This is the first day of the Kilimanjaro portion of your safari program. The Marangu Gate lies at the edge of Marangu, which is an attractive village with many small coffee and banana plantations. After completing the entrance registration, we take 3-5 hours to climb to the clearing containing Mandara Hut, passing into a beautiful and unspoiled forest where we will see rich birdlife and monkeys.

Overnight stay at Mandara Hut – 1 night (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).

The second day of the program starts with a steep climb between 4-6 hours to reach Horombo Hut, passing through a swathe of rainforest. But the path soon opens into grassy moorland and, in clear weather, there are good views of the twin peaks Kibo and Mawenzi. We climb bit by bit through the moorland zone, containing giant heather and occasional stands of groundsel, to eventually reach Horombo Hut. Sunrises and sunsets here are often very stunning, and the site is close to the glaciated dome of Kibo. There is a real sense of being above the clouds.

Overnight stay at Horombo Hut (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).

After breakfast, we take a 4-hour climb to the Zebra Rocks (4020m). The distinctive black and white stripes give the rock formation its name. When you come back to Horombo Hut, a warm lunch will be waiting for us. After lunch, we spend a relaxing in the afternoon regaining our strength for the climb the next day. This greatly improves our chance of success in reaching the summit.

Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut which is usually reached in about 5 – 6 hours. Here, you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night, as the night will be short.

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

Today, you will begin your final climb around midnight and it will be long and exhausting. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm the land. You will soon forget the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 to 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. Then return to Kibo hut where a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1 to 2 hours break before proceeding down to Horombo Hut.

The last stage passes through the heath and moorland zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours of trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Zanzibar is a cosmopolitan island in the Indian Ocean with a diverse ethnic background. Majorities are Africans and some colored, Indians, and Chinese. Swahili is widely spoken across the whole of Zanzibar and English is the second language of some residents. Zanzibar, also known as Spice Island, is home to many spice plantations. Zanzibar has a tropical climate with seasonal variations.

December – March is hot and humid.

April – mid of June is the rainy season.

July – August is dry and breezy.

October – November is a shorter rainy season.

While we visit Zanzibar we will enjoy the Spice Tour, City Tour, Prison Island Tour, Jozani Forest Tour, Dolphin Tour, Sunset Cruising, special cultural tours to the North Coast, and the Safari Blue & Diving Package, and Honeymoon Package.  You will have the chance to choose any of the Zanzibar excursions.

You will be transferred from Zanzibar International Airport to the hotel, which is a scenic drive of approximately 45 minutes, allowing you to get a feel for this enchanting island. After check-in, you have the option of enjoying a fabulous seafood lunch before spending the afternoon soaking up the sun and adjusting to the relaxed pace of life on the coast. You may want to explore the fascinating network of cobbled streets which make up Stone Town and get a feel for local life on the island.

Enjoy your breakfast at Zanzibar Serena Inn hotel followed by a drive to spice plantations for a spice tour. Zanzibar is famous for its trade in spices. For centuries the Arabs sailed with the Monsoon winds from Oman. The two main islands, Unguja (normally known as Zanzibar Island) and Pemba, provided an ideal base for the Omani Arabs, both islands being relatively small, and therefore fairly easy to defend.  Your guides are experts on the subject so be sure to ask questions. After the spice tour return to the hotel for lunch, and an afternoon of relaxing on the beach or snorkeling in the crystal blue waters.

The waters around Zanzibar are teeming with marine life and today you can hop on a boat and look for dolphins.  If you’re lucky you maybe even have the chance to swim with them.

As tonight is your last night, enjoy a fantastic location prepared for you during dinner, perhaps at one of the rooftop restaurants, where you CAN take full advantage of the spectacular views over the sea and enjoy the cool coastal breeze.

Today you will be transferred back to Zanzibar International Airport in time for your onward travels.