17-DAY CLIMB KILIMANJARO, SAFARI AND BEACH EXPERIENCE
Ascend Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame route, then venture into renowned national parks like Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Ngorongoro Crater) alongside your experienced and professional safari guide. Feel free to ask him anything, as his expertise about Tanzania and its stunning national parks is extensive. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to visit Mto wa Mbu for a Cultural Experience and relish the breath-taking Zanzibar beach.
Day 1: Arrival – Moshi
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), our professional transfer driver will pick you up and transfer you to Weruweru River Lodge in Moshi Town for an overnight stay and breakfast. If the weather is clear, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the view of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Day 2: Machame Gate - Machame Camp
The drive from Moshi to the Machame Gate takes approximately 50 minutes. Along the way, we traverse through the village of Machame, situated on the lower slopes of the mountain. Exiting the park gate, we embark on a journey through dense rainforest, following a winding trail up a ridge until reaching the Machame Camp.
Elevation: From 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft
Distance: 11 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Day 3: Machame Camp - Shira 2 Camp
We depart from the glades of the rainforest and proceed along an ascending path towards a steep, rocky ridge. Upon reaching the Shira Plateau, we traverse through heather and open moorlands, eventually crossing a sizable river gorge to reach Shira 2 Camp.
Elevation Gain: From 9,350 feet to 12,500 feet
Distance Covered: 5 kilometers/3 miles
Estimated Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Heathland
Day 4: Shira 2 Camp - Lava Tower
We continue eastward along a ridge, then veer southeast toward the Lava Tower—a volcanic rock formation standing 300 feet tall. Descending through the peculiar yet stunning Senecio Forest, we reach Barranco Camp at an altitude of 13,000 feet. Although the day begins and ends at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitudes greatly aids acclimatization.
Elevation: 12,500 feet to 15,190 feet
Distance: 7 kilometers/4 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
The hike from Lava Tower to Barranco Camp entails a descent from 15,190 feet to 13,044 feet, covering a distance of 3 kilometers/2 miles over 2-3 hours through the Alpine Desert habitat.
Day 5: Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp
The day begins with a descent into a ravine, reaching the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Subsequently, we ascend the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. Upon summiting the Barranco Wall, we traverse a series of hills and valleys until sharply descending into Karanga Valley. Another steep ascent leads to Karanga Camp. This shorter day is intended for acclimatization purposes.
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 6: Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp
We depart from Karanga and reach the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. From there, we continue onwards, ascending through the rocky section until we reach Barafu Hut. At this juncture, the Southern Circuit has been completed, providing various perspectives of the summit. Here, we set up camp, rest, and enjoy an early dinner in preparation for the summit day. From this vantage point, both peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible.
Elevation ranges from 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft,
covering a distance of 4 km/2 miles with a hiking time of
4-5 hours, in an Alpine Desert habitat.
Day 7: Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak
In the early hours of the morning, around midnight, our journey to the summit commences. This segment of the trek proves to be the most mentally and physically demanding. The wind and cold at this elevation and hour can be exceedingly harsh. We climb in darkness for several hours, pausing briefly but frequently. As we approach Stella Point (18,900 ft), a breath-taking sunrise unfolds over Mawenzi Peak, offering a remarkable spectacle. Ultimately, we reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire African continent. From the summit, our descent begins, leading straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, with a stop at Barafu for lunch. Mweka Camp is nestled in the upper forest, where mist or rain may occur in the afternoon. Summit to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Day 8: Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate
On our final day, we descend to Mweka Gate and collect our summit certificates. As we descend to lower elevations, the terrain may become wet and muddy. After reaching the gate, we proceed for another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will be waiting for us at Mweka Village to transport us to Arusha Town, where we will have lunch and spend the night.
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Day 9: Arusha - Tarangire National Park
Our safari guide will collect you from the hotel after breakfast and transport you to Tarangire National Park, a journey of approximately 2 hours. Along the way, you can relish the picturesque views of local villages and Maasai herds. Upon reaching the park, our game drive will commence. Tarangire is renowned for its sizable elephant population, alongside numerous zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, and even lions and cheetahs. We will have lunch at the park's designated picnic site, followed by an afternoon continuation of our game drive. As dusk approaches, we will leisurely exit the park and make our way to Karatu for dinner and overnight at your chosen accommodation.
