The roof and the symbol of Africa, snow on the equator.
Ngorongoro- a living Noah’s ark.
Kilimanjaro (5895 m) – the roof and the emblem of Africa. The highest free standing mountain in the world. The living volcano which is asleep, one of the continent’s mysteries. At its foot there’s a typical African savannah, hot and full of animals. The first European who was brave enough to speak about the snow around the equator was laughed at. For Arabic tradesmen it was always the caravan mountain. Its bright peak was showing their way from almost 200 km. The summit was reached by a German expedition led by Hans Meyer in 1886. Today even tourists can ascend it, however, its important to have a good condition. Kilimanjaro consists of many volcanoes; the most important are Shira, the biggest and the youngest, Kibo, and Mawenzi. To the highest peak of the massif and the highest point of the volcano Kibo – Uhuru peak, you can get along few different trails.
Our expedition will go along the most effective trail, Machame. Instead of 5 we’ll be climbing for 6 days which will provide a better acclimatization. This will give us half bigger chances to reach the top. We’ll spend two nights at the height crucial for acclimatization 3800 m. During our expeditions the peak is usually reached by 90% of participants.

The main obstacle on the way to the peak is rarefied air. Above 5000 m. everyone suffers general weakness, headaches, stomachaches. By choosing an appropriate way and keeping the right pace we try to provide the best acclimatization so that the ailments described above could appear on an insignificant level and weren’t the obstacle on the way to the top. We pay attention also to the condition preparation, we reccomend marching with a rucksack, walking in the mountains, as the lack of condition may be an obstacle on your way to the top. Due to the height and geographical position we’ll be exposed to the strong solar radiation. There are less technical difficulties than on the easiest 4 thousand metres mountains, the ascent can be compared to the summer ascent to the mountain Babia Gora . We can’t forget, however, about the differences of the heights and distances. Ascending Giewont takes 2 hours, whereas to climb Kilimanjaro we must spend few days on climbing. Because the mountain is technically easy- apart from the sticks- you don’t need any special equipment. It’s worth to take strong shoes and clothes appropriate for all the seasons. The temperatures vary from 30 C, down the mountain, to -10 C during climbing the summit. July- August and December-January are the best months to climb the mountain (the weather is the best), and to go on safari (the most animals at the watering place). It’s the best to reach the summit before 10 o clock, as later the weather usualy gets worse and everything is covered by a cold mist. Caution! It’s forbidden to take part in the expedition if great heights and tropics are harmful to your health. You have to get vaccinated against tetanus and yellow fever (one is enough for ten years). The vaccination is available in any Sanitary Station.

COSTS:

15400 pln- price without safari

17500 pln- price with safari
+ 2500-3000 pln Zanzibar

The price includes; the organisation of the expedition , flight to Nairobi and back, travel Nairobi –Moshi-Nairobi, travel to the national parks and to the safari, accomodation in the hotels in Nairobi and Moshi, accomodation in tents in the mountains, food down the mountain; 2 meals a day, on safari and in the mountains additional provisions as a third meal, during trekking meals prepared by the cook, 6 days on trekking on Machame trail (usually firms offer 5 days), hiring guides, porters and cooks, entrance fees to the parks; Kilimanjaro, Manyara, Ngorongoro, accomodation in the Kilimanjaro Park, trekking and sickness insurance, basic training.

The price doesn’t include; visas to Kenya (40$), Tanzania (50$), tips (120$), additional trips; Masai village (15$), Uru waterfall (35$), possible 1 day longer stay on Kilimanjaro (180$).

APPLICATIONS:

1.To confirm your reservation, please, pay 3500 for the ticket to the bank account: Stowarzyszenie Annapurna Klub Santander Bank 34 1090 1652 0000 0000 6404 1166 with annotation Kilimanjaro- flight ticket. Please, inform us about the payment via e-mail or post.
2.Please send us your name , surname, date and place of birth, adress via e-mail or post.

ITINERARY:

