Kilimanjaro and Meru Climbs 

Treks in 
Arusha National Park
and
Ngorongoro Highlands

Tanzania Safaris | homesite map

 
We offer Kilimanjaro climbs through one of the best known and most experienced guiding companies on Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The slopes up to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro are relatively gentle, and reaching the top involves vigorous hiking, but no technical climbing is necessary.  Anyone considering this trip should be aware of the dangers of  altitude sickness  and consult your physician prior to climbing. Our itineraries will give you time to acclimatise to the changing altitude.  There is never a guarantee that you will reach the top, however,  to date our guides have had 100% success with our clients. 

Safari extensions and visits to the beach at Zanzibar are easily arranged.

Climbs include:

A guide with at least 10 years experience for every 3 persons, 2 porters per person, food prepared by cook,  park hut and camp fees, transfers to/from Arusha.

Climbs exclude special climbing equipment, mineral water, sleeping bag, and items of a personal nature. 

Lower slopes

 


Sunrise seen from Kilimanjaro
 

Mt. MERU and ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK

Mt. Meru, and the surrounding Arusha National Park offers one of the few opportunities in East Africa to spend your time trekking through wilderness area, and you can do 3 to 4 day hikes and climbs of Mt. Meru.  The first two days is a "walking safari" where you walk 3-5 miles each day thru the jungle  with herds of giraffe, buffalo, warthog, monkeys, elephants.  You have an armed ranger/guard with you.  There are nice huts to overnight.  You can do a  2 day "walking safari" without climbing the mountain also.  On its eastern side the spectacular Meru Crater -  a sheer cliff face which rises over 1500 meters and is one of the tallest of its type in the world.  Animal life is abundant.  Animals include zebra, waterbuck, reedbuck, klipspringer, hippopotamus, buffalo, elephant, hyena, mongoose, dik-dik, warthog, baboon, vervet and colobus monkey. 

Although it is one of Tanzania's smallest parks, Arusha is one of the most beautiful and spectacular.  It is also one of the few that you're allowed to walk in (accompanied by a ranger).  Few travellers appear to visit it, possibly in their haste to press on to the more famous parks of Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Mt. Kilimanjaro.  This is a profound mistake, since it has all the features of those three parks including a superb range of flora and fauna.
                                                    - Lonely Planet Guide for East Africa
4 days Mt Meru Climb / Arusha hike
Day 1 8.00 am transfer from your hotel to Momella Park gate,  registration and continue climb to through the lush forest crossing Ngare Nanyuki river to reach Mariakamba Hut at (2541m), camp overnight
Day 2 Continue climb steeply through pleasant forest glades and giant heather to reach  Saddle hut (3570m) From here you can take a hike to reach the summit camp overnight.
Day 3 Continue climb to Rhino point, then continue on to the Meru Summit at (4566m) From here we later descend all the way down to Mariakamba Hut. Camp overnight.
Day 4 Descend to Momella National Park gate, arrival about 11 am. say good-bye to porters and guide, later transfer to back to Arusha.
Services include ranger/ guide and porters, hut accommodation, meals prepared by cook and park fees.  Excludes mineral water, gratuities, items of personal nature. 
 
 

 
Standard Routes:

Marangu Route - 6 day  accommodation in huts.  Standard route and easiest to climb.

Machame Route - 7 day camping.  This is the most scenic route with a gradual climb through the montane forest. 

Shira Route - 7-days camping.  This is the longest and one of the least frequently traveled because of access.    The Shira plateau is one of the most fascinating areas of the mountain.


 
 
 7 - Day Marangu Route Hut accommodations
  This follows the Marangu route, the most popular for a Kilimanjaro climb. It utilizes hut accommodations along the route, and spends one extra day in the vicinity of Horombo Hut for altitude acclimatisation before ascending the peak.
1 Arusha - Met at Shuttle stop in Arusha City and transfer to the office or Accommodation overnight. Welcome and briefing on the trip Accommodation at Arusha Bungalow  - BB
2

Kilimanjaro Climb via Marangu Route ARUSHA TO MANDARA - 1280m to 2740m  2hrs drive transfer Arusha to Marangu gate, 3-4hrs hike, 7kms to Mandara Hut

3 Mandara to Horombo (2740m to 3700m) 4-5hrs hike, 11kms to Horombo Hut 
4 Horombo (3700m) Day trek to higher altitude and return to Horombo camp, for acclimatisation.
5 Horombo to Kibo (3700m to 4700m)  6-7hrs hike, 10kms to Kibo Hut 
6 Kibo to Summit and descend to Horombo (4700m to 5895m and descend to 3700m)  5-7hrs Mid-night hike to Gilmann's, another 1-2hrs to Summit, total 4kms to Summit. After summit, 4-6hrs descend to Horombo
7 Horombo to  Arusha (3700m to 1280m) 5-7hrs descend,  to Park entrance,  another 2hrs drive transfer to Arusha.
  DEPARTURE DAYS: TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SUNDAY

Costs:

02  persons booking:   Usd  717,-pp  (  2 guides ) + Kilimanjaro National Park Fee:   Usd 635 per person

Group of 04+  persons booking:   Usd  565,-pp   + Kilimanjaro National Park Fee:   Usd 635 per person

ADD: 

 


 


Summit at Uhuru Peak


 7-8 Day Machame Route camping
  This route is a very scenic camping route. The approach from Machame village is through forest and coffee plantations. Gradual ascent through lush montane forest until you reach the moorland of the Shira Plateau with superb views of Kibo peak. This climb requires an early morning start because of the long first day hike from Machame Village to Machame camp. Areas of steep incline require the skills of the more experienced climber
1 Arusha - Met at Shuttle stop in Arusha City and transfer to the office or Accommodation overnight. Welcome and briefing on the trip Accommodation at Arusha Bungalow  - BB
2

Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame Route (1280m to 3100m) Early morning drive from Arusha to Machame gate 1hr30minutes.  5-7hrs hike, 18kms to Machame campsite through the beautiful Montane forest of Kilimanjaro.

3 Machame Camp to Shira Camp (3100m to 3840m)  4-6hrs hike, 9kms to Shira campsite climbing through Moorlands.
4 Shira to Barranco Camp (3840m to 3860m) 6-7hrs 15 km hike.  You will climb up to  4630 for acclimatisation then descend, to Barranco campsite.  Vegetation: Semi-desert
Optional extra day at Karanga Valley Baranco to Karanga 3860 m to 4200m 4hrs hike, 7kms to Karanga Vally campsite Following day: KARANGA TO BARAFU - 4200m to 4600m 4hrs hike, 6kms to Barafu campsite  Vegetation: Alphine desert
5 Baranco to Barafu - (3860m to 4600m)  7-8hrs hike, 13kms to Barafu campsite Vegetation: Alphine desert
6 Barafu Camp to Summit and descend to Mweka Camp (4600m to 5895m)  5hrs Mid-night hike to Stella point to experience sunrise, another 1-2hrs to Summit, total 7kms to Summit.  Vegetation: snow scree and ice-capped summit after summit, 7-8hrs descend, 23kms to Mweka Campsite
7 Mweka to  Arusha (3100m to 1280m) 3-4hrs descend, 15kms to Park entrance,  another 2hrs drive transfer to Arusha.
 
  DEPARTURE DAYS: TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SUNDAY

Costs:

Two  persons booking:   Usd  874   (  2 guides ) + Kilimanjaro Park fees Usd 635,- per person

Group of four or more:   Usd  705 + Kilimanjaro Park fees USD 635 per person

 
   
 
  8 Day Summit Route camping
  This route is a very scenic camping route. The approach from Machame village is through forest and coffee plantations. Gradual ascent through lush montane forest until you reach the moorland of the Shira Plateau with superb views of Kibo peak. This climb requires an early morning start because of the long first day hike from Machame Village to Machame camp. Areas of steep incline require the skills of the more experienced climber
1 Arusha - Met at Shuttle stop in Arusha City and transfer to the office or Accommodation overnight. Welcome and briefing on the trip Accommodation at Arusha Bungalow  - BB
2

Kilimanjaro Climb via Machame Route (1280m to 3100m) Early morning drive from Arusha to Machame gate 1hr30minutes.  5-7hrs hike, 18kms to Machame campsite through the beautiful Montane forest of Kilimanjaro.

