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Safari, Run, and optional Trek
with Kathy Loper and Kurt Bodmer
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Kathy Loper
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Tour Itinerary
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Sat 21Feb ~ Tarangire - Ngorongoro
Depart camp after breakfast for a short game drive, before making your way towards Karatu (a rich farming area), weaving our way upwards into the densely forested slopes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, pausing to admire the splendid view of the crater floor 600 m below at Heroes Point. Make your way to your private campsite (situated on the crater rim) for dinner & overnight. Picnic lunch is included.At 8,300 sq km Ngorongoro Conservation Area is named after its central feature, the Ngorongoro Crater, which is the world's largest intact volcanic caldera and within which has evolved an extraordinary natural sanctuary for some of Africa's densest populations of large mammals.
The crater floor itself is 260 sq km's and from the viewing points at the rim the vast herds of wildebeest, buffalo and zebra look like mere ant formations winding their way across the grasslands below! The crater is also home to a great diversity of environments and you may encounter all of the large herbivores mentioned above, as well as lions, hyenas, jackals, male elephant (females and family groups tend to stay up on the higher slopes) and, in the forest around the rim, occasional leopard and bushbuck. There is an active black rhino breeding project inside the crater and you may be lucky enough to spot some of these magnificent, shy beasts during your tour, but sightings are limited as breeding areas are strictly protected and usually closed to public access.
Private Campsite inside Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The crater rim can be very cold at night and cloaked in mist in the early mornings. You will need a heavy sweatshirt, several layers, or a warm jacket here.
Sun 22Feb ~ Ngorongoro Crater.
Breakfast at the Camp.Today we head down into the caldera below and spend time enjoying game viewing in one of the most spectacular places on earth! Photographic opportunities are abundant, and one often sees four out of the Big Five in a short time! We will have a picnic lunch at the floor of the crater at a pleasant lakeside location where we can stretch our legs and soak up the magnificent scenery. Return to your private camp for dinner & overnight.
Mon 23Feb ~ Ngorongoro Crater - Serengeti National Park.
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You will need to carry a small daypack (your Kilimanjaro day pack will be fine) with water and of course put on some comfortable walking shoes. Within the Ngorongoro Conservation area there are certain areas that we are permitted to offer guided day walks... we cannot guarantee that you will see masses of game on a walk, as often the animals 'see us coming' and disappear first...plus you will be walking in Masai area.. so you may also see some Masai tribes in the region - however, you will be able to enjoy some time on foot, looking at the smaller things in the bush with your local guide/s.
The migration is often in the area at this time of year, but certainly cannot be guaranteed - we will do our best to look for game as well during the walk.
Your driver/guides will pick you up at after your walk, to be driven into the Serengeti National Park for a picnic lunch (viewing game en route). Continue your journey to your private campsite for dinner & overnight (viewing game en route).
Tue 24Feb ~ Serengeti
(INCLUDES A CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST AFTERWARDS) |
Optional Balloon Safari at SerengetiThe Serengeti is unequalled for its beauty and contains more than three million large mammals spread over the vast endless plains. It is here, at certain times of the year, that we may encounter the breathtaking spectacle of the annual wildebeest migration, where one and a quarter million wildebeest trek in columns of up to forty kilometres long in search of grazing, drawing with them their predators and numerous other species of game.
From January to March the herds can largely be found in the southern area, proceeding north through the centre and Western Corridor during June and July before entering Kenya's Masai Mara. They return south in November to repeat this amazing instinctive procession all over again. Please note, we plan to use our seasonal Serengeti Wilderness Tented Camp for the nights spent in the Serengeti on this itinerary. This is NOT however, guaranteed, but is offered as a free upgrade on the scheduled departures only, subject to availability. Your consultant will confirm with you close to date of travel where you will be staying. Should the camp not be available, we will pre-book our campsite in the area where the migration is anticipated but please note that the movement of game in recent years has proved to be highly unpredictable due to abnormal weather patterns disrupting the growth of vegetation and thus the food sources followed by the herds.
Wed 25Feb ~ Serengeti-Mwanza
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Stay overnight at
HOTEL TALAPIA MWANZA
Thu 26Feb ~ Mwanza - Moshi
Morning Visit to JBFC, then return to Mwanza Airport for early afternoon flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport.Transfer to the Keys Hotel in Moshi for dinner and overnight.
