12 Days Kilimanjaro trekking and Wildlife Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport meet our representative & transfer to Planet Lodge in the suburb of Arusha town. Later our Kilimanjaro manager & your guide for Kilimanjaro will come for a detailed briefing & gear checking before leaving you to spend the rest of the day at the lodge, relaxing & getting prepared for your Kilimanjaro trekking on the next day.
Overnight at Planet Lodge or similar in Arusha. Dinner & breakfast included.
Machame route 6 Days Itinerary
Kilimanjaro packing list
Duration: 6 Days 5 nights
Best Time to Climb: All year around
Difficulty: High
Scenery: Excellent
Traffic: High
Day 2: Arusha 1, 400 m – Machame Gate 1,490 m to Machame Camp 2,980 m
Trekking time: 5 to 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 11 kilometers
Habitat: Montane forest
Your Kilimanjaro combined safari tours starts after breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel in Arusha and drive to Machame Gate. The driving is about 2 hours via some villages & local farms of banana and coffee plantations here you will get a little glimpse of the livelihood of Tanzanians close to the Mountain. At the gate, you will do some park formalities including weighing luggage for porters to carry not to exceed 20 kg per porter. A valid permit will be issued to you showing 6 days of hiking through this route.
You will probably have lunch at the gate before the hiking. The trekking will start in the afternoon through the rainforest where you may expect rain, mud, and fog. During trekking, you will possibly hear many exciting birds singing in the overlapping canopy above, and you may spot some black and white colobus monkeys, and sykes monkeys as they move from trees to trees.
The route continues to the heathland and at the end of your first day at Machame camp (9,875 feet), the trekking of the day is 9 Km in 5 to 7 hours of walking. This area is located above the rainforest vegetation type, the hiking is long but moderately steep.
The porters and chef, who move very fast up the mountain, will reach the camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served before sleep. At this point of Kilimanjaro combined Safari Mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared.
Overnight at Machame Camp. All meals included
Day 3: Machame Camp 2,980 m to Shira Camp 3,840 m
Trekking time: 5 to 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 9 kilometers
Habitat: Moorland
Kilimanjaro combined safari continues, after breakfast, the day starts through lovely heathland and afro-alpine moorland furnished with superb views of Kilimanjaro Peak. The route starts getting steeper as you pass through the Savannah with tall grasses, Giant Heather and Erica trees. Hike nearby large stones as you arrive at the moorland zone ruled by lobelia and senecia plants as well as volcanic rocks wrapped with beards and lichen, which safeguard wild alpine flowers and other plants that grow beneath them. You will spend the night at Shira Camp (12,615 feet), trekking on this day is 9 km in 5 to 6 hours of walking. Getting to the camp same procedures will follow as of the first day.
Overnight at Shira Camp. All meals included
Day 4: Shira Camp 3,840 to Lava Tower 4,630 m to Barranco Camp 3,950 m
Trekking time: 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers
Habitat: Semi-desert
Today you are getting closer to the peak as we get nearer to the Lava Tower. The trek becomes a bit tougher the path gets steeper as you approach the lava Tower, a volcanic plug over 300 feet tall which codes an exposed pass at 15,000 feet. You will have a packed lunch at this point while acclimatizing, here is where most climbers start feeling the effects of the high elevation which include shortness of breath & headache. After lunch & some rest, you will descend along the steep path from Lava Tower (4630 m) to Barranco Campsite at an altitude of (3950 m).
Lowering 680 m from Lava Tower to Barranco camp gives a huge advantage to hikers to allow their bodies to get used to the conditions of high elevation. Walking down to the camp takes about 2 hours. This camp is located in a valley below “The Breakfast Wall” Baranco Wall & the Breach. Same procedure of hot water to wash, possibly dinner while watching the sunset.
Overnight at Barranco Camp (3950 m). All meals included.
Day 5: Barranco Camp 3,950 m to Barafu Camp 4,550 m
Trekking time: 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 13 kilometers
Habitat: Alpine desert
Mt Kilimanjaro safari tours continue with the great challenge of climbing the Barranco Wall, begin your day after breakfast, you may need 1 to 1.5 hours to go on top of the great Barranco Wall, advisable to early start to avoid traffic jams at the wall. You will be above the cloud so you will be able to spot the barren and rocky plateau just behind the wall attentively waiting for you this morning. The stunning three southern glaciers (Heim Glacier) and the beautiful view of Kibo Peak can be seen if the weather is clear on this day.
The trekking will be on gravel and sand paths along the rocky moors. Many times you will be passing through big stones, streams, grasses and many herbs. After 2 to 3 hours of polepole pace, you will reach the Karanga camp standing at an altitude of 4250 meters. When trekking up one hill after another you can be able to observe the other upcoming routes from the distance. This day hot lunch will be served at the camp, after lunch it will be a resting time may be walking around to enjoy the camp’s environment.
Overnight at Barafu Camp. All meals included.
Day 6: Summit Day: Barafu Camp 4,550 m to Uhuru Peak 5,895 m to Mweka Camp 3,100 m
Trekking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 7-8 hours to descend to Mweka
Distance: Approximately 7-kilometre ascent and 23-kilometre descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
The Night Summit! Your guide will wake you up before midnight for some snakes before setting off for your final push to the roof of Africa “The Uhuru Peak”. It is a very silent night when you and your guide pace into the cold trial. With a slow pace step-by-step “polepole” the route leads sharply up and over rocks to reach the rim of the crater. At this point many climbers feel that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of their entire climb, it can take you 5 to 6 hours to reach “The Stella Point” which stands at an altitude of 5740 m, from there you have only about 150 meters to reach the actual summit.
As the sun gets up this morning, the first sun rays will accompany you towards Rebmann Glacier and further ahead to Hans Mayer Point.