3 Machame Camp to Shira Camp (3100m to 3840m)  4-6hrs hike, 9kms to Shira campsite climbing through Moorlands.
4 Shira to Barranco Camp (3840m to 3860m) 6-7hrs 15 km hike.  You will climb up to  4630 for acclimatisation then descend, to Barranco campsite.  Vegetation: Semi-desert
Optional extra day at Karanga Valley Baranco to Karanga 3860 m to 4200m 4hrs hike, 7kms to Karanga Vally campsite Following day: KARANGA TO BARAFU - 4200m to 4600m 4hrs hike, 6kms to Barafu campsite  Vegetation: Alphine desert
5 Baranco to Barafu - (3860m to 4600m)  7-8hrs hike, 13kms to Barafu campsite Vegetation: Alphine desert
6 Barafu Camp to Summit and descend to Mweka Camp (4600m to 5895m)  5hrs Mid-night hike to Stella point to experience sunrise, another 1-2hrs to Summit, total 7kms to Summit.  Vegetation: snow scree and ice-capped summit after summit, 7-8hrs descend, 23kms to Mweka Campsite
7 Mweka to  Arusha (3100m to 1280m) 3-4hrs descend, 15kms to Park entrance,  another 2hrs drive transfer to Arusha.
 
  DEPARTURE DAYS: TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SUNDAY

Costs:

Two  persons booking:   Usd  874   (  2 guides ) + Kilimanjaro Park fees Usd 635,- per person

Group of four or more:   Usd  705 + Kilimanjaro Park fees USD 635 per person

 
 

 

SHIRA ROUTE CLIMB - 7 days

The Shira Route is the most unique and beautiful route up the mountain. It is meant for interested climbers who wish to know/see more about the mountain.  
day 1 7:30 am transfer to Machame Park gate, registration and continue climb through the lush  forest and continue on to the heath land. Overnight at Machame Camp ( about 6-7 hrs walk )  (3000m)
day 2 Today an easy trek of about 4 to 5 hours across the heath land and alpine moorland with magnificent views of Kibo peak if weather  permits. o/night at Shira   (11,300 ft )
day 3 Today we will hike to camp at 14300 ft just under the Lava Tower, This will be our first introduction to the Alpine Zone where the only  plant life is the hardiest grasses and the lichens.  We will  have a spectacular view of our final ascent up the western Breach route. o/night at Lava Tower Camp  (14800 ft)  (5-6 hours walk)
day 4 We continue today morning trekking up the Western Breach for a few  hours to help acclimatization. o/night at Arrow Glacier Camp.  15.700 ft
day 5  This morning ascend the western Breach to the Crater Rim. Explore the inner crater and ash pit before moving to your Crater camp for o/night. Continue to   CRATER RIM CAMP 18,500 ft (take about 6 hrs hike) 
day 6 SUMMIT DAY Midnight assent to the nearby summit of Uhuru Peak (highest point on Africa!) (19340 ft) Then descend to a more comfortable altitude.  (  about 2 hr ascent and  6-7 hrs descend)  Mweka Camp  (9840 ft)
day 8  It takes about 3-4 hrs descend to the Mweka Gate, where we say good bye to the mountain staff before driving to Arusha. (about 2 hrs drive). End of climb.
Quotes on request.

 
Ngorongoro Highlands Trek
Ngorongoro Crater, Empakai Crater, Olmoti Crater, Oldonyo Lengai and Olduvai.
Camping  Safari and one night lodge 
day 1 7.30am drive to Olduvai Gorge, visit the gorge  and later drive back to Ngorongoro rim, and descend onto the crater floor for a  game drive  and late in the afternoon return to the crater rim on the other end side and   dinner and o/night at Ngorongoro Sopa LODGE -  FB
day 2 AM meet your walking guide and  drive to Nainokanoka, and  begin hike and visit Olmoti crater, and beautiful  views of this masai land-scape.  o/night at Olmoti crater rim campsite. -  FB)
day 3 AM vehicle meets you at junction and drive  to Empakai Crater, descend into the crater, see the flamingoes and later ascend to the Empakai  rim campsite for o/night. - FB
day 4 AM walk to Relai  for o/night  ( between lengai and Empakai ).
day 5 AM walk to Oldonyo Llengai,  dinner and o/night at Oldonyo lengai  FB
day 6 AM view of Oldonyo lengai and descend to base. where our drive and vehicle will meet you and drive back to Arusha. dinner and o/night at Ilboru Lodge
day 7 End of trip
Cost on request

 
 
 
Kilimanjaro Climb Information

Guides: This is one of the oldest continuously operating outfits on Kilimanjaro with very experienced guides who have lead 100's of climbs on Kilimanjaro, with a very high success rate.

