The Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary lies in the Shimba Hills forest near the Kwale Shimba Hills National Reserve and is managed by the local council of Mwaluganje. The site was once a farm that elephants frequented to feed on a certain crop. It was then decided to turn the place into a sanctuary. A beautiful elephant watching site has been constructed from where visitors have uninterupted view ot the large animals. Occassionally one may also spot leopards there. Just at the entrance of the sanctuary there is a local factory that makes paper from elephant dung.[:]

AT THE MOMENT CLOSED TILL FURTHER NOTICE

The Lamu Archipelago is a small group of islands situated on Keny’s northern coastline near Somalia. It is made up of Lamu, Manda, Pate and Kiwayu Islands that all have an existing and thriving Swahili culture.
Lamu is also the oldest Swahili town in Kenya. Here you will find ancient items perfectly preserved.

Lamu Museums is a conglomerate of four museums, namly Lamu Museum, Lamu Fort Enviroment Muesum, German Post Office museum and Swahili House Museum. Due to the rich history of the town and its enviroment, the museums have very unique historical exhibits, some dating back earlier than precolonial times.

The German Post Office Museum was orginally built in the 19th century as a private residence. This museum traces back to the historical contacts between Germany and Kenya, depiting early postal services that were used.

The Al-Busaidy family built the Lamu Museum in 1891. It was then taken over by they British colonial goverment to house senior colonial officials. The building is characterized by typical 18th century Swahili architecture, and has a wide collection of rare ethnographic material from the Swahili, Orma and Pokomo ethnic gorups.

Takwa Ruins are located in the Manda Island and can be reched by boat from Lamu town. The ruins date back to the 15th and 16th centuries and are the remains of a flourishing Swahili tranding town before it was abdoned somtime in the 17th century, most probably because of hostility of the neighbouring Takwa and Pate people, and the salination of the water that made living conditions difficult.

Siyu Fort is located in Pate Island and can be reached by boat from Lamu town. It was built to resist domination of the Siyu people by the Omani Arabs and represents the remains of a Swahili settlement dating back to the 15th century. The building of the fort is redited to one of the Siyu leaders named Mohamed Ishaq bin Mbarak bin Mohamed bin Oman Famau,

Jaramogi Museum is located at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, the home of the Late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga who was Kenya’s first vice president. The mausoleum was built above Odinga’s grave.
On display are Odinga’s briefcase, ceremonial hats and clothes he wore at various stages of his politcal life.

Rusings Island hosts the mausoleum of the late Tom Mboya, a Kenyan nationalist leader who was assinated in Nairobi in 1969. There are also plans to develop a Mary Leakey Archelogical Site. The Island also has a club built on the beach, with severeal activities like fishing, sight seeing and water skiing.

Mfangano and Takawiri Islands have fishing Camps that offer severeral activities, The Mbesa and Namolo islands, a few meters apart, have many bird species including egrets and the fish eagle. There are also many monitor lizards, wild goats and sheep.

Like most other Rift Valley lakes, Lake Bogoria, situated at 990 meters above sea level, has alkaline water and occasionally attracts vast numbers of flamingos. What makes the 30 square kilometer, 9-10 meter deep lake and its surrounding national reserve so unique, however, is the wild, forbidding landscape at its edges—a shimmering heat haze interspersed with dark lava rocks, hidden in a deep depression. Lake Bogoria is so well shielded from outside view that Joseph Thomson, the first European to pass through this area, was unaware of its existence. It wasn’t until two years later, in 1885, that the water body was spotted by Anglican Bishop Hannington, who was on his way to Uganda. Shortly thereafter, Hannington was murdered along with his followers on the orders of Mwanga, the King of Uganda. In his memory, the lake was named Lake Hannington, until the name was Africanized after Kenya’s independence.

In Bogoria, one feels far removed from the rest of the world, even though Nakuru lies just 50 kilometers to the south. This sense of being on another planet is heightened by the steaming hot springs and a few boiling geysers that surface here. Particularly in the early morning, the steam clouds create a magical atmosphere. They are unmistakable signs of volcanic activity in the Earth’s crust beneath the lake, just like the Southern Bay, a partially submerged crater in the southern part of the park, reminiscent of Crescent Island in Lake Naivasha.

A visit to the Lake Bogoria National Reserve, established in 1970 and covering an area of 107 square kilometers, is especially worthwhile for tourists because, like in Hell’s Gate National Park, one can move freely on foot and by bicycle. This freedom makes nature experiences, such as the masses of flamingos or the impressive herd of Greater Kudu—an antelope species otherwise very rare in East Africa—particularly striking.

Designed for the visitor who has a limited amount of time and who is not necessarily interested in reaching any of the summits of Mt. Kenya. See the fascinationg vegetation zones of an equatorial mountain and the associated rich animal and bird life. Departure from the lodges is 08.00 hrs for the drive to roadhead on the Naro Moru Track (altitude 10.000 ft). Your guide sets a leisurly pace for a relaxing walk up the mountain. Stop at about 12.000 ft., for your box lunch an then continue your stroll to the crest of the ridge at 13,500 ft., from which vantage point you have a splendit view of the main peaks as well as Teleki Valley. A quick descent to the Met. Station and back to the lodge in time for dinner.

At 4566 meters, Mount Meru is the second highest mountain in Tanzania. It is sometimes treated as an acclimatization trip before an attempt on Mount Kilimanjaro,

1st Day

Momela Gate (1500 m) – Miriakamba Hut (2514 m)

Hiking Time: 4 – 5 Hours

Distance: 10 km

From the Momela Gate cross the Ngare Nanyuki River and follow the track into the forest. The sacred Fig Tree Arch is reached after an hour. After reaching Miriakamba, you can walk to Meru Crater Floor (a 2 to 3 hour return trip) either in the afternoon Day 1 or before the start of day 2. The path across the floor leads to Njeku Camp (an old forest station) and Njeku viewpoint on a high cliff overlooking a waterfall, with exellent views of the Ash Cone and the entire extent of the crater.

2nd Day

Miriakamba Hut (2514 m) – Saddle Hut (3570 m)

Hiking Time 2 – 3 Hours

Distance: 4 km

From Miriamkamba, the path climb steeply up through pleasant glades between the trees to rich Tope la Mbogo (Buffalo Swamp) after 45 minutes and Mgongo wa Tembo (Elephant Ridge) after another 30 minutes. Continue through some open grassy clearings and over several stream beds (usally dry) to Saddle Hut. Saddle Hut, you can walk up to Little Meru (3820 m) in about an hour on a clear path. Allow 45 minutes to get back to Saddle Hut.

3rd Day

Saddle Hut (3570 m) – Miriakamba Hut (2514 m)    Summit Day

Hiking Time: 9 – 11 hours

Distance: 10 km

Start ascent early morning 2 am to 3 am to reach the summit 4566 meters in time to the sun rising from behind Mount Kilimanjaro. This is 5 km climb up 996 m to the peak, followed by descent to Miriakamba Hut for the evening.

4th Day

Miriakamba Hut (2514 m) – Momela Gate (1500 m)

Time: 2 – 3 Hours

Distance: 10 Km

Descent using the same route that you used to climb the mountain.

Alternativly: Some Groups combine the third (summit) day and the fourth (descend) day. This is entirly possible, but does mean that the summitday is very lengthy, since you must descent right of the mountain in the same day.

Please do not forget to Tip your Guides, Cooks and Porters.

Equipment you need, which you can hire if you do not have it:

– Sleeping Bag

– Mountain Poles

– Warm Gloves

– Gaiters

– Balaclava

– Water Bottles

– Head Torch

– Rain Mac/Poncho

– Warm Jacket

– Warm Trousers

– Sunglasses

– Day Pack

– Mountain Boots

– Scarves

– Pairs of Socks

This is probably the most hardest route up Kilimanjaro. A thoroghly tough uphill struggle liked by most mountaineers. As a reward for your Endevour’s however a clear day will provide you with views that many guides and porters insits are the best there are at Kilimanjaro.

1st Day

Umbwe Gate (1800 m) – Umbwe Cave Camp (2940 m)

Hiking Time: 5 – 6 hours

Distance: 8 km

Habitat: Montane Forest

From Umbwe Gate you asched through forestry track before it narrows and steepness to climb a ridge between Lonzo and Umbwe Rivers. This is the steepest part of the entire trek. Eventually after hours of this exhausting exercise, and again in altitude of 1050 m approximatley, you reach a rocky overhang. This is Umbwe Cave (29440 m) a popular first night Campsite with plenty of water sourcesavailable.

2nd Day

Umbwe Cave (2940 m) – Barranco Hut (3860 m)

Hiking time: 5 hours

Distance: 6 km

Habitat: Heather and Moorland

Roughly after 45 minutes after breaking camp, you emerge from the forest gloom onto the heather, to be presented with two awesome sights. The breathtaking Breach Wall  – all 1000 m of it – and the glory of the Kibo summit. Finally the gradient eases and the day is spent ambling through moorland vegetation to the Barranco Hut Campsite on your right time to enjoy your dinner and camp overnight.

3rd Day

Barranco Huts (3840 m) – Karanga Valley (4200 m)

Hiking Time: 3 hours

Distance: 8 km

Habitat: Alpine Desert

After Breakfast, you leave Barranco Camp and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall to Karanga Valley Camp for Overnight.

