Meet the rest of the team and a Charity Challenge representative at the airport for the long-awaited night flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
After touch down, we drive to Big Rock Camp in the foothills of Mt. Longido. The afternoon will be spent on an acclimatisation trek in the African bush, to familiarise participants with the environment and equipment. Conditions are likely to be very hot and dry and unlike anything you are used to, so take today to ease in gently. Overnight at camp.
The day begins with a 20km drive into the bush. From here it’s a tough 22km trek towards the majestic volcano: Kitumbeine. Passing Maasai villages and herdsmen, we catch our first glimpse of Ol Doiyno Lengai (2,960m), the most sacred Maasai mountain in the region. The trail en route to Kitumbeine Village is sandy and rocky. About 2kms beyond the village is Kitumbeine Camp, where we overnight.
The environment gets hotter and drier, but the payoff is fantastic game viewing. Look out for zebra, gerenuk , giraffe and countless birds.
The trail is rocky and dusty, so face masks are recommended. Today and tomorrow the route crosses a low saddle between Mounts Kitumbeine and Gelai. Midway is the old swamp of Nagarirat – now a dust bowl. Tonight’s camp is high up, with awe-inspiring views.
Today we climb into the foothills of Gelai. Prepare to be challenged as there are many uphills and it can be rocky underfoot. The night will be spent at Gelai Village campsite, a few minutes’ walk from the village itself. Our challenges have helped to fund and build new classrooms for the community here.
Rise and shine early to trek across untamed bush towards the Sunken Crater (22kms). Our efforts bring us closer to the escarpment of the Rift Valley, rising from the bush up to the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands. Today’s trek will be the hottest so far, so pack sun block, reflective clothing and wide-brimmed hats. However, temperatures can fall dramatically after dark. Camp at the rim of the crater.
Breakfast will be served super early, after which it’s time to bid farewell to the support team and head to Arusha. The guide will join you for lunch and some shopping, after which you are free to relax by the pool or explore some more. Overnight at hotel.
There’s still time to see anything you may have missed in Arusha this morning. Later the group will transfer to the airport for the overnight flight back to Britain.
As we touchdown in the UK it’s time to head to arrivals to find your family and friends – but not before swapping details with your challenge companions.
BELIEVE >> ACHIEVE >> INSPIRE
We hold an Air Travel Organiser's Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 6546. Many of the flight-inclusive challenges on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. This ATOL protection only covers challenges that include flights booked by Charity Challenge and that originate in the UK. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLcertificate
Link to share:
https://www.charitychallenge.com/expedition/itinerary/1937/Maasai-Bush-Trek
Share link via: