Itinerary

Day 1

Day 15:Return to Kampala
After breakfast, transfer to Mbarara for lunch and later depart for Kampala arriving late in the evening and check in at Speke hotel for rest.

Dinner and overnight at Speke Hotel.

Day 2

Day 15: Kampala – Nairobi
After early breakfast, depart for Nairobi via Entebbe arriving in time for your flight back home or depending on your flight schedule, spend the day resting in Kampala then in the evening fly back to Nairobi then connect back home.

End of safari.

Day 3

Marangu Gate (1980m) - Mandara hut (2700m)
Distance: About 12 kms, Hiking time: 5 hours , Habitat: Montane forest

After early breakfast, you will be driven to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park office and make their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen arranging and loading their packs, containing the food, water, cooking gas as well as most of your equipment. Our guides will be available to assist with any additional information or needs you might have. The forest, suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro animals are found. An alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail, branches off to the left a few minutes after the gate. This trail follows the edge of a stream through the undergrowth and offers you the option to rejoin the main trail either, after 1? hours hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara hut.

Your first night stop will be at Mandara hut, which is a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks with solar generated lighting. The total capacity of the camp is 60 climbers. Water is piped into the camp from springs above and there are flush toilets behind the main hut, B,L,D.

Day 4

Mandara hut (2700m) - Horombo hut (3720m)
Distance: About 15 kms, Hiking time: 6 hours, Habitat: Moorland

It is well worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater (side Trek) for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun. Once you are in the open moorland you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro most spectacular. After about 6 hours from here you reach the Horombo hut, where you will have hot washing water, rest; an evening meal and overnight.

Day 5

Horombo hut (3720m) - Acclimatisation day
Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers! A hike towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1.5 hours down), is strongly recommended. This hike will further assist with the process of acclimatisation. Remember to drink enough water and move slowly! All meals for the day are provided at the hut. Retire to bed early and get a last good night's rest, B, L, D.

Day 6

Horombo hut (3720m) - Kibo hut (4700m)
Distance: About 15 kms,Hiking time: 6 hours,Habitat: Alpine desert

After breakfast you now continue your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. From Horombo there are two trails to the "Saddle". There is an upper route (right hand fork) and lower route (left hand fork) to choose from. It is very stony and eroded. The recommended lower route (left hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour and it also passes the last watering point at 4130m. Once again remember to slow down and drink enough water!! Situated in the barren Alpine desert is Horombo hut, a stone build block house which has bunk beds for 60 climbers, but no streams with water nearby.

The summit is now a further 1195m up and you will make your final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski-stick and thermal clothing for your summit bid. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get as much rest as possible, B, L, D.

Day 7

Summit attempt, Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo hut (3720m)
Distance: 6 km ascent - 21 kms descent,Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru - 6 hours to descend to Horombo ,Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

You will rise around 23h30, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman's point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.
From Gillman?s Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. You made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest start heading down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. Later in the evening you enjoy your last on the mountain and a richly deserved sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions, B, L, and D.

Day 8

Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m)
Distance: About 27 kms,Hiking time: 6 hours
After breakfast you continue your descent for about 6 hours, passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman's Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates.

You will be received by your tour guide and taken for an overnight at your hotel at Moshi.

Day 9

Moshi - Nairobi - Masai Mara
After breakfast depart for Nairobi via Arusha arriving in time for an early lunch en-route to the Masai Mara arriving in time for check in at the camp.

In November 2006, the Maasai Mara was named as the eighth wonder of the world because of what experts termed as "the uniqueness of the area and the preservation it provides to so many species living in harmony." It is understandable because this annual migration is the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is 270 km from Nairobi, a five hour drive or 45 min by air. For a full package of scenery, game and the ultimate bush experience, the Mara is the place to be. The National Reserve was the shooting location for the film Out of Africa and rema0.ins the location for the British Broadcasting Corporation's big cat wildlife series. The resting place of the big five, the reserve's major attraction is the great wildebeests and zebras migration from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Mara. This annual event happens between July and September and is the greatest show on earth. These animals cross over to Kenya through the Mara River. You are bound to see the pretentious crocodiles lazing away under the water only to dramatically break out of their sleep and snap up the migrating wildebeests and zebra.

Dinner and overnight at Fig Tree camp or similar.

Day 10

Mara
Early in the morning before breakfast depart for the morning game drive which runs until noon. In the afternoon you can opt to go for the game or visit the Masai villages.

