11 Days – Kilimanjaro Trekking and Wildlife Safari
11 Days / 10 Nights Days
Arusha or Moshi, Tanzania → Arusha, Tanzania
Wildlife
Easy
From
USD $5416
per person
Why Choose This Safari?
This 12-day adventure from Wonders of Creation Tours joins two very different journeys into one trip. It begins with a seven-day climb of Mount Kilimanjaro by the Machame Route, a path often called the “Whiskey Route”, which winds through lush rainforest, open moorland and the high desert of the Shira Plateau. You acclimatise at Lava Tower before crossing the Barranco Wall and reaching the summit at Uhuru Peak, at 5,895 metres. After the summit, a five-day safari takes you through the northern parks: Tarangire National Park, famous for its elephant herds and baobab trees; Lake Manyara National Park, with its groundwater forest and hippos; the Serengeti National Park, covering about 14,763 square kilometres; and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, whose crater floor covers about 260 square kilometres. Each stage asks something different of you, which makes this a rewarding mix of physical challenge, natural beauty and classic Big Five game viewing.
Safari Highlights
- We may have to re-route the itinerary or accommodation in similar Lodges/Tented Camps in case of non – availability
- Upgrades are available eg To Luxury Accommodation Safari
- Tour above can be customized based on your needs or requirements
Destinations to Travel
Arusha · Moshi · Machame Gate and Machame Village · Mount Kilimanjaro (Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m) · Mweka Gate · Tarangire National Park · Lake Manyara National Park · Serengeti National Park · Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Itinerary
Day 1 — Arusha or Moshi to Machame Camp
You are collected from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi and driven for about two hours to Machame Village, where the trek begins. The first stage climbs through lush rainforest, with the trail rising from about 1,800 metres to about 3,000 metres over five to seven hours and 10 kilometres. You camp at Machame Camp, where dinner is served and you settle in for the first night on the mountain.
Trek: Drive about 2 hours · Hike 5 to 7 hours (10 km) · Altitude 1,800 m to 3,000 m
Day 2 — Machame Camp to Shira Camp
The trail opens into moorland, where you have wide views of Mount Meru and Kibo Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro. The walk covers 6 km over five to seven hours and climbs from about 3,000 metres to 3,840 metres. You have breakfast, lunch and dinner, and camp at Shira Camp.
Trek: Hike 5 to 7 hours (6 km) · Altitude 3,000 m to 3,840 m
Day 3 — Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
You cross the Shira Plateau, passing Lava Tower for acclimatisation before you descend to Barranco Camp. The walk covers about 10 km over five to seven hours and ends at about 3,950 metres. Acclimatisation is one of the most important parts of this route, so your guide will pace the day carefully.
Trek: Hike 5 to 7 hours (10 km) · Altitude 3,840 m to 3,950 m
Day 4 — Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp via the Barranco Wall
You climb the famous Barranco Wall, then continue to Karanga Valley, gaining altitude steadily. The walk takes about three hours and covers 4.5 km, rising from about 3,950 metres to 4,200 metres. You have breakfast, lunch and dinner, and overnight at Karanga Camp.
Trek: Hike about 3 hours (4.5 km) · Altitude 3,950 m to 4,200 m
Day 5 — Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp
This is a short but steep hike, preparing you for the summit attempt. The walk takes about three hours and covers 4.5 km, climbing from about 4,200 metres to about 4,700 metres. You have breakfast, lunch and dinner at Barafu Camp, and rest before the summit push.
Trek: Hike about 3 hours (4.5 km) · Altitude 4,200 m to 4,700 m
Day 6 — Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak and Mweka Camp
You begin the summit climb around midnight, reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) at sunrise. After celebrating at the summit, you descend to Mweka Camp. The day covers 12 km in total and takes 12 to 14 hours. You overnight at Mweka Camp.
Trek: Hike 12 km total · Time 12 to 14 hours
Day 7 — Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Arusha
You descend through rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you are transferred to Arusha for a rest. The walk takes 3 to 4 hours and covers 10 km. You have lunch and dinner, then overnight at a mid-range hotel in Arusha.
Trek: Hike 3 to 4 hours (10 km)
Day 8 — Arusha to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast you leave Arusha for Tarangire National Park, famous for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. You enjoy a full game drive with a picnic lunch, then drive to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay near Tarangire or Karatu.
