TANZANIA - SUMMIT MT MERU 4562M AND SAFARI IN THE SERENGETI

Tanzania is one of the most breathtaking destinations on earth, and our plan is to combine two of its greatest experiences!

We are planning a 4 day summit attempt on the crescent peak of Mount Meru and a 3 day safari through the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater during the wildebeest calving season staying in a beautiful tented safari camp.

Cost - £1799. Maximum group size - 14.

Mount Meru is Tanzania's second highest mountain and one of Africa's most rewarding treks. Rising to 4,562m, it offers spectacular scenery, incredible wildlife encounters on the lower slopes, and a summit sunrise with Kilimanjaro looming on the horizon. Our trek to the summit and back will take 4 days with 3 nights on the mountain staying in huts with simple bunk rooms. We will actually be trekking through the Arusha National Park where wildlife sightings from the trails are very common and the National Park regulations actually require us to be escorted by an armed guard.

After 1 night recovering from the trek in the comfort of a hotel in Arusha, we head straight into the wild heart of Tanzania for a 3-day, 2 night safari taking in the vast plains of the Serengeti and the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. This is a special time in the Ndutu region where the wildebeest come to have their young. Having our own private safari jeeps with expert local guides gives us a great chance for some amazing wildlife encounters.

The experience of staying in an un-fenced tented camp is quite something. It's the comfort of a hotel room with the wilderness immersion and dawn chorus of a bush camp. These experiences don't come cheap in Tanzania but the extra cost will be well worth it.

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DIFFICULTY

This trip is suitable for resilient hikers with a good level of physical fitness. A spirit of adventure and a positive mindset are just as important as physical preparation.

This itinerary includes high-altitude trekking to 4,562m above sea level. At these altitudes, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a risk for all participants. Our experienced guides are trained to recognise the symptoms of AMS and will take all necessary precautions to manage and minimise risk throughout the trek.

Although we only have 4 days of trekking BE WARNED: the summit push begins in the early hours of the morning climbing almost 1000m at high altitude before the sun rises, it will be a huge physical challenge rewarded with a spectacular panorama.

ITINERARY OVERVIEW
Saturday 6 February — Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, transfer to Hotel in Arusha.
Sunday 7 February — Day 1, Mount Meru — Transfer to Momella Gate (1500m) and begin the trek to Miriakamba Hut (2,503m). We start off through the vibrant forest and wildlife-rich lower slopes.
Monday 8 February — Day 2, Mount Meru — Ascend from Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut (3,560m). Optional afternoon hike to Little Meru peak for additional acclimatisation.
Tuesday 9 February — Day 3, Mount Meru — Early pre-dawn start to summit Socialist Peak (4,562m) for a spectacular sunrise. Descend back to Saddle Hut for breakfast and rest.
Wednesday 10 February — Day 4, Mount Meru — Descend via Miriakamba Hut back to Momella Gate. Transfer to Arusha for a well-earned overnight rest at our Hotel.
Thursday 11 February — Day 1, Safari — Morning transfer to the Ndutu area of the southern Serengeti for a game drive through the vast open plains tracking the wildebeest herds. Overnight at the luxurious tented camp of the Safari Haven Migration Camp.
Friday 12 February — Day 2, Safari —Our second day in the Seregeti for calving season. Maximising our chances for wildlife spotting and enjoy a second night at our tented camp accommodation.
Saturday 13 February — Day 3, Safari — Heading back towards Arusha we descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning game drive hoping to spot more big game and some stunning birdlife. Transfer back to Arusha for the final night at our Hotel
Sunday 14 February — Departure— Transfers back to the aiport are included for our journey home.

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TRAVEL TO TANZANIA

We will be flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and need to land on or before Saturday 6 February 2027. We will fly home on Sunday 14 February 2027. Airport transfers t our hotel in Arusha are included and can be arranged for any flights landing on Saturday 6th February (or early Sunday morning).

I recommend the following flights with Turkish Airlines

OUTBOUND - SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY
Turkish Airlines flight TK1242 + TK567
Departs London Stansted 10:50
Arrives Kilimanjaro JRO 02:35+1
Connection in Istanbul

INBOUND - SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY
Turkish Airlines flight TK563 +TK1243
Departs Kilimanjaro JRO 06:10
Arrives London Stasted 16:20
Connection in Istanbul

It is also possible to fly to Nairobi and transfer to Arusha by bus. It is a long 6 hour bus ride but it is significantly cheaper. There are many other routes, via Amsterdam, Doha and Nairobi.

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WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Professional English-speaking mountain and safari guides.
• All park and conservation fees, trekking permits and an armed ranger escort.
• All accommodation during the trip.
• 3 nights at the mountain huts in shared bunk rooms
• 3 nights in a 3 star hotel in Arusha (twin shares)
• 2 nights at the Safari Haven Migration Tented Camp (shared twin/triple rooms) this is safari style glamping
• All meals throughout the trek
• All meals throughout the safari
• Airport transfers
• Breakfast only for our 3 nights in Arusha
• Non-alcoholic drinks, beer and wine throughout Safari
• Private safari jeeps for all game drives
• Backabush Support - Qualified Mountain Leader and First Aider
• Financial protection according to package travel regulations

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WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

• Flights to and from Kilimanjaro (JRO)
• Tanzania tourist visa (apply online before travel)
• Travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking to 4,562m and remote rescue
• Sleeping bag for the trek (this should be rated to around -10 degrees) bedding will be provided on Safari
• Tips for guides, porter wages and safari crew (budget a minimum of $80 USD for our trek and $20 for our Safari)

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HOW TO BOOK A PLACE ON THIS TRIP

The total cost for this trip is £1,799 per person, this payment is non refundable and is payable in full or in instalments with a deposit to secure your reservation, then as follows:

• £599 due on booking
• £600 due by 06 August 2026
• £600 due by 06 November 2026

To confirm your place, please pay via internet banking using the reference TANZANIA. Your RSVP alone is not enough to reserve a space.

Account Name: BACKABUSH XPLORERS
Sort Code: 090127 — Account Number: 22440622

Terms and conditions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ngc5A61k76qb6HGMeTK96AVaXn0565yPS9p42IPzIy8/

Only payment secures your place. Please email [nathancapay@googlemail.com](mailto:nathancapay@googlemail.com) as soon as you send payment so that we can confirm everything with you. Thanks. :)

IMPORTANT NOTE:

We consider safety to be our number one priority and while we never take unnecessary risks, we do recognise that any outdoor activity involves a danger of personal injury or death. Remember that you should be aware of and accept these risks as you are responsible for your own safety and you should not undertake anything beyond your abilities. It is also your responsibility to be correctly equipped for the weather and activity you have chosen to participate in.