Your Adventure in Tanzania and Zanzibar

Arusha is located at the foothills of Mount Meru on the eastern side of the Great Rift Valley. This is the gateway to the northern safari circuit, with easy access to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Mount Meru. Its elevation of 1,400 m (4,600 ft) keeps temperatures relatively cool despite proximity to the equator; temperatures generally range between 10 and 30°C (50 and 86°F), with little humidity due to the altitude. Arusha is serviced by two airports, Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) on the eastern side, and Arusha Airport, which primarily services domestic travel. The two airports are connected by the main road, which is notorious for traffic. There is some good shopping available, including the impressive Cultural Heritage center, with curio shops, a jewelry boutique, a Tanzanite and precious stone counter, a bargain center, and an art gallery.

Just a stone’s throw from the ‘centre of Africa’ – being halfway between Cairo and Cape Town – Arusha’s Villa Maua (House of Flowers) could not be more ‘central’ than its prime location in the safari capital of Northern Tanzania. Ideal for pre- or post- safari stays or those visitors with historic or commercial interests in the city, the cosy warmth of Villa Maua creates an ambiance of welcome home-style hospitality complete with a fully stocked licensed bar and restaurant. All rooms are fully air conditioned and equipped with WiFi and satellite televisions.

The Lemosho Route is very scenic and affords one of the best ascent profiles of any route on the mountain, offering a complete Kilimanjaro experience with more acclimatization time, more culture, and more spectacular scenery. This itinerary ascends via Stella Point and not the Western Breach and is for this reason considered to be a safer route.

This eight-day ascent to the "Roof of Africa" has you starting at Lemosho on the western side and traversing across the most spectacular parts of the mountain, including the Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, Barranco Valley, and up to the summit via Stella Point. The descent is via the Mweka route.

From the starting point of the Lemosho trail you will set off at a leisurely pace into afromontane forest. Lunch is taken on trail and you will reach camp in the mid-afternoon.

Hiking Distance: 5 km / 3 mi
Hiking Time: 7 hours
Max Altitude: 9,385 ft
Vertical Gain: 2,005 ft

Overnight Forest Campsite

From the forested slopes you will ascend through forest, breaking out of the forest onto the heath zone and the plateau. Lunch is taken on trail and you will arrive in camp in the afternoon.

Hiking Distance: 7 km / 4 mi
Hiking Time: 7 hours
Max Altitude: 11,680 ft
Vertical Gain: 2,295 ft

Overnight Camp

Today you will cross the Shira plateau, one of the most scenic parts of the scenset. This morning you will hike for around 3-4 hours to the lunch point. After lunch you will ascend to the next camp, arriving in the mid-afternoon. For those with the energy a hike in the late afternoon is possible.

Hiking Distance: 9 km / 5.5 mi
Hiking Time: 5.5 hours
Max Altitude: 13,451 ft
Vertical Gain: 1,771 ft

Overnight Camp

Today is a walk-high sleep-low day. You ascend into alpine desert and for those that are feeling strong you can even head up to Lava Tower before descending to Barranco Camp. Lunch is taken as a picnic lunch on route. This is a long day but keep in mind that the next time you head to this altitude is in two days time, making this a great acclimatization day!

Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6 mi
Hiking Time: 8 hours
Max Altitude: 15,100 ft
Vertical Gain: 2,500 ft

Overnight Barranco Camp

You now have a relatively short day to a camp, after conquering the Barranco Wall. The selection of this camp is strategic – significant time at altitude is essential for safe acclimatization and in the late afternoon you will arrive in camp. Sunsets here are particularly spectacular, with views of the southern glacial valleys and ice fields towering 1,000 meters (over 3,000 feet) above you.

Hiking Distance: 5 km / 3 mi
Hiking Time: 4 hours
Max Altitude: 13,780 ft
Vertical Gain: 980 ft

Overnight at Camp

Today is another half-day ascending to Barafu Camp. Lunch will be taken in camp, allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit attempt. Desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp, and yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi peak are the norm. Dinner will be taken before heading to rest for the evening.

Hiking Distance: 4 km / 2 mi
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Max Altitude: 15,100 ft
Vertical Gain: 1,650 ft

Overnight Barafu Camp

Most people depart late at night for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence are key to reaching the summit. By dawn, as the first rays of light appear, most arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point offers a relatively short final section to Uhuru peak, the Roof of Africa! The descent begins, and the goal is to reach Mweka camp before evening.

Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7 mi
Hiking Time: 12 hours
Max Altitude: 19,340 ft
Vertical Gain: 4,240 ft

Overnight Mweka Camp

After breakfast, you descend once again through montane forest and around midday, after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your hotel for a well-deserved shower and celebratory dinner!

Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7 mi
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Max Altitude: 12,340 ft
Vertical Drop: 6,440 ft

This photographer’s paradise is one of the best places in Africa to view the big cats as well as an amazing array of plains game. The northern Serengeti has the classic big open plains of the African savannah, sprawling views, and consistently delivers excellent wildlife sightings. It is one of the best places in East Africa for leopards, and the kopje strewn hillsides that are home to these elusive creatures are in themselves stunningly beautiful. A few days here can be very action packed and there’s even chances to see black rhinos in some areas.

The Serengeti is perhaps the most famous African wilderness area, its name synonymous with the notion of safari for nearly a hundred years. This UNESCO World Heritage site covers 14,750 km2 (5,700 mi2) of premiere game viewing in Acacia woodlands, open grasslands, and undulating savannahs interspersed with seasonal rivers. The park on the northern side borders the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and, together with several other smaller reserves and conservation areas, forms the larger Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.

Just a short flight from the Tanzania mainland lies the idyllic Indian Ocean archipelago of Zanzibar. Famous for intoxicating aromas of spices, beautiful white sand beaches, and warm turquoise waters, the heart of the island is undoubtedly Stone Town, a fascinating step back in time with narrow winding streets, Swahili traders and local fisherman, and the daily call to prayer in this predominantly muslim town.

In addition to its fascinating Swahili and Arab history, Zanzibar offers world class scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing and, at certain times of year, kitesurfing. There is also endemic wildlife in the Johazi Forest.

Nicknamed “Spice Island,” Zanzibar was an important part of the slave and ivory trade as a connecting point between the mainland interior and the Middle East. This made some slave traders very wealthy. A walk around the Sultan's Palace is reminiscent of this dark past. More recent pop culture will undoubtedly lead to the doorway of Zanzibar's most famous son, a famous musician.

Baraza is located on the southeastern coast of the island of Zanzibar, along the award-winning Bwejuu Beach, selected by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the top 30 island beaches globally.

This stunning 30-villa boutique resort reflects Zanzibar's heritage from the Sultans' era. A blend of Arabic, Swahili, and Indian design, featuring Swahili arches, detailed hand-carved cement décor, exquisite antiques, handcrafted furniture, and intricate brass lanterns, Baraza provides exceptional luxury on the island of Zanzibar.