8 DAYS MIGRATION SAFARI

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THIS DREAM ITINERARY IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO FOLLOW THE GREAT MIGRATION. WITH 4 NIGHTS IN THE SERENGETI, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO VISIT THE CENTRAL SERENGETI BUT ALSO SPEND SOME DAYS WITNESSING THE GREAT MIGRATION, WHICH COULD BE IN THE SOUTH (NDUTU) FROM DECEMBER TO MARCH, OR IN THE REMOTE NORTHERN TIP OF THE SERENGETI FROM JULY TO NOVEMBER

DAY 1: TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast depart for Tarangire National Park. Full day game drive in Tarangire National Park. Tarangire has a diverse landscape, with nine vegetation zones. Ancient Baobab trees (the largest trees in Africa) dot the landscape dwarfing the animals that feed beneath them. The Tarangire River, that meanders through the park attracts an abundance of wildlife, from elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, zebras, giraffes, antelopes to a variety of colorful birds. The park is very famous for having the greatest elephant population in Tanzania, and during a safari there you will have the chance of quietly observing many families of elephants interacting. With a stop for a picnic lunch in an observatory inside the park where you will be able to view animals drinking water in the river (and many times lions attacking a thirsty zebra or wildebeest), continue game viewing and finally return to campsite for dinner.
Possibility for a night game drive in Tarangire.
Overnight in campsite, tented camp or lodge. Our recommendations are Haven Nature tented camp (budget), Maramboi tented Camp (mid-range), Tarangire Safari Lodge (mid-range+), Tarangire Sopa Lodge (Luxury) or Oliver’s camp (Luxury+)


DAY 2: LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK
Depart after breakfast and drive across the Great Rift Valley to Lake Manyara National Park for a full day game drive. Although only 205 sq. miles in size this enchanting park is noted for its beauty and incredibly lush acacia forest of giant fig and mahogany trees, which are home to troops of baboons and blue monkeys. The park is also home to a large numbers of buffalos, giraffes, elephants, impalas and a Hippo lake, where large numbers of hippos usually gather. Well known for its birds (over 400 different species), Lake Manyara is one of the few places where you’ll be able to see the Ground Hornbill and the Crested Eagle. This park has become famous for the the climbing lions and the flamingos in the lake shore. The landscapes of these park are absolutely stunning, very different from the Serengeti for example. The game drives are done along the shore of the lake, providing incredible views of giraffes and buffalos in the foreground with the lake, flamingos and flat plains in the horizon. Great photo opportunities! In the afternoon, return to camp for dinner.
Extra tour recommended: Bycicle ride in Lake Manyara.
Overnight in campsite, tented camp or lodge. Our recommendations are Haven Nature tented camp (budget), Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp (mid-range), Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge (mid-range+), Manyara Serena Lodge (Luxury) or Plantation Lodge Luxury Suites (Luxury+)


DAY 3: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK -> CENTRAL
Today you’re off to the famous Serengeti National Park, home of the Great Migration. Your drive today is spectacular as you drive up the crater highlands, stopping at the rim for a birds-eye view of the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. Continuing on, as you crest the hillside, spread out before you, as far as the eyes can see, is the vast Serengeti. Serengeti mean “endless plains” in Kiswahili and this 6,900 sq. mile (18,000 sq. km) park is inhabited by more than 2 million large animals including more than a million wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of plains zebras, and Thomson’s gazelles. Large predators including lions, cheetahs, and hyenas are drawn to the area by this abundance of prey which migrate throughout the park. Many smaller animals like rock hyrax, bat eared foxes, mongoose, honey badger, jackals, monkeys, baboons and African hares also inhabit the area along with nearly 500 species of birds.
On the way into the Serengeti, option to stop at the famous Oldupai Gorge, where Dr. Louis and Mary Leakey made their discovery of the first man that walked the earth. After attending a short lecture describing the archeological digs and geology of the gorge, you’ll have time to visit the small museum.
After lunch, afternoon game drive en-route to campsite. Overnight at public campsite or private tented camp / lodge. Our recommendations are Seronera/Lobo public campsite (budget), Ikoma tented camp or Serengeti Heritage (mid-range), Kati Kati or Ang’ata camps (mid-range+), Serena Serengeti Lodge (Luxury) or Lemala Camps (Luxury+).