4th Day

Karanga Valley (4200 m) – Barafu Camp (4600 m)

Hiking Time: 3 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

After Breakfast, you leave Karanga Valley Camp and scrabble up cliff to leave the valley. You continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4600 meters. You have completed the Southern Curcuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here you camp, rest, enjoy, dinner and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi und Kibo are to be seen from this position.

5th Day

Barafu Camp (4600 m) – Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Mweka Camp (3100 m)

Hiking Time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak

Habitat: Stone scream and ice capped summit

Early morning, you continue your way to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5895 meter. It can be bitterly cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will wnat clothing for both extremes with your. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. You now make your descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut Campsite at 3100 meters. This part of the descent takes about 5 hours. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well earned sleep.

6th Day

Mweka Camp (3100 m) – Mweka Gate (1500 m)

Hiking Time: about 3 Hours

Habitat: Forest

After Breakfast, you continue the descend down to the Mweka Park Gate. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. A Vehicle will meet your at Mweka village and take you to Moshi/Arusha.

Please do not forget to Tip your Guides, Cooks and Porters.

Equipment needed which you can hire if you do not have it:

– Sleeping Bag

– Mountain Poles

-. Warm Gloves

– Gaiters

– Balaclava

– Water Bottles

– Head Torch

– Rain Mac/Poncho

– Warm Jacket

– Warm Trousers

– Sunglasses

– Day Pack

– Mountain Boots

– Scarves

– Pairs of Socks

This is probably the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro just like the Machame route. Accomodation on the Marangu route is huts, the Lemosho route offers strictly tents only. This makes Lemosho Route better suited to the slightly more adventuros hiker, however rewarding him/her a scenic splendor such as not seen on the Marangu route, from late afternoon sunsets at Shira, to the misty revelations of Kibo at the great Barranco wall, the Lemosho route normally complted in a minimum of 7 days. There is an added benefit to this, as you are afforded the most valuable commodity on the mountain – acclimatization. The Lemosho Route takes you high to Lava Tower (4630 m) on the day 4 and brings you down by nealy 700 m for an overnight at Barranco Camp (3950 m). This is the secret to successful acclimatization recommended.

1st Day

Londros Gate (1800 m) – Mti Mkubwa Camp (2250 m)

Hiking Time: 3 – 5 Hours

Distance: 7 km

Habitat: Montane Forest

The drive from Moshi/Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Prk takes about 5 – 6 hours. The journey passes through the village of Sanya Juu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the starting point, porters will be seen arranging their packs containing the food and other equipment. Make sure that you have al your day pack items with you as the porters travel very quickly. The guides will be pleased to assist with any additional Information. You now trek through the main forest on a winding trail to the first camp, which is located at an altitude of 2250 m. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are good idea here. You continue a short distance until you reach the Mti Mkubwa Camp, rest and enjoy your dinner and overnight. You have now reached an altitude of 2250 meters.

2nd Day

Mti Mkubwa (2250 m) – Shira 1 Camp (3500 m)

Hiking Time: 4 hours

Distance:  7 km

Habitat: Moorland

After Breakfast, you leave the forest to continue on an ascending path crossing the Heather and Moorland up to Shira 1 Camp at 3500 meters. Time for restm dinner and overnight at Shira 1 Campsite.

3rd Day

Shira 1 Camp (3500 m) – Shira 2 Camp (3840 m)

Hiking Time: 3 hours

Distance: 7 km

Habitat: Moorland

After Breakfast, you leave the Heather to continue on an ascending path, through the Moorland, until the end of the trek. Time for rest, dinner and overnight at the Shira 2 Campsite.

4th Day

Shira 2 Capsite (3840 m) – Lava Tower (4620 m) – Barraco Camp (3950 m)

Hiking Time: 7 hours

Distance 10 km

Habitat: Semi Desert

From the Shira Plateu, you continue to the east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you continue, your direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the ”Shark’s Tooth”. You now continue down to the Barranco Camp at an altitude of 3860 m. Here you rest, enjoy dinner and overnight.

Although, you end the day at the same elevation, as when you started, this is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day. For acclimatization purpors, some parties stay here an extra night.

5th Day

Barranco Camp (3860 m) – Barafu Camp (4600 m)

Hiking Time: 6 Hours

Distance: 6 km

Habitat: Alpine Desert

After Breakfast, you leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (4200 m),  and the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. You continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4600 meters. You have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views ot the summit from many different angles. Here you camp, rest enjoy dinner and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzu and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

6th Day

Barafu Camp (4600 m) – Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Mweka Camp (3100 m)

Hiking Time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru peak

Distance: to Uhuru Peak 4 . 5 km

Habitat: Stone scream and ice capped summit

Early morning, you continue your way to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5985 meters. This part of the climb takes about 6 hours. It can be bitterly cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. You now make your descend continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut Campsite at 3100 meters. This part of the descent takes about 5 hours. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Later in the evening, you enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well earned sleep.

