Activities

Day 1: Trek from Machame Gate to Machame Camp

The first day of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame route starts from Machame Gate to Machame Camp, which lies at an altitude range of 5380 ft to 9350 ft. The trek takes approximately 5 to 7 hours through a rainforest, beginning with a drive from Moshi or Arusha to Machame Gate through a village situated on the lower slopes of the mountain. The trek winds through dense rainforest trees up to the ridge leading to Machame Camp, where you will spend the night.

Day 2: Trek from Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp

On the second day of your hiking adventure, you will hike from Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp, a distance of about 5 km, taking approximately 4 to 6 hours in the altitude range of 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft. You will leave Machame Camp early in the morning, ascending a steep rocky ridge, and continue to Shira Plateau, passing through open moorlands and crossing a river gorge to reach Shira Camp, where you will spend the night.

Day 3: Trek from Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower and then Barranco Camp

Your trek will begin from Shira 2 Camp to the Lava Tower, which lies in the elevation range of 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft, a distance of about 7 km, taking approximately 2 to 3 hours. You will continue east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower, a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. From the Lava Tower, you will descend through beautiful forests to Barranco Camp, where you will spend the night.

Day 4: Trek from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Starting from Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp, which lies in the elevation range of 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft, the trek covers a distance of 5 km and takes about 4 to 5 hours through alpine desert. You will descend into the ravine to the base of the great Barranco Wall, then climb the steep nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of Barranco Wall, you will cross a series of hills and valleys until descending to Karanga Valley. You will spend the night at Karanga Camp, with this trek being shorter for acclimatization purposes.

Day 5: Trek from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

You will trek from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp, which lies in the elevation range of 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft, covering a distance of approximately 4 km and taking 4 to 5 hours. The trek starts with leaving Karanga Camp on a trail through the alpine desert, connecting with the Mweka Trail, and continuing to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. This marks the completion of the southern circuit, offering magnificent views of the summit from various angles, including uninterrupted views of Mawenzi and Kibo Peak. You will spend the night at Barafu Camp.

Day 6: Trek from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and then to Mweka Camp

Your trek starts from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak, covering about 5 km through the arctic, taking approximately 7 to 8 hours. The elevation ranges from 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft. Trekking from Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp follows a trail of about 12 km, taking 4 to 6 hours, with elevations ranging from 19,341 ft through rainforest. The challenging hike begins in the morning, with frequent short breaks. Near Stella Point at an elevation of 18,900 ft, you will enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi Peak and finally arrive at Uhuru Peak, the highest peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. From the summit, you will descend to Mweka Hut Campsite amidst the forest, with a stopover at Barafu for lunch. Dinner and overnight will be at Mweka Camp.

Day 7: Descend from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

On the last day of your hike on the Machame route, you will descend from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate through the rainforest, covering a distance of 10 km in approximately 3 to 4 hours. At Mweka Gate, you will receive your summit certificates and drive to Mweka village, where you will meet your guide and drive to Arusha. You will check in at your hotel and have dinner and overnight at Tulia Boutique Hotel and Spa.

Day 8: Drive to Lake Manyara National Park

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Arusha and welcome you to your safari. You will drive to Lake Manyara National Park, engaging in a game drive in search of wildlife such as tree-climbing lions, elephants, buffalos, waterbucks, giraffes, hippos, impalas, gazelles, monkeys, among others. You will also enjoy seeing flamingos along the shores of Lake Manyara, which covers a significant part of the national park. After your wildlife viewing and exploring the beautiful diverse scenery, your guide will drive you to your lodge for dinner and overnight at Twiga Lodge.

Day 9: Transfer to Serengeti National Park

After breakfast at your lodge, your guide will drive you to Serengeti National Park for more wildlife viewing activities after checking in at your lodge in the central part of the park. After lunch at your lodge, you will engage in a game drive, exploring the savannah plains in search of wildlife like elephants, lions, buffalos, giraffes, rhinos, antelopes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, cheetahs, leopards, among others. After your game drive, you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight at Osinon Camps and Lodges.

Day 10: Serengeti National Park

Your guide will pick you up from your lodge early in the morning for a game drive around the vast plains of Serengeti National Park. You will explore the Seronera area in search of lions, elephants, buffalos, hippos, giraffes, antelopes, zebras, hartebeests, cheetahs, among other wildlife species. After a morning of wildlife viewing, you will enjoy lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive to explore the central plains, searching for the Big Five: elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, buffalos. You will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight at Osinon Camps and Lodges.

Day 11: Drive to Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast and checking out of your lodge in Serengeti National Park, your guide will drive you to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You will descend about 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive, looking out for wildlife species such as lions, elephants, leopards, buffalos, rhinos, cheetahs, wildebeests, zebras, hippos, waterbucks, and more. You will also enjoy seeing bird species like flamingos during your safari experience in the crater. Afterward, you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight at Hhando Coffee Lodge.

Day 12: Transfer to Tarangire National Park

After breakfast and checking out of your lodge, your guide will drive you to Tarangire National Park, home to many elephants and other wildlife species. You will check in at your lodge before engaging in a game drive to search for wildlife such as elephants, giraffes, lions, buffalos, and more. After the game drive, you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight at Tarangire Roika Lodge.

Day 13: Full Day in Tarangire National Park

Start your full day of wildlife viewing in Tarangire National Park with breakfast at your lodge. Spend the day exploring the park, searching for wildlife such as elephants, lions, giraffes, antelopes, impalas, elands, dik-diks, and gazelles. After a morning game drive, enjoy lunch, then continue with another game drive in the afternoon, admiring the baobab trees and looking out for more wildlife. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight at Tarangire Roika Lodge.

Day 14: Drive to Arusha and Maasai Experience

After breakfast and checking out of your lodge, you will be driven to Arusha for a cultural experience with the Maasai people. Visit a Maasai village to interact with the Maasai, learn about their way of life, enjoy a walking safari around the village, and learn about their hunting techniques. Enjoy a traditional lunch during your Maasai experience, then return to your hotel in Arusha for dinner and overnight at Tulia Boutique Hotel and Spa.

Day 15: Departure

Have breakfast ahead of your flight. Your guide will drive you to the airport, marking the end of your safari adventure.