Day 12: Karatu - Serengeti National Park
On this day, after enjoying breakfast in the morning, your driver will pick you up to commence your trip to Serengeti National Park. There will be a stopover at a Maasai village where you can expect to be greeted traditionally, with plenty of singing and dancing, and active participation is highly encouraged. During this visit, you will have the opportunity to learn about some of the customary practices such as fire-making and beadwork. After the visit to the Maasai village, the journey will continue to Serengeti National Park, with a game drive en route. Throughout the day, you will have the chance to explore the beauty of Serengeti National Park, where you may spot various wild animals including lions, leopards, black rhinos, elephants, zebras, gazelles, wildebeests, and African cape buffaloes. The game drive will proceed until late afternoon, after which your safari driver will transfer you to your Camp/Lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay.
Day 12: Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you will depart with picnic lunches for a full-day game drive to observe a vast herd of wildebeests, accompanied by their partners: zebras, elands, and gazelles. During the excursion, you
may encounter leopards and hyenas, and witness the presence of giant Nile crocodiles. The beauty of the landscape, stretching endlessly beneath an infinite sky on the Serengeti, has a transformative effect on the observer, fostering a greater awareness of humankind's place within the drama of the animal world. In the evening, return to the Camp/Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 11: Serengeti National Park
After breakfast today, partake in an early morning game drive to seize the chance to spot predators in action and explore more wildlife, while also relishing the diverse landscapes of Serengeti National Park. You might encounter resident predators like leopards, cheetahs, and lions, observing them fulfilling their role in the circle of life. Lunch amidst the bush will offer an unforgettable experience. Following the game drive, your driver will escort you back to your lodge/camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 13: Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, you will enjoy an en-route game drive as you head to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a place where you will experience otherworldly beauty and encounter extraordinary wildlife. Upon arrival in Ngorongoro, you will transfer to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 14: Mto wa Mbu - Zanzibar Island
After breakfast today, you will visit Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most beautiful natural sights in Africa. Down below on the crater floor, you will explore a lost world preserved in a state of pristine isolation, one that shelters lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, flamingos, and golden jackals. There are also forests, hippo-filled ponds, etc. If time allows, visit Mto wa Mbu village on foot for a great cultural experience with an experienced
guide who grew up in the village. Visit local farms, food markets, rice farms, Banana Beer Bar, and local activities. After enjoying a local lunch, in the afternoon, we drive back to Arusha where your safari adventure will come to an end. Your safari guide will drive you straight to Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha airport for your flight to Zanzibar. On arrival at Zanzibar International Airport, you will be met by our representative who will drive you to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 15: Zanzibar Excursions
This is a sharing trip from Nungwi to Mnemba, where we will commence with the Dolphin Tour, followed by snorkeling at Mnemba reef. Additionally, we might visit the Sandbank if it's accessible, as it can become fully submerged during high tide. Mnemba Island, ranked as the #1 Best Beach Destination in Africa by Trip Savvy, is renowned for the exceptional clarity of its waters (for this region of the Indian Ocean) and the remarkably abundant and diverse corals and tropical marine life, providing ample opportunities to witness colorful fishes while snorkeling. Some of the species you can encounter at Mnemba Reef include Angel Fish, Blue Spotted Rays, Black Snappers, Groupers, Red Tooth Triggers, Flounder, Octopuses, Leaf Fish, Scorpion Fish, Stone Fish, Frog Fish, numerous Trevallies, and others.
Day 16: Zanzibar Excursions
The Prison Island and Nakupenda Beach Tour is a full-day guided excursion that showcases two main attractions. Firstly, visitors will explore Prison Island, where they can observe giant tortoises. Then, they will enjoy Nakupenda Beach, which offers activities such as sunbathing, snorkeling, sampling seafood and fresh fruits, and a visit to Forodhani Garden, known as the heart of Stone Town. The morning includes lunch by the shore, swimming, and beach relaxation. Later, guests can unwind on the sandbank or learn about marine life before returning to Stone Town by boat. The tour includes a boat trip back to Nakupenda Beach, providing an opportunity to relax under the Tanzanian sun or swim in the turquoise waters. Additionally, guests will enjoy delicious meals, including a lunch of fish and tropical fruits. Following this delightful experience, we will transport you back to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 17: Zanzibar Excursions
Explore the aromatic history of Zanzibar with a half-day walking tour of Stone Town. Embark on foot to wander through the narrow, car-free streets and atmospheric corners of this enchanting town. Begin with convenient pickup from Zanzibar hotels and delve into the highlights of Stone Town, including colonial landmarks, the Old Fort, the birthplace of Freddy Mercury, and an Anglican Cathedral situated on the former site of a slave market. Immerse yourself in the spice trade history of Zanzibar as you navigate the maze-like UNESCO World Heritage Site, discovering both renowned landmarks and hidden gems. Enjoy door-to-door transport from Zanzibar hotels, ensuring a seamless experience. After this unforgettable journey, prepare to depart back home, enriched by the wonders of Zanzibar.