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Day
1:Transfer to Mountain Rock Lodge. After lunch, clients begin an
escorted 3-4 hours forest nature walk up to 2100m above sea level,
which helps with acclimatization. (A second day can be spent at the
lodge, providing an opportunity to visit the nearby local community
farms. Such visits provide economic justification for Conservation by
involving the locals in tourism). Dinner and Overnight Mountain Rock
Lodge
Day
2: Depart by 0800hrs for a drive to Chogoria. Pass through the
central agricultural country to arrive at the Chagrin Village. Lunch on
arrival. The vehicle will drop you within the Chagrin forest (2600m) to
offer you the chance to hike the remaining distance to the Park gate
(3000m). The montane forest is lush and green with several plant
species such as Podocarpus, Juniperus and cider, while the Bamboo belt
is dense and luxuriant. Both zones are home to hundreds of wildlife
species.
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Day
3: Hike for 3-4 hours to the Roadhead Camp (3300m), which
is located along Nithi River. There are occasional sightings of
elephant, bushbuck, buffalo and impala during the walk through the
forest. Optional climb to the peak of Mugi hill (3500m) before heading
on to the camp or an alternative visit to the Nithi Falls to enjoy the
splendid beauty of the lower valley.
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Day
4: Leave the camp early and hike for 5 hours along the edge of
Gorges Valley to Mintos/Hall Tarn camp(4300m). A chance to catch one of
the best views of the awe-inspiring Gorges Valley. Other fascinating
scenery includes lakes, the Temple, mushroom rocks, Billiards Table,
the high peaks ahead and several species of flowers.
Day
5: Predawn attempt of the summit starts at 0300hrs and you hike for
about 3-4 hours to Point Lenana (4985m), 'the hikers summit', arriving
there in time to see the African sunrise. From the summit descend via
the Lewis Glacier to Austrian Hut then on to the Mackinders camp
(4300m) for breakfast. The rest of the day at leisure.
Day
6: Descend to the Naromoru Park gate for pick-up and transfer to
Mountain Rock Lodge for dinner and overnight.
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Section
2 Kimana Wildlife safari
Day
7: Leave early for a drive to Kimana Wildlife Sanctuary, evening game
drive en route to our camp for dinner and overnight.
Day
8: Drive to the nearby Amboseli National Park for game drives,
returning to our Kimana camp in the evening for dinner and overnight.
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Section
3 Kilimanjaro - Rongai Route - 6 days (courtesy IntoAfrica Ecotravel)
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The
Rongai route has only recently been re-opened with access from the
Kenyan side. Since initially being furnished with campsites and huts by
a local chief back in the sixties this route has a history of local
community involvement. Our access from the Kenyan side begins in the
natural forest at Oloitokitok where we have a base for our guides and
porters.
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Climbing
for between 4 and 6 hours each day we ascend through virgin rain forest
to the African Alpine zone with its surreal flora and fauna. An extra
day at School Hut Camp (4,750m) ensures good acclimatization before
summitting via Gillman's Point. Descent via Kidia route and overnight
in Arusha.
Day
9 After morning clearance with the Kenyan customs we transfer to
Rongai (2,100m) in Tanzania, 6 km from Loitokitok, where our mountain
crew will be waiting. The climb starts up through a virgin natural rain
forest with colobus monkeys crashing through the trees, and out into
the giant groundsel and lobelia zone. Iridescent sunbirds feed on the
red-hot pokers and the strange rock hyrax scamper through the boulders.
Camp overnight at the "1st Caves" (2,800m).
Day
10 We walk up through high altitude moorland heading for "3rd
Caves" at 3,900m. Eagles and buzzards soar on the winds, the views
start to open out and you begin to feel you're on a really big
mountain! The climb takes 5-6 hours.
Day
11 Another 5-6 hour trek up to School Hut Camp at 4,750m. Here
vegetation thins out in the high altitude desert zone and we walk
through a moonscape scenery of scree and boulder desert.
Day
12 Acclimatization and rest day with optional walks in surrounding
area. Sunbathing is just as good for acclimatization though! Big feed
and rest for the next day's exertion!
Day
13 After a short night and as many warm drinks as you can manage,
we start the final ascent at 1.00 am. The track leads up through
gradually steepening scree to Gillman's point at 5,685m on the Crater
Rim. Here we watch the sunrise over magnificent blue translucent ice
fields. Another hour, gently rising along the crater rim to reach the
summit, Uhuru Peak at 5,896m. There is no escaping this last slog but
the rewards are ecstatic as you stand on the highest point in Africa
and look down on this vast and ancient continent. Descend to Mweka camp
at 3,100m for overnight.
Day
14 After breakfast, it's a leisurely 4-5 hours down to the Park
Gate. Scarlet winged turacos flit though the forest canopy and cautious
viewing of colobus and blue monkeys is required (they enjoy splashing
observers who get too close with whatever liquid is available!)
Certificates are awarded for a successful climb. Drive to Arusha.
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