The Tanzania photo tour is a mix of photo tour and a challenge to climb the legendary mount of Kilimanjaro, starting ascent in equatorial jungle and finishing high in the clouds, on the top of Africa, where there still exist the glittering ice cap of triceps giant volcano. Also we will spend the second half of the tour to capture the most fascinating spectacle in the mammals’ world – forcing Mara river by millions herds of wildebeests and zebras during annual Great migration.
You can book a place for any tour without a cost. Once we know that the travel is possible, you will be able to keep your seat or cancel your booking without penalties.
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport via Dar Es Salaam or directly. Transfer to Salinero Millie Lodge Machame 4* in the suburbs of Moshi, at the very gate of Kilimanjaro National Park.
After breakfast, walk to Machame Gate. Hiking takes no more than five minutes (distance 200 m). Baggage to be dropped off in advance before breakfast so as not to lose time while the porters weigh it in the national park.
From this gate we start out ascent to Kilimanjaro. Mount Kilimanjaro with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, is a dormant volcano in Tanzania. It is the highest mountain in Africa, with its summit about 4,900 meters from its base (Maasai plato), and 5,895 meters above sea level. The first people known to have reached the summit of the mountain were Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller in 1889. Since then dozens of thousands people every year trying to reach the summit of the highest alone standing mountain on Earth.
Tracking through rainforest from Machame Gate (1640 m above the sea level) to Machame Camp (2840 m).
After breakfast ascension from Machame Camp (2840 m) to Shira camp (3810 m) through waste land.
After breakfast ascension through alpine desert area from Shira camp (3810 m) to Lava Tower peak (4630 m), and further trekking to Barranco Camp (3980 m). Distance: 10 km. Way time 6-8 hours.
After breakfast acclimatization trek from Barranco Camp (3980 m), ascension to Barranco wall (4230 m) and trekking through alpine desert area to Karanga Camp (4000 m). Distance: 5 km. Way time: 3-5 hours.
After breakfast ascension from Karanga Camp (4000 m) to Barafu Camp (4670 m) through alpine desert area and much above the clouds. Distance: 4 km. Way time 4-5 hours. Since afternoon rest before ascension to the summit.
Very early dinner and going to bed at 6 p.m.
At midnight set out from Barafu Camp (4670 m) for summit push. Ascension through Arctic сlimate zone and climbing to Uhuru peak (5895 m) – the highest point of African continent. Then descent to Millenium Camp (3850 m). Distance: 16 km. Way time: 11-15 hours.
After breakfast in Millenium camp (3850 m), descent to Mweka Gate (1640 m).
Distance: 13 km. Way time: 4 hours.
Transfer to Moshi, where we organize big celebration of successful ascension to Kilimanjaro with traditional food, champagne, national songs and awarding of certificates.
After breakfast drive by 4WD safari cars to Serengeti national park (about 7 hrs drive) and enjoy game viewing en route. After lunch stop at the Maasai tribal village to explore their natural lifestyle and culture. In the evening proceed with game viewing in Central Serengeti.
Serengeti is famous for hosting the great migration of wildebeests in its ecosystem as well as its population of African wild cats such as lions, cheetahs and leopards. It is probably the best place in Africa to spot leopards. Serengeti National Park is the biggest ecosystem in the world where 1,5 million wildebeests, 700 thousand zebras and 300 thousand Thompson gazelles follow the rains in order to find new feeding grounds.
After sunset dinner and overnight at fashionable Tanzania Bush Tented Lodge in Central Serengeti located right in the middle of savannah with surrounding wildlife.
After breakfast drive to the Northern Serengeti for game viewing along the crocodile populated river Mara and experience the wildebeests crossing Mara river in search of fresh pasture. If we are lucky we can observe herds of herbivores, trying to migrate from Serengeti to Maasai Mara forcing Mara river being met by hungry crocodiles and hunted by other predators. Northern Serengeti is a natural habitat for all African Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino.
After sunset overnight and dinner at trendy luxury Tanzania Bush Tented Lodge in Northern Serengeti, right in the middle of savannah with surrounding wildlife.
After breakfast drive to the magical Ngorongoro crater Conservation area famous with its last remaining populations of endangered black rhinos, as well as its richness in other wildness species. Ngorongoro crater is a unique place, closed ecosystem, formed millions of years ago in a giant caldera of the ancient volcano. Great majority of the animals never leave the territory of the park, which appears the home for the whole African Big Five. If we missed the chance to encounter all Big Five in Serengeti, here we’d rather grab our chance to catch it up!
Enjoy a bush lunch at a Hippo Pool and proceed with game viewing until evening. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best wildlife parks in the world, was awarded as the natural World’s Wonder!
After breakfast drive to Kilimanjaro international airport (ca 4 hrs drive) while enjoying the landscapes en route.
In the afternoon, flight back home or, optionally, to amazing Zanzibar island by 1 hour direct (or via Dar Es Salam) flight from Kilimanjaro airport.
Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania
