Mount Kilimanjaro Trek, Gorillas and Chimpanzees, Nairobi National Park

Your 13 night / 14 day African upper mid-range tour starts at Mount Kilimanjaro International Airport, and ends at Nairobi International airport . The program is diverse and exciting comprising the Trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, the Mountain Gorilla and Chimpanzee treks, and a visit to Nairobi National Park. You are guaranteed to safely see and experience the best of what Africa offers for the intrepid traveler.

 MOUNT KILIMANJARO PHASE

Summit at Mount Kilimanjaro

Day 1 : Upon arrival into Kilimanjaro International airport, your party will be met by a representative holding a sign with your last name displayed, who will transfer you to your accommodation at the Parkview Inn (B+B) in the town of Moshi, elevation 2670 ft. (815 m), situated at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro on the south side of the mountain.

Day 2: Orientation meeting and drive to north side of mountain through villages and coffee plantations, about a 4-5 hour ride, to the village of Nale Muru. After signing in and preparing the porters with your packs, food and camping equipment, you will begin the Rongai Route trek on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering the pine forest. The track then starts to climb gradually through the forest that harbors some wildlife. The forest begins to thin and after 3-4 hours of trekking some 4 miles ( 6.4 km) , you arrive at the Simba or the first Cave Camp site on the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains. Elevation at this camp is 9450 ft (2880 m) and daytime temperatures are usually in the high 70’s F (high 20’s C) to mid 80’s (low 30’s C). Porters will carry most of your gear, set up camps and cook will prepare all your meals. The guides will typically have you climb to a higher elevation but sleep at a lower elevation to help you adjust to the altitude changes.

Day 3: Trek 4 miles (6.4 km) for 3-4 hours to second Cave Camp site enjoying superb views of Kibo peak and the eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Elevation at this camp site is 11 320 ft (3450 m) and daytime temperatures are usually in the low 40’s F ( lower single digit degrees C) to high 60’s F (low 20’s C ).

 Day 4: Trek some 4 hours up a short but steeper incline through grassy slopes providing excellent views along the way. The vegetation zone ends just before reaching the third Cave Camp site set at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area. Elevation at this camp site is 12 700 ft (3 870 m).

 Day 5: Hike some 5 hours across the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo and camp at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent at midnight. Elevation of the Kibo Camp site is 15 600 ft (4750 m).

 Day 6 : By flashlight at midnight, you begin the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding part of the trek. You will proceed very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trial through loose volcanic screed to reach the crater rim 8-10 hours later at Gilman’s Point, elevation 18650 ft. ( 5685 m ) . Rest here for a short time to enjoy the majestic sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can continue for another 3 hours onto Uhuru Peak, elevation 19336 ft (5895 m), passing close to the awesome glaciers and ice cliffs that occupy most of the summit area. Night time temperatures at Uhuru can be as low as zero to minus 15 degrees F (-18 to – 26 degrees C). After picture taking and celebratory pats on the back , commence the 3-4 hour , 6 mile ( 9.6 km ) decent to the Horombo Huts Camp, elevation 12 200 ft (3720 m ). Day time temperatures here range from the low 50’s F (low double digit degrees C) to the high 60’s F (low 20’s degrees C). Here is where you spend final night on mountain.

 Day 7: After breakfast, you will descend down the Marangu route on the south side of the mountain giving you a unique perspective of experiencing the mountain from two sides. The descent consists of a steady 5-6 hour, 11 mile (17.7 km ) decent through moorland to the Mandara Hut ,elevation 8858 ft ( 2700 m ), and then onto the park gate at Marangu where a vehicle will take you on a short drive back to the hotel in Moshi. In total, the Rongai ascent and the Marangu decent, will comprise a total trek of some 50 miles (81 km ). You will pack your belongings, return any rentals, and transfer to and overnight at the again at the Parkview Inn.

 RWANDAN PRIMATE PHASE

Mountain Gorillas

y 8 : Transfer to Mount Kilimanjaro International airport for flight to Kigali , the capital of the country of Rwanda. There, you will be met by a Lion Dog African Safari representative holding up a sign displaying your last name or group name. You will the do a City bus tour of Kigali. The tour takes in the museum of Natural History, the old quarter of Kigali, a handicrafts cooperative, the Genocide Memorial, the Hero’s Cemetery, the Parliament building , and the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology You will be driven to the La Pallisse Hotel to overnight. (Breakfast only )

 Day 9: After this tour, you will driven approximately 2-3 hours to the town of Muzanze ( formally Ruhengeri) and overnight at the Gorilla Mountain View Lodge .