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KEYS HOTEL
A basic trekker's hotel. Small, it has a swimming pool, bar, garden area and restaurant. The air-conditioned rooms are a little old-fashioned, but comfortable. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. This will be your base hotel for the run and the trek as it is also Race Central and Kili Trek Central.Fri 27Feb ~ In Moshi
Enjoy the day exploring Moshi a short walk into the village or spend a day relaxing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.Sat 28Feb ~ In Moshi
Breakfast & lunch at your hotel.We will do a short walk to the stadium to review where the run begins and finishes. You may also like to walk into town or just relax at your hotel in the afternoon.
1600 Race Bib packet distribution and briefing/description at the Keys Hotel, to get acquainted with the route of your marathon, half marathon or 5k run.
Special carbo-loading Pasta Dinner at Keys Hotel.
Sun 01Mar ~ In Moshi - RACE DAY!!!
The marathon route leaves Moshi Stadium and heads down towards the town, and then along the main road in the direction of Dar-Es-Salaam for approximately 8-9k. This section of the route is relatively flat, and there are plenty of well-wishers along the road. We turn around and head back toward Moshi and continue just outside of the busy town, under some shady trees before turning towards Mount Kilimanjaro and past the stadium gate. The uphill climb is gradual, leads through villages and coffee plantations, with the Kilimanjaro towering above and all the local villagers out to cheer you on this early Sunday morning - the time passes quickly. The turnaround point marks approximately 32km and the last section is a fast downhill run back toward the stadium. Regular water tables as well as "sponging points" and the odd "shower" keep the runners refreshed and cool along the entire route.For those running the half marathon, the route also starts at the Moshi Stadium and after a short section on the flat, it follows the gradual uphill route to Mweka as per the full marathon - before turning around at approx 10k to return to the stadium.
The atmosphere in the stadium is electric with local bands playing, entertainment, crowds of local enthusiasts to cheer the runners, and lots of food and drink for sale.
Goody bag/finisher medal for Full and Half. Enjoy a cool-down at our own Wild Frontiers Hospitality Tent with free water and beer.
The 5k fun run heads off from the stadium and does a short loop around town, where the crowds will cheer you on, before returning to the stadium.
After the run, awards presentation with a fun time at the stadium.
For more details on the 2015 Kilimanjaro running event, go to www.kilimanjaromarathon.com
Lunch at your hotel.
1700 "Happy Hour" and Trek briefing by the Pool at the Keys Hotel.
1900 BBQ Dinner at Keys Hotel.
Mon 02Mar ~ Moshi - USA
Breakfast and lunch at the Keys Hotel.Day at leisure - no activities included today.
Morning visit to the Amani Children's Home optional (additional charge).
For those continuing on to the trek tomorrow, please review your trekking gear to ensure you have all your equipment.
For those returning home, you will be transferred to the Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch your flight back home or to your next destination.
1830 Transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport.
Trek to top of Mt. Kilimanjaro - optional extension
Tue 03Mar ~ Moshi - Umbwe Caves
After an early breakfast, you will be driven to the Umbwe Gate where you will meet your guides and porters and sign into the park.
After the formalities at the gate have been completed, you will start your walk through the spectacular tropical rain forest.
For the first few hours of the hike you will be following an old logging road through the rain forest, after which you ascend on a smaller track. You will encounter some steep parts on the climb - but generally it's not too strenuous. The last few hours of the day the incline is steeper and more strenuous. The walking day will be in the region of about seven hours, after which you will get to a camping area - Umbwe Caves Campsite - with access to water at 2 900 m. Take your time walking through this section - it will help towards acclimatisation.
Wear your hiking boots today and ensure you keep your wet weather gear with you. Shorts and t-shirt will be sufficient. There are patches on the route where it is VERY wet and muddy, and you may end up with pretty wet boots this evening. Ensure your boots are waterproofed, and that you have spare lightweight shoes to wear in camp this evening. Gaiters are also advised to help you keep the mud and dampness out.
Take it SLOWLY today. The porters walk ahead and sometimes with you - make sure every day, that you have all your personal gear needed with you, as you will not have access to your bag.
