Active vacations for women: Mt Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari

"Every moment on Kili fed my soul and made me stronger. I had read that climbing Kili is a walk through every environmental zone on earth, but until I was there, breathing in and breathing out, I didn't really grasp that concept in a real way. The final ascent to the summit was magical. Nearly full moon, no headlamps required. I got way more than I came for!" CS, Indiana, 2006

Highlights:

Making the final ascent to the peak by moonlight and reaching the ridge just as the rising sun lights up the glaciers
Following the Machame Route through many different ecosystems, including rain forest , the dry and dusty Shira Plateau, the Barranco area with its senecios and "Breakfast Wall", the exquisite Karanga Valley with its water streams, and the rocky and inhospitable Barafu
Learning something about life in Tanzania from our porters and the women we meet when we visit the Shiri Tumaini Woomen's Cooperative
Visiting three completely different National Parks: Lake Manyara, Serengetti and Ngorogoro Crater
Seeing herds of zebras, elephants, giraffes, wildebeest, and antelopes, as well as lions, leopards, hippos, and many other animals we have only seen on TV

Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, has long lured travelers looking for a challenging but non-technical ascent to the rooftop of the world. Situated in the stable country of Tanzania, trekkers from all over the world come to experience its many different ecosystems, challenge their stamina, enjoy the hospitality of Tanzanians, and relax after the climb with some of the best game viewing in the world.

This trip is for: women who are in excellent physical condition with hiking experience, a flexible and inquisitive attitude, and an adventurous spirit. High altitude and mountaineering experience are not required.

Accommodations:

three nights at the Marangu Resort
four nights at standard class lodges while on safari
seven nights camping in tents with ample room for two women

Maximum group size: 10

Trip price: $4705-$4950 for the climb and safari. There is a $100 deduction if you register before August 15 and 3% of the trip fee if the balance is paid by check. Deposit is $400

Trip price includes:

experienced guides (including an Adventures in Good Company guide) and porters
three nights hotel in Marangu before and after the climb, four nights lodging in standard lodges on the safari
all meals from breakfast on day 2 to breakfast the final day
all National Park fees
transportation within Tanzania including transfer to/from Kilimanjaro airport if you arrive and leave with the group
all camping equipment
group camping and cooking equipment

Trip starts: at the Kilimanjaro airport (JRO) on February 3 when the evening flight arrives

Trip ends: you can take a flight out the evening of February 16

More information: These have not been updated for 2009 so check back for the most recent versions; we do not anticipate significant changes daily itinerary, packing list (front and back), general information sheet, and conditioning suggestions (must have Adobe Acrobat Reader)

For pictures from previous trips, click here

Register for this trip or Contact us for more information

As is true on any wilderness adventure, our final itinerary will largely depend on the weather, mountain conditions, acclimatization etc.

For stories from the 2006 trip, click here.

Itinerary

Day 0 (Feb 2) Leave U.S. for overnight flight

Day 1 (Feb 3) Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) where we are transported to the hotel. Overnight in Marangu at the Marangu Resort.

Day 2 (Feb 4) Today we will visit the Shira Tumaini women’s cooperative and learn about their history and the projects they are working on. This will enhance our understanding of the local culture rather than just the tourist version and proceeds go to benefit their work. Overnight at Marangu Resort.

Day 3 (Feb 5) Today we drive from Marangu to Machame Gate. After the initial pre-trip preparation, we leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery and gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp. (5400 to 9300 ft, 5-7 hours).

Day 4 (Feb 6) After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing a little valley and walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west into a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite (12,400’, 4-6 hours).

Day 5 (Feb 7) From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. There are two possible routes here: to either go by way of Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth" , or to continue more directly down to the Barranco Valley at an altitude of 12,800'. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Ending the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day (12,800 ft, 5-6 hrs).

Day 6 (Feb 8) After breakfast, we leave Barranco and scramble up the great Barranco Wall. While there is no technical climbing involved, the rock scrambling is exciting and the view is magnificent. We then descend down into a wild looking valley, before descending to the Karanga River and ascending once more to the Karanga Valley campsite (13,000 ft, 4-5 hrs).

Day 7 (Feb 9) Leaving the Karanga Valley campsite we come to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for a very early morning summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position (15,100 ft, 3-4 hrs).

Day 8 (Feb 10) This is undoubtedly our longest and toughest day! Leaving our camp at midnight , we ascend slowly and steadily for about 6 hours. At Stella Point (18,652 ft), we will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise we are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, it is about a 45 minute ascent to the summit, Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for a brief rest. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. The descent is very tough and steep in places, and its difficulty should not be underestimated. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Here, after 14-18 hours of hiking, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 9 (Feb 11) A 3-4 hour descent through beautiful forest brings you to the Park gate and our waiting transport. We drive back to the hotel, where hot showers and a great dinner complete our celebration.

Day 10 (Feb 12) With the climb over, we completely switch gears today for the safari (Swahili for trip). Departing the hotel after breakfast, we head to Lake Manyara Park. This park is located below a volcanic escarpment at the base of which numerous springs feed the forest meadows, keeping them lush and green, and attracting a large animal population. Elephant herds are frequently encountered. Game Drive with picnic lunch. Dinner and night at Lake Manyara Lodge.

Day 11 (Feb 13) After a breakfast drive to Serengeti, we enjoy a picnic lunch on the way. The Serengeti feels endless as you drive over the rolling grasslands and along woody river banks, the image of Africa that many of us have. Herds of zebras, elephants, giraffes, wildebeest, and antelopes roam freely here among the sparsely treed plains. Lions are common and we may be lucky enough to see a leopard. We'll have a game drive tour with dinner and night at Seronera lodge.

Day 12 (Feb 14) After breakfast we'll have another game drive in Serengeti. In February you can expect to experience good weather with big herds in the South. Dinner and another night at Seronera lodge.

Day 13 (Feb 15) We spend the next mprning on our final Serengeti game drive (no, they don't get old!). Late in the afternoon we'll drive to Ngorogoro Crater, stopping for a visit to Olduvai Gorge where we learn how the early origins of humans were discovered. Dinner and night at Wildlife lodge, situated right on the Rim and absolutely spectacular.

Day 14 (Feb 16) Very early morning game drive in Ngorongo with picnic lunch. Ngorogoro Crater is quite different from the Serengeti: a huge collapsed volcano crater, the steep walls both confine and protect many of the animals that live here. Most animals live on the crater floor some 1200 feet below the rim. Herds of wildebeest, zebras, warthogs, buffalos, and their babies are common and we may also see the black rhino, one of Tanzania's "Big Five" and difficult to see other places. After lunch We'll return to Arusha where we'll have a chance to freshen up before driving to the airport for an evening flight home or on to other adventures. Some people have chosen to visit the mountain gorillas of nearby Rwanda.

Day 15 (Feb 17) Back home, we savor the excitement and challenge of the previous 2 weeks and enjoy the luxury of sleeping in our own beds