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Kilimanjaro Dispatches
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August 8 - 22, 2009 Kilimanjaro Trek & Safari
Lead Guide: Jeff Martin
August 8, 2009
August 8th - Group departs US to arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport on August 9th.
August 8 - 22, 2009 Kilimanjaro Trek & Safari
Lead Guide: Jeff Martin
August 10, 2009
Jambo (hello) to all!
Well, the evening is beginning to wind down peacefully for our team here at the beautiful Dik Dik Lodge. Everyone is in great health, high spirits, and excited for our climb of Kilimanjaro. Today was a relaxing, yet important day as our climbing program officially began. After a filling breakfast our team met to share a few laughs and discuss the adventure that lies ahead. After a thorough gear and clothing check for our trek, we headed back to the patio for a gourmet lunch that fueled us for a tour of Arusha. The bustling city of Arusha welcomed us first with a visit to the local central market where one may buy fresh produce, a variety of dried fish, fresh bread, among a plethora of other items. We then hit up the super market for last minute odds and ends for the trek before heading pool-side back at the Dik Dik.
Two of our final team members are arriving momentarily and we'll all be accounted for and ready for our early departure Tuesday morning to begin our Kilimanjaro trek. We'll check in tomorrow from the Machame Camp.
Talk to you all soon!
Jeff, Casey, Dave and crew.
August 8 - 22, 2009 Kilimanjaro Trek & Safari
Lead Guide: Jeff Martin
August 11, 2009
Day 3: Trek Begins
Jambo from Machame camp, 9,800', on Kilimanjaro. Our team is doing well after our first day hiking through the amazingly lush forest zone. Our camp is nestled in between tall erica heather as we lay on the cuspheather/moorland ecological zone.
Cool temperatures made for perfect hiking weather to workout our jet-lagged legs. A tribe of blue monkeys saw us off as we began our hike through the macaranga trees. Two species of impatien flowers brought a nice vibrance to the forest floor. The bright orange/red and yellow impatiens kilimanjari can only be found here.
As we sat down for a wonderful three course meal, with baked talapia from Lake Victoria, Kibo and Mawenzi peaks were in full view. True inspiration for the days ahead.
Tomorrow we head off to the Shira Plateau and our second camp at about 12,600'.
Talk to you all soon,
Jeff, Casey, Dave, and crew
August 8 - 22, 2009 Kilimanjaro Trek & Safari
Lead Guide: Jeff Martin
August 12, 2009
Howdy everyone,
The team awoke early this morning to tea, coffee and washing water being brought to the tents.(I know it sounds tough) We had a wonderful breakfast and then headed out on the trail again. As we slowly ascended from the dense forest into the higher sub-alpine zone, the vegetation decreased in size with every step of the way. Plants that started out many times over head height ended up being barely shoulder level. The views also continued to become increasingly more beautiful with our ascent.
We have climbed up to our camp which sits on an ancient lava flow called the Shira Plateau. Our camp site is situated right beneath Kilimanjaro with spectacular views of the mountain and of the surrounding valleys, it's breathtaking to say the least. We have also been blessed with great weather so far and will keep our fingers crossed.
Everyone is doing great and to our surprise a lost duffel bag has rejoined the group after having been lost for the last three days. Wahoo!
Casey, Jeff, Dave and crew
August 8 - 22, 2009 Kilimanjaro Trek & Safari
Lead Guide: Jeff Martin
August 13, 2009
Our team is tucked in for a well deserved nights rest after a great day hiking up the Shira lava flows. Many of our team reached a new personal altitude best, 14,800', before descending into the Barranco Valley. As we left the high alpine desert we hiked past incredible flora making us feel as if we entered the world of Dr. Seus. Large senecios, ground cells, and moss strewn boulders guided our way to camp.
The Dik Dik cooks impressed us yet again with a splendid dinner, fueling our bodies for yet another fabulous day on Kilimanjaro.
Talk to you soon,
Jeff, Casey, Dave, and the krazy kilis
August 8 - 22, 2009 Kilimanjaro Trek & Safari
Lead Guide: Jeff Martin
August 14, 2009
Hello all,
Day 6 in Africa started with tea, coffee and clear skies that offered us some amazing views of the mountain.
After breakfast we started with the first major obstacle, the Barranco Wall. The Barranco Wall is a 1,000' steep hike, part scramble with the occasional step requiring the use of our hands. It took us about two hours to ascend this section and it seemed like everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. The best part was watching the porters climb this with their loads carefully balanced on their heads. Amazing and humbling to say the least!
A few more hours of traversing brought us to our next camp called Camp Karanga. It sits at the top of Karanga Valley at around 13,000'. The weather continues to be favorable and everyone in the group still has a smile on their face. We are currently resting in our tents awaiting dinner and getting excited about tomorrows move up to high camp.
Talk to you soon,
Jeff, Casey, Dave, and team
August 8 - 22, 2009 Kilimanjaro Trek & Safari
Lead Guide: Jeff Martin
August 15, 2009
Jambo everyone,
Well, our summit day has finally arrived. We hiked about three hours to get to our high camp which sits at nearly 15,000'. Once again our porters arrived before us and had already set camp up with lunch waiting. This camp sits high on a ridge with surreal views that lead directly to the summit.
Our plan is to get a few hours of rest tonight and then wake up around midnight to start our climb. If all goes well we hope to arrive at the summit in about seven to eight hours of slow, but steady hiking. The weather is still looking good and the group is very psyched for the climb, albeit a little anxious.
Wish us luck,
Casey, Jeff, Dave and the summit team.
August 8 - 22, 2009 Kilimanjaro Trek & Safari
Lead Guide: Jeff Martin
August 16, 2009 - Summit!
The team did absolutely great today on our summit climb. We left our high camp this morning at 1:00 am, and reached the Roof of Africa at 8:30 am. The weather cooperated the whole time, with clear skies, and no winds. The views from Uhuru Peak were incredible, and we had the summit to ourselves.
We are now at Mweka camp, and enjoying our last dinner on the mountain. Tommorrow we walk out to the Mweka Gate, and will be back at the Dik Dik by early afternoon.
August 8 - 22, 2009 Kilimanjaro Trek & Safari
Lead Guide: Jeff Martin
August 17, 2009
We walked about 3 1/2 hours from Mweka Camp to the Mweka Gate this morning. After descending through the rain forest, we sat down to a nice lunch at the park gate. We drove back to the Dik Dik Hotel where we all had hot showers and our celebration dinner. We are ready for a good night's sleep before our safari tomorrow.
August 8 - 22, 2009 Kilimanjaro Trek & Safari
Lead Guide: Jeff Martin
August 18, 2009
Our first day of safari at Lake Manyara National Park did not disappoint. Standing through the roof of our Land Cruiser we witnessed herds of elephant, impalas grazing, stoic giraffes, wildabeast, warthogs, hippos, babboons, and African birds.
The safari drivers prepared an awesome meal in the bush. With the land cruisers circled, our team sat down amidst acacia trees to grilled pork, grilled garlic bread, salad, and of course plenty of Africa's finest brews.
To complete an already spectacular day, we arrived at sunset to the beautiful Plantation Lodge. Built by a passionate German couple, the lodge sits just outside of the Ngorongoro Crater engulfed by ornate gardens and manicured lawns. The Plantation Lodge is a true gem of Tanzania.
Stay tuned for safari part II as we visit Ngorongoro Crater!
Talk to you all soon,
Jeff, Casey, Dave and crew
August 8 - 22, 2009 Kilimanjaro Trek & Safari
Lead Guide: Jeff Martin
August 19, 2009
As we loaded into the land cruisers for Ngorongoro Crater, we all had the same question in our heads. Is there a better place to wake up than in a warm, comfortable, and peaceful getaway at the Plantation Lodge? It would be hard to beat...
With bellies full of fresh fruit, pastries, crepes, and coffee, our appetite for the wild side prevailed. A cool morning greeted us as we descended into the world's largest most complete caldera - similar to Crater Lake in Oregon, but filled with 25,000 resident animals instead of a deep water.
Right off the bat we saw a cheetah eyeing several small birds before disappearing behind a knoll. Then elephants. Then a pride of lion suffering from what we humans call a "food coma" as a Cape Buffalo carcus lay beside them. In all, we were graced with four lion prides, with one lioness sauntering just in front of our vehicle...breath taking.
A visit to a local Maasai village complete with a tour of their mud huts rounded out another amazing safari day.
Tomorrrow we head to Tarangire National Park - will we see a leopard? Stay tuned!
Talk to you all soon,
Jeff, Casey, Dave and crew
August 8 - 22, 2009 Kilimanjaro Trek & Safari
Lead Guide: Jeff Martin
August 20, 2009
We had another amazing day in Africa! After a wonderful breakfast of crepes, egg and several types of fresh juice we climbed into our safari outfitted Land cruisers and headed out on another adventure.
