Born to Explore
Summit on Mt. Kilimanjaro
Join Richard Wiese as he journeys to Tanzania to climb the highest mountain on the African continent – Mount Kilimanjaro. With friends and family, Richard sets out on a seven-day climb to the summit at over 19,000 feet. He follows the same path he took with his father at age 11, more than 40 years ago. This is his 14th ascent up Kilimanjaro—only this time, Richard encounters the worst weather he’s ever faced on the mountain.
The Last Stone Age Tribe
Richard Wiese journeys to Tanzania to meet its people, rich cultures and amazing wildlife. He descends into the Ngorongoro Crater and comes face-to-face with lions, elephants, and hippos. Richard travels deep into the Serengeti bush for a rare encounter with a Stone Age tribe called the Hadza. Richard joins the men on a hunt with bows and arrows in their daily search for food.
seasons
The best time to hike Kilimanjaro on safari is the Tanzanian winter (June-September). High Season is the African winter with Shoulder (Value) season being Spring and Fall.
accommodations
The Kilimanjaro accommodation hike will be in tents (not huts). There are no proper showers on the mountain, but special tents have shared toilets. A portable toilet and shower are possible to rent at additional cost. The Tanzania accommodation will be in a mix of lodges and semi-permanent tents with indoor toilets and hot water.
food
Food consists mostly of meat and fresh vegetables. Breakfasts are generally eggs; lunches are normal fresh salads and chicken and beef. Dinners are usually two meat options and a vegetarian option. East Africa can generally accommodate most
dietary restrictions.
activities
Kilimanjaro Trip
Activity Level = Moderate/Strenuous
Tanzania Safari
Activity Level = Easy
family trips
Hiking Kilimanjaro has an age minimum of 12 and Tanzanian safari has an age minimum of 8 but will depend upon
the lodge. Both trips work very well
with groups.
HIKING KILIMANJARO
Machame Route
9 Days / 8 Nights
Pricing Starting at
$3,050 PER PERSON*
Day 1
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, clear customs and transfer to your hotel to settle in.
Includes Accommodation
Day 2
After breakfast, you will be collected by a representative for a morning visit to the Tengeru Primary School. Guests are welcome on a regular basis and the school appreciates voluntary donations of pens, crayons, books and other stationary.
After the school visit and lunch, you will be transferred to a second hotel by the climbing representative and will have an evening briefing about the climb.
Accommodation, Breakfast
Day 3
A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park's entrance: Machame Gate (1,800 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp (3,010 m). The trekking route includes passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable), so we recommend you take not only spare clothes, but also your raincoats.
Change in Elevation: Machame Gate (1,800 m) — Machame Camp (3,010 m)
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 5–6 hours
Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4
After breakfast, you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp (3,845m). On this day you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you. After you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest before heading towards Lava Tower Camp, a 300-meter increase in altitude. You will then return back to Shira Camp for a hot dinner.
Trekking from Machame Camp to Shira Camp:
Change in Elevation: Machame Camp (3,010 m) — Shira Camp (3,845 m)
Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Change in Elevation: Shira Camp (3,845 m) — Destination point en route to Lava Tower (4,120 m)
Hiking distance: 2 km
Hiking time: 1–2 hours
Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5
After breakfast, you will leave Shira Camp and start your way towards Lava Tower (4,630m). Upon arrival you will rest and have lunch.
After lunch, you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,960m). Here, you can see the famous Barranco Wall before you climb it the next day.
Change in Elevation: Shira Camp (3,845 m) — Lava Tower (4,630 m) — Barranco Camp (3,960 m)
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 6–8 hours
Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6
After an early wakeup and breakfast, today you will start to summit Barranco Wall. Hiking up the gorge wall takes about an hour and is not difficult. After the climb, you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano. Next, you will start a more difficult hike to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route. Upon reaching the camp, you will enjoy a warm lunch. Following lunch, you will then complete the ascent to Barafu Camp (4,640m) where a hot dinner awaits you.
Change in Elevation: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) — Barafu Camp (4,640 m)
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 8–10 hours
Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7
You will depart from Barafu Camp (4,640m) at night and start the summiting of Kilimanjaro to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) at high altitude. Each pair of climbers will get a personal guide for the entire ascent to monitor your physical and mental conditions. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then, you will return to Barafu Camp and after a 2-hour rest, to continue your descent to Millennium Camp (3,820 m).
Change in Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) — Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — Millennium Camp (3,820 m)
Hiking distance: 15 km
Hiking time: 8–12 hours
Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8
Today you will begin the descent, from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate. After a warm breakfast, you will head for the park's exit: Mweka Gate (1,650m). After your descent, you will be presented with commemorative certificates and transfer back to the hotel.
Change in Elevation: Millennium Camp (3,820 m) — Mweka Gate (1,650 m)
Hiking distance: 12 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9
Today you will transfer to the airport for an international flight or stay longer in Tanzania
Accommodation, Breakfast
INCLUSIONS: Accommodation in hotels and North Face VE-25 tents / Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner on the hike / Visit to Tengeru Primary School / Transfers as above / Professional mountain crew. All guides have "Wilderness First Responder" and "Wilderness First Aid" certificates, along with over 7 years of experience in climbing. Each participant will be provided with a porter (who can carry up to 15 kg of personal baggage) / Kilimanjaro National Park permits, rescue fees, Camping/hut fees / Oxygen systems and pulse oximeters; first aid kid / Sleeping pads (2 inches thick) / Group equipment (dining tent, chairs etc.) / International certificates for a successful ascent / 24/7 English-language travel support / Local English-speaking guides for all sightseeing tours and excursions
EXCLUSIONS: International Flights / All domestic and regional flights / Insurance (Trip cancellation, interruption, medical) / Cost of obtaining visas or passports / Items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls etc. / Gratuities / Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the ascent) / Personal gear rentals / Sleeping bags / Portable toilet and shower (possible to hire at an additional cost)
TATANZANIA CLASSIC SAFARI
Lake Manyara, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater
8 Days / 7 Nights
Pricing Starting at
$3,650 PER PERSON*
Day 1
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, clear customs and be transferred to your hotel to settle in.
