The Best of Starling Tours & Safaris

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  • from US$4,750 pp
  • 18 daysTour Summary

    This is the best safari package which suites adventurous people. It starts with Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing then proceed to Safari to the Northern part of Tanzania and finish with Beach Extension.
    • Kilimanjaro
    • Arusha
    • Ngorongoro
    • Serengeti
    • Lake Manyara
    • Tarangire
  • Day to Day Descriptions


    1
    Arrival

    Our driver/representative will meet you at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and take you to the hotel in Arusha or Moshi for safari briefing , dinner and Overnight at Duluti Mountain Village Lodge or similar

    2
    Arusha / Moshi -> Machame

    After breakfast you will be transferred the Machame Park Gate (5,950 ft.). After register to the park authority, you will begin your climb through the lust forest. On the way you will likely hear many exotic birds in the canopy above, and you might even see white & black colobus monkeys and sykes monkeys as they hike along the knotted roots. Then, you will continue on to some heath land before reaching to the camp for overnight at Machame Camp (9,850 feet, approximately 6-7 hours of walking), just above the forest zone. The trek is quite long, thus not steep and mud on the forest floor. All meals included

    3
    Machame Camp -> Shira Camp

    Today you will continue to ascent across beautiful heath land and alpine moorland with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro Peak. We start with the steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, and trees of Giant Heather and Erica. Scramble around large boulders as you enter the moorland zone, marked by lobelia and senecio plants, and volcanic rocks draped with lichen beards, which protect wild alpine flowers growing at their bases. You will overnight at Shira Camp (12,600 feet, 5-6 hours of walking). All meals included

    4
    Shira Camp -> Barranco Camp

    You will draw nearer the peak as you get closer to the Lava Tower. The trek becomes a bit more strenuous as the trail steepens on the approach to the lava Tower, a 300 foot tall volcanic plug which marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet In the afternoon, descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set on a col (flat area) enclosed on three sides with steep valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, amidst the eerie landscape of plants such as the giant groundsels (Senecio Kilimanjari), and the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia.Then we slowly ascent to our overnight stop at Barranco Camp (12,950 feet, 5-6 hours of walking). This day and the following day will be your acclimatisation day. All meals included

    5
    Barranco Camp -> Karanga Valley Camp

    This day you will begin with a descent into the Gorge, before we climb its eastern wall where we will enjoy views of Kilimanjaro’s ice fields, an equatorial anomaly. You will continue trekking until we reach our camp in Karanga Valley (13,900 feet, 4-5 hours of walking). Overnight at Karanga Camp. All meals included

    6
    Karanga Valley Camp -> Barafu Camp

    You will trek up through the Karanga Valley, the trail turns steadily uphill, following the lava ridge to the Barafu camp. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting as a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight tonight. Barafu camp (15,200 feet, 6-7 hours of walking) . All meals included

    7
    Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

    Just after midnight we start of a challenging trek(12-17 hours of trekking). You begin trekking at 12:30 to 1am, passing between the Rebmann and Tarzel glaciers to the rim at Stella Point. The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight, to between 10 deg. F (-12 deg. C) to –10 F. (-23 deg. C) just before dawn at the summit. As dawn nears, we’ll summit at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 19,340 feet. Uhuru will be the culmination of – and the reward for – 6-7 hours of strenuous hiking. We’ll then descend back to Barafu Camp, resting for a while before continuing our descent to Mweka Camp (9,840 feet, 3-4 hours of walking on the descent). All meals included

    8
    Mweka Camp to Park Gate

    You will make your final descent to the park gate, a walk of about 3 or 4 hours. After bidding our farewells to our guide and porters, your will drive to Arusha for overnight at your lodge /hotel in Arusha (pls advise if you prefer a lodge in a lush green surrounding or a City Hotel to explore Arusha Town). Breakfast and Dinner included.

    9
    Arusha -> Ngorongoro

    You will be picked from the hotel in Arusha and starts your safari to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. After arrival you will decent into the crater for a wonderful game drive (with a picnic lunch) inside the Ngorongoro Crater. As very few animals migrate in and out of the crater with its 2000 ft. high walls, you can expect to see lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, flamingos, jackals, rhinos, antelopes, many birds and other species. Later in the evening you will ascend from the crater. Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge. All meals included.

    10
    Ngorongoro -> Serengeti

    After breakfast you start on your way to Serengeti National Park with picknic lunch. On the way you will stop at the Olduvai Gorge where anthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey made many significant discoveries, contributing to the theory that human life originated in Africa. Then you will stop on a kopje (rock outcropping) for your picnic lunch. Later you will continue with your game drive to Serengeti. Overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge or Similar. All meals included.

    11
    Serengeti

    A full day of game drives around Serengeti. Depending on the time of year and the migration of the herds you can expect to see wildebeest, lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, baboons, hippos, rhinos, antelopes and many birds and other species. Overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge or similar lodge at Serengeti. All meals included.

    12
    Serengeti -> Lake Manyara

    After breakfast we head to Lake Manyara. Nestling at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, the park is recognized for its incredible beauty. You can see many game animals such as Buffalo, Elephant, Giraffe, Impala, hippo and others. Overnight at Serena Lodge or Similar at Lake Manyara All meals included.

    13
    Lake Manyara -> Tarangire

    In the morning after breakfast you drive to Tarangire National Park for game drive. It is also known as a home of Elephants. Dinner and Overnight at Tarangire Safari Lodge. All meals included.

    14
    Tarangire -> Arusha

    Return to Arusha in the afternoon for your flight to Zanzibar. Transfer to The Zanzibari Hotel. Breakfast and dinner.

    15-16
    Beach Extension

    Relax and enjoy the beaches of Zanzibar. Breakfast and dinner.

    17
    Lake Manyara -> Tarangire

    After breakfast transfer to Stonetown. On the way we will do the famous Spice Tour. We have developed a special Spice Tour with in depth information not only about spices, but also organically grown herbs and a detailed description about their traditional uses in medicine cosmetics and cooking. After the tour we invite for an opulent lunch, where you can taste the spices and fruits.

    In the afternoon we will show you Stone Town on our Historical Stone Town Tour. This tour takes you through fabled Stone Town, where history appears to stand still. With visits to the House of Wonders, the Palace Museum (People’s Palace) and the Arab Fort amongst others, it is a fascinating look at the essence of Zanzibar. You will see Zanzibar’s bustling market, winding alleyways, ornately carved and studded doors, two cathedrals and countless mosques! Overnight at Zanzibar Coffeehouse or Dhow Palace Hotel. Breakfast and lunch.

    18
    Departure

    Departure transfer to Zanzibar airport or seaport for departure.

    NB –if you depart from another airport than Zanzibar we’ll arrange flight connections to your departure airport (to Dar Es Salaam also ferry boats possible). All Accommodations subject to availability!

    Package Includes

    • All transfers in private car
    • 7 days private Kilimanjaro Climb / Machame Route
    • Fullboard during climb including mineral /drinking water
    • Professional well experienced Kilimanjaro Team with English speaking Mountain guide, porters and cook
    • All gear including mountain tents, mattresses, – mess tent, chairs and table
    • bring your own sleeping bag please
    • All wildlife reserve entry fees, rescue fees, Climbing Certificates
    • 05 days of private safari
    • Transport and wildlife drives in modified 4WD Land Cruiser or Land Rover with photographic roof hatch with guaranteed window seats
    • Services of a professional English speaking safari guide
    • All wildlife reserve entry fees
    • 2 x 1,5 l mineral water per person / day during game drives
    • 02 x HB Hotel in Arusha/Moshi
    • 05 x FB at excellent safari lodges
    • 03 x HB at the beach resort of your choice
    • 01 x BB at l Stonetown
    • All tours on Zanzibar as per itinerary
    Package Excludes

    • All items of a personal nature
    • Gratuities for safari guide
    • Airport departure tax (6 USD per domestic, 30 USD international departure – to be paid on the spot)
    • Travel insurance
    • Visa fee (50 US$/100 US$ for Americans – to be paid upon arrival)
    • sleeping bag (rental fee 15 US$)
    • drinks and beverages in lodges