You will drive to the Lake Manyara National Park. This small park is a paradise for serious and amateur bird-lovers as this small park is home to over 400 species of birds, including flamingos, pelicans, storks and cormorants. Many mammals, such as bushbucks, waterbucks, wildebeests, zebras, baboons, monkeys, lions and leopards can be seen roaming the forest and the acacia-dotted plains of the park. You will have an unhindered view of the surroundings as the safari vehicle’s roof can open up to allow you the best angle for photography. After an extensive game drive in the park you will leave the park in the afternoon. Arrive at the camp around 0500pm in the evening for dinner and overnight.

In the morning you will follow wooden steps along a steep track. Due to the gain in altitude, it will be noticeably cooler than the previous day and walking may seem easier. The clouds often hang low in the rainforest, creating a moody atmosphere in the lush vegetation. After going uphill for approximately 2 hours, you will reach the vantage point “Mgongo wa Tembo” (elephant back) at a height of 3,200 m, where you will enjoy a well-earned break. The vegetation now changes from rainforest to heather and moorland and you should reach Saddle Hut (3,550 m) at around midday. During the afternoon, you have the option to hike to Little Meru (3,820 m) which should take about 1 to 1½ hours. From here you will enjoy wonderful views of Arusha National Park and Mt Kilimanjaro about 80 km away. Back at Saddle Hut you will have a warm meal before you retire to bed early as your wake-up call with be just after midnight.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

After a small snack and some tea, you will leave the camp at night. Lighting the way with headlamps, you will follow the trail through bush land to Rhino Point (3,821 m). From here the path becomes more challenging and occasionally climbing will be necessary. You will walk on volcanic ash, rocks and gravel, following the crater rim. After about 4 to 5 hours you should reach the summit, Socialist Peak. From here, you will experience the sun rising above Mt Kilimanjaro and enjoy the fantastic view of Mt Meru’s crater with its steep sides and the “ash cone” in the middle. The descent follows the same route back to Saddle Hut (3,550 m) where you will take a break and recuperate with hot soup and tea. Once refreshed, you will continue the descent and in the afternoon you reach Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) – tired but happy.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

After breakfast, you will follow the so-called “northern route” – a 2 to 3 hour trek back to the Momella gate. The descent follows a shorter route than the ascent but there is still a chance to see elephants, buffaloes, giraffes as well as the black and white colobus monkeys. At the gate, you will say farewell to your hiking crew and your driver will take you back to arusha