Tanzania Itinerary

Many of you have asked what we are doing on our Safari in Tanzania so here is our Itinerary below for both our Trek up Kilimanjaro and our safari.

Quick note about Kilimanjaro - it is 19,340ft at its peak (which we are going to reach) 5,895 meters. It is possibly the tallest free standing mountain rise in the world (if measured from the base and below the sea level island thing I don't know but thats what it says). Needless to say 19,000 feet is the highest either of us have ever climbed and should be freaking ridiculous. For comparison purposes the Appalachian Mountains highest peak is Mount Mitchell in North Carolina at 6,684 feet. Day 1 of our trek we climb over 9,000 feet. Day 2 over 12,000. Mt. Everest stands at 29,029 feet...a mere 9,689 foot difference to the peak of Kilimanjaro. So day 1 we climb the difference between the two mountains.

The Serengeti spans 30,000km across Tanzania and Kenya. Approximately 70 larger mammal and some 500 avifauna (don't know what an avifauna is but Steph thinks its birds) species are found there. The Serengeti hosts the largest and longest overland migration in the world. This migration is the number 1 ten natural travel wonders of the world. (all the info above came from wiki). Also on the list is the Ngorongoro crater, which we are also seeing.

We will also be visiting Olduvai Gorge, known as the cradle of mankind due to the first findings of earliest hominid remains by the Leakeys.

So, we will be incommunicado for 2 weeks. Our cellphones should work in Tanzania (not sure about on the mountain trek, supposedly they have put cell service on the top of Kilimanjaro but who knows).

Any who, enjoy reading what we are gonna be doing and commence the living vicariously through us...


July 11th, 2008: Arrival Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Met upon your arrival in JRO; and transfer to Hotel in Arusha.
Accommodation: Ilboru Safari Lodge

July 12: Arusha National Park
Today, we drive to Arusha National Park with picnic lunch, the park is famous for its birdlife, we will have a game drive, and hiking in the park enabling us to get used to Tanzania climate and get over jet lag before the climb.
Estimated driving distance: 40 minutes drive one way
Activities: Game drives & Hiking
Accommodation & Meals: Ilboru Safari Lodge, B,L

July 13: Hit the mountain to Machame gate, after registration process start the hike to Machame Camp, 9,900ft, (5~6hrs) Camping, B,L,D.

July 14: Shira, 12,600ft, (5~6hrs) Camping, B,L,D.

July 15: Baranco, 12,850ft (5~7hrs) Camping, B,L,D

July 16: Barafu, 14,910ft (6~7hrs) Camping, B,L,D.

July 17: Summit, 19,340ft (6~7hrs), then descend to Mweka 10,010ft (5~7hrs), Camping, B,L,D.

July 18: Mweka gate (3~4hrs), transfer to Arusha (1hr), Ilboru Safari Lodge, B,L

July 19: Arusha / Tarangire
After breakfast, we drive to Tarangire National Park; the park is spectacular in dry season of July through October; game drives.
Estimated driving distance: 2.5hrs drive
Activities: Game drives
Accommodation & Meals: Tarangire Safari Tented Lodge, B,L,D

July 20: Tarangire / Serengeti
Today we leave Tarangire for Serengeti. Afternoon game drive in Serengeti, in search of large predators and gentle herbivores in which they feed.
Estimated driving distance: 4~5hrs drive
Activities: Game drives
Accommodation & Meals: Seronera Wildlife Lodge B,L,D

July 21: Serengeti National Park
More game drives in Serengeti; this time in northern Serengeti, where we might have a better chance seeing the migration this time of the year.
Estimated driving distance: 2.5hrs
Activities: Game drives
Accommodation & Meals: Lobo Wildlife Lodge B,L,D

July 22: Serengeti / Ngorongoro
Morning game drives in Serengeti and then later we drive to overnight in Ngorongoro with a visit of Masai Village, and optional visit of Olduvai Gorge.
Estimated driving distance: 5.5hrs drive
Activities: Game drives & Visit of Masai Village
Accommodation & Meals: Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge, B,L,D.

July 23: Ngorongoro / Arusha
Game drive in the crater exploring the short-grass plains of the crater floor. This extinct volcano embraces 100sq miles alive with lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo, and many more games. Later in the day, we drive back to Arusha.
Estimated driving distance: 3hrs drive
Activities: Game drives
Accommodation & Meals: Ilboru Safari Lodge, B,L

July 24: ??? Exploring Tanzania maybe?

July 25: flight back to Kigali