All Kilimanjaro Climbs include: 
- English Speaking Kilimanjaro Guide with over 300 successful summit climbs, 
- Assistant guide with over 100 successful summit climbs( if 3 persons or more climbers )   
- Average of 2 to 3 porters per climber to carry baggage (maximum of 15kgs) foodstuff and camp equipment; 
- Excellent meals prepared by a trained cook.  Meals are designed for climbing conditions.
- Filtered and boiled drinking water is provided; 
- All overnights mountain Hut ( only on Marangu route, mattress provided ); 
- All National Park Rescue Fee (whilst on the mountain ); 
- All National Park Entrance Fees; indicated seperately 
- All shuttle road transfers to park entrance (to/from Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport);

MACHAME ROUTE: Cost also includes, 
- All overnights in 3-person-tent normally used for 2 or 3 persons maximum
- Dinning tent, table and stool 
- All National Park camping fee 

Kilimanjaro Cost excludes: 
- All personal climbing equipment, 
- Items of personal nature, 
- Mineral water 
- Gratuities to guide and porters, recommend money (suggest USd 15/person per day to cover all gratuities )
- Medical Insurance, Visas.

Equipment:  We use our own camping equipment and mountain chairs.

 


Mountain Tent Provided


RECOMMENDED LIST OF PERSONAL EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR KILIMANJARO CLIMB;
Maximum baggage allowed on the mountain is 15kgs per person. ( your porter will carry this luggage and you will only carry you 
day pack ).

Equipment list / pieces 
* Sleeping bag - 1 ( -20 celcius ) 
* Sleeping Mat - 1 ( on machame route only ) 
* Adjustable Climbing poles/sticks - 2 
( help leg control on descent due to steepness/mud ) 
* Large Duffle bag with straps / rack sack - 1 
* Day Pack - 1 
* Head lamp / Flashlight + Batteries - 1 
* Water bottle - 2 litre x 2 bottles 
* Plastic Bags ( for trash/keep items dry ) - 3 
* Whistle and Pen knife - 1 
* Binocular and Camera / Films - 1 
* Water Purification Tablets - approx. for 35lts pp 
* Sun Cream - 1 
* Insect Repellant - 1 
* Sun Glasses - 1

Clothing; 
* Climbing hiking boots - 1 pair 
* Tennis Shoes - to begin climb/side walks - 1pair 
* Socks - thin ( 3 ) and thick ( 3) pairs 
* Warm trousers - 1 
* Warm Jacket - 1 
* Wind/Rain Trousers and jacket with zippers - 1 
* Warm Sweater for cold nights - 3 
* Inner slacks - long Johns & Top - 1 
* Short sleeve T-Shirt with zippers - 3 
* Pajamas (2) and hand towel (1) 
* Shade Sun hat or cap - 1 
* Balaclava - 1 
* Bandanas/ Scarf - 1 
* Gaiters - 1 pair 
* Wind and Warm Mitten / Gloves ( poly thermal ) - 1
Medicine; for 
* Instestinal disorders 
* Infections 
* Blisters 
* headaches 
* Insomnia 
* High Altitute Sickness - ( usually helps for appetite ) 
* Dental - Eugenal

And items of personal nature; passport, wallet, wet wipes, watch, 
tooth paste, soap, pen and paper, reading glasses, toiletries, trail 
Munchies - candy bars, money belt, personal address book, dental flos, 
etc.
 
Equipment for Hire is available: about USd 8-10/item for 6days. 
However we suggest you bring all items of clthing as sizes vary and some are not in good shape for rent, to 
climber choice.  Please advice what equipment you may need to hire, so 
that we can secure them well in advance and advice exact cost.

Terms and conditions:
a. See General Cape to Cairo Terms and Conditions
b. Kilimanjaro Permits:  Subject to availability once 
   you confirm your climb.


 
 
 
Cape To Cairo:  African Business and Adventure Travel
2761 Unicorn Ln NW, Washington DC 20015
Tel (202) 244 5954 Fax (202) 244 5993
 (800) 356-4433
home: www.capecairo.com / safari@capecairo.com