Day 10 : Early wake up, breakfast , registration and briefing at entrance to Parc des Volcans. The park consists of 125 square km of mountain forest and home to six Virunga Volcanoes and the world famous mountain gorillas. The lushly forested slopes of the mountains form an appropriately dramatic natural setting for what is arguably the most poignant and memorable wildlife experience in the world: gorilla trekking. The exhilarating climb to the gorilla’s natural habitat of shady bamboo forest offers fantastic views in all directions, before the trackers are immersed in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with the calls of colourful birds and the chattering of rare golden monkey. Nothing can prepare one for the impact of encountering a fully-grown silverback gorilla, up to three times the size of an average man, yet remarkably peaceable and tolerant of human visitors.

 Gorilla Info and Guidelines

• To minimize possible transmission of human diseases, visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 7m (about 22 feet) from the gorillas. If you are sick with a cold, flu or other contagious illness, please do not visit the gorillas.

• Viewing time is limited to one hour.

• Maximum 8 visitors per group.

• Spitting in the park is strictly prohibited.

• Should you need to cough, cover your mouth and turn away from the gorillas.

• When with the gorillas, keep your voice low.

• Try not to make rapid movements that may frighten the gorillas.

• If a gorilla should charge or vocalize at you, do not be alarmed, stand still, look away from the gorilla and follow your guide’s directions.

• Do not litter.

• The security of our visitors is our highest priorities. There is no need for concern about personal security.

• The climate in Musanze is changeable and you can generally expect both sun and rainfall during the day.

• Musanze, at 1,700m above sea level, is generally quite cold, particularly in the evening, so warm clothing is advised.

• Recommended clothing is long trousers and shirts when in the forest to avoid nettle stings.

• Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots are essential. You may find raingear useful.

• Bring a water bottle and a small snack although eating, drinking and smoking near the gorillas is forbidden.

• Photography is permitted, although you may not use flash.

• Porters are available to help you carry your daypack for a small charge.

• Mountain gorillas live at high altitude and this may cause difficulties for some visitors. You should pace yourself, walk slowly and drink plenty of water. No one should feel deterred from making this trip.

Gorilla Families

There are seven gorilla families available for tourists with 8 tourists allowed per group:

• Susa—the largest group with 41 gorillas. This family is the hardest to trek as it tends to range high into the mountains but RDB Tourism & Conservation trackers will know well in advance where the group is located. The group is also well- known for having rare 5 year old twins named Byishimo and Impano.

• Sabyinyo—Sabyinyo is an easily accessible group led by the powerful silverback Guhonda. There are fewer members within this family than in the other groups however they are equally impressive as a family.

• Amahoro—led by the calm and easy going Ubumwe, Amahoro is made up of 17 members and means “peaceful”. To reach Amahoro one must endure a fairly steep climb however the climb is well worth it once in contact with this tranquil group.

• Group 13—when first habituated this group had only 13 members hence its name. Now the group has approximately 25 members, a very positive sign for conservation and the efforts put forward by RDB Tourism & Conservation to protect the gorillas’ habitat.

• Kwitonda—this 18-member group is led by Kwitonda which means “humble one” and has two silverbacks and one blackback. Having migrated from DRC, this group tends to range far making it a moderately difficult trek.

• Umubano—a family of 11, Umubano were originally Amahoro members but broke off after the dominant silverback was challenged by Charles, now the leader of Umubano. When a young silverback challenges the dominant silverback he must steal some females from the existing group in order to form his own family; thus Umubano was formed.

• Hirwa—this group emerged recently and was formed from different existing families, namely from Group 13 and Sabyinyo. Eventually more gorillas joined.

After gorilla visit, you will be transferred to the town of Gisenyi where you will overnight at the Hotel Malahide Paradis on the shores of beautiful Lake Kivu.

 Day 11 : Enjoy some time on the shores of Lake Kivu. In the latter afternoon, you will make your way to Nyungwe National Park where you will overnight at the Nyungwe Forest Lodge .

 Day 12 : After breakfast commence your forest and canopy walk in search of chimpanzees, monkeys, and over 200 species of birds. Overnight again at the Nyungwe Forest Lodge.

NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK PHASE

Giraffe Manor

 Day 13: Transfer to Kigali International airport for flight to Nairobi , the capital of the country of Kenya. You will be met by a Lion Dog African Safaris representative holding up a sign displaying your last name or group name who will transport you to the famous Giraffe Manor .

 Day 14 : A visit to Nairobi National Park is on the menu today which includes the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust where orphaned elephants and black rhinos are raised and reintroduced back into the wild. Later in the evening , your party will be transferred to airport for flight back home.

End of program.

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