The porters will set up Camp and the guide will prepare your meals. Conditions sometimes are difficult on this route, and your guide / porters will do everything they can to make your climb pleasant and as comfortable as possible. Eat well - at higher levels your appetite will diminish. Overnight camping.
Wed 04Mar ~ Barranco
Take a jersey with you today, as it cools down considerably after lunch. Again, keep your wet weather gear handy, just in case, and some snacks for the route. Drink plenty of water. Today you should take Diamox (if planning to) - in the morning. You may experience tingling fingers, toes and nose from this drug. As it is a diuretic, it is most important to keep your fluid intake high.Some fairly steep walking through the forest, and along a scenic ridge, before the path flattens as you approach Barranco Hut, in the moor land zone. A fairly long and strenuous day (+- 6 hours walking), as the altitude is now beginning to be felt. Overnight camping - Barranco Camp, 12,795ft.
Thu 05Mar ~ Karanga Valley
Continue from Barranco across towards Karanga Valley. Today you will cross the Barranco Wall - it's a climb over rock - not technical, but tiring and hard/long - and the guides will use rope on some sections for peace of mind. There's a steep descent down into Karanga valley 12,950ft (+- 4 hours). |
Overnight camping in a relatively cold and exposed campsite. Night frosts.
Fri 06Mar ~ Barafu Camp
Continue this morning across the valley and up to Barafu Camp (15,092ft.), approx. 3 hours walking. This is an acclimatization day, as you ascend up sections of scree and rock. You will be able to rest up at Barafu for the whole afternoon, acclimatizing and gathering strength for the summit.Learn to pace yourself with your breathing - do not try to rush to catch up with anyone, go at your own, most comfortable speed and you will arrive at base camp relatively comfortably. Listen to your guide/s, they will help you. It will be cold tonight - dress warmly. After an early supper, drink as much tea as possible, settle down (option with a sleeping pill!) for an early night. If you plan to take Decadron, do so before going to bed.
Drink plenty of fluids, as you are in a 'desert' area - albeit cold, and tomorrow will be a long hard day. You will be woken about 11:00PM with tea and cookies, for a departure at approximately 11:30PM. Put on all your clothing, ready for the final ascent.
Sat 07Mar ~ Summit! Uhuru Peak - Millennium Camp
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Because of the slowness of your walk, your fingers and toes are likely to get cold - three pairs of socks should be considered for today and two pairs of gloves (inner and warm outer). Use foot, toe and hand warmers for additional comfort (REI). The night views from the mountain (on the way up) are spectacular - you gain incredible height over a short distance.
You arrive at Stella Point (18,865ft.), just at the top of the crater, for a rest - the sunrise should be spectacular! From here continue on a relatively easy path for about one hour up to Uhuru Peak (19,340ft.), the highest point in Africa. CONGRATULATIONS!! Enjoy the view and take photos at the Top of Africa sign.
Then descend from Stella to Barafu, about 3 hours. You will travel down quickly on the scree taking in more oxygen, step by step. Depending on the timing of your summitting, you will be able to have a short rest here at Barafu Camp and something to eat, before continuing down the Mweka Route, which has recently re-opened after extensive re-furbishing by National Parks.
Arrive Millennium Camp (12,650ft), mid-late afternoon, for the last overnight camping. Time to reflect on today's achievements. Treat yourself to a beer from the Millennium Hut.
Sun 08Mar ~ Millennium Camp - Mweka Gate - Moshi
Approximately five hours descent down the mountain via Mweka Camp then through the rainforest to the Park Gate (5,200ft.), where you will be met by the vehicles. There are generally beers and cokes for sale at the park gate. Transfer by vehicle to the Keys Hotel (approximately 45 minutes drive) ready for an evening of celebration by the swimming pool."KILI Accomplished" cocktail party and dinner at our hotel.
Your certificates are generally handed out by the guides (when they join you for a celebratory drink at the hotel). Overnight at the Keys Hotel on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis.
Liaise with your head guide regarding tips - we recommend approximately USD 180.00 per hiker, which the guide will apportion out amongst the group. Whilst the above figure is 'expected' - anything above that is totally at your discretion.
Mon 09Mar ~ Leave KILIMANJARO
Breakfast and lunch at the hotel.Morning at leisure - no activities/excursions included. Transferred to the Kilimanjaro International Airport. End of program.