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Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Africa
Climb and Safari
January 10-27, 2011
This exciting Climb and Safari will be led by Dave and Dee Dee Kelly.
Kilimanjaro - one of the world's seven summits and the highest point in Africa (19,340') - is instantly recognized by people all over the world. This almost perfectly shaped, snowcapped volcano rises sheer from the plains, and is one of Africa's most magnificent sights.
Kilimanjaro lies within the 756-square-kilometer Kilimanjaro  National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the few places on earth that encompasses every ecological life zone including tropical jungle, savannah, and desert to montane forests, subalpine plants, and the alpine zone above timberline.
Kilimanjaro has 2.2 square kilometers of glacial ice and is losing it quickly due to global warming. The glaciers have shrunk 82% since 1912 and declined 33% since 1989. It may be ice free within 20 years, dramatically affecting local drinking water, crop irrigation, and hydroelectric power.
Climbing Kilimanjaro is easy and requires no technical climbing or mountaineering experience. The biggest challenge and danger is the high altitude. Climbers die from improper acclimatization and altitude sickness rather than falls.
Kilimanjaro is not a peak you can climb on your own. It is mandatory to climb with a licensed guide and have porters carry your equipment. This sustains the local economy and allows local people to reap the rewards of tourism.
Our adventure takes us to the top of Kilimanjaro via the Shira Route by way of the famous Western Breach.
This route will take us across the caldera of the Shira  volcano and the unusual rock formations of the plateau.
We chose this route for its maximum time for acclimatization and exceptional scenery, including views of the mountain’s glaciers from the beautiful Barranco Valley. We will even spend a night in the inner crater area to explore the glaciers. Beginning in rainforest at 6,400 feet, we climb through magnificent alpine scenery en route to the summit. And since no trip to Africa is complete without seeing the wildlife, we include a classic safari to Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and the Serengeti. Our knowledgeable local guides have a commitment to providing you an unparalleled experience. Their local knowledge of the mountain, the people, the wildlife and flora make the journey memorable and educational as well.
Our Tanzanian guides, cooks and porters do a fantastic job of keeping us healthy and serving great food. You will be amazed at the quality of the food and the friendliness and efficiency of our crew. We will sleep in private tents, eat in our own dining tent and have the use of our private bathroom tent.
Some people climb Kilimanjaro in as fast as four days. Only 40% of these groups make the summit. We chose to take eight days to do the climb, in order to acclimatize properly and take our time to enjoy this outstanding mountain.
 After our climb, we will return to our Safari Lodge for a day of R&R. We will spend the next four days on safari, viewing some of the most fascinating animals on our planet! This is the migration season, so the sheer numbers of animals we will see will truly boggle the mind. Be sure to bring plenty of film or gigabytes! We will see elephants, giraffes and lions for sure along with many other animals on the plains, in the forests and in the water. During our days on Safari in the National Parks we will spend the nights in beautiful rustic safari lodges, enjoy fantastic food and drink.
We are already sold out for our summer 2009 trip and have deposits for the summer of 2010! Get on board and join this spectacular adventure in Africa! The climb and safari take just two weeks.
Land Cost for this Climb and Safari
$5800
Price includes:
- 24/7 Travel assistance throughout your trip
- Full board lodging, whether in hotels, lodges, tented camps, mobile tented camps, or bush camps depending on the finalized itinerary
- All meals
- All park and game reserves fees, including conservation fees
- All airport transfers
- Ground transportation while in the country
- Beverages in the mobile tented camps and bush camps
- Emergency Evacuation Service (if ever needed)
Price Does not include:
- International Airfare
- Passport and Visa Fees
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages at some camps
- Telephone or facsimile charges or other items of a personal natur
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