7th Day

Mweka Camp (3100 m) – Mweka Gate (1500 m)

Hiking Time: about 3 hours

Habitat: Forest

After Breakfast, you continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate, at lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. A Vehicle will meet you at Mweka village and drive you back to Moshi/ Arusha.

Do not forget to Tip your Guides, Cooks and Porter

Equipment needed which you can hire if you don’t have:

– Sleeping Bag

– Mountain Poles

– Warm Gloves

– Gaiters

– Balaclava

– Water Bottles

– Head Torch

– Rain Mac/Poncho

– Warm Jacket

– Warm Trousers

– Day Pack

– Mountain Boots

– Scarves

– Pairs of Socks

This is probaly the older route up Kilimanjaro just like the Lemosho Route. Accomodation on the Marangu route is in the huts, the Londross route offers strictly tents only. This makes Londross better suited to the slightly more adventures hiker, however rewarding him as scenic splendor such as not seen on the Marangu route, form late afternoon sunsets at Shira, to the misty revelations of Kibo at the great Barranco wall, the Landross route is normaly completed in a minimum of 7 days. There is an added benefit to this, as you are afforded the most valuable commodigy on the mountain- acclimatization. The Londross Route takes you high to Lava Tower (4630 m) on the day 4 and brings you dawn by 700 m for an overnigth at Barranco Camp Camp (3950 m). This is the secret to successful acclimatization, it is recommended.

1st  Day

Londross Gate (1800 m) – Simba Camp (3450 m)

Hiking Time: 3 – 5 Hours

Distance: 15 Km

Habitat: Montane Forest

The drive from Moshi/Arusha to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 5 -6 Hours. The journey passes through the village of Sanya Juu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Ince you reach the Park gate, climbers are gequested to register for the climb. After that you drive for 2 hours to the starting point  Morum Barrier, 11 km Porters will be seen arranging their Packs containing the Food, water and other equpment. Make sure that you hace all your day pack items with you as the porters travel very quickly. The guides will be pleased to assist with any additional information. You now trek for 1 1/2 hours through the main forest on a winding trail to the first camp 5 km, which is located at an altitude of 3450 m.

2nd Day

Simba Camp (3000 m) – Shira 1 Camp (3450 m)

Hiking Time: 1/2 hour

Distance: 2 km

Habitat: Heather

After Breakfast, you leave the forest to continue on an ascending crossing through the Heather and Moorland up to Shira 1 Camp at 3500 m, until the ridge ends. Time for rest, dinner and camp overnight at the Shira 1 Campsite.

3rd Day

Shira 1 Camp (3500 m) – Shira 2 Campsite (3840 m)

Hiking Time: 3 hours

Distance: 4 km

Habitat: Moorland

After Breakfast, you leave the Heather to continue on an ascending path, through the Moorland, until the end of the trek. Time for rest, dinner and overnight at Shira 2 Camsite.

4th Day

Shira 2 Campsite (3840 m)  – Lava Tower (4630 m) – Barrancu Camp (3950 m)

Hiking Time: 7 hours

Distance: 10 km

Habitat: Semi Desert

From the Shira Plateau, you continue to the east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you continue, your direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the ”Shark’s Tooth”. You now continue down to the Barranco Camp at an altitude of 3950 m. Here you rest, enjoy dinner and camp overnight.

Althrough you end the day at the same elevation, as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

5th Day

Barranco Camp (3860 m) – Barafu Camp (4600 m)

Hiking Time: 6 hours

Distance: 8 km

Habitat: Alpine Desert

After Breakfast, you leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (4200 m) and the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. You continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4600 m. You have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers view of the summit from many different angles. Here you camp, rest, enjoy dinner and prepare for the summit night.

6th Day

Barafu Camp (4600 m) – Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Mweka Camp (3100 m)

Hiking Time: 8 Hours to reach Uhuru Peak

Habitat: Stone scream and ice capped summit

Early morning, you continue your way to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters. It can be bitterly cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and the contingent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. You now make your descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut Campsite at 3100 m. This part of the decent takes about 5 hours.

7th Day

Mweka Camp (3100 m) – MMweka Gate (1500 m)

Hiking Time. about 3 hours

Habitat: Forest

After Breakfast, you continue the dscent down to the Mweka Park Gate. At lower elevations it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will hel. A Vehicle will meet you a Mweka village to take you back to Moshi/Arusha.

Please do not forget to Tip your Guides, Cook and Porters.

Equipment needed, which you can hire if you do not have:

– Sleeping Bag

– Mountain Poles

– Warm Gloves

– Gaiters

– Balaclava

– Water Bottles

– Head Torch

– Rain Mac/ Poncho

– Warm Jacket

– Warm Trousers

– Sunglasses

– Day Pack

– Mountain Boots

– Scarves

– Pairs of Socks