Itinerary

Day 1
Depart from your homeport and travel to Arusha, Tanzania

Air Travel: All itineraries include travel days. Therefore, if travelling from the U.S., you will plan to arrive on Day 2 of the itinerary. Plan to fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Arusha, Tanzania on the pre-scheduled arrival and departure dates and times, unless you are planning additional travel within Africa. If you are travelling from another country, still plan to arrive on the evening of Day 2, where Mountain Madness services begin.

Please call our office to confirm your flights before booking.

 
Day 2
Arrive in Tanzania, Private Camp, Arusha National Park

Elevation: 6,500 feet / 1981 meters

Mountain Madness service begins in the evening with airport pick-up. Mountain Madness Land Cruisers transport you from Kilimanjaro International Airport to a Private Tented Camp nestled in beautiful Arusha National Park. This region is incredibly scenic with views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru dominating a panorama of grasslands and high tropical landscapes. You will enjoy an evening of relaxation while you begin your journey to the top of Africa.

 
Day 3
Private Camp, Arusha National Park

Elevation: 6,500 feet / 1981 meters

Today is spent relaxing and recovering from your travels. You will have an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the guides and fellow members of your group. Today your guide will have a trip briefing and review your equipment. There may be time for a walk or game drive, which will be taken out into the grasslands for views of African game and Mount Kilimanjaro, as giraffe, buffalo and antelope are usually seen in the area.

 
Day 4
Machame Camp

Elevation: 9,000 feet / 2743 meters

Drive from the private camp to the Machame Park Gate, we begin our climb by hiking about 7 hours through the Montane Forest to camp on the forest edge.

 
Day 5
Above East Shira Plateau

Elevation: 11,800 feet / 3597 meters

Another five hours of hiking takes us above the old Shira Hut to our camp in Kilimanjaro's Upper Heath Zone.

 
Day 6
Lava Tower

Elevation: 14,300 feet / 4359 meters

Today we will hike approximately 4 hours to camp just under Lava Tower, a 300 foot high volcanic lava plug that juts out of the side of the mountain. This will be our first introduction to the alpine zone, with the only plant life being the hardiest of grasses and lichens. We will have a spectacular view of our final ascent route up the Western Breach.

 
Day 7
Arrow Glacier

Elevation: 16,000 feet / 4877 meters

With the Western Breach ascent route in full view we will spend 2 hours climbing to the base of the route where we will camp near Arrow Glacier. An afternoon hike further up the route before relaxing in camp will help our acclimatization and improve our performance the following day.

 
Day 8
Arrow Glacier to Summit, Descent to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 10,500 feet / 3200 meters; Hiking time 9-12 hours

Leaving at midnight we will wind our way up the Western Breach non-technical climbing route, about six hours to the crater rim. Moving around the massive Furtwrangler Glacier as the skies lighten we will see the shape of Mt. Meru to the west. Having crossed the crater plateau we begin the final 800 ft climb to the summit (19,340 feet/5894 meters) hopefully arriving shortly after dawn. Having enjoyed the view we begin the long descent to Barafu Hut and down to Mweka Camp for the night.

 
Day 9
Arusha: Leave Africa or continue on with Safari

It takes about 3 to 3 1/2 hours to make the 4,500 foot descent to the gate and pick-up. Here we will have our lunch and say goodbye to our mountain staff. We will return to Kia lodge for a shower, dinner and then will transfer to the airport for flights home.

 
Day 10
Home

 
Safari Extension

3-Day Safari Itinerary

Exploration of Lake Manyara National Park and Ngorongoro Crater

 
Day 10
Lake Manyara National Park and Ngorongoro Private Camp

We continue on our journey with a visit to Lake Manyara National Park, a park Ernest Hemmingway described as "the loveliest I had ever seen." Found amid the variety of animals is an abundance of birdlife, including the pink flamingos that enjoy the water-based microcosm of the lake and its environs, all of which add to the ecological diversity of your safari. After our visit we drive to the highlands of Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area.  We stay for two nights at our deluxe private camp at Ngorongoro, near Ole Dorop’s, our Maasai friend and walking safari guide. You will enjoy the solitude of our camps, which far away from the busy safari lodges most commonly used by other tour operators and used exclusively for our groups.

 
Day 11
Ngorongoro Private Camp

The twelve-mile wide crater left by this massive volcano contains incredible wildlife viewing.  This entire day is set aside to visit the crater and photograph, watch, and appreciate the extensive wildlife diversity. Depending on the interest of the group we have time to visit a traditional Maasai boma and/or venture out for a short walking safari. We spend another night in our private camp.

 
Day 12
Ngorongoro / Arusha

Today the morning can be spent enjoying the peace and wonderful views from camp, or any combination of taking a short walk with a Maasai guide, visiting the home of Ole Dorop and his family, or having a look at the local Maasai village school. Lunch will be in camp before returning to Arusha where you will have a dayroom to freshen up before your flight home. Late evening flight home.

 
Day 13
Arrive Home.
Rece

More information from Mountain Madness:

• Company profile, experience, and history
• View all of their trips