Expedition Summary
Tanzania Adventures "Best of Tanzania" private Safari includes all of the major highlights of Tanzania - from climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to a Lodge Safari in the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Lake Manyara to relaxing on the white sandy Indian Ocean beaches of Zanzibar. It's unlikely that you'll go home disappointed after you've experienced a visit of all of Tanzania's diverse pleasures.

This itinerary starts at Kilimanjaro Airport, JRO, and ends on Zanzibar airport. Please see here for international flights for this tour.

Our journey begins with the "Snows of Kilimanjaro." At 19,340 feet (5,895 meters), Mt. Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak and the highest alone standing mountain in the world. We offer an intensely rewarding trip and a chance to climb one of the world's "seven summits" via the less traveled Machame Route, one of the most beautiful trails to the top of the mountain. We will hike five days before rising early in the morning on the sixth day to reach the summit, just in time to see a beautiful sunrise. Our guides have summited many times so you will be in good hands as we climb the "roof of Africa."

Our expedition then leads to the safari part of our tour, in the Ngorongoro Crater, called the "eighth wonder of the world." This massive caldera is located right in the heart of the "Land of the Masai" in the Great Rift Valley. More than 5,000 feet (1,600 meters) below the crater rim, the bottom of the crater (265 square kilometers) is dotted with watering-holes with a rich birdlife. The crater floor shelters more than 20.000 animals in an area naturally enclosed by the high slopes of the volcano. We will see elephants, buffalos, cheetahs, lions, hyenas, hippos, wildebeest, Africas last remaining black rhino, and many more of Africa's most spectacular game animals!

Our tour will then move on to the Serengeti National Park, 'the place where the land moves on forever.' The Serengeti is one of the world's last great wildlife parks. Various types of vegetations, including grassy plains, acacia-dotted savannahs, wooded hills and mountains, are the backdrop for an extraordinary concentration of animals that reaches its peak during the annual wildebeest migration from Kenya, with almost 1.2 million wildebeest pass the park during the course of their circuitous 1,000-kilometer route in search of new pastures and watering holes.

After we visit the Serengeti, we will travel on to our last park, either Tarangire National Park or Lake Manyara National Park. En route, we will stop at the famous Olduvai Gorge where Dr. Leakey discovered the remains of Homo Habilis or "Handy Man." Homo Habilis is regarded as one of mankind's first steps on the ladder of human evolution.
Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, as well as for its huge elephant population, hippos, giraffes, antilopes, birds and smaller animals.
Tarangire National Park is famous for its acacia trees and baobab forests, which serve as shelter for the game seeking refuge near the river. Wildlife includes wildebeest, giraffes, Impalas, Elands, lesser kudus, waterbucks, gazelles, zebras, elands, elephants, hartebeest, buffalos, gerenuk, fringe-eared oryx and flocks of birds of many different species and sometimes rhinos or leopards, which can be seen throughout the year.

We will conclude our grand Tanzanian tour with several days on the spice island of Zanzibar, famous for its history and the spices. Today, Zanzibar combines ancient ruins and noble Arabic houses with miles of white, palm-fringed beaches. The lush island landscapes open to reveal clear blue waters, idyllic off-shore islands, excellent snorkeling and diving reefs and fantastic deep sea fishing and other water sport venues. Of course, opportunities for enjoyment also await us in the delicious seafood and traditional spicy Zanzibarian dishes. And, a must if you visit Zanzibar, we'll show you the spice plantations, where cloves, cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg, vanilla, cardamom and others spices are produced.

Experience Required
No previous experience is required for this trip. Participants should have a reasonable level of fitness in order to attempt an ascent of one of the world's highest peaks.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Arusha Kilimanjaro Airport.
We'll meet for an introductory briefing by our representative upon our arrival in Arusha, before transferring you to the Moivaro Coffee Lodge for the evening.

Day 2 Kilimanjaro Climb - Arusha to Machame Camp.
Early in the morning we'll transfer you to the Machame Park Gate. After registering with the park authority, we'll begin our climb through the lush forest. We'll continue on to some beautiful heath land before reaching our overnight camp at Machame Camp (10,000 feet, 6-7 hours of walking).

Day 3 Kilimanjaro Climb - Machame Camp to Shira Camp.
Today's part of the ascent will continue across the heath land and alpine moorland with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro Peak. Overnight at Shira Camp (12,500 feet, 6-7 hours of walking).

Day 4 Kilimanjaro Climb - Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
We'll draw nearer the peak as we pass the Lava Tower. The trek becomes a bit more strenuous as the trail steepens on the approach to our overnight stop at Barranco Camp (13,800 feet, 5-6 hours of walking).