DAY 4: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK -> CENTRAL
After breakfast full day in Serengeti National Park(morning and afternoon game drives).
Extra tour recommended: The wonderful balloon flight over the Serengeti plains.
Overnight at public campsite or private tented camp / lodge. Our recommendations are Seronera/Lobo public campsite (budget), Ikoma tented camp or Serengeti Heritage (mid-range), Kati Kati or Ang’ata camps (mid-range+), Serena Serengeti Lodge (Luxury) or Lemala Camps (Luxury+).
DAY 5 and 6: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK -> Following the Migration
On these two days, you will be driven across the Serengeti vast plains in search of the migration. The location of the migration depends on the time of the year and could be as far as the remote North of the Serengeti near the border with Kenya, or could be in the South (Ndutu Area).
Overnight at public campsite or private tented camp / lodge. Our recommendations are Lobo public campsite (budget), Ang’ata Migration camps (mid-range+), Chaka Mobile Camps (Luxury) or Lemala Camps (Luxury+).


DAY 7: SERENGETI TO NGORONGORO
Today you will wake up very early to do an early morning safari before breakfast, to spot the animals when they are more active and also to have a fantastic sun rise in front of you. The sunrise in the african Savannah is one of the most beautiful experiences one can have. After the game drive, return to the camp for brunch, followed by a transfer to Ngorongoro, the 8th natural wonder of the world. With walls 2,000 ft high and a crater floor that spreads for 102 sq. miles, the crater is a virtual Noah’s Ark, inhabited by almost every species of wildlife indigenous to East Africa including the rare black rhino. In fact, the crater has the greatest concentration of wild life in the planet. It contains a river, several swamps, a soda lake that, from the top, looks like steam, full of flamingoes, a forest and open plains. The large bull elephants that reside here have extremely large tusk, due to the rich mineral content of the volcanic soil and its grasses. They are the most incredible elephants you’ll ever see in your life.
Arrival in Ngorongoro in the afternoon. Possibility for an afternoon walking safari in Ngorongoro highlands.
Overnight at public campsite or private tented camp / lodge. Our recommendations are Simba public campsite (budget), Rhino Lodge (mid-range), Ang’ata camp (mid-range+), Exploreans / Serena Ngorongoro Lodge (Luxury) or Lemala Camp (Luxury+).
DAY 8: NGORONGORO CRATER
Very early in the morning, descend down to the crater floor for a day of wildlife viewing in one of the most incredible places on Earth. After a stop for a picnic lunch near the hippo lake, and more wildlife viewing in the afternoon, drive up the steep road out of the crater and return to Arusha.
Option: Add one extra day to visit Oldonyo Sambu Maasai Village:


This is a traditional Maasai Village 40km away from Arusha and not a touristic show at all. In fact, many visitors to Tanzania consider this visit to be the greatest highlight of their trip. During the tour, you will be guided by a Maasai Chief, who will show you the village, how the Maasai live, their habits, how they cook, how they take care of livestock, what and how they study, dance, etc. Opportunity to watch the village women perform a local traditional dance. The whole experience provides fantastic photo opportunities.
If you come from July to November, then the migration will be in the remote Northern Serengeti. In this case, we would strongly recommend doing Ngorongoro before the Serengeti and then flying out from the Northern Serengeti to Arusha or Zanzibar to remove all the backtracking. This tour can depart any day of the year.

Included in the price:

• Full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner) accommodation while on safari
• All game drives viewing in a custom built 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser
• All park and entrance fees
• Transportation with 4x4 vehicles with viewing roofs
• Professional English speaking driver/guide during the safari.
• Bottled water in safari vehicles
• Current Government taxes and levies
• 24-Hour support during the safari from our office in Moshi.

Not Included

• · Flights
• · Travel insurance
• · Visa and passport fees
• · Increases in park fees where applicable
• · Accommodation & meals in Moshi
• · Personal items
• · Sleeping bag
• · Tips for safari guide & chef
• · Soda and Alcoholic beverages
• · Extra activities (Hot Ballooning in Serengeti & Maasai Village)

OUR SAFARI

safari & tours

Foot On Kili Adventure offers safaris throughout Tanzania. Our primary focus is on the Northern Safari Circuit of Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Crater, and the world famous Serengeti National Park. but we organize adventures throughout the country. 

