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    The snows of Kilimanjaro soar like an apparition over East Africa's shimmering plains, and in Hemingway's words, they're as "wide as all the world, great, high, and unbelievably white in the sun." We know one fantastic way to get to these legendary snows: a nine-day hike via the Shira Plateau Route. The Shira route is an incredibly scenic trail on the remote southwest flank of the mountain that provides maximum altitude acclimatization and keeps us far from the over-trodden "tourist route" up the mountain. We reach the summit on the seventh day on hiking and celebrate atop Kilimanjaro's gleaming glacier dome at 19,340 feet, the highest point in Africa. After the climb, a week-long safari in private camps and luxury lodges in the Serengeti ecosystem is our delicious, post-climb reward.

Itinerary/Days
  
Details
1-2: Arusha, Tanzania
3-11: Kilimanjaro
12-17: Serengeti/Tarangire Wildlife Safari
18: Gibbs Farm
19: Arusha /Return to US 		 
  • 19-day Kili climb and classic tented wildlife safari
  • 9-day non-technical ascent up the Shira Plateau to Uhuru Peak (19,340')
  • Gameviewing of Tanzania's magnificent wildlife in Serengeti to Tarangire Nat'l Park
  • Rigorous high altitude Kili climb over snow, scree, loose rock, with porter support (camp at 18,500')
  • Lodging: 12 nights camping, 6 nights luxury hotels or game lodges
  • All meals included
  • Meeting/Departure point: Arusha
    • 1-2: Arusha, Tanzania
    We meet in Arusha and have the next day for orientation and gear check

    3-11: Kilimanjaro
    The ascent of Kili by any route is rigorous, but on our scenic, 9-day Shira Plateau Route, we ascend about 2,00 feet a day. The first part of the climb takes us from Forest Camp (9,000') to the moorlands of the Shira Plateau (12,950') and on through high alpine desert to Sheffield Camp (14,800'). We then ascend to Arrow Glacier 16,000') and finally to Kili's Inner Crater (18,500') on the summit plateau, where we have the option to climb up the Inner Crater's slopes to see Kili's active fumaroles, usually seen only by aircraft! Finally, we make our short climb to Uhuru Peak (19,430'), the true summit of Kilimanjaro. On the late afternoon of Day 11, we'll be back at our lodge in Arusha for a well-deserved hot shower and victory dinner.

    12-17: Serengeti/Tarangire Wildlife Safari

    We pack away our mountain clothes and set off on a luxurious and comprehensive safari by Land Cruiser to examine another African dreamscape--the golden plains of Serengeti National Park (December to March) or the panoramic baobab savannas of Tanangire National Park (June to October), along with the astounding Ngorongoro Crater with its stalking lion and cheetah, herds of elephant, and concentrations of zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, and other animals. We stay in luxury camps and wilderness lodges.

    18: Gibbs Farm

    19: Arusha /Return to US
    Tanzania Trail

    Departure Dates
    1: Jan 13 - 31, 2003
    2: Feb 3 - 21
    3: Feb 10 - 28
    4: Feb 24 - Mar 14
    5: Mar 17 - Apr 4
    6: Jun 9 - 27
    7: Jul 7 - 25
    8: Jul 21 - Aug 8
    9: Aug 4 - 22
    10: Aug 25 - Sept 12
    11: Sept 2 - 20
    12: Oct 6 - 24
    13: Dec 1 - 19
    14: Dec 16 - Jan 3, 2004
    15: Jan 5 - 23, 2004
    16: Jan 19 - Feb 6, 2004
    17: Mar 8 - 26, 2004
    COST
    Land Cost
    cost/per person, based on double occupancy
    Cost 9 - 11 members 12 - 14 members
      $5395 $4995
    Single supplement: $670
    Park fees: $1190
      Lake Manyara Extension  
      $1200  
     

    Climb only
    (days 1-12)
    From $3295
    Single supplement: $360
    Park fees: $795
    		The Furtwangler Glacier

    Safari only
    (days 12-19)
    From $3195
    Single supplement: $320
    Park fees: $405