Day 9 — Lake Manyara National Park
You explore Lake Manyara National Park, known for its tree-climbing lions, flamingos, hippos and rich birdlife. The park also has a groundwater forest and baboons. You take an afternoon game drive, then return to your lodge in the Karatu area for dinner and an overnight stay. Sightings can’t be guaranteed.
Day 10 — Lake Manyara to the Serengeti National Park
You drive to the Serengeti National Park with game viewing along the way, then take an afternoon game drive across the wide plains. The park is one of the best places in Africa to watch the wildebeest migration, which follows the rains. You have dinner and an overnight stay at your Serengeti lodge or tented camp.
Day 11 — Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater Rim
You take an early morning game drive in the Serengeti, then head towards the rim of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You can make an optional stop at Olduvai Gorge, where fossils and stone tools have helped researchers understand early human evolution. The visit is at extra cost and is not included. You overnight at a mid-range lodge on the crater rim or in the Karatu area.
Day 12 — Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha
You descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive, with a picnic lunch on the crater floor. The crater floor covers about 260 square kilometres and is enclosed by cliffs about 600 metres high, so animals are concentrated in one place. You then return to Arusha, where the tour ends.
What's Included
Rate Includes
- Transport on 4WD vehicle with the pop-up roof, which enable you to spot wildlife easier
- Three meals a day on Safari
- Park entrance fees
- Driver's allowances
- Service of an English speaking professional guide/Driver
- Lodge/Tented Camps Fee
- Crater fees
- Food, cook and all kitchen utensils (If Camping)
- Mineral water 1.5lt per person per day
- Transport to and from mountain gates.
- All parks entry fees.
- All camping fees.
- Rescue fees.
- Guide and porters fees.
- Guide and porters salaries.
- All accommodations on the mountain based on three meals a day.
- Activities as per itinerary above
Rate Excludes
- International flights to/from your home
- Tips & gratitude’s
- the first night on your arrival and last night after safari (book with us)
- Airport transfers (book with us)
- Personal insurance
- VISA and any Airport Taxes
- Sleeping bag (if camping)
- Olduvai Gorge fees
- Alcoholic drinks
- Serengeti Balloon (can book with us)
- All Mountain Gears (we can arrange hire of this)
- Flying doctor’s insurance, we can arrange for request.
- Tips to the driver/guide and all items of personal nature/use.
- And all not mentioned in the itinerary above.
Best Time to Go
No travel period was given for this safari, so the guidance below is based on general seasonality. For Kilimanjaro, the two dry seasons, from about January to early March and from June to October, are generally the easiest for trekking, with clearer skies and drier trails. The long rains from March to May and the short rains in November and December can make the trails wetter and the views less clear. For the safari, June to October is the usual dry season for game viewing in the Serengeti and Tarangire, and the same months suit the crater. Our team can advise the best dates for both the mountain and the parks. You can read more on the Tanzania National Parks Authority and Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority sites.
Pricing
From USD $5416 per person
| Option | Price | Pax |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-Range Accommodation Safari | US$ $5416 per person sharing | Minimum 2 Pax |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this adventure start and end, and how long does it take?
It starts in Arusha or Moshi with a drive to Machame Village, and ends back in Arusha on Day 12. The trip runs for 12 days and 11 nights, made up of seven days on Kilimanjaro and five days on safari through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Which parks do we visit after the climb?
After the summit and the night in Arusha, you visit Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. The safari section gives you four nights of game viewing in these parks.
How does the climb cope with altitude?
The route gives your body time to adjust. Day 3 passes Lava Tower for acclimatisation, and the trail rises gradually to about 4,700 metres before the summit push. Your guides will pace the trek, but we advise you to speak to your doctor about altitude before you travel.
Do we need trekking experience?
The Machame Route is ideal for adventurous hikers, and the days are long and steep. Please tell our team about your fitness and any previous hiking before you book, so we can advise whether this trip suits you.
Is the Olduvai Gorge stop included?
No. The visit is optional and carries an extra cost, so please ask our team for the price if you would like to add it on Day 11.
What happens after the safari ends in Arusha?
You return to Arusha on Day 12, and the tour ends there. Accommodation in Arusha after Day 12 is not included, but our team can arrange it on request.