We fly to Kenya from the Okęcie Airport, after 10 hours flight we land in Nairobi, where we spend a night. Next day we travel by a shuttle bus to Moshi, Tanzania. We stay there for one day to get rest and to acclimatize a bit, we visit a mountain village, where we can taste banana beer and have a swim under the 30 m waterfall. After the night, when we do the formalities we go to the gate of the Kilimajaro Park on the fringes of a tropical forest, where we start our ascent. Through a thick, wild jungle full of black monkeys, within 4-5 hours we get to the first place where we spend a night- Machame Hut (2900m). Next day we cover a similar distance; through the jungle and high mountain pines we get to Shira Camp, 3700m. In the afternoon we wander among neighbouring rocks. From the camp there’s a beautiful view on the Meru Volcano (4500). Next day, to acclimatize, we go to the Lava Tower, 4500m. It’s a beautiful rocky tower which can be ascended if our condition is good enough. During the ascent we get blind by the snows of Kilimanjaro, as the mountain is exactly opposite us. After a short stay on the Lava Tower we go to the next camp at 3900 m.- Barranco. It’s the most beautifully situated camp with the view on the steepest side of Kilimanjaro, surrounded by vertical walls covered by the forest. To the forth and the last camp we get through the misty, lunar landscape, cut by valleys and crests where you can meet flocks of eland antelopes. To Barafu Hut 4600m we get after 6-8 hours ascent. We set off at midnight as cold and frozen screes give a good feethold then. The ascent lasts about 8 hours, and after 10 o’clock there are clouds above Kibo. After 6 hours of marching we can admire the sun, setting above Mawenzi. By this time we will have reached Stella Point – 5700m. Along a gentle crest, step by step, having the mysterious volcano on our one side and shiny glaciers on the other, after the next hour we reach the summit. There is a wooden board saying that we are at the highest point of Africa – Uhuru Peak 5895m ( Freedom Peak). From the peak we can admire an endless view on the sea of clouds covering the whole continent. From the summit we descend to Barafu for a rest and then we descend to Mweka Hut 3100 for a night.
From Mweka Hut we go straight to the gate of the park. After the descent we rest in Moshi.
When we get rest we go on 2 days safari by hired land rovers. Along the bumpy road, through an endless and dried savannah we reach Mto Wa Mbu, where we stay for a meal. Next, we go to the Lake Manyara National Park which is famous for big flights of flamingoes and a bit smaller flocks of baboons. It’s also possible to see here elephants, giraffes, antelopes, zebras, african pigs, ostriches and hippoes. There is a lake in the central part of the park and a steep mountain slope at its fringes. Its partially covered by a jungle full of amazing sounds and smells, there are baobabs, acacias, bread trees, sausage trees. From the safari we go back to spend a night in Mto Wa Mbu. Next day we set off very early to Ngorongoro Crater. It’s a recently extincted volcano which diameter reaches 19 metres. On its bottom, 600m below the edge of volcano, there is a lake which doesn’t dry even in the dry season. Due to the access to the water the volcano is full of animals. When I was there for the last time I saw antelopes (gnu, eland), flamingoes, hippoes, secretary birds, pelicans, marabous, herons, starks, vultures, hawks, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, zebras, cheetah and a hunting lioness. After a few hours ride on the bottom of volcano we go back to the surface and come back to Moshi.On the way back we can visit a Masai village near the crater. There’s a possibility to take photos of these proud people and to admire their jumping and singing. One day before the return flight we go to Nairobi, where we can visit Karen Blixen’s house, if there is time, or climb in the Frog Canyon which is inhabited by the Masai. After this 2 weeks adventure we go back to Poland
There’s a possibility to visit Zanzibar, prolonging our stay by 1-2 days. The price is 1500 pln.
Day by day itinerary:
– departure from Warsaw
– arrival to Nairobi, a night
– travel to Moshi by a shuttle bus (through the Masai land and savannah, if the conditions are good we can see Kilimanjaro ) night in Moshi outside the centre.
– acclimatization trip to the mountain village, a swim under the 30m Materuni Waterfall, visiting coffee and bananas plantations, tasting banana beer (price about 15$)
-first day of trekking – Machame Hut 3000m (4-5h)
– second day of trekking- Shira Hut 3800m (5h).From the camp you can admire the peak, covered with ice, from the west side and Mount Meru (4500m)
– third day of trekking- the Lava Tower 4500m and descending to Barannco 3900m (7h). The camp is at the foot of the steepest side of the mountain.
– fourth day of trekking – Barafu 4700m (7h)
– fifth day of trekking – the peak (7h) descending to Mweka 3100m (7-8 h with the break in Barafu)
– sixth day of trekking – the park gate (3h), Moshi
– extra day
–  Safari in the Manyara Park
–  Safari in the Ngorongoro Park. One of the biggest world’s wonders. Inside an extincted volcano live all of the most important animals in Africa.
–  travel Moshi-Nairobi by a shuttle bus.
– flight to Poland.

NEEDED EQIPMENT:

– Light, but warm and durable trekking shoes, 1-1,5 size too big
– warm socks-2pairs (I recommend merino’s wool or other thermal fabric)
– other socks (the best anti-sweat)
– polar fleece trousers – polar 100
– trousers protecting from wind and rain (ortalion, goretex)
– safari trousers with the detachable trouser leg
– sandals or other light shoes
– t-shirts (cotton, breathable)
– 2 polar fleece jackets – polar200
– goretex jacket protecting from rain and wind
– polar gloves 2 pairs
– glaves protecting from wind (e.g. goretex over-mitts or skiing gloves)
– hat, hat or a cap protecting from the Sun
– telescopic sticks
– trekking gaiters
– sleeping bag -10 C
– foam pad
– NRC foil
– articles of toilet
– toilet paper 2 rolls
– big rucksack (70l)
– small rucksack (40l)
– headlamp
– vacuum flask
– sunglassess or glacier glasses
– it’s worth to take chemical warming agents
– vaccination book with vaccination against the fever recorded
– copy of the passport