12 DAYS MOUNT KILIMANJARO AND TANZANIA SAFARI 

Day 1: Arival in Arusha

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our representative will meet you and transfer you to Planet Lodge in the outskirts of Arusha. Later, our Kilimanjaro manager and your guide will provide a detailed briefing and check your gear. You'll then have the rest of the day at the lodge to relax and prepare for your Kilimanjaro trekking adventure starting the next day.

 

Overnight at Planet Lodge or a similar accommodation in Arusha. Dinner and breakfast are included.

 

Machame Route 6 Days Itinerary

Duration: 6 Days, 5 Nights

Best Time to Climb: All year round

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 adventure begins after breakfast. You'll be picked up from your Arusha hotel and driven to Machame Gate, with a 2-hour journey through local villages and farms. At the gate, park formalities, including luggage weighing (not to exceed 20 kg per porter), will be completed. You'll receive a permit for the 6-day hike via the Machame route.

 

Lunch may be enjoyed at the gate before the afternoon trek through the rainforest. The trail may be muddy, and you might encounter rain and fog. As you trek, listen to the lively bird songs and catch glimpses of black and white colobus monkeys and sykes monkeys in the trees.

 

The route continues through heathland to Machame Camp (9,875 feet) where your tents will be set up, and a hot dinner served.

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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

 

After breakfast, the journey leads through heathland and afro-alpine moorland, offering stunning views of Kilimanjaro Peak. The terrain becomes steeper as you pass through savannah with tall grasses, Giant Heather, and Erica trees. The night is spent at Shira Camp (12,615 feet), surrounded by lobelia and senecia plants, as well as volcanic rocks.

 

Overnight at Shira Camp. All meals included.

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Day 4: Shira Camp (3,840 m) to Lava Tower (4,630 m) to Barranco Camp (3,950 m)

Trekking time: 7 hours

Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers

Habitat: Semi-desert

 

As you approach Lava Tower, the trek becomes more challenging, with a steeper path leading to the volcanic plug. After lunch and acclimatization at Lava Tower (4,630 m), you descend to Barranco Camp (3,950 m), providing a significant advantage in acclimatizing to high elevation.

 

Overnight at Barranco Camp (3,950 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

 

Challenge yourself with the ascent of the Barranco Wall, and after breakfast, trek through gravel and sand paths, passing through rocky moors. The trail includes large stones, streams, and grassy areas. Lunch is served at Karanga Camp (4,250 meters), followed by a rest before continuing to Barafu Camp.

 

Overnight at Barafu Camp. All meals included.

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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 kilometers ascent and 23 kilometers descent

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

 

Embark on the night summit with your guide before midnight, pacing through the freezing cold. The ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) takes 5 to 6 hours, with stunning views of glaciers and Kibo peak. Descend to Barafu Camp for lunch and further down to Mweka Camp, observing changes in vegetation.

 

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

 

After breakfast, celebrate with dancing and singing before a short speech, tipping, and signing certificates at Mweka Gate. Descend to Mweka village, sign certificates, and continue to Arusha. Spend the night at Planet Lodge, possibly enjoying a hot shower before dinner.

 

Overnight at Planet Lodge or a similar accommodation in Arusha. Dinner and breakfast included.

 

Day 8: Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park

Distance: 70 km

Non-game viewing time: 3 to 4 hours

 

Begin your safari tour after breakfast, stopping in Arusha for any last-minute purchases before heading to Lake Manyara National Park. Explore the diverse habitats, including acacia woodlands, underground water forests, and baobab-strewn cliffs. Witness the abundance of wildlife, including tree-climbing lions and flamingos. Visit Lake Eyasi to see the Datoga tribe and blacksmiths before a sunset walk along the lake shore.

 

Overnight at Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge near Lake Eyasi. All meals included.

 

 

Day 9: Lake Eyasi – Serengeti National Park

Distance: 180 km

 

Non-game viewing time: 4 to 5 hours

 

Experience an early morning hunt with Bushmen, followed by the departure to Serengeti National Park. Pass through Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, reaching the Seronera area in the central park. Enjoy lunch and an afternoon game drive in Serengeti.

 

Dinner and overnight at Thorn Trees Camp in Central Serengeti. All meals included.

 

Day 10: Full Day Serengeti National Park

Start early with a morning game drive, witnessing nocturnal animals returning from their night of hunting. Break for breakfast in the bush and continue with the game drive. Return to the campsite before or during sunset, observing the wildebeest migration if in season.

 

Overnight at Thorn Trees Camp in Central Serengeti. All meals included.

 

Day 11: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater

Distance: 145 km

Non-game viewing time: 2 – 4 hours

 

Embark on an early morning game drive before departing for Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend into the crater floor for game viewing, witnessing a variety of wildlife and predators. Visit Lake Magadi, known

 

 for its flamingos and hippos. Transfer to Eileen’s Trees Inn for dinner and 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 hours

 

After a leisurely breakfast, embark on a cultural tour before departing for Tarangire National Park for a game drive. Continue to Arusha for an overnight stay or drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your return flight. Accommodation on this day can be arranged upon request at an extra cost.

 

Kilimanjaro combined safari tours offer a unique blend of Kilimanjaro trekking and a short safari, providing an unforgettable Tanzania holiday experience. Zanzibar beach vacation can be added upon request.

 

Meals Plan: Breakfast and lunch included.

 

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