This time our goal was visit Tarangire National Park. A park that is well known for it's abundance of elephants and other wildlife. Along the way we stopped off at a few roadside shops for souvenirs. We had a quick but very tasty lunch and then headed into the African bush. Tarangire National Park is beautiful and we saw more elephants than you would ever believe. Most of which were trying their best to find shade in the sweltering savanna.
A few hours of animal watching led us to our last stopover just outside the park with fantastic views. It's called Kikoti Camp and it is one of the most remote places I have ever stayed. To say it's wonderful and beautiful would be an understatement. We are staying in luxury elevated tents that allow us to sleep while listening to the African night.
We plan on doing a little more wildlife viewing tomorrow as we make our way back to Hotel Dik Dik and eventually the airport. Everyone has had an amazing adventure and we would like to thank everyone for following along. We miss all of our families and most of our friends. ;)
Casey, Jeff, Dave and crew.
August 8 - 22, 2009 Kilimanjaro Trek & Safari
Lead Guide: Jeff Martin
August 21, 2009
A night at the Kikoti Lodge proved memorable with an outstanding sunset over the Tarangire valley with favorite libation in hand. With thoughts of this being the last night in Africa far from our minds, we enjoyed a gourmet dinner in an open air dining room complete with Maasai warriors to fend off lions from taking our seconds! As we slept the night away in our screened-in open air 'tents' - beautiful wood and canvas a-frame structures with all the amenities of any 5 star room - we let the chirp of crickets, hoot of birds, and groans of distant animals help guide us to a peaceful sleep.
We headed out in the morning to drive back through the Tarangire National Park and stopped to find a lion and lioness not 10 feet from our vehicles. We did everything we could to keep Casey from getting out of the truck, but we'll miss him dearly - made for good photos, though. It was truly an amazing experience being that close to one of nature's greatest creatures, yet in the safety of our burly land cruisers.
After a short stint of shopping we had dinner back at the Dik Dik Hotel with showers preparing us for the long journey home. We look forward to sharing the photos and stories from our African adventure climbing Kilimanjaro, visiting a Maasai village, staying at incredible lodges, and witnessing nature's grandeur.
Thanks to all who followed our journey south of the equator in Africa's Tanzania!
Sincerely,
Jeff, Casey, Dave, and crew
RMI Guides
-
Jeff Martin
-
Casey Grom
-
Dave Conlan
Climbing Team
Sue, Matthew, Scott, Jeff, Dennis, Grace, Dan, Brenda, Cheryl, Margi, and Bill
Itinerary
Day One: Depart U.S.A. Depending on flight times and connections, travel to Arusha, Tanzania typically takes over 24 hours from the U.S. Most people fly from Amsterdam directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Another option is to fly from London through Nairobi with a connecting flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Day Two: Upon your evening arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, you are met by your RMI Guide and transferred in our private vehicle to the enchanting Dik Dik Hotel near the town of Arusha. Overnight at the Dik Dik Hotel. (D)
Note: Our transfer times follow the KLM schedule, if you
are arriving on another carrier a private transfer can be
arranged for you at an additional cost.