The Maasai are so significant due to their culture. Starting from their dress code, the color red is so significant in that they scare away wild animals as they co-exist with them. They believe that God, Enkai, gave them cattle, therefore they believe that all the cattle belongs to them. That's the reason why they have been known due to their cattle rustling. Although the Maasai are known for their nomadic life and cattle keeping, they is a group of agricultural Maasai, known as IL Loikop, are look down upon by the cattle keeping group, the Wakwavi since they believe they are the true Maasais created to keep cattle.
A Maasai Homestead (enkang popularly known as the Manyattas) is made from cow dung and wooden sticks from the leleshwa plant. Women are the ones responsible for putting up these magnificent homes. However, a homestead contains several Maasai houses which are surrounded by a fence made also by branches of the leleshwa plant where the herds of goats and cows are confined in during the night hours. There are other Manyattas made far away in the wilderness during their Morans as they prepare their headset, the motonyik, before they return home.

Dinner and overnight at Fig Tree camp or similar.

Day 11

Mara
A full day spent game viewing across the rich tree stubbed grasslands and rolling hills. The Masai Mara is renowned for its great herds of plain game, black manned lion, leopard and cheetah and every type of wildlife in Kenya.

Dinner and overnight at Fig Tree camp or similar.

Day 12

Masai Mara - Nairobi - Entebbe
Pre breakfast game drive then after breakfast depart for Nairobi and transfer to Entebbe for your gorilla trekking part of the safari. On arrival transfer to Kampala and check in at hotel for overnight stay.

Dinner and overnight at Speke Hotel.

Day 13

Kampala-Bwindi National Park
Pick up from your hotel for a morning departure for Bwindi Impenetrable national park located in the south western part of Uganda. Have a stopover at the craft village to have a look at the local arts and crafts and at the Uganda Equator for pictures and a brief shopping. You will have lunch in Mbarara and later proceed through the beautiful evergreen terraced mountain countryside referred to as the "Little Switzerland of Africa". Arriving by late evening check in at the lodge.

Dinner and overnight at Buhoma Homestead.

Day 14

Gorilla tracking tour
After an early break fast report at the park for a briefing by park ranger guides on how the gorilla tracking safaris is to be conducted. The destination guide will lead you in the memorable trek within the magnificent verdant Bwindi Impenetrable forest to find the Mountain gorillas. Apart from the mountain gorillas, the park has 90 mammal species, including 11 primates, as well as a number of birds with 23 highly localized Albertine Rift endemics present. After a full hour with the gorillas, you can go for a community visit if time permits or relax at the lodge.

Dinner and overnight at Buhoma Homestead.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Transport to and from Nairobi to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport then to Moshi town and back . Transport from your hotel to the Park Gate, . Mountain and gorilla trek as itinerary depicts . Accommodation and 3 meal plan while in mountain huts or tents when camping . Service of an English speaking professional Mountain guide on the mountain, porters and skilled cook together with treated water on the trek . All National Park entrance and camp site fees, Rescue fees, Hut fees, . All food - breakfasts, lunches (packed if necessary) and evening meals prepared by our own cook. . Government taxes

Exclusions -

Travel and personal accident insurance . Hot air Balloon flight in Maasai Mara - US$ 425 per person extra (Price is subject to confirmation at the time of booking.) . Tips, Visas, International flights and taxes . Gorilla permits in Bwindi - US$ 500 per person (Subject to availability) . Personal hiking equipment-sleeping bags, boots etc . Expenditure on all drinks . Medical evacuation insurance . Items of a personal nature and any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary.

Extras -

Tips on What to Bring While mountain climbing:
Anorak, Fleece, Walking Boots, Water Proof Jacket, Pants, Shirts, Trousers, Skirts, Socks, Gloves, Sun Hut, Balaclava/Woolen Hat, Gaiters, Thermal Underwear, Towel, Toiletries, Toilet Paper, Sun Glasses, Snow Goggles, Water Bottle, Walking Pole, Torch, Sun Cream/Sun Block, Lip Salve, Penknife, Day Pack, Camera, Films, Four Season Sleeping Bag, Water Purification Kit and first aid kit.

Maasai Mara Balloon Flight
Take the opportunity to fly over the Mara in a Hot air Balloon provided at an extra cost. The balloon package includes a champagne breakfast in the wild! If you can spare the money, viewing abundant game afloat a balloon is an unforgettable experience.