Float over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon; walk the beaches with elephants at Saadani National Park; explore wide open spaces on foot as you safari through West Kilimanjaro. Anything is possible at Kilimanjaro Expert. Select a safari type below to learn more:

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Wildlife Safaris 

Foot On Kili Adventure offers safaris throughout Tanzania. Our primary focus is on the Northern Safari Circuit of Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Crater, and the world famous Serengeti National Park. but we organize adventures throughout the country. 

Float over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon; walk the beaches with elephants at Saadani National Park; explore wide open spaces on foot as you safari through West Kilimanjaro. Anything is possible at Kilimanjaro Foot On Kili Adventure. Select a safari type below to learn more:

TREK MOUNT MERU

MOUNT MERU

Mt. Meru is one of Africa's highest and most beautiful volcanoes, standing at 4566 m. It is located within Arusha National Park. The route to the summit passes through parkland, montane forest, a giant heather zone and moorland. Finally, the summit is reached by a narrow, barren ridge which provides stunning views of the Ash Cone lying several thousand feet below in the crater and Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background.

Because the mountain lies within a National Park, it is common to encounter some of the area's birds, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, warthogs, and black and white Colobus monkeys on the first day of your journey to the summit. For this reason, you will climb with a Park Ranger who takes your safety very seriously.

Many will say that Mt. Meru is not a difficult climb compared with Mt. Kilimanjaro, because of its lower elevation, shorter distance, and comfortable sleeping arrangements, but this is not a mountain to be taken lightly. The climb to the summit is rigorous, involving some steep ascents over rocky inclines and narrow ridges to traverse. It is therefore challenging yet rewarding and a beautiful mountain to experience. 

ITINERARY:

Day 1

Leave early from your hotel and drive to Arusha National Park, where we enter and drive a bit farther to Momella Gate (1500 m) where our climb begins. Leave the gate and walk through game-filled grassy plains. The path gets steeper leading up to a broad ridge. As you continue, the forest thickens and you get occasional views of Mount Kilimanjaro to your right. After a few hours, you will reach the first campsite, Miriakamba Hut (2500 m). Here you will settle into a dormitory style room, rest and enjoy dinner.

Trekking Time: 4-5 hours | Distance: 10 km | Altitude Gain: 1000 m

Day 2

Wake early to eat breakfast and begin your day’s trek. The path becomes steeper today and passes through fine forests and heather to the Saddle Hut (3500 m) where you will spend the evening. If there is time in the afternoon, you may take a one-hour acclimatization hike to Little Meru (3801 m) where you have the opportunity to see beautiful views of Mt. Kilimanjaro at sunset.

Trekking Time: 3-4 hours | Distance: 8 km | Altitude Gain: 1000 m

Day 3

Waking around 01:00 am, we have a small meal and start our ascent towards the summit. The hike begins with switchbacks until we reach Rhino Point (3800 m). From here, the trek becomes more difficult as we traverse rocky inclines, navigate narrow ridges, and climb up to the summit. We hope to reach the summit, Socialist Peak (4562 m) around sunrise, where we can see the moon setting to west and the sun rising over Mt. Kilimanjaro in the east.

Trekking Time: 4-6 hours | Distance: 5 km | Altitude Gain: 1062 m

We descend the same way we came up, reaching Saddle Hut in a few hours. Here we rest and have a short meal before beginning our descent down to Miriakamba Hut for our last night on the mountain.

Trekking Time: 5-7 hours | Distance: 13 km | Altitude Loss: 2062 m

Day 4

Descend back down through grassy plains, where you have a high chance of seeing wildlife. Arrive at the park gate, happily accept your certificate of completion, and drive back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha town where you will enjoy a well-deserved shower and congratulations.

Trekking Time: 2-3 hours | Distance: 10 km | Altitude Loss: 1000 m

INSURANCE FOR KILIMANJARO

Insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro

When buying insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro you must make clear to the insurer that you will be trekking on a very big mountain. If you are going to be mountaineering and using ropes then you need to tell them that too. This will probably increase your premium (it usually doubles it) and may even exclude you from being covered altogether. But if you don’t make this clear from the start and pay the lower premium you may find, should you have to make a claim, that you weren’t actually covered at all.
Do note, however, that it pays to bear in mind that you are not actually doing any climbing, you are just walking. In other words, you won’t be using any ropes, crampons or other climbing gear . The insurance company should know this – but many of the staff they employ don’t!  So do make this clear or they’ll be charging you a higher premium unnecessarily.
Remember,insurance policy varies slightly from company to company.ensure you read the small print of any insurance policy before buying one to protect you, and shop around too, for each in

Details to consider include:

• How much is the deductible if you have to make a claim on your Kilimanjaro insurance?

