Simba Experience - African Safaris

Climb three of the highest mountains in Tanzania. Start with Mount Hanang (3417m), followed up by Mount Meru (4566m) and crown your climbing-safari with Mount Kilimanjaro (5895m), the highest mountain in Africa. We also visit two different nature reserves to see African wildlife. Experience more while challenging mountains of Africa.

Day 1

Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer to friendly & comfortable Simba Meru Lodge on the foothills of Mt Meru. (Dinner)

Day 2

After sun rises behind Mt Kilimanjaro we depart for Great Rift Valley and Lake Manyara National Park. Here we see many of the larger mammals of Africa, elephants, hippos, giraffe and buffalo. If lucky, we also see the famous tree-climbing lions. After picnic-lunch we carry on southwards towards Mt Hanang. This mountain, standing almost 3.5 kms above the sea-level, rises majestically over the Rift Valley. We stay at basic but clean local guesthouse and prepare for our first climb early next morning. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3

Get up before first light for transfer to the mountain. Climb will take approximately 6 hrs and descent about 4-5 hrs. We use the cooler early hours to our advantage and ascend several volcanic ridges to reach the summit around noon. After admiring the endless scenery disappearing past the surrounding plains we descend to drive to nearby town of Babati where we overnight at clean and peaceful guesthouse. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4

Return to Arusha and Simba Meru Lodge. In Arusha we shop for final supplies for our climb to Mt Meru. This climb will take two nights and is perfect acclimatization for Mt Kilimanjaro. Dinner at lodge. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5

After breakfast we start our climb to this mountain. Mt Meru was once even higher than Kilimanjaro but around 10 000 years ago it exploded in a huge volcanic outburst and lost almost half of its’ mass. We climb (5 hrs) about 1000m through montane forests and sleep at Miriakamba Hut. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6

Second day takes us through montane glens for a climb of 1050m. In places mud and volcanic ash can slow us down and mountain is also home for variety of wildlife such as elephants and buffalo. Our guides will make sure that any possible sightings are safe and special. We stay at Saddle Hut. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7

Get up well before sunrise to reach the summit on time to see the sun rising behind Mt Kilimanjaro not that far away to east. After enjoying the moment and fantastic views, we descend all the way to Momella Gate and Simba Meru Lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8

Today we start our climb on Mt Kilimanjaro by driving to Marangu Gate (1970m). We meet our guides as well as porters there, and after making final check-up for the gear start walking towards Mandara (2700m). As we have done some climbing earlier, we should be able to do this in about 4 hrs. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9

Soon after departure we leave the forest-zone behind and enter montane-zone without tall trees. We carry on with peaceful tempo for about 6-7 hrs to reach Horombo Hut (3720m). As we are already this high, it is clearly cooler and below freezing at night. We try to rest and eat as well as possible. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10

As we have been acclimatizing well, we carry on for about 6 hrs towards Kibo Hut (4700m) right below the final summit. On the way we cross the Saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi and wonder the moon-like scenery around us. High altitude is already affecting us so the speed is rather slow. We try to get asleep as early as possible to rest for the final push. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 11

We get out of our sleeping-bags soon after midnight and start our final ascend for Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Best time to reach the top is when the sun rises and the climb is well worth the effort as we savour the accomplishment. We descend past Kibo Hut to Horombo Hut for the night. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12

Carry on to Marangu Gate, where we will be presented by diplomas, and bid farewell to our guides and porters. Return to Simba Meru Lodge for well-earned rest. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 13

Spend a day getting to know Arusha National Park, where film ’Hatari!’, starring John Wayne, was set. We get to see the wildlife by foot while escorted by an armed guide and also visit Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crater. We enjoy farewell-dinner underneath, already familiar mountains of Meru and Kilimanjaro. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 14

Transfer to airport for flight home. (Breakfast)

Price starting from EUR 2890

Destinations

Lake Manyara National Park Nature reserve squeezed between the soda-lake of Manyara and the western wall of Great Rift Valley. 329km2 in size, consisting of several different vegetation-zones; gallery-forests, acacia-forests, plains and floodplains. Home to many different mammals such as elephants, buffalo, giraffe, hippos as well as several antelope-species. Lion and leopard most notable of predators. Over 300 bird-species recorded including flamingoes on the lake.

Mount Hanang One of the highest mountains in Tanzania (3417m), dormant volcano rising above the Great Rift Valley. Can be climbed in a single day and a holy mountain for local population as well as a forest reserve.

Mount Meru Second highest mountain in Tanzania and 9th highest in Africa (4566m),rising above the tourist-capital of Arusha. Part of a national park with elephants, buffalo as well as many other mammals. Almost yearly snows on the peak.

Kilimanjaro The highest mountain in Africa and the highest single-standing mountain in the world (5895m). It has three peaks; Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. Mawenzi can be climbed only with equipment.The highest peak is called Uhuru Peak meaning Freedom Peak. Home for elephants, antelopes and many other mammals.

Arusha National Park Diverse nature reserve lies between Mt Meru and Kilimanjaro. Park itself encompasses Mt Meru, Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crater, which is completely reserved from human-visits. Most of animal species of Northern Tanzania except lions, exist in the park.

Price includes:

• Transfers as per program.
• Meals (excl.drinks) and accommodation in double/twin-rooms with own bathroom as per program.
• Boiled, potable drinking water and food on Mt Meru & Mt Kilimanjaro.
• Accommodation in cabins on the mountains.
• All safari-activities as per program.
• Park & climbing fees.
• Services of Mountain Guides, Porters and Cooks.

Price excludes:

• International flights...contact Simba Experience for price-info.
• Visa fees.
• Tips and gratuities. Reserve for Porters and Guides about 130€ in tips per climber.
• Climbing gear.
  

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