Ian Williamson

To take a hot air balloon flight across the Serengeti plains is an unforgettable experience. To see the vastness of the African plains with the herds of animals below is to see Africa from a unique perspective.

The balloon flights leave in the early morning from the Serona Valley in the central Serengeti. This part of the Serengeti has good concentrations of animals year round; ensuring whenever you take your flight there will be plenty to see. It is expensive but if you have come this far a few more dollars is worth the experience of seeing this land from the air.

You will have to spend the nigh in a lodge in the Serona area of the Serengeti as departure from you hotel is 5 am! This will probably the only time you will leave your lodge before daylight. Night drives are not allowed within the National Park boundaries.

Your balloon ride, or flight, will launch ever so gently from the Maasia Kopjes. You rise slowly from the plains at first light, rising above the trees with the dawn. At times the balloon will rise to one kilometer or more above the plains, at other times you will skim over the flat toped acacia trees. The silence of the flight has to be experienced - and is only interrupted by the occasional noises from bush and an infrequent blast of the burners as they put more warm air into the balloon.

The flight is about an hour long and upon landing there is a champagne celebration and breakfast in the bush of the Serengeti. The breakfast is Full English served at tables with linen table clothes, sliver cutlery in true ‘Out of Africa style. A memento of your flight in the form of a certificate is presented after breakfast and then you return to your lodge before 10h00; this enables you to carry on with your personal itinerary.

This balloon safari is very popular and is best booked in advance. However, if you decide to add it into your schedule at the last minute you are able to book it from your Central Serengeti lodge, or ask your driver/guide to sort it out on your behalf; this is of course if the flights are not fully booked. About the Author

To take a hot air balloon flight across the Serengeti plains is an unforgettable experience. To see the vastness of the African plains with the herds of animals below is to see Africa from a unique perspective.

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James Muraguri Gichohi

Safari tours in kenya and East Africa,

Day 1: On arrival at Kilimanjaro airport or Namanga/ Taveta, you will be met and transferred to Marangu or Kibo Hut. You will meet local guides and make arrangements ready for the following day’s trekking.

Day 2: Begin climb. You will climb up to Mandara Hut (2,742m) near a volcanic fossil. You will arrive at the hut in time for lunch and rest the whole afternoon at Mandara hut. Day 3: Today’s goal is Horombo Hut (3,700m) the route takes you through heavy forests and then across open Savanna terrain. the giant lobelias begin to appear at 3,350m. Overnight at Horombo Hut.

Day 5: Rise early and by about 0200 hrs start the final ascent to Gilman 5,685m at the rim of the crater. You reach Gilman to witness the spectacular and unforgettable rise of the sun over mawenzi. After signing the book you can proceed to Uhuru peak (5,895m). If your stamina survives, return to Horombo for the night.

Day 6: This is the last day of the climb and you will return to Marangu or Kibo Hotel for a deserved comfortable night rest after your memorable achievement.

BY James Muraguri Gichohi Day 7: After beakfast drive to Taveta, Kilimanjaro Airport or Namanga or to national parks after lunch at Arusha.

AHACL 40: 8 DAYS KILIMANJARO CLIMB - MACHAME ROUTE

Day 1. Nairobi/Arusha/Moshi

Depart Nairobi by morning shuttle to Moshi arriving late afternoon. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2. Machame Hut

Drive to Machame Village. The climb begins at the end of the tarmac road, walking for about 6 hrs gradually ascending through the forested hills onwards to Machame Hut (3000m). Dinner and overnight.

Day 3. Shira Hut

Early in the morning, you will cross a valley and stream before ascending a steep ridge. The path then drops into a river gorge before you climb more gently onto the moorland of the Shira plateau - 3,800m. Total climbing time is about 6hrs. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4. Barranco Hut

The path continues directly up the ridge towards Kibo, then turns right and descends into Barranco gorge. Climb to Barranco hut at 3940m shortly after. Total climbing time is about 6 hrs. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5. Barafu Hut

Crossing the Barranco Valley, climb the Barranco wall (not technical climbing), then follow the Kibo South Circuit. You will then turn left and climb up a ridge for about 2 hrs to Barafu hut at 4,600m . Dinner and overnight.

Day 6. Mweka Hut

Very early start for the summit first to Stella Point and then Uhuru Peak at 5895m. After sunrise, descend down to Mweka hut, which takes about 6 hrs. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7. Mweka Gate

This is the last day of your climb. You will descend to Mweka Gate where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 8. Arusha/Nairobi

Depart Moshi by morning shuttle back to Nairobi arriving approx 1830hrs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James Muraguri Gichohi, Born on 21 st March 1966 in Nyeri District of Kenya. Primary school attended Musingu primary school 1971 of Kakamega District then to Kiaritha- ini Primary school in Karatina , Nyeri there after joined high school Mweru high and Kiaritha-ini high school. Studied Youth and Development Studies St philips institute for science and technology australia distance learning,Agriculture,Management with the African Institute for Economic and Social Development Secured a job with the Kenya Youth Hostels Association. Loves travelling,meeting people,music,reading and writing am a social person very outgoing.

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Ian Williamson

Arusha National Park is only a few Kilometers from Arusha and is a small but beautiful park set in the shadow of Mount Meru. There is a sting of lakes in this park and canoeing has recently been added to the tourist activities in this park

One lake known as ‘Small Momela’ successful launched the canoeing safari this year. This is a great way to see the park from a new perspective. It is good to get out of your vehicle and actually get some exercise and get ‘down and personal’ with the African Bush. This chance to view the animals in their natural habitat should not be passed by.

The Tanzania Government have handed the operation of this canoeing safari to an Arusha based company called Green Footprints Adventure. These canoes can be booked direct or though your operator, or even you driver/guide will be able to organize this mini-adventure for you.

From the lake you are able to get a closer look at hippos and the amazing bird life that normally would go unnoticed from your safari vehicle. Even though this park is very accessible the parks authority claim only 7,000 visitors in 1995 this has dramatically increased to an expected 50,000 for this year. Lying between the peaks of Kilimanjaro and Meru, Arusha National Park is outstandingly beautiful, with a wide range of habitats, form a string of crater lakes where many water birds can be watched through the highland mountain forest to the imposing summit of Mount Meru at 4,500 meters above sea level.

The forest contains a wealth of birds and other animals like the bushbuck which are easily glimpsed between ancient cedar trees or the striking black and white colobus monkeys climbing along their branches.

The interesting geology of the area is reflected in the impressive view of the ash cone and cliff face leading to the summit of Mount Meru. Those who ascend the summit of the mountain are rewarded with unparalleled views of the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Rift Valleys.

I would recommend a visit to this most underrated park. It is very accessible to any itinerary based in the north of Tanzania. About the Author

For further information on Zanzibar and Tanzania see http://betheladventure.co.uk using tourism to fund community initiatives focused on the education of the young and the medical care for the whole family. Ensure your safari is using profits to help the community.

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