Exotic. Expensive. The best.
A dream journey. No exaggeration.
For true hunters of unforgettable experiences.
Hiking through the wild jungles at the foot of Meru (where animals calmly roam nearby) accompanied by an armed ranger (for protection from those very calm animals), an unparalleled sunrise and the melting glaciers of Kilimanjaro, the lost world of the Ngorongoro crater and the animal migrations of Serengeti park — this is what I (Taras Pozdniy) am once again ready to travel to Tanzania for.
This journey was designed by me, already after climbing Everest (8,848m) and two classic ascents of Kilimanjaro, specially for valued clients.
The idea is simple – maximum impressions and a 100% success rate of reaching the highest point of Africa. I'm confident we will succeed.
This program doesn't run often. But climbing Kilimanjaro with a safari and Zanzibar is scheduled regularly every year. There are many dates across different seasons. We invite you to join us there.
In addition to climbing Kilimanjaro and Meru, participants will enjoy a safari in Serengeti and Ngorongoro, coffee plantations, tanzanite mines, Maasai culture and much, much more!
The route is designed so that participants acclimatize well and successfully reach both summits.
We do not cancel or reschedule groups. If the manager has given the go-ahead to buy a ticket, you can safely purchase it. The program will not be canceled through our fault.
Cooks prepare the food, porters carry the gear. Your only task is to enjoy!
Experienced Kuluar club team leaders, who have repeatedly been to Tanzania, will accompany participants throughout the whole program.
The manager has personally been to Tanzania and will advise you with expert knowledge
Over 12,000 participants have already traveled with Kuluar, and 97.8% were satisfied. We're confident you will be too!
A chance to significantly save on gear by going on a climb together with Kuluar.
We try to arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport all at the same time, but even if you arrive separately, we will arrange a transfer to the hotel where the group meets. Although the town of Arusha is big, there is not much to do here. Today's main tasks are to sort out all organizational matters and check the equipment. We will stroll around Africa, getting to know its flavor and each other.
We take only the essentials with us. Everything else can be left at the hotel. Breakfast and transfer to Momela Gate. Here we go through a quick registration and enter the realm of wild animals and impenetrable jungle. The group is accompanied by a fully equipped ranger - with a rifle, radio, etc. Along the way we can observe wild animals such as zebras, giraffes, antelopes, elephants, monkeys and even buffaloes. By evening we will reach Meriakamba Hut, where we will spend the night.
On the way: 5-7 hours
A short but steep crossing. By lunchtime we will arrive at Saddle Hut - the site of our next overnight stay. We will rest a bit, eat, and take a walk to the summit of Little Meru (3,820m). From here, stunning views open up to the west!
On the way: 3-5 hours
The first summit awaits us! Early start - around 1:30 am. Dress warmly, don't forget headlamps and sunglasses. We will pass through Rhino Point (3,800m) and Cobra Point (4,350m) and reach the summit by dawn. It is during the dawn hours that you can see the peak of Kilimanjaro rising in all its glory above the clouds, 70 kilometers away from us. Rest, photos and descent. Our task is to descend lower, to the site of the first overnight stay.
On the way: 10-12 hours
Through the jungle, watching wild animals, we descend the familiar path to the exit. From here, transfer to a hotel in Moshi. We haven't been here yet. At the hotel: shower, clean clothes and a well-deserved rest. Only the first part of the journey is behind us, but the emotions are already overflowing.
One more equipment check and morning transfer to the Kilimanjaro entrance gate. Another registration - there's no going anywhere in Africa without them. Briefing, and off we go. The trail runs through deciduous forests, surrounded by eucalyptus trees and birdsong. Views open up onto northern Tanzania and Kenya. We spend the night at Mandara Hut (2,740m).
On the way: 4-5 hours, 7 km, elevation gain: 1040 m
We gradually leave the forest zone behind. Ahead lies the alpine moorland zone. But even here there is still plant life - and it will surprise us. We admire the giant senecios and lobelias - endemic species of Kilimanjaro and one of the reasons people come here.
On the way: 6-8 hours, 11 km, elevation gain: 960 m
Soon we pass the last point with drinking water on the way to the summit. It is here that our faithful helpers, the porters, will come for water from the upper camp. All vegetation disappears and the landscapes become truly lunar.
We arrive at Kibo assault camp, have lunch and start preparing for the ascent - sorting out gear and resting.
On the way: 6-8 hours, 10 km, elevation gain: 1000 m
We wake up around 11 pm, have a light snack, tea, and set off. During the ascent, there are no more than two participants per guide. First we will reach Gilman's Point (5,700m), located on the crater rim of the Kibo volcano; on this same rim is Uhuru Peak (5,895m) - the highest point in Africa. It's still too early to relax - there are a few more hours of gradual climbing to Uhuru. The beautiful views and the glaciers lit up by the rising sun are completely captivating, making the walk feel a bit easier. But it's still tough. We will spend about half an hour at the summit. Last time we even held a photo shoot in dresses. If the weather allows - we might do it again this time.
