Mount Kilimanjaro Expedition, Africa + Safari

Proposal

The tallest giant of the Black continent

Mount Kilimanjaro is a triple summit volcano located in the northeast of the Republic of Tanzania, very close to the border with Kenya, about 300 km south of the equator. It is the highest peak on the African continent and therefore forms part of the group known as the 7 summits (the highest of each continent).

We propose a unique trip, accompanied by a guide-coordinator from Argentina, to attempt to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro (at Uhuru Peak of Kibo) at 5895 masl. And there is also the possibility of taking advantage and extending the trip to visit the wonderful surrounding national parks with unique fauna in the world and perhaps carry out some other adventure like rafting and safaris in all-terrain vehicles.

How to travel:

We will advise you on the best way to get to Kilimanjaro and the flights that suit you best.

Machame ascent route

The Machame route is the second most used to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro and is considered one of the most beautiful routes, which is why the number of people using this route grows every year. The greater difficulty of this route has motivated Machame to be nicknamed the "Whiskey" route compared to the Marangu route or "Coca-cola" route, which is the more direct one, passing through refuges but which has little chance of acclimatizing well.

Planned itinerary for Kilimanjaro (there may be the possibility of modifying the ascent route):

Travel and meeting: Recommended flight: the idea is to issue flights to leave Buenos Aires 2 days before. Also if you can arrive one day before the proposed meeting day (day 1).

Day 1: Arrival and meeting in Arusha in the morning or midday. Hotel check-in, equipment check, briefing, preparations.
Day 2: Arusha - Machame Gate (1800m) - Machame Camp (3000 masl)
- Distance: 10 km
- Elevation gain: 1,200 m
- Time: 6 hours
Day 3: Machame Camp - to Shira (3,840 masl)
- Distance: 5 km
- Elevation gain: 800 m
- Time: 5 hours
Day 4: Shira Camp - to Lava Tower (lunch) (4630 masl). Ascent and descent to Barranco Camp (3,950 masl)
- Distance: 7 km uphill + 4 km downhill
- Elevation: 800 m uphill + 600 m downhill
- Time: 5.5 hours uphill + 2.5 hours downhill
Day 5: Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp (4000masl)
- Distance: 4 km
- Elevation: 300 m uphill + 300 m downhill
- Time: 4 hours
Day 6: Karanga Camp - Barafu/Base Camp (4673masl)
- Distance: 3 km
- Elevation gain: 600 m
- Time: 5 hours
Day 7: Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak Summit (5,895 m) – Mweka (3,100 masl)
- Distance: 5 km uphill + 10 km downhill
- Elevation: 1,200 m uphill + 2,800 m downhill
- Time: 8 hours uphill + 5 hours downhill
Day 8: Mweka Camp - park entrance - Arusha, hotel. End of expedition.
- Distance: 8 km
- Elevation: 1,400 m descent
- Time: 4 hours
Next day: Start of Safari (or return).

Optional: Photo Safari Serengeti - Ngorongoro - Manyara (for more info, click on the title) - see price here with both programs

Day 10: Arusha - Lake Manyara National Park
Day 11: Manyara - Serengeti National Park
Day 12: Serengeti - Ngorongoro Crater
Day 13: Ngorongoro tour - Arusha

Excursion after finishing Kilimanjaro:

We will stay for a 4-day safari through the Serengeti and Ngorongoro National Parks, an incredible experience sleeping in tents and making incursions in four-wheel drive vehicles through the heart of the savanna.

Stay a few more days to take safari excursions to nearby national parks, such as Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Selous (see comment below, in Note). Or Zanzibar beach.

See Serengeti / Ngorongoro Photo Safari program

Note

This is an expedition departure to a high mountain peak, with the addition of traveling with a guide-coordinator from Argentina and having good camping service, meals and equipment porters. Nevertheless, it is advisable to prepare adequately and have previous experience in ascents and/or LR (long distance) trekkings.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VACCINATION ON TRIPS TO AFRICA - Consult specialized centers

Malaria in Tanzania: Yes, throughout the country and all year round, in areas below 1,800 meters, including all natural parks and usual tourist areas. In the city of Dar es Salaam the risk is lower. On the island of Zanzibar there is risk all year round.

1. Mosquito bite protection.

Recommended repellents:

a.Relec Strong®.

b.Autan®.

2. You must NOT travel without taking malaria prophylaxis. Recommended and prescribed by a doctor.

Recommended prophylaxis:

a. Malarone® (atovaquone/proguanil).

b. Lariam® (mefloquine).

c. Vibramycin® (doxycycline).

3. Yellow fever vaccine: Yes, you must get vaccinated. MANDATORY AND CARRY CARD (yellow fever vaccine information).

Other recommended vaccines:

1. Hepatitis A.

2. Typhoid fever.

3. Tetravalent meningococcal meningitis.

4. Tetanus/diphtheria.

Secondarily:

5. Rabies.

6. Cholera.

7. Hepatitis B.

Travel Medicine

The public health system has Travel Medicine centers that offer advice to travelers free of charge. This does not include recommended vaccines, unless they are offered by the state, such as yellow fever, adult double, and triple viral.

In the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, it operates at the Francisco J. Muñiz Infectious Diseases Hospital, Uspallata 2272, the CEMPRA-MT, Travel Medicine and Tropical Medicine service. Phones: 4304-5554/2180, 4305-0357, extension 231. Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 12:30 hours. Telephone or in-person appointments are given. Email: cempramt@intramed.net

At San Martín Hospital, Street 116 between 69 and 70, La Plata, CEMEVI operates. Telephone appointments must be requested Monday to Friday at (0221) 425-1717 extension 217.

In the private sector, travel medicine centers also operate in the Italian, British, German hospitals, and Dr. Stamboulian Health Center. There are other private institutions that provide this service, which are referred through consultation with the corresponding medical insurance.

Safaris and extra excursions to carry out following or before the Kilimanjaro ascent:

Tanzania is a destination for an unparalleled Safari. The statistics speak for themselves: a quarter of the territory is protected, led by Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the incredible Selous Reserve, in addition to a rich mosaic of areas that means 20% of the total population of large African mammals live in its territory.

But Tanzania (union of Tanganyika with Zanzibar), which in addition to Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru which are respectively the first and fifth highest summits in Africa, has lakes like Victoria, Tanganyika and Natron, the three largest in the Continent. And also the magic of islands like Zanzibar, pearl of the Indian Ocean with dreamlike beaches and fabulous places for diving.

The surprising variety of Tanzanian fauna goes hand in hand with the cultural diversity of its numerous ethnic groups: the MASAI of the Rift Valley, the HADZABE hunter-gatherers of Lake Eyasi, the BUSHMEN or the DATOGAS.

Level of difficulty - Difficulty grading

Grading of this ascent: M2-F4-T2-P3-A3

In our trekking programs, trekking traverses and mountaineering/climbing, we have defined the grading from 1 to 5, in the four points that we consider determining: backpack, physical, technical and psycho (Psychological).

Backpack (M): This point has to do with the weight we must carry in our backpacks. Trekkings or traverses where we have pack animals allow us to carry less weight on our backs. And multi-day traverses in Patagonia (without the option of having pack mules), generally make us carry more weight, especially in the first days.

Physical (F): We consider physical demand to be the wear we can suffer both aerobic (climbs = possible shortness of breath) and muscular (endurance = many hours walking) and joints (descents = knees / ankles).

Technical (T): Technical difficulty is mainly based on terrain. How much it can cost us to climb a slope, if it is very steep or if we have to use our hands in some section (simple climbing), both on rock and on snow-ice, or materials like crampons and ice axes in other ascents.

Psycho (P): We maintain that this point, the psychological factor, especially in ascents, represents a relevant factor. Each one needs a factor of conviction, confidence, self-control and willpower to be able to achieve an objective. And according to the attitude with which we face distances, elevation changes, terrain and so many other objective factors, we can achieve performance with very different results.

Altitude (A): It is the factor that altitude above sea level influences us based on the activity we perform. Managing and overcoming symptoms caused by altitude is the key to this point.

Thus, in two-day outings we can have examples of:

1- the classic trekking with ascent to Cerro Tres Picos in the Sierra de la Ventana in Buenos Aires province, with round-trip trekking and one night in the mountains camping, we can give a rating of: M2-F1-T1-P1-A1

2- the classic ascent to Lanin Volcano, in Neuquén, with one night in refuge or tent, by the normal route: M2-F4-T2-P3-A2

And in 5-day to full week outings, we can have examples of:

1- Circuit and ascent to Nevado de Chañi, Jujuy-Salta, with mule portage

a) Trekking without summit attempt: M2-F3-T1-P2-A3

b) Trekking with summit ascent (the difference is marked only on summit day): M3-F4-T3-P4-A4

2- Trekking Andes Crossing via Vuriloche Pass, Patagonia: M5-F3-T1-P2-A1

Frequently Asked Questions

If I have never done mountaineering, can I dream of reaching the highest point in Africa?

As long as you are physically fit and can adapt to a high-altitude hiking expedition, there would be no problem. Except for summit day, it is a high-altitude trekking.

How do you travel to Tanzania?

We advise you on the flight, which has numerous stopovers, via South Africa or via Qatar. No less than 36 hours counting stopovers

I don't have half the equipment required, can it be rented? what is advisable to buy?

We will advise you about it. Read our list and let us know. You can rent sleeping bag and poles from us mainly.

What real difficulty does this expedition have? How much walking per day?

About 6 hours per day and summit day is the most demanding, with approximately 15 hours of activity.

Where do you sleep?

Overnight stays are in mountain camps in igloo-type tents, comfortable and for 2/3 or 4 people. In the camps there are dining and structural tents, to provide greater comfort.

How much does the backpack weigh?

Very little, only the equipment you use each day, the rest is carried by porters.

What do we eat?

In all our expeditions we provide meal service on FULL BOARD basis.

Here we base ourselves on regional food, which is very complete.

It is necessary to complete the personal/medical form to clarify if someone does not eat some type of food.

Difficulty Graduation System

Click on each indicator to see details

20%

Backpack (M)

Backpack: Weight / Duration of the Day.

Clic para detalles

80%

Physical (F)

Physical demand

Clic para detalles

40%

Technical (T)

Technician: Difficulty in the Field / Equipment.

Clic para detalles

60%

Psycho (P)

Psychological Strength

Clic para detalles

100%

Height (A)

Height Exposure

Clic para detalles

How to interpret these values?

Each aspect is evaluated from 20% to 100%, where:

20-40%: Basic or beginner level
60%: Intermediate level
80-100%: Advanced or expert level

Recommended for intermediate level

Previous experience and good physical condition required.

Required equipment

Small trekking backpack (35 to 50 liters) - With waist straps (belt)
A duffel bag for equipment carrying
1 suitcase or bag for travel (the carrying duffel bag can go inside this suitcase)
Warm sleeping bag (-15 degrees comfort, e.g. 800/1000gms down-duvet or good synthetic).
Inflatable insulating mat (optional)
Trekking poles

FEET

1 Good quality mountain boots. Consult for possible models.
1 lightweight trekking footwear for replacement

FIRST LAYER (Base layer)

Changes of underwear.
Cotton t-shirts (for wearing at camp and for sleeping)
Short-sleeve synthetic t-shirts and/or shirts
Long-sleeve synthetic t-shirt
Polypropylene or similar pants or leggings (not cotton). To use as inner thermal pants
Thin polypropylene or similar gloves (not cotton)
Pairs of thin polypropylene or similar socks (not cotton), in contact with skin.
Multifunctional neck gaiter like Buff

SECOND LAYER (Insulation)