12 Days Kilimanjaro Summit and Tanzania Safari
12 Days Kilimanjaro Summit and Tanzania Safari : 12 Days Kilimanjaro Summit and Tanzania Safari is a great Tanzania safari tour to book for an opportunity to summit Kilimanjaro Mountain and explore the wildlife parks of Tanzania. This 12 Days Kilimanjaro Summit and Tanzania Safari has you climbing Kilimanjaro Mountain which is the Highest Mountain in Africa and the highest free standing mountain in the world. The Kilimanjaro is one of the easiest to hike of the Seven Summits of the world, rewarding travelers with great views and experiences. After climbing Mountain Kilimanjaro, you shall get to explore the savanna national parks of Tanzania including Serengeti national park, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Parks for wild game viewing.
Summary Itinerary of 12 Days Kilimanjaro Summit and Tanzania Safari
Day 0: Arrival
Day 1: Pick up and drive to Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Moshi
Day 8: Drive to Tarangire National Park, Game Drive
Day 9: Transfer to Serengeti National Park
Day 10: Full Day Serengeti National Park
Day 11: Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Maasai Boma Visit
Day 12: Ngorongoro Crater Drive, Departure
Day 0: Arrival
Upon your arrival, you shall be picked up from the airport. You shall be briefed and then proceed to transfer to Moshi town, the town at the foothills of the Kilimanjaro Mountain.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Bristol Cottages
Day 1: Pick up and drive to Machame Gate to Machame Camp
- Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
- Distance: 11 km
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
- Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
- Distance: 5 km
- Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
- Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
- Distance: 10 km
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
- Habitat: Semi Desert
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.”
Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
- Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
- Distance: 5 km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
- Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
- Distance: 4 km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
- Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
- Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
- Habitat: Arctic
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will berewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Moshi
- Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
- Distance: 10 km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Arusha.
Accommodation: Masai Land Safari Lodge
Day 8: Drive to Tarangire National Park, Game Drive
You shall be picked up at your hotel in Arusha by our guide. He will welcome you for the Tanzania wildlife safari, and brief you about the same. You shall proceed to Tarangire national park which is home to numerous wildlife species like lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, antelopes, zebras, wildebeests, kudu, leopards, cheetahs among others. Tarangire National Park is famous for large herds of elephants, be sure to look out to see them free range in the park. Enjoy a game drive in the park.
You shall return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Karatu Tented Lodge
Day 9: Transfer to Serengeti National Park
After a sumptuous breakfast at the lodge which you shall enjoy at leisure, you shall proceed to check out of the lodge and proceed for a transfer to Serengeti National Park. Enjoy a game drive as you drive to Serengeti Park. You shall enjoy lunch en-route, after which you shall proceed for an evening game drive in the Serengeti whilst enjoying the sunset over the Serengeti plains. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Accommodation: Serengeti Tanzania Bush Camp or its equivalent
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Full Day Serengeti National Park
You will start your day with breakfast at your lodge as you prepare for a full day of wildlife viewing in Serengeti national park. You will start with a morning game drive around the national park as you look out for wildlife species like elephants, wildebeests, cheetahs, antelopes, kudu, giraffes, waterbucks, zebras, gazelles among others. You will have lunch after your morning game drive.
After lunch you will engage in an afternoon game drive and enjoy searching for other wildlife species in the savannah plains of Serengeti national park and also enjoying the beautiful scenery as you drive around the national park. You will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay after our game drive.
Accommodation: Serengeti Tanzania Bush Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11: Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Maasai Boma Visit
After breakfast at the lodge, drive to the Ngorongoro Crater. Enjoy a game drive as you leave the Serengeti plains, and enjoy yet another as you drive in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area as you proceed to the lodge. Check in, have lunch and then relax at the lodge.
Head out for a Maasai Boma visit, for an opportunity to see the Maasai homesteads and learn of how the Maasai tribe lives. The Maasai are one of the most sought after tribes in Tanzania and Africa. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Karatu Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Ngorongoro Crater Drive, Departure
Enjoy breakfast at the lodge, and then descend about 600 meters into the Ngorongoro crater during your game drive.
You will look out for wildlife species such as elephants, lions, buffalos, rhinos, cheetahs, hippos, antelopes, kudu, zebras, impalas, gazelles among others on the Ngorongoro crater floor. You will also look out for attractions like Lake Magadi in the crater where you will see flamingos and other bird species on the lake shores.
Leave the Ngorongoro Crater for a transfer back to Arusha, and be dropped off at your hotel of stay in Arusha or airport, bringing your safari to an end.
End of 12 Days Kilimanjaro Summit and Tanzania Safari
Price includes
- Camping fees
- Guide, Porters, and cook
- Rescuer fees
- Three meals per day ( Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and mineral Water)
- Tent, Foam, Cooking equipment, eating utensils
- Oxygen Cylinder and Oxy-meter
- All Government Tax (Vat)
- Professional safari and tour guide / driver
- All national park fees
- All meals on the safari
- Crater and Concession fees
- Drinking water in the safari vehicle
Price excludes
- Flights
- Visas
- Tips for crews (Guide, Porters, and cook)
- Some equipment which will be available for hire
- Hotel accommodation before and after the safari
- Items of personal nature (laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- anything else not included in the itinerary
