle. Accompanied by our Masai guide, with lunch and water for the day’s journey, we set off to cross this small chain of mountains. The large valleys that cut through the mountains are gathering points of a multitude of wildlife, especially after the rains. Even large predators are attracted during February and March when the young wildebeest are born. The peaceful cohabitation between Masai and wildlife is astonishing and it’s not unusual to find herds of zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and cattle grazing together. There are many Masai villages and we frequently meet with the warrior herdsmen. We follow an important track that is used by the Masai from Lake Natron during the dry season when they herd their cattle up onto the highlands for grazing. And in turn the Masai from the highlands herd their cattle down onto the salt plains of Natron. We stroll easily on this high plateau and appreciate the rock formations and views of the mountains. Our vehicles meet us at our camp in the evening. Incessant meetings with the friendly Masai slow our progression but we have only 10 kms to cover this day. From our camp on the edge of the escarpment the view is spectacular. Below in the Rift Valley the volcanoes of Lengai and Gelai rise up from the pink shallow waters of Lake Natron. We descend the steep escarpment towards Lake Natron on a rough path where the vegetation changes rapidly.

Day 13 NATRON TO LONGIDO : Even for the Masai of Natron the environment is inhospitable and tough. Deep down on the floor of the Rift Valley, the giant fault that cuts its way across the African continent, the world continues to evolve. The active volcano ‘Lengai’ is a sacred mountain for the Masai. Lengai means God in Maa language and on the summit, protected from the vapour and heat of the volcano, resides 'Ngai'. Several other volcanoes rise from the plains and Gelai dominates at some 3000 metres over Lake Natron. We are happy to meet with our vehicles in this intense heat. This lake was discovered by English geologist Gregory and is certainly the most spectacular in the Rift Valley. An enormous pan of pink soda stretches for kilometres into the horizon. Around the edge of the lake hot springs bubble from the ground at temperatures exceeding 50°C. These springs produce microscopic aquatic life that feeds a variety of local bird species, along with a number of migratory birds. A species of perch, "Tilapia Grahami" manages to survive in these extreme conditions. Areas more concentrated in soda are favourable for the reproduction of algae which flamingos feed upon. It's not unusual for the flamingos to number into the hundreds of thousands. We start our climb at 1am to reach the summit of Lengai at 2800 metres above sea level. The climb is a steep one that we attempt in the moonlight, so that we can reach the summit for the sunrise over Kilimanjaro 200 km away. From the jagged crater rim we have a spectacular view over Natron and the surrounding volcanoes and escarpment. We follow our guide carefully down into the caldera where the volcano is active and lava flows regularly from small eruptive cones. We make a weary descent back to our vehicles and after some brunch to regain our energy head cross the Rift Valley towards Longido. Lengai is one of the most difficult mountains to climb in the area, not because of the technical difficulty but due to the steepness, hot climate and loose volcanic gravel.

Day 14 NAIROBI : Passing by Mt Gelai and Longido we meet the tarmac road near Namanga. After formalities to cross the border are completed we head to Nairobi passing by the Ngong Hills. A last glance over the Rift Valley and we find ourselves once again amongst the hustle and bustle of city life. Drop off at your hotel.

Please Note:Terms and conditions apply. We reserve the right to change prices if necessary.