Tanzania charity trek
| country: | Tanzania |
| departures: | 2010: 19 Feb, 15 Oct |
| price: | From £475 deposit + £3500 fundraised (55% to charity) (10 days) inc UK flights. Self funders - £475 deposit + £1675 (inc £100 to charity) |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Trek across the Great Rift Valley and raise money for your favourite charity at the same time as taking part in an amazing adventure!
Highlights include:
Trek with Maasai tribesman Great African Rift Valley & Crater Highlands Backdrop of acacia and savannah bush Optional game drive into Ngorongoro Crater Optional Safari extension
This challenge takes place in the wild African bush, home to several Maasai communities. Perhaps the most revered of the great African nomadic tribes, the Maasai originated in the Nile basin and migrated south through Ethiopia to Kenya and Tanzania in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. They were then known as the fiercest of warriors. Now they struggle to retain their modest lifestyle.
Starting in the foothills of 2,590m tall Mt. Longdio, a sacred Maasai mountain, you will trek across the floor of the Great Rift Valley right to the foothills of the visually stunning Crater Highlands with the Maasai as your guides.
En route, you will also have the chance to visit Mt Kitumbeine; on whose higher slopes are hidden remote Maasai settlements. Once the challenge is complete, you have the option of a 4WD game drive into one of the Natural Wonders of the World, the Ngorongoro Crater or carry on to your hotel to relax.
Please note: This trip can also be booked without flights. Some of the dates are exclusive for specific charities, please contact us for details.
Highlights include:
This challenge takes place in the wild African bush, home to several Maasai communities. Perhaps the most revered of the great African nomadic tribes, the Maasai originated in the Nile basin and migrated south through Ethiopia to Kenya and Tanzania in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. They were then known as the fiercest of warriors. Now they struggle to retain their modest lifestyle.
Starting in the foothills of 2,590m tall Mt. Longdio, a sacred Maasai mountain, you will trek across the floor of the Great Rift Valley right to the foothills of the visually stunning Crater Highlands with the Maasai as your guides.
En route, you will also have the chance to visit Mt Kitumbeine; on whose higher slopes are hidden remote Maasai settlements. Once the challenge is complete, you have the option of a 4WD game drive into one of the Natural Wonders of the World, the Ngorongoro Crater or carry on to your hotel to relax.
whats this trip includes
Your international flights to and from Nairobi, all meals unless otherwise stated in the itinerary, entry into National Parks on the itinerary, all transfers in Kenya and Tanzania, all accommodation whether in tents or hotel, group first aid supplies, an English speaking expedition leader and full local support team, a T-Shirt, US$20 to the local community project, and discount from Nomad Travellers Stores for personal equipment. We also make a contribution through Climate Care to offset the equivalent CO2 emissions of your international flight. Please note: This trip can also be booked without flights. Some of the dates are exclusive for specific charities, please contact us for details.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | International Departure. Flight Heathrow to Nairobi. Our representative will be there to assist you with the check-in and any last minute questions. |
| Day 2: | Drive to Tanzania & Trek to Longido – approx 10kms trek. This morning you will drive to Kawawa Camp located in the foothills of the dramatic Mt. Longido. You will then have an afternoon trek in the bush to the small community of Longido to help acclimatise you to the African bush, allow you to test your equipment and give you a great insight into typical African acacia bush country. Tonight will be spent in camp. |
| Day 3: | Longido to Kitumbeine – 22kms. Today a vehicle uplift will take you approx 20kms further into the bush heading west towards Kitumbeine to reach the day’s trek start-point. You will trek a tough 22kms towards the majestic volcano – Kitumbeine. Passing Maasai villages and herdsmen, you will today have your first views of the celebrated mountain Ol Doiyno Lengai (2,878m), the most sacred Maasai mountain in the region. As on most days from now on, you will have a packed lunch provided. |
| Day 4: | Kitumbeine Mountain & Village – approx 16kms. Today you will take two superb treks that will show you the mountain scenery and also traditional Maasai boma (village). This morning you will trek part way up Kitumbeine Mountain (16kms) along a trail that takes you to the high Maasai lands and Endaleta Village located on the side of Kitumbeine. You will be visiting the market and meeting the local people. You will return later to your camp for overnight. |
| Day 5: | Across Dustpans of Nagarirat to Gelai – approx 18kms. Today you will have a vehicle uplift to north-east of Kitumbeine village on rocky terrain. Crossing a low saddle between mounts Kitumbeine and Gelai you will then climb into the foothills of Gelai. This section is very challenging with alot of uphills and very hot weather. On this day and the following days you will start to see more of the wild game that populates the region. In particular look out for zebra, gerenuk, and giraffe. The birdlife is rich along the entire route and you will be fascinated by the nests of the weaver birds. The superb starlings, the “Go Away” bird, hoopoes and numerous raptors are seen in the area. Tonight you will camp at Gelai Village Camp site. |
| Day 6: | Sunken Crater & the Lava Plains – approx 22kms. Today you will begin very early and trek west across untamed bush towards Sunken Crater (22kms). You will cross a beautiful plain marked by dead volcanic vents - your journey bringing you ever closer to the escarpment of the Rift Valley, which rises from the bush up to the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands. Today’s trek is likely to be hotter than ever, so wear lots of sun block, reflective clothing and wide-brimmed hats. After lunch you will trek to the impressive Sunken Crater and will be camping overnight at the rim of the crater. Evening temperatures drop and it has been known to be rather windy. |
| Day 7: | To Engaruka - approx 15-30kms (dependent on group strength). This morning you will have an early breakfast, then transfer by vehicle to the last Ol Doinyo Lengai Tributary south of Big Sunken Crater and start trekking from there. You will cross the Ol Kerii Plain passing by small settlements, until you finally reach Engaruka Stream campsite situated quite near to the ruins of the ancient Engaruka settlement. You will be camping near the river bank so there will be plenty of water for showers after a very hot and dusty day. |
| Day 8: | Ngorongoro Crater. After an early breakfast you will say goodbye to your support team & head towards the bustling town of Mto Wa Mbu and on up the escarpment of the African Rift Valley to the Ngorongoro Crater. |
| Day 9: | Back to Arusha. After a leisurely breakfast, you will drive to Arusha for last minute gift shopping with your guide and lunch. Then continue to Kilimanjaro Airport for the night flight to London. |
| Day 10: | Arrive UK. You will arrive back in London in the early hours of the morning. |
Highly Commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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Our responsible commitment extends to helping the local communities we visit. We employ local guides, porters and other essential support staff, and use locally owned accommodation.
We donate USD$500 per trek to various projects including The Angeninge Theatre Group and the EVPA Water Pipeline. Angeninge theatre group was formed 10 years ago and write, produce and perform plays to the community to educate them about social issues especially the prevention of HIV and AIDS. “Angeninge” translates as “If we had known about these things we wouldn’t have done them”. Through the Kilimanjaro climb group, a water pipeline was funded and completed at Tinga Tinga. The cost was in excess of USD40,000 and is still being funded by us.  As a company we have also drastically reduced the carbon footprint of our UK operations, and are making a huge effort to do so in their destination countries too. We are also investing to offset the emissions from the international flights required to take part in our challenges. We also provide travellers with a responsible tourism policy detailing ways in which you can be an ethical traveller. From packing conscientiously to advice on local customs & environmental awareness overseas to maintaining contact with your new international friends upon your return – our policy is a comprehensive document providing all the info you need to trek, climb of cycle responsibly. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |