Combine A Kilimanjaro Climb With A Safari In Tanzania

14 Day Kilimanjaro Climbing Machame Route and Safari to National Park

Embark on a 14-day adventure that seamlessly combines the awe-inspiring challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with the breathtaking wildlife safari experience in Tanzania. This meticulously crafted itinerary promises an unforgettable journey, balancing the thrill of conquering Africa’s highest peak with the mesmerizing landscapes of its national parks.

Day 1:   Transfer JRO Airport to Mount Meru Hotel 

Welcome to Tanzania! Pick up at the airport and transfer you to the hotel we booked for you overnight ready to start your tour the following day. A representative will meet you in the arrivals hall of the airport, and together you will make a short drive to the Hotel just inside the city. Our safari manager will come to meet you and to provide you with a safari briefing.BB Overnight at Mount Meru Hotel. 

Day 2: Hotel to Machame Camp

Drive from Arusha to Machame Gate takes about 2hrs. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

We depart the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations 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.

• Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3050m/9950ft
• Distance: 11km/7mi
• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Montane Forest
• Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Machame Camp to Shira Camp

After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.

• Elevation: 3050m/9950ft to 3850m/12,600ft
• Distance: 5km/3mi
• Walking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Moorland
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

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” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

• Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
• Distance: 10km/6mi
• Walking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Semi-desert
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elev 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elev 4050m/13,250ft) to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp with views of the summit in the distance.

• Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft
• Distance: 9km/6mi
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), 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 you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.

From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!

From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.

• Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
   Down to 3090m/10,150ft
• Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
• Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Hotel

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).

Our vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha (around 2hrs). Dinner and  Overnight at Mount Meru Hotel. 

• Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
• Distance: 10km/6mi
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Forest
• Meals: Breakfast

Location

Your trekking will take place on Mount Kilimanjaro located in Tanzania.

Food for Kilimanjaro trekking

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinking water will be served for you daily. 

Machame Route Reviews

Day 8: Arusha to Tarangire National Park

After breakfast at the hotel, you leave early to the Tarangire National park for your. This is the third largest park in Tanzania and it is characterized by the amazingly large herds of elephants that can be encountered in this park. The Baobab trees are one of the other highlights of Tarangire and the Tarangire River that flows all year round is the lifeblood of the park. Many animals; predators and the preys alike gather around the river where you can do excellent game viewing. Dinner and overnight are at Kitela Lodge.

Day 9: Tarangire – Serengeti National Park

The breakfast will be at 07:30 am. Pick up from the Camp at 08:30 am and drive to the Great Serengeti National with your Picnic Lunch Packed and game drives en route via Ngorongoro Crater rim. The Serengeti National Park the home to lion, leopard, Elephant, Cheetah, Buffalo, Zebra, Wildebeest, Eland, Wild dog, Gazelles, Crocodiles and more. Serengeti is one of the most comprehensive and appealing internet presentations on nature, conservation, and research in general. Every day, hundreds of nature lovers and tourists from all over the world visit the virtual Serengeti, in our day it is one of the most famous national parks on Earth, renowned for its magnificent lions but best known for its great migration. Enjoying the late afternoon game drive Dinner and overnight at Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge. .

Day 10: Central Serengeti National park game drive

After breakfast, continues with both morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti National Park for your Safari. Remember this is the migration safari.  so as Serengeti is very large as your game drives will depend on the move of the migrant. Your guide knows very well how to locate the herds. The Serengeti National Park is famous for the ‘Great Migration’. Over one million wildebeest and two hundred thousand plus zebras each year follow the rains. In October and November, they travel from the mountains of the north, southwards to the plains seeking lush pastures. After the great rainy season in April, May, and June the herds then make their return ward journey. Even without this mass migration, the Serengeti is still an exciting and spectacular place that still cannot fail to enthrall. Dinner and overnight at Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge.

Day 11: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater

After wake up in the morning early game drive and an early lunch, you will proceed with a game drive to Ngorongoro for your Tanzania budget safari. There, the driver guide will continue elaborating on the animals and natural beauty of Tanzania. On the way to Ngorongoro Crater, describing the en-route animal. The night will be spent on the crater rim while dinner and overnight will be at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge.

Day 12: Ngorongoro Crater to Lake Manyara

This day we will start early morning at 07:00 for the game drive (with a picnic lunch) inside the Ngorongoro Crater for a 5-6hrs game drive. As very few animals migrate in and out of the crater with its 2000 ft. high walls.  You can expect to see lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, flamingos, jackals, rhinos, antelopes, many birds, and other species.

Your Driver/Guide will be in contact with other safari drivers and will amaze you with his skill at locating the hidden animals. After great all exploration in Ngorongoro Crater, we will drive to  Dinner and overnight  at Kitela Lodge. 

Day 13: Lake Manyara to Arusha

After breakfast at the campsite, you will continue with a  full game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. The Lake occupies a large area of the park. The forest starts just when you cross the park gate along the base of the Great Rift Valley.  Also, the hot spring was seen to the west of the park. The park is home to Tree climbing Lion, Buffalo, Giraffe, Hippo, troops of Baboons, also Flamingo bird Ostrich, Egyptian Geese, and more.  After your picnic lunch proceeds with afternoon game drives to Arusha overnight at Hotel. Mount Meru Hotel.  

Day 14: Departure

After breakfast in the morning at the Arusha Hotel, you will meet our transfer driver.  Then our driver will pick up you and transfer you to the airport/Kilimanjaro/Arusha airport. This will be the end of your safari tour. You will drop you off at the airport either at Kilimanjaro airport or Arusha airport this will be the end of tour with us.