• Can the insurers pay for your hospital bills etc immediately, while you are still in Tanzania, or do you have to wait until you get home?

• How long do you have before making a claim and what evidence do you require (hospital bills, police reports etc)?

• Does your policy include mountain rescue services, helicopter call-out and so forth? If it doesn’t, don’t buy it!

That said, remember that helicopter rescue is very limited on Kilimanjaro. For one thing, helicopters can fly only up to a certain altitude and can’t land anywhere on the Kibo summit (which is where you are likely to need helicopter rescue!). Secondly, by the time they’ve arrived, it may well be too late, particularly if you have collapsed due to altitude sickness. So while it’s always worth having cover that includes helicopter rescue, it is likely to be of limited use. And if you do find yourself in a situation where helicopter rescue could come in useful, the chances are by the time they arrive you’ll either be: a) Dead. Or b) Bouncing down the slopes on a stretcher (which they keep at the ranger’s huts) to the KCMC hospital at the bottom of the mountain. Which would be the quickest way, anyway. In fact, I’ve never seen a helicopter land on Kili myself in all the years I’ve been climbing it; and the only time i know it happened was not in an emergency situation. Instead, it was to help bring up all the heavy cameras and other gear for the IMAX film about the mountain!
Covering Your Trip
As you’re probably aware, you must expect the premium for the entire trip to double when you mention that you are climbing Kilimanjaro, even though you will actually be trekking up Kilimanjaro for only a few days. However, you will need to be covered for your entire trip: there are just as many nasty things that can happen to you – indeed more – when off the mountain than on it. You are not going to contract malaria, for example, while you’re on the mountain (the anopheles mosquito that spreads it doesn’t go above 1200m, and you usually start your trek at least 1500m up the slopes). Theft becomes a much bigger issue away from the mountain too.
The following is a list of companies that offer insurance for Kilimanjaro. Note that these often change – one week a company offers insurance for Kilimanjaro, the next week it doesn’t – so apologies if some of these links are out of date. Despite our best efforts!
UK companies currently offering insurance for Kilimanjaro
The British Mountaineering Council You will need to join the BMC to claim insurance from them, but the insurance is cheap and comprehensive and there are lots of benefits if becoming a member. (This includes discounts in many outdoor/camping and trekking shops. Insurance for Kilimanjaro currently comes under their ‘Alpine & Ski’ cover.

• Holidaysafe

• Insure & Go

• True Traveller 

• World Nomads

US insurance providers for Kilimanjaro

Insurers in the States seem to change rapidly – the ones we listed in the last edition of the book are on the whole no longer offering insurance for Kilimanjaro. Matters are further complicated by the fact that the insurance offered by companies can vary from state to state. We have had clients who have told us that while they were able to buy insurance with one company, their friend was unable to do so from that same company because they lived in another state! So do be careful who you book your insurance with. And it’s even more important to remember to read the small-print and go through the contract thoroughly.

• Insubuy

• World Nomads

MALARIA PROPHYLAXIS KILIMANJARO

Malaria and malarial prophylaxis for Kilimanjaro

You are highly unlikely to contract malaria on Kilimanjaro, which is too high and cold for the anopheles mosquito (the species that carries malaria). Nevertheless, Malaria is a problem in Tanzania, which is considered one of the highest risk countries in the world. Malaria is particularly rife in coastal areas and on Zanzibar. There’s even some cases just south of Moshi.

When beginning a course of anti-malarials for Tanzania, it is very important to begin taking them before you go; that way the drug is established in your system by the time you set foot on Tanzanian soil and it will give you a chance to see if the drug is going to cause a reaction or allergy. Once started, complete the full course, which usually runs for several weeks after you return home.

Which anti-malarial you need depends on which parts of Africa you are visiting and your previous medical history. Your doctor will be able to advise you on what drug is best for you. With Tanzania in the highest risk category, the chances are you will be recommended either Lariam (the brand name for mefloquine, Doxycycline or most probably Malarone, which is supposedly free of side effects but very expensive. Stories of Lariam causing hallucinations, nightmares, blindness and even death have been doing the rounds in travellers’ circles for years now but if you feel no adverse reaction – and millions don’t – carry on taking them and don’t worry. Incidentally, there is some anecdotal evidence that taking malarone can affect the efficacy of Diamox. Ask your doctor if he has any views on this.

Of course the best way to combat malaria is not to get bitten at all. A repellent with 30% Diethyltoluamide (DEET) worn in the evenings when the malarial anopheles mosquito is active should be effective in preventing bites. Some use it during the day too, when the mosquitoes that carry yellow and dengue fevers are active. Alternatively, you could just keep covered up with long sleeve shirts and long trousers, sleep under a mosquito net and burn mosquito coils; these are available within Tanzania

INOCULATION FOR TANZANIA

Inoculations for Tanzania

Sort out your vaccinations a few months before you’re due to fly.

According to the latest bulletin, it is no longer compulsory to have the yellow fever vaccination to enter Tanzania. Nevertheless, this rule seems to change every few months so it may still be wise to have an inoculation against it, which in the UK can cost anywhere from £25-45 (US$45-80). Remember to collect a health card or some other written evidence from your doctor to prove you’ve had the jab.

Other recommended inoculations for Kilimanjaro and Tanzania include:

• Typhoid This disease is caught from contaminated food and water. A single injection lasts for three years.
• Polio The polio vaccine used to be administered by sugar-lump, making it one of the more pleasant inoculations, though these days it’s more commonly injected. Lasts for ten years.
• Hepatitis A This debilitating disease of the liver is spread by contaminated water, or even by using cutlery that has been washed in this water. The latest inoculation involves two injections; the first will protect you for three years, the second, taken six to twelve months later, will cover you for ten years.
• Tetanus Tetanus vaccinations last for ten years and are absolutely vital for visitors to Tanzania. The vaccination is usually given in combination with one for diphtheria. Once you’ve had five injections, you’re covered for life.
• Meningococcal meningitis This disease of the brain is often fatal, though the vaccination, while not free, is safe, effective and lasts for three to five years.
• Rabies If you’re spending some time with animals or in the wilderness, it’s also worth considering having a course of rabies injections, though it isn’t pleasant, consisting of three injections spread over one month.

Travellers’ medical clinics

For all your jabs, malaria advice and anything else you need to know regarding health abroad, visit your doctor or one of the travel-specialist clinics. Also worth looking at is the informative website of the US Center for Disease Control, packed full of advice and the latest news.

Ethical Policy

Our policy with porters

Our policies towards the fair treatment of our staff are as follows:

• Making sure each porter is properly equipped with decent footwear and warm clothing before agreeing to hire them. An inspection of each porter and his clothing is done on the morning of the climb/.
• Making sure the porters are given three meals a day for the duration of the trek
• Ensuring that each porter is issued with no more than the maximum 20kg (plus 5kg of personal items)
• Paying the crew a fair wage of Ts20,000 per day.
• Making sure sick or injured porters are evacuated from the mountain immediately, and given the same level of care as trekkers.
• Making sure that the number of porters you start with is the same as the number at the end (except where illness or injury necessitates that a porter return to Arusha for medical treatment), ie no porters are sent down early. This is done so that no other porters end up being overloaded with that porter’s baggage, and so that each porter gets the wages and tips he deserves – which often doesn’t happen if the porter is sent home early.
• Ensuring that the tips are distributed fairly at the end of the trek. Kilimanjaro Experts have put into place a system whereby each group is given a form that states how much they have paid in tips. It is then a simple matter to check with the guide and crew how this was distributed. If you weren’t given one of these forms at the end of the trek then please let us know.
• Encouraging each trekker to get to know their crew. Some porters speak English and will appreciate your efforts to speak with them. The words pole (pronounced ‘polay’) – which translates loosely as ‘I’m sorry for you’ – shows respect for porters after a hard day of carrying your bags; ‘Ahsante’ means ‘thank you’.

Our policy on looking after the mountain

• Gas is used rather than using firewood taken from the mountain
• All rubbish is picked up and carried by your crew, then taken off the mountain, rather than deposited at campsites or strewn around the slopes
• Where possible, many of your crew look to pick up any litter that they come across along the way – whether it’s your party’s or not
• The aim of your mountain crew is to leave every campsite and trail as clean – and hopefully cleaner – than when you arrived.
• Apart from the first day, your water is, where possible, boiled, filtered or purified, thus reducing the number of plastic bottles on the mountain.
• It is the policy not to pick the flora nor disturb any fauna that is encountered by your party, but to leave everything for the next group to enjoy.