Includes Accommodation
Day 2
After breakfast, you will be collected by a representative for a morning visit to the Tengeru Primary School. Guests are welcome on a regular basis and the school appreciates voluntary donations of pens, crayons, books and other stationary. After the school visit and lunch, you will be transferred through the Masai Steppe filled with many picturesque African villages as well as corn, coffee, and banana plantations to overnight at Lake Manyara.
Accommodation, Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3
In the morning after breakfast, you will go on a 2-hour walk through the local farming village of Mto Wa Mbu, home to 120 different African tribes followed by a local Swahili lunch. In the afternoon, you will have your Game Drive #1 in Lake Manyara National Park.
Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4
Today you will transfer from Lake Manyara to the Serengeti, a 4.5-hour drive. En route you will visit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and transfer through the park while having a safari experience.
Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5
Game Drive #2 and Game Drive #3 in the Serengeti
Typical Safari Day
6:15 - Coffee at lodge before departure
6:30 - Departure
09:00 - Stop in the bush for breakfast
10:00 - Continue on game drive
01:00 - Stop in the bush for lunch
02:00 - Continue on game drive
05:00 - Drop off at lodge
07:00 - Dinner
Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6
On this day, you will drive from the Serengeti to the lodge outside the Ngorongoro Conservation Park, about a 3.5-hour drive. You will see safari game as you drive through the park.
Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7
After breakfast, you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a day game drive and picnic lunch.
Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8
After breakfast, you will depart for Arusha and pass back through the Masai Steppe. On arrival in Arusha, lunch is provided along with ha transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport.
Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch
INCLUSIONS: Accommodation/ Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner as described above / Visit to Tengeru Primary School / Transfers as above / Safari game drives in 4x4 vehicles / Meet and Greet Service / All park fees and government fees / 24/7 English-language travel support / Local English-speaking guides for all sightseeing tours and excursions
EXCLUSIONS: International Flights / All domestic and regional flights / Insurance (Trip cancellation, interruption, medical) / Cost of obtaining visas or passports / Items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls etc. / Gratuities / Alcohol
After hiking Kilimanjaro, stay on for a mini Tanzanian safari adventure and enjoy game drives in Lake Manyara National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. A 102 square mile paradise, the Ngorongoro Crater provides an opportunity to see the "Big Five" of African wildlife in a single game drive. Top off the experience with a picnic lunch near a hippo pool on the crater floor. Accommodation will be in lodges with hot water and indoor plumbing.
Inclusions: Accommodation, Lake Manyara National Park game drive, Ngorongoro Crater Day Game Drive, Meet and greet services, Transfers, 4x4 safari vehicles, Park fees, Full board /24/7 English-language travel support / Local English-speaking guides for all sightseeing tours and excursions
Exclusions: International Flights, Insurance, Gratuities, Alcohol, Personal expenses
EXTENSION
KILIMANJARO MINI SAFARI TO LAKE MANYARA AND THE NGORONGORO CRATER
4 Days / 3 Nights
Pricing Starting At
$1,400 Per Person*
EXTENSION
RWANDA GORILLA TREKKING
3 Days / 2 Nights
Pricing Starting At
$1,600 Per Person*
With direct flights from Tanzania, Rwanda is a perfect add-on for a few days. Upon arrival in Kigali, you will transfer to the Virunga Conservation Area. The following day offers an extraordinary trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park to spend time with the mountain gorillas. After breakfast the following morning, you will transfer back to the Kigali Airport.
Inclusions: Accommodation, Rwanda Gorilla Trek in the Virunga Conservation Area, Full Board on Safari, Lunch, Bed & Breakfast, Transfers / 24/7 English-language travel support / Local English-speaking guides for all sightseeing tours and excursions
Exclusions: International flights to Rwanda, Gorilla Trekking Permit for 1 Day at $1500 per person per day
EXTENSION
UGANDA GORILLA TREKKING
4 Days / 3 Nights
Pricing Starting At
$2,600 Per Person*
Uganda Gorilla Trekking Fees
= $700 Per Person Per Day
Upon arrival at Entebbe Airport, you will clear customs and be transferred to your hotel. The following day you will fly to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and transfer to the lodge for lunch before a full day gorilla trekking adventure in the Bwindi Forest. After the experience, you will fly back to Entebbe and connect to your flight home.
Inclusions: Accommodation, Uganda Gorilla Trek in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Full Board on Safari, Lunch, Bed & Breakfast, Transfers, Domestic flight from Entebbe to Bwindi including all
taxes / 24/7 English-language travel support / Local English-speaking guides for all sightseeing tours and excursions
Exclusions: International flights to Uganda, Gorilla Trekking Permit for 1 Day at $700 per person
per day
*The "starting at" pricing is a per person estimate of the land arrangements only based on double occupancy. Please note that international flights and insurance are always excluded and booked separately.
Exact pricing will be possible following a tailored quote that will include exact dates, number of travelers and specific itinerary. In general, pricing is subject to availability, currency exchange rate fluctuations and hotels may change their pricing at any time.
Groups of 4+ travelers may have better pricing and may or may not include credit card fees as noted.
The total cost of the Tanzania core trip and the extensions are quoted in USD.
Payment by credit card will be an additional fee. Payment by wire transfer will only incur bank fees.
For international air and domestic/regional flights, please contact us for current pricing.
Insurance quotes are available for American and Canadian travelers.