The amazing play of lights across the ice formation will soon appear as the sunrise. You will then start to see the summit sign of Kilimanjaro Mountain in front of you. It is done! You have made it via the Machame route. Congratulations you have just conquered “The Roof of Africa” Kilimanjaro Mountain the highest point in Africa 5895 meters above sea level. The stunning view of the areas around the mountain is visible, you can proudly take some memorable and distinctive pictures of the summit.
If weather permits, you can take a short break before descending along the crater rim and further down to Stella Point and more down to Rebman Glacier. Proceed descending via the same route of ascent down to Barafu Camp, A Hot lunch will be served here,
After lunch you will continue further down to Mweka camp, as walking down along this trial you will observe how vegetation changes with altitude, and reach your camp late afternoon. This will be a long and tiring day for you, reaching the camp late afternoon, washing and spending the rest of the day relaxing and gathering some strength for the next day of your Kilimanjaro combined safari adventure.
Overnight at Mweka Camp (3,100 m). All meals included
Day 7: Descend: Mweka Camp (3,100 m) to Mweka Gate (1,980 m) – Arusha
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers
Habitat: Moorland & rainforest
Soon after a very good breakfast, “The celebration” dancing & singing will start, it will be time for a short speech & tipping and maybe a souvenir photo of the whole team before walking down to Mweka gate a distance of about 10 km. Walk through a well-established forest road and the second half of the way is mostly characterized by rain forest. Kilimanjaro combined safari tours, climbing session Machame route 6 days.
As per National Park rules & regulations, all hikers will sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Climbers who reach Stella Point at an alt. of (5685 m) receive green certificates for those who reach Uhuru Peak (5895 m) receive gold certificates (Big Diploma). After receiving the certificates, you will descend 3 km down to Mweka village this will take you about 1 hour.
You will have a hot lunch at the gate & meet your driver who is already there waiting for you and drive you back to Mvuli Hotel in Arusha. At the lodge, you will meet our safari manager for a short safari briefing. Spend the rest of the day at the lodge, and possibly have a good hot shower before dinner.
Overnight at Planet Lodge or similar in Arusha. Dinner & breakfast Included.
Distance: 70 km
Non–game viewing time: 3 to 4 hrs.
This safari tour starts after breakfast, the first stop is at Arusha Town for any last-minute purchases before driving to Lake Manyara National Park. This beautiful & ever-green park is blessed with overlapping habitats ranging from Acacia woodlands, underground water forests, baobab-strewn cliffs, algae-streaked hot springs, swamps and the Lake.
All these attract a large number of animal species and many bird life. Lake Manyara is home to the largest number of baboons found nowhere in the world. The tree-climbing lion and the flocks of flamingos are among the unique features of this park. Afterwards, drive to Lake Eyasi & visit the Datoga tribe & the blacksmith. Later afternoon you can go for a sunset walk at Lakeshore before driving to Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge for dinner & overnight.
Overnight at Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge close to Lake Eyasi. All meals included
Distance: 180 km
Non–game viewing time: 4 to 5 hrs.
On this day we take you for an early morning hunt with Bushmen including tuition on survival skills. Afterwards depart for Serengeti National Park, via the beautiful high-lying farmland of Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and down to the heart of the wild Africa – the Serengeti National Park with its endless rolling plains.
Then to the central park area, known as the Seronera area, one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park, featuring the Seronera River, which provides a valuable water source to this area and therefore attracts wildlife well representative of most of the Serengeti’s species. Arrive in time for lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Serengeti National Park.
Dinner and overnight at Thorn Trees Camp Central Serengeti. All meals included.
Start early in the morning with the first sun rays at 06:30 carry a breakfast box & packed lunch. Early morning game drive allows you to see some nocturnal animals coming back from their long night of hunting, and others waking up ready to start the new day in Serengeti. You might find a group of lionesses organizing a morning ambush or eating along the road.
Break for breakfast in the bush and proceed with the game drive till lunchtime. Go back to your campsite before or during the sunset (depending on the season, if the wildebeest migration is packed in Serengeti then you will spend much time following the migration of herds).
Overnight at Thorn Trees Camp Central Serengeti. All meals included
Distance: 145 km
Non–game viewing time: 2 – 4 hrs.
On this day you can do another early morning game drive before departing for the Ngorongoro Conservation area and ascent 600 meters into the crater floor for game viewing. With a stable water supply & fodder, Ngorongoro Crater supports a large number of wildlife, which include herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, Impala, Topi, warthog, hippo, and African elephants and many more.
Another interesting part of this picturesque caldera is the dense population of predators, which include lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs and the ever-mysterious leopard, which sometimes requires binoculars eye to spot. We will visit Lake Magadi, a large but shallow alkaline lake in the southwestern corner, which is one of the main features of the crater.
A large number of flamingos, hippos and many aquatic birds can usually be seen here. Late afternoon transfer to Eileen’s Trees Inn for dinner & overnight.
Overnight at Marera Valley Lodge near Karatu town. All meals included
Day 12: Ngorongoro – Cultural Tour – Arusha –Airport
Distance: 210 km
Non–game viewing time: 3 – 4 hrs.
On this last day after leisurely breakfast & if not flying on the same day have a late flight drive to Tarangire National Park for a game drive before departing to Arusha overnight or dropping off at Kilimanjaro International Airport to catch your flight back home. (Accommodation on this day can be arranged upon request at extra cost.
Kilimanjaro combined safari tours is our best Tanzania holiday featuring Kilimanjaro trekking and a short safari, this package is becoming more popular among tourists who want to experience both wildlife & the astounding Mt. Kilimanjaro Zanzibar beach vacation can be added upon request.
Meals Plan: Breakfast & Lunch Included
End of your 12 Days Kilimanjaro trekking and Wildlife Safari
