12 Days Kilimanjaro Climb & Wildlife Safari
For adventurers wishing to combine a wildlife safari with a hiking vacation, this is one of the best safari itineraries ever. In addition to taking you on a wildlife safari in Tanzania’s northern safari parks of Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, and Serengeti National Park, a 12-day Kilimanjaro climbing and wildlife safari tour will take you to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro’s Uhuru Peak via the Machame route, one of the best Kilimanjaro hiking routes.
You will truly appreciate and relish being on top of Africa, on Mount Kilimanjaro, often known as the “roof of Africa,” during this once-in-a-lifetime safari experience. This tour includes an 8-day climb up Kilimanjaro via the Machame route. After descending the mountain, you’ll start a wildlife safari experience through a game drive. Here, you’ll see a variety of wildlife, including the African Big Five in the Ngorongoro Crater, the great wildebeest migration in the Serengeti, tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara, and the largest herds of elephants in Tarangire National Park.
If you enjoy hiking safaris and wildlife encounters, don’t miss the opportunity to partake in this unforgettable safari experience, and I suggest that you place it at the top of your travel wish list. If you’re interested in this kind of tour, get in touch with us right away. We’ll be happy to hear from you, see if we can help, and maybe even take you on this journey. Please take note that the lodgings mentioned in this itinerary could change. We can modify it based on your preferences. Whether you desire affordable, moderately priced, or luxurious accommodations, we can adapt them according to your preferences and price range.
Price Includes:
- Camping fees
- Guide, porter, and cooker
- Rescuer fees
- Three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and mineral water)
- Tent, foam, cooking equipment, eating utensils
- Oxygen Cylinder and Oxymeter
- All government taxes (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 (guides, porters, and cooks)
- Some equipment that will be available for hire
- Hotel accommodation before and after the safari
- Items of a personal nature (laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Anything else not included in the itinerary
Activities
Day 01: Pick Up and Drive to Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Early in the morning, a driver will pick you up from your hotel in Arusha and take you to the Machame gate, where the Machame path of Mount Kilimanjaro hiking begins. Before starting a trek, you will receive a briefing on your seven days of Kilimanjaro climbing via the Machame route. After a brief introduction, we now leave the park’s entrance and hike up a ridge through the jungle on a twisting track. The trail may be muddy and hazardous further down. Here, gaiters and hiking poles are wise ideas. We travel a short distance before arriving at the Machame Camp.
- Elevation (ft): 5,400 ft to 9,400 ft
- Distance covered: 11 km
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
Day 02: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
After breakfast, we depart the rainforest glades and continue along a trail that ascends. We pass a small valley and proceed over a steep, rocky ridge that is covered with heather until the ridge comes to an end. The path now takes a river gorge to the west. It’s time to unwind, eat, and spend the night in the Shira campsite.
- Elevation (ft): 9,400 ft to 12,500 ft
- Distance covered: 5 km
- Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
Day 03: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
We proceed eastward from the Shira Plateau along a hill, past the intersection that leads to Kibo’s peak. As we go on, our course shifts to the south-east, in the direction of the “Shark’s Tooth” lava tower.
We reach the second junction, which leads us to the Arrow Glacier at a height of 16,000 feet, shortly after passing the tower. Moving on, we descend to the Barranco Hut, which is 13,000 feet above sea level. We take a nap, eat dinner, and spend the night here. Despite the fact that you start and end the day at the same altitude, this day is crucial for acclimatization and will help your body get ready for summit day.
- Elevation (ft): 12,500 ft to 13,000 ft
- Distance covered: 10 km
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
- Habitat: Semi-desert
Day 04: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we depart Barranco and make our way to the Karanga Valley campground through a rocky slope, passing the Barranco Wall. This brief day is intended to help you acclimate.
- Elevation (ft): 13,000 ft to 13,100 ft
- Distance covered: 5 km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 05: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
On the 5th day of your 12 Days Kilimanjaro Climb & Wildlife Safari, We depart Karanga after breakfast and arrive at the intersection with the Mweka Trail. We keep going up to Barafu Hut. You have now finished the South Circuit, which offers a variety of perspectives on the top. We set up camp here, take a nap, eat dinner, and get ready for the summit day. From here, one can see Mawenzi and Kibo, the two summits.
- Elevation (ft): 13,100 ft to 15,300 ft
- Distance covered: 4 km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 06: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
We continue climbing to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers between midnight and two in the morning. You travel northwest and make your way over steep scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This section is the hardest part of the walk, both physically and mentally.
You will take a brief break at Stella Point (18,600 feet), where you will be rewarded with the most spectacular sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). On your hour-long journey to the summit from Stella Point, you might run into snow the entire way. You have arrived at Uhuru Peak, the highest peak on both Mount Kilimanjaro and the African continent. The sunrise can be seen from the peak by more rapid hikers.
We now begin our descent from the summit, going straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite while pausing at Barafu for lunch. Due to the loose gravel going down, gaiters and trekking poles are recommended. Due to its location in the upper forest, Mweka Camp may experience late-afternoon mist or rain. We have our final meal on the mountain later in the evening before a well-earned rest.
- Elevation covered (ft): 15,300 ft to 19,345 ft (and down to 10,000 ft)
- Distance: 5 km ascent; 12 km descent
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
- Habitat: Arctic
Day 07: Mweka Camp to Arusha
On the 7th day of your 12 Days Kilimanjaro Climb & Wildlife Safari, We continue the descent to the Mweka Park Gate to pick up your summit certificates after breakfast. It could be muddy and damp at lower altitudes. Trekking poles and gaiters will be useful. Most likely, there will be enough to wear: shorts and t-shirts (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). You travel another hour to Mweka Village from the gate. Your safari driver-guide will greet you at the Mweka gate after you have completed your ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro and congratulate you on your accomplishment. You will then be driven back to your accommodation in Arusha, the Masai Land Safari Lodge, where you can relax and unwind while getting ready for the following day’s second adventure, a wildlife safari.
- Elevation (ft): 10,000 ft to 5,400 ft
- Distance covered: 10 km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
- Accommodation: keys hotel
Day 08: Drive to Tarangire National Park, Game Drive
After breakfast, our guide will pick you up from your Arusha hotel to begin your wildlife safari trip. He will greet you and explain to you about the wildlife excursion after you arrive. You will next go to Tarangire National Park, which is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, buffaloes, antelopes, zebras, wildebeests, kudus, leopards, and cheetahs. Make sure to keep an eye out for enormous elephant herds at Tarangire National Park if you want to witness them roaming freely. After a full day of wildlife viewing in the park, you will be taken in a vehicle to your lodging for dinner and the night.
- Accommodation: Sopa lodge
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Activities: Game Drive
Day 09: Drive to Serengeti National Park
In the morning, stroll up, eat breakfast, and then go to Serengeti National Park. You will stop at Lake Manyara National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater along the nearly six-hour drive. A stunning view of the Ngorongoro crater, the largest crater in the world, is much anticipated. You will settle into your lodging after arriving in the Serengeti, eat lunch, and then embark on an evening game drive. You will return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay following the evening game drive before leaving in the morning.
- Accommodation: Ikoma camping
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Activities: Evening Game Drive
Day 10: Full-Day Serengeti National Park
As you get ready for a full day of game viewing in the Serengeti National Park, you will have breakfast at your lodge. A morning game drive around the national park will be the first activity you complete as you search for various wildlife species, including elephants, wildebeests, cheetahs, antelopes, kudus, giraffes, waterbucks, zebras, and gazelles. Following your morning game drive, you will eat lunch.
After lunch, you’ll take part in an afternoon game drive to explore the Serengeti National Park’s savannah plains in search of various wildlife species and to take in the stunning scenery. After our game drive, you will return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
- Accommodation: Ikoma camp
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Activities: Full-day game drive
Day 11: Ngorongoro Crater
On day 11 of your 12 Days Kilimanjaro Climb & Wildlife Safari, you will get up early, eat breakfast, and then check out of your lodging in preparation for a wildlife drive inside the Ngorongoro crater. Your packed lunch will be served in the middle of the game drive as you descend the crater and enjoy the experience. Up until the evening, you will continue your game drive before being driven to your lodging for dinner and an overnight stay.
- Accommodation: Farm lodge
- Meal plan: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Activities: Game Drive
Day 12: Lake Manyara & Departure
Get up early, eat breakfast, and travel to Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive on the final day of your 12-day Mount Kilimanjaro summit and wildlife trip. You’ll take your packed lunch with you for the game drive. Your 12-day Mount Kilimanjaro summit and wildlife viewing safari will come to an end when you are transported back to your accommodation in Arusha or to the airport to catch your flight home.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast and/or Lunch
- Activities: Morning game drive
- Accommodation: keys
Price Includes:
- Camping fees
- Guide, porter, and cooker
- Rescuer fees
- Three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and mineral water)
- Tent, foam, cooking equipment, eating utensils
- Oxygen Cylinder and Oxymeter
- All government taxes (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