Day 5 Kilimanjaro Climb - Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley Camp
The day will begin with a descent into the Gorge, before we climb its eastern wall where we will enjoy views of Kilimanjaro's ice fields, an equatorial anomaly. We will continue trekking until we reach our camp in Karanga Valley (13,900 feet, 4-5 hours of walking).

Day 6 Kilimanjaro Climb - Karanga Valley Camp to Barafu Camp
We'll trek up through the Karanga Valley, following the lava ridge to the Barafu camp (15,500 feet, 6-7 hours of walking), where we will overnight.

Day 7 Kilimanjaro Climb - Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Just after midnight, we'll begin our summit attempt, passing between the Rebmann and Tarzel glaciers to the rim at Stella Point. As dawn nears, we'll summit at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 19,340 feet. Uhuru will be the culmination of - and the reward for -- 6-7 hours of strenuous hiking. We'll then descend back to Barafu Camp, resting for a while before continuing our descent to Mweka Camp (9,840 feet, 3-4 hours of walking on the descent).

Day 8 Kilimanjaro Climb - Mweka Camp to Park Gate, Transfer to Arusha
On our final day we just descend to Machame Gate, where our car waits for you. After bidding our farewells to our guide and porters transfer to Moivaro Coffee Lodge, for relaxation. (2-3 hrs walking)

Day 9 Start of Safari: Ngorongoro Crater
Your Safari starts with the drive to Ngorongoro Crater. Your Driver/Guide will make several stops along the way at various places of interest, including a stop at the edge of the escarpment overlooking Lake Manyara. After arrival in Ngorongoro you will descend into the crater for a game drive at the bottom. As very few animals migrate in and out of the crater with its 2000 ft. high walls, you can expect to see lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, flamingos, jackals, rhinos, antelopes, many birds and other species. Your Driver/Guide will be in contact with other safari drivers and will amaze you with his skill at locating the hidden animals. Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge at Ngorongoro. All meals included

Day 10
After breakfast you start on your way to Serengeti National Park. A picnic lunch will be provided. On the way you will stop at the Olduvai Gorge where anthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey made many significant discoveries, contributing to the theory that human life originated in Africa. After stopping for your picnic lunch on a kopje (rock outcropping) in Serengeti you will continue further into the park and go on a game drive. Overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge or Mapito tented camp at Serengeti. All meals included.

Day 11
A full day of game drives around Serengeti. Depending on the time of year and the migration of the herds you can expect to see wildebeest, lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, baboons, hippos, rhinos, antelopes and many birds and other species. As in Ngorongoro your Driver/Guide will be in contact with other safari drivers and will amaze you with his skill at locating the hidden animals. Overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge or Mapito tented camp at Serengeti. All meals included

Day 12
After breakfast we head to Lake Manyara. Nestling at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, the park is recognized for its incredible beauty. You can see many game animals such as Buffalo, Elephant, Giraffe, Impala, hippo and others. Overnight at E Unoto Retreat at Lake Manyara. All meals included

Day 13
Early morning game drive in the Lake Manyara, then drive back to Arusha. Overnight in the Moivaro Coffee Lodge. All meals included.

Day 14
Flight from Arusha airport to Zanzibar in the morning. On arrival on Zanzibar we will bring you to the Matemwe Beach Village (or similar), or upgradeable to 5 Star Hotel. Enroute we will do the Spice Tour. Overnight at the beach hotel of your choice. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 15-16
Relax and enjoy the beaches of Zanzibar. There is a wide range of water sport activities you can do, like snorkeling, scuba diving, boat trips and more. Breakfast and dinner.

Day 17
Transfer to Stonetown, Tembo Hotel. Here we will show you this ancient town on our Historical Stone Town Tour, where history appears to stand still. With visits to the House of Wonders, the Palace Museum (People's Palace), Dr Livingston's House and the Arab Fort amongst others, it is a fascinating look at the essence of Zanzibar. You will see Zanzibar's bustling market, winding alleyways, ornately carved and studded doors, two cathedrals and countless mosques!
Alternatively you can do a boat tour to Prison Island, the Safari Blue or a private island trip (full day, extra costs).
Overnight Tembo Hotel . Breakfast and dinner.

Day 18
transfer to the airport or harbour Zanzibar.

Please note that we only organise private Safaris, only you and your travel partner(s) will be on the transfers, tours and the Safari vehicle! And we can organise that tour for you for any date!