Very tired, practically exhausted, but so happy and pleased with ourselves, we descend to 3700 to Horombo camp.
On the way: 10-15 hours, 18 km, elevation gain: 1300 m, descent: 2300 m
We wake up to the sound of songs. This is how the support team - porters, cooks, guides - say goodbye to the participants. They are happy, since today they return home with money in their pockets. On Kilimanjaro, it is customary to give large tips, about 150-200 USD per participant.
On exiting the park we receive certificates and head to Arusha. Along the way we will stop at the Chemka natural hot springs to wash away the fatigue of the mountain.
Congratulations! The altitude challenge is behind us, we've climbed two peaks, and ahead of us awaits the best safari in the world! We leave the hotel right after breakfast. The safari takes place in special jeeps. There are only side seats here, meaning everyone will have their own window. The roof is always raised.
By lunchtime we'll reach the gate to Serengeti National Park. We'll spend a few hours on an evening safari and stop for the night at Seronera campsite. This will be our first night in a tent. But there's something special about it - sleeping in a tent amid a savanna full of wild animals.
We'll spend the whole day in jeeps, getting out only for lunch to stretch and refuel. The charm of Serengeti Park is that animal migration happens year-round in different parts of it. Right now, most of the antelopes, and with them the cats (mainly lions), will be in the southern part, where we currently are.
In the evening we move to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and spend the night at Simba campsite.
The "Lost World" is one of the most incredible places. A unique microclimate has formed inside the huge crater of a volcano that went extinct about 2 million years ago. Tens of thousands of various animals have found refuge here. By the third day we'll have already seen plenty of them, so we'll be most interested in predators. We might even be lucky enough to witness a hunt.
After lunch we head back to Arusha.
We've climbed Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro, and we've seen plenty of animals. The main program in Africa is complete. You can either head home or fly for a few days to Zanzibar and Victoria Falls.
Full payment for the program is made on the first day of the trip to the guide in US dollars.
To reserve a spot in the group, you need to make a deposit of 450 USD. You can do this by contacting us or through the payment form on the website>>
Important! Deposit refund conditions in case of withdrawal from the program:
In case of dropping out of the route, the money is not refunded.
Friends! Please bring dollar bills from 2003 or newer. Dollars from the 90s are not accepted in many countries, and we sometimes face issues when settling with local partners. Thank you for your understanding, and new dollars to everyone :)
To participate in the trip, you must not have any conditions from this list.
To visit Tanzania, it's recommended to get a yellow fever vaccination. It should be done no later than 10 days before departure, and be sure to bring the certificate with you. In fact, proof of vaccination may be checked if you continue your journey further into Africa or during a flight to Zanzibar. It has never been checked during our program so far.
Malaria. We'll buy medication just in case once we're in Tanzania.
These two diseases are now practically never encountered, but it's worth being cautious.
Depending on weather conditions, the group's condition, and general preferences, the instructor has the right to make changes to the route.
Ukrainian citizens receive a visa in their passport upon arrival. It costs 50 USD.
Tickets should be purchased in advance, as soon as we confirm your participation in the trek.
Use the form below to find the best flight options:
You need good insurance to take part in the program. Please don't neglect this point. For some participants, it has saved thousands of dollars. You can find our insurance recommendations here: "Insurance for Kuluar trek participants"
Upon arrival in Tanzania, you can rent some gear:
Prices are for the entire climbing period (6 days) as of 2020. Actual prices may vary slightly.
Unlike most other famous mountains, Kilimanjaro can be climbed at any time of year. However, April, May, and November are the "rainy season," which can make the rocks slippery. There are far fewer people on the mountain during this time. Check our schedule and choose dates that suit you!
Kilimanjaro has pronounced altitudinal zonation. At the beginning of the program, in the jungle, it can be +25°C or higher, while on the sixth day, during the summit push, the temperature can drop to -10°C and lower. For this reason, it's important to choose the right clothing and sleeping bag. Read the relevant section.
The best way to prepare for climbing Kilimanjaro and Meru is running. Start training 3-4 months before the program begins, gradually increasing your running time. A good result is being able to run 10 kilometers without stopping. If you're unsure about your physical condition, contact our manager for advice.
To take part in the Kilimanjaro climb, it's recommended to have experience hiking in mountains above 3000 meters. However, even if you haven't been at such altitude before, you can still take part in the program if you're in good physical shape. Thanks to the mountain's geographical location, acclimatization here is fairly easy, so the chances of a successful climb are high even for beginners.
The cost depends on the number of participants:
All prices include the support of a Kuluar club team leader. It is possible to organize the program without a team leader – this will be cheaper. The price is calculated by managers upon request.
The total amount of mandatory expenses not included in the cost will be about $500 + airfare. Bring a few hundred dollars extra for a reserve and souvenirs.
*Please note: selecting a separate flight for each participant is not part of the manager's task. The manager gives general recommendations based on their experience and shares other participants' flights so you can fly together. Selecting and purchasing a flight convenient for you is done by the participant themselves. If you want the manager to buy you a flight ticket, book a hotel, or an additional excursion, please check the conditions on the page: additional services.