Day Three: Following the morning team orientation meeting, we spend most of the day organizing and packing all of our gear. We will have some time in the afternoon to relax by the pool and recover from our long flights. Overnight at the Dik Dik Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day Four: Our day begins with a beautiful drive to Kilimanjaro National Park. The starting point of our trek is at the Machame Gate (5,900') where we enter the Park. After registering with the Park Rangers, we begin hiking through the dense forest to the Machame Camp (9,800'), where we spend the first night. Hiking time is approximately 5 - 6 hours. (B, L, D)
Day Five: We continue ascending, headed towards the Shira Plateau at 12,000 feet. After leaving the forest and traveling through the "Giant Heather" zone, we set up camp on a bench overlooking the majestic Great Rift Valley and if the weather is clear enjoy spectacular views of the summit of Kilimanjaro. Hiking time is approximately 4 - 6 hours. (B, L, D)
Day Six: Our day begins with a traverse of the mountain, taking us underneath the Arrow Glacier and Western Breach Wall. We walk among the giant lobelias and groundsels, vegetation that unique to the high altitudes of East Africa. Our camp is set at the base of the great Barranco Wall, a steep canyon emerging from Kilimanjaro's southern side (12,800'). Hiking time is approximately 5 - 6 hours. (B, L, D)
Day Seven: An early departure after breakfast allows us magnificent views as we traverse beneath the Southern Breech Wall. Our traverse takes place at elevations between 13,000 and 14,500 feet. Our camp is situated on the edge of the Karanga Valley nestled below the glaciers of Kilimanjaro. Hiking time is approximately 4 - 5 hours. (B, L, D)
Day Eight: The vegetation gradually disappears as we work our way towards high camp. We establish camp at approximately 15,000 feet near the Barafu hut. After an early dinner and a team meeting to discuss our summit attempt, we retire to our tents in preparation for our summit bid. Hiking time is approximately 4 - 5 hours. (B, L, D)
Day Nine: Summit Day on Kilimanjaro! Today we ascend to the Roof of Africa at 19,340 feet! We will get an early alpine start, planning to arrive at the crater rim by sunrise. We continue hiking along the crater rim, and in one more hour find ourselves standing on the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak. After a short summit celebration and photo session, we start the descent back to high camp. We will pack our camp and continue descending to Mweka Camp, which is located down in the lush forests at 10,000 feet. Hiking time is approximately 12 - 14 hours. (B, L, D)
Day Ten: After a much needed night's rest the team continues the descent down through the forest, finishing our trek at the Mweka Gate. After we load up the gear, our bus takes us back to the Dik Dik Hotel to rest and celebrate. Hiking time is approximately 3 - 4 hours. (B, L, D)
Safari:
For the next four days we explore the wilds of Africa in "pop-top" Land Rovers driven by professional safari guides. The ecosystems we visit are home to herds of wildebeest, zebra, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, cape buffalo, topi and gazelles, as well as their predators like lions, cheetahs and the elusive leopards. Each day we awake to witness the spectacular African sunrise while enjoying a cup of fresh Kenyan tea or coffee, before embarking on our wildlife game drive. During our drives we may witness a lion's kill, follow a cheetah or watch a pack of hyena on the chase. On one of our days we plan to visit a Maasai village. Evenings are spent relaxing, sharing stories, or just listening to sounds of the African night in luxurious tented camps situated in the African bush.
Day Eleven: Lake Manyara National Park. After breakfast we leave the Dik Dik Hotel and drive to Lake Manyara National Park. This Park, located about 75 miles east of Arusha, sits right at the base of the Eastern Great Rift Escarpment-a truly dramatic setting! Although small compared other game reserves, this 125 square mile Park has a year round water supply that supports numerous animals. The close proximity of a variety of distinct vegetation zones is a perfect environment for viewing all sorts of animals. In the lush forests, we will see troops of baboons and blue monkeys. While traveling along the shoreline of Lake Manyara, we can see the large number of elephant, hippo and some of the 450 species of birds that call this area home. If we are lucky, we might even be able to spot a tree climbing lion. We have lunch overlooking the Lake before driving to our first safari lodge. (B, L, D)
Day Twelve: Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area. Today we head for the Ngorongoro Crater. Often referred to as the "eighth wonder of the world", this is the largest unbroken and unflooded caldera in the world. It is home to more than 30,000 mammals, and offers some of the best game viewing opportunities in Tanzania. The reputation it has earned as one of the world's most unique ecosystems and premier game viewing areas is well deserved. We spend all day exploring the unforgettable crater floor before returning to our lodge. (B, L, D)
Day Thirteen: Tarangire National Park. Tarangire is home to more elephants per square mile than anywhere else in the world. This Park boasts the highest concentration of wildlife during the dry season of any area in Tanzania outside the Serengeti/Ngorongoro ecosystem. It is well known for it's river valley, wetlands, gently rolling hills, rocky outcrops, acacia woodlands and numerous baobabs (the upside down tree). We enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush before driving to our second safari camp, Kikoti Camp. This secluded luxury tented camp is located on a ridge with incredible views overlooking the Tarangire National Park. (B, L, D)
Day Fourteen: After breakfast, we reluctantly leave our stunning safari camp and drive back through Tarangire National Park as we make our way back to Arusha. En route we can stop at a local market to purchase any last minute souvenirs. We check into the Dik Dik Hotel for the afternoon, giving us plenty of time to clean up and repack our bags. After an early dinner, we are transferred to the airport for our evening flights. (B, L, D)
Day Fifteen: Continued flights and arrival to U.S.
Key: B, L, D = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included.