11 Days - Machame Route and Ngorngoro safari tour

Machame route and budget safari tour is the best tour to experience the trekking of mount Kilimanjaro and combined it with the famous crater tour –ngoro ngoro conservancy, where you will see almost all the big fives.

Day 01: Moshi (900m)

Today sees your arrival at the Kilimanjaro International airport. From there, you will be transfered to the hotel which is situated near the small town of Machame. We overnight here. Nice spot to enjoy the spectacular views of Kilimanjaro.

Day 02: Moshi - Machame camp (2980m)

We will be met by our driver at 0900hrs. Drive to machame gate. Once we arrive, we will  sign in, organise the porters. Before beginning our ascent, the whole group will complete the climbing permit with the guides assistance at the Machame gate (1800m).The area is the richest forested area on the mountain and is also where 90% of the water on Kilimanjaro originates. After lunch we continue upwards. The gradient becomes gentler as the forest slowly merges into giant heather which is close to our first camp ( Machame).

Day 03: Machame camp - Shira camp (3840m)

Today sees a relatively shorter day. We begin by climbing up a steep ridge to reach a small semi-circular cliff known as ‘picnic rock’. From here, we will be able to see some amazing views of Kibo and the jagged rim of the Shira Plateau.After a brief rest we continue up to the Shira Plateau where we will set up camp for the night.

Day 04: Shira camp - Barranco camp (3860m)

From the Shira campsite, we head off in an easterly direction towards Kibo and then South East towards the Lava Tower. You either decide to take the lower road to the Barranco camp or the higher road to Barranco via the Lava tower. The higher road takes you to an altitude of 4600m and is an excellent way to help with the acclimitisation process.

Day 05: Barranco - Karanga camp(3892m)

Today we start as early as possible in order to cross over the Barranco wall which should take about 2.5 hours. The terrain changes from the top of the wall, we cross several valleys until we reach the Karanga valley. After lunch, we will continue up the Mweka route up into the Karanga campsite at 4600m.

Day 06: Karanga - Barafu(5895m)

Today is a short but steep climb out of Karanga, towards an easy path on compacted scree with some wide views. We then climb steadily towards the Barafu campsite at 4600m. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preperation for the summit attempt.

Day 07: Barafu/Summit - Mkwena(5895m)

We start our summit attempt at 1 a.m. by torchlight. Our first objective is to reach the crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well graded ‘zig-zag’ paths and a slow and stready pace will eventually lead us to Stella Point at 5735m . After a brief rest we make the 2 hour round trip to the summit ( Uhuru) at 5895m where we will pass close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. Congratulations, you are half way. After the celebrations are over we begin our descent into the Barafu camp. After some refreshments, we continue down into our final campsite near the Mkwena forest at 3100m.

Day 08: Mkwena - Moshi

After breakfast we begin our final leg of the journey. We descent through the awsome rainforest once again through coffee and banana plantations to the Mweka village. we will be met by our guide. who will transfered to your hotel for overnight at refreshment.

Day 09: Moshi to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Have your breakfast at the hotel, and leave for ngoro ngoro conservancy with packed lunch. Pass through lake manyara national park for a good game drive. Have your lunch there before continuing with your game drive. Late proceeding to ngoro ngoro conservancy.  Dinner and overnight at the rhino lodge.

Day 10: Full day exploration of Ngorongoro Crater

Today you will descend 2000 feet (0ver 600 meters) to the floor of the crater for a half day crater tour. Explore the forest areas that are inhabited by monkeys and elephant, the lake area, where you may see the flamingos and the open savannah where the lions hunt for food. Lunch at the lodge and then drive to Lake Manyara for dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 11: Ngorongoro Crater to Lake Manyara and end Arusha

Enjoy a morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park whose inhabitants include hippos, monkeys, tree climbing lions, flamingos and other variety of birdlife. Mid morning, drive back to Arusha. Lunch in Arusha town at 1230hrs.