13-days Kilimanjaro Trek & Safari Combo

Day 1 : Arrival & Transfer to Moshi

Welcome to Tanzania! Today, you will be met upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport by our English-speaking driver who will transfer you to your hotel in Moshi. 

In the afternoon, your mountain guides will come to the hotel to brief you about your trek and verify all your equipment to ensure that you have everything you need for a safe and comfortable ascension. If you are missing any essential items for the trek, they can be rented in Moshi.

Day 2 : Rongai Gate (1,950M) to First Cave Camp (2,600M)

HIKING TIME: Approximately 5 hours / DISTANCE: Approximately 8km HABITAT: Mountain forest

After  breakfast at the hotel, your guides will pick you up drive you to Rongai Gate. After registering, you will be transferred to the Rongai trailhead, which will take approximately 2 ½ hours. Here you will begin your hike from the Nare Moru village. The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest, and then climbs gently through the forest. The trail is gentle and the countryside is beautiful. The first camp is at First Cave, situated at an altitude of 2,600 meters. There is a toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut. Water can be found just down the trail below campsite.

Day 3 : First Cave (2,600M) to Kikelewa Camp (3,600M)

HIKING TIME: Approximately 6.5 hours / DISTANCE: Approximately 16 km

The trail continues up towards Kibo, passing Second Cave (3450m) en-route, and reaching Kikelwa Cave at about 3600 meters. As the climb continues, the views become more and more spectacular. You will really begin to feel the awe of the mountain. You will spend the night at Third Cave camp (Kikelewa Caves)

Day 4 : Kikelewa Camp (3,600M) to Mawenzi Tarn (4,330M)

HIKING TIME: Approximately 3.5 hours / DISTANCE: Approximately 10 km

Today, your trek will continue with a short but steep hike up the grassy slopes. Once there, you will be rewarded with splendid views of the wilderness. You will then leave the vegetation behind as you move towards the Mawenzi Tarn, situated below the towering spokes of Mawenzi. Here you will relax and spend the afternoon acclimatizing to the altitude.

Day 5 : Mawenzi Tarn (4,330M) to Kibo Camp (4,700M)

HIKING TIME: Approximately 5 hours / DISTANCE: Approximately 13 km

Today you will cross the mighty saddle that joins Mawenzi to Kibo. After about 5 hours of hiking, you will reach Kibo hut, where you will spend the rest of the day preparing for your final ascent. This will begin around midnight.

Day 6 : Kibo Camp (4,700M) to Uhuru Peak (5895M) to Horombo Hut (3,720M)

HIKING TIME: Approximately 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak & another 7 hours to descend to Horombo Hut / DISTANCE: Approximately 7 km ascent, followed by 21 km descent

At around 23h30, you will be awoken to some tea and biscuits and will then make your way out into the night. You will head to Hans Meyer cave situated at an altitude of 5,150 meters. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s Point (5,681m) on the crater rim. Many climbers find this walk the most mentally and physically challenging aspect of the climb. From Stella Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way up on your 2- hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa and an achievement you will remember for the rest of your life. The walk back to Kibo Hut from the summit takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Horombo Hut. The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. Here you will rest for the night while feeling proud of your achievement.

Day 7 : Horombo Hut (3,720M) to Marangu Gate (1980M)

HIKING TIME: Approximately 6 hours / DISTANCE: Approximately 27 km

After an early and well-deserved breakfast, you will continue your 6-hour descent passing Mandara Hut, and down to the Marangu gate where you will receive your certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5,681m) will receive green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895m) will receive gold certificates. Finally, you will be picked up and brought back to Honey Badger Lodge for a warm welcome, a celebratory drink and a hearty meal.

Day 8 : Moshi – Tarangire National Park

After an early breakfast at your hotel in Moshi, your safari guide will pick you up and your adventure kicks off! Prepare for a 5-hour drive through the local villages, giving you a glimpse of Tanzanian daily life. You’ll spot Maasai folk in their vibrant traditional attire, herding their cattle as you drive through. Your destination is Tarangire National Park, arriving around noon. 

Tarangire is a haven of beauty and wildlife! Imagine vast grasslands dotted with colossal baobab trees and termite hills. This park is like no other, boasting loads of animals per square kilometer. Tarangire is a hotspot for big cats, as well as wildebeest, zebra, giraffe and buffalo, to name just a few. You’ll also catch sight of one of Africa’s biggest elephant herds and with a little luck, you may spot the rare Oryx, Elk, and Greater Kudu!

Day 9 : Tarangire National Park – Karatu

On your second day in Tarangire, the adventure intensifies as you dive deeper into its wild heart. Picture herds of majestic elephants, larger here than anywhere in Tanzania, weaving between ancient baobabs. Watch in awe as predators like lions and leopards stalk the lush riverbanks, while giraffes tower above the plains. The sight of zebras, wildebeest, and gazelles dashing across the savannah will leave you breathless. As you track wildlife near Tarangire River, famous for its vibrant ecosystem, every moment is a thrill, every corner promises untamed beauty. It’s raw, wild Africa at its finest!

Day 10:  Karatu – Serengeti National Park

Today’s adventure takes you to the heart of the world-renowned Serengeti National Park via the beautiful Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The 3-hour drive takes you into the heart of wild Africa, surrounded by endless plains rolling in the distance. These spectacular landscapes are home to the Maasai tribe who live in harmony alongside the region’s abundant wildlife. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to many animals including giraffe, zebra, Grant and Thomson gazelle, buffalo and wildebeest.

Upon arrival at the entry gate to Serengeti you’ll stop for lunch before heading out to the central area of the park known as Seronera, one of the richest wildlife habitats in Serengeti. Your first Serengeti game drive is on!

Serengeti is a vast wilderness where the raw beauty of nature unfolds before your eyes. Its endless plains are home to an astonishing variety of wildlife, from prowling lions and elusive leopards to towering giraffes and graceful gazelles. Experience the thrill of tracking cheetahs as they race across the savannah or watching elephants move majestically through the landscape.

Experience Serengeti’s golden sunset as it casts a magical glow over the land, creating picture-perfect moments. 

Day 11 : Serengeti National Park

This morning, get ready to wake up very early! Rising before sunrise in Serengeti offers a magical experience as the plains come alive. In the soft, golden dawn, predators like lions, cheetahs, and leopards are most active, hunting under the cover of darkness. Early hours increase your chances of witnessing thrilling chases and the raw beauty of nature’s survival instincts in action. 

Every game drive is an adventure in Serengeti, offering intimate encounters with Africa’s iconic wildlife in one of the world’s most spectacular natural settings.

Day 12: Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Crater – Karatu

After an early breakfast, your safari vehicle rumbles to life, embarking on a thrilling journey through the majestic Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The landscape transforms from endless plains to the lush highlands as you approach the iconic Ngorongoro Crater.

Upon arrival, the descent into the crater begins, revealing a hidden world teeming with wildlife. Inside, a game drive awaits—zebras, rhinos, and lions roam the ancient caldera. Elephants bathe in shimmering lakes, while flamingos gather at the water’s edge. Every turn offers breathtaking encounters, making this one of Africa’s most unforgettable safari experiences.

Day 13: Karatu – Lake Manyara National Park – Arusha or Moshi

This morning you head to your final destination – Lake Manyara National Park. This park offers an enchanting mix of diverse landscapes and wildlife. As you journey through lush groundwater forests, open savannahs, and along the lake’s edge, you’ll encounter elephants, giraffes, zebras, and flamingos (depending on season) in their natural splendour. The soda lake attracts thousands of migratory birds, creating a vibrant spectacle of colour and sound (depending on season). Dense woodlands reveal large families of monkeys, while herds of buffalo roam the grassy plains. The park’s intimate size and rich biodiversity provide a serene and immersive safari experience, with the Rift Valley escarpment offering beautiful views. 

In the early afternoon, just after your last bush lunch, you’ll head out of the park and hit the road for the drive back to Arusha or Moshi. Your safari guide will drop you off at the hotel of your choice in either of these two towns.