Day 1: Arrive Arusha (1 night, Ilboru Safari Lodge)
You will be met on arrival at the airport by our driver and transferred to Ilboru Safari Lodge for one night (half-board).
Ilboru Safari Lodge is located at the base of the majestic Mt. Meru, on the outskirts of Arusha. An oasis after the bustle of the nearby city, this family property is run by a Dutch Tanzania couple, both of whom have been working in the hotel industry for many years. It is a budget lodge, but well-kept, with comfortable rooms and good food. Accommodation is in rondavels in the traditional African-style, with two self-contained rooms to each cottage. All rooms have a private balcony overlooking the gardens and swimming pool. Ilboru is booked on a half-board basis.
This evening there will be a climb briefing covering kit, camping arrangements, and what to expect on the mountain in terms of climate and altitude, as well as tomorrow’s transfer times. This is a good chance to ask any questions about the coming climb, particularly any concerns you may have about kit.
Day 2: Begin Mt. Meru climb
Depart Ilboru Lodge after breakfast and transfer approx. 90 mins to the Mt Meru trailhead in Arusha National Park.
Arusha National Park is an often-overlooked safari park situated just outside the city. Though a popular spot for day safaris, Arusha NP is perhaps more popular as a trekking destination, containing as it does one of Africa’s tallest and most dramatic peaks – Mt. Meru.
The slopes, summit, and ash cone of Mt. Meru, as well as the Momella Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and the lush highland forests that blanket its lower slopes, are all situated within the boundaries of Arusha National Park. Game viewing around the Momella Lakes is at a laid-back and quiet pace, and while passing through the forest many visitors stop to search for troops of colobus monkeys playing in the canopy. You may spy them through the trees as you drive through the park en route to your destination.
After reaching the park gate and completing the necessary formalities, we commence our trek through rainforest to our first camp at Miriakamba Hut (2,600m). The forest is rich in bird and animal life – the beautiful bushbuck can often be glimpsed in the glades between the ancient cedar trees, while black and white colobus monkeys clamber among the branches. Expect around 5-6 hours walking at a steady pace today.
Day 3: To Saddle Hut (Mt. Meru)
We continue on a steep track up to Saddle Hut (3,600m). The interesting geology of the area is reflected in the impressive view of the ash cone and the 1,500m cliff face leading to the summit of Mt. Meru.
This afternoon, you have the option of climbing Little Meru to help with acclimatisation (and to enjoy the marvelous views!)
Day 4: Mt. Meru Summit climb
Early AM start for the trek to the summit, taking the challenging trail up to and around the rim to the highest point on Meru – Socialist Peak (4,562m).
Stop for photos and time to enjoy the view from the summit, then descend back down to Saddle Hut for a rest and early lunch. From Saddle Hut, continue down to Miriakamba Hut for dinner & overnight (allow approx. 3 hours for this section of the walk).
Day 5: Off-mountain (1 night, Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort)
Descend to the gate (3 to 4 hours). Say goodbye to the Meru climb crew and meet up with your driver who will transfer you (approx. 3hrs) to Kilimanjaro Mountain Lodge, Marangu, where you will meet with the other members of the Kilimanjaro climb party for a climb briefing, dinner and overnight.
Kilimanjaro Mountain Lodge is tucked deep in the lush green banana and coffee plantations of Kyalla Village in Marangu West, right on the slopes of Kilimanjaro.
This is a mountaineers’ hotel with essential facilities for Kili trekkers: warm rooms with showers, good food and a small swimming pool.
Day 6: Start of the 6 Day Rongai Route (Kilimanjaro)
After completing the necessary registration formalities at Marangu National Park gate, we transfer by Landrover to the Rongai trailhead on Kilimanjaro’s northern slopes.
The climb begins from the village of Nale Moru (1,950m), starting on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest (the dry forest of Kilimanjaro’s northern slopes is quite different to the lush rainforest on Kilimanjaro’s wetter southern foothills).
The track soon starts to climb, consistently but gently, through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey (distinguishable by their long ‘cape’ of white hair and flowing white tail). The forest begins to thin out as we approach our camp, First Cave, at the edge of the moorland zone (2,650m), where you’ll be greeted with dramatic views over the Kenyan plains. [3-4 hours walking]
Day 7: To Kikelewa Caves (Kilimanjaro)
This morning’s walk is a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3,450m), with time to enjoy the superb views of Kibo and the Eastern icefields on the crater rim along the way.
After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a less-trodden path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi.
Kikelewa Camp (3,675m) is in a sheltered valley of giant senecios and ragworts, near the Kikelewa Caves. [6-7 hours walking]
Day 8: To Mawenzi Tarn (Kilimanjaro)
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb all-round views and a tangible sense of wilderness.
The vegetation becomes increasingly sparse as we approach the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (4,330m), spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatisation. [3-4 hours walking]
Day 9: To Kibo Camp (Kilimanjaro)
We cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks to reach Kibo campsite (4,700m), at the foot of the Kibo crater wall.
The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins early tomorrow morning! [5-6 hours walking]
Day 10: Summit night (Kilimanjaro)
We start the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding part of the climb, by torchlight at around 1am. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5,685m).
We aim to reach Gilman’s in time to watch the sunrise over Mawenzi. After a short rest and a chance to admire the view, those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy much of Kilimanjaro’s summit area.
The descent to Kibo (4,700m) is surprisingly fast after the long ascent climb. After some refreshment, we continue the descent to reach our final campsite at Horombo (3,720m). [11-15 hours walking; 5kms ascent/15kms descent; 1,195m height gain/2,195m descent]
Day 11: Descend mountain (1 night, Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort)
A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m.), the first stopping place on the Marangu route.
We then continue descending through rainforest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830m). [5-6 hours walking]
From the gate we drive back to Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort for a well-earned hot shower, dinner and rest!
Day 12: Departure
Morning at leisure until your scheduled transfer to the airport for your homeward flight/onward transfer.
If flying out this evening, we can arrange for a day room and lunch at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort (lunch to own account).
Meru and Kilimanjaro Rongai6 Combo
Pre-acclimatise on Mt Meru, Africa's fourth highest peak, before you attempt Kilimanjaro with this popular combo climb.
Meru and Kilimanjaro Rongai6 Combo
This combination climb provides perfect altitude acclimatisation for Kilimanjaro on Africa's fourth highest summit - Mount Meru. Climb Meru via Miriakamba and Saddle hut over four days, with excellent views of distant Uhuru from Little Meru Peak; then on to Kilimanjaro for a 6 day climb on the northern Rongai route.
Outline Itinerary
Price guide
Private climb rate based on a group size of 4-6 or more and inclusive of all transfers, climb costs, park fees, and accommodation before and after each climb (3 nights total).
Pricing
12 days from £3053pp
Family safari to Laikipia and the Masai Mara
Clare listened to my requirements and met them fully with the itinerary.
