Tanzania Trek & Safari

Day 1: Arrive Moshi, Tanzania

Welcome to Tanzania, you will be met on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. The remainder of your day is at your leisure to relax before your trek begins tomorrow.

Day 2: Moshi to Kilimanjaro Trek and Simba Camp

Depart early after breakfast and a briefing. Travel by vehicle through many villages and coffee plantations for 4-5 hours to the wooden village of Nale Muru (1,950 m/6,398 ft).  After signing in and preparing the porters, you begin your hike on a path through fields into the pine forest. Your climb begins gently but consistently through forest that is home to a variety of wildlife including the Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey. Simba Camp is near the “First Cave” at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains. Sinba camp is picturesque, you will be surrounded by heathers and wake to birdsong in the morning.

Altitude: Moshi (915 m/3,000 ft) to Nale Muru (1,950 m/6,400 ft) to Simba Camp (2,750 m/9,020 ft) 

Approximate walking time/distance: 9 km, 4 hours

Terrain: Montane Forest

Day 3: Kilimanjaro Trek

Your morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave. Enroute you will enjoy superb views of Kibo and the eastern ice fields on the crater rim.

Altitude: Simba Camp (2,750 m/9,020 ft) to Second Cave (3,450 m/11,320 ft)

Approximate walking time/distance:  7 km, 6-7 hours 

Terrain: Moorland

Day 4: Kilimanjaro Trek

Your continuing steady ascent takes you up to the Third Cave. Closer now, the eastern ice fields on the crater rim continue to draw you upwards. Today is when you need to pay careful attention to signs of altitude sickness.

Altitude: Second Cave (3,450 m/11,320 ft) to Third Cave (3,870 m/12,700 ft)

Approximate walking time/distance: 10 km, 3-4 hours

Terrain: Moorland

Day 5: Kilimanjaro Trek

Today, your  hike continues up to the Kibo Huts which lie at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall.  It is here that you join the popular Marangu Route. It is best to hike early in the day to allow you to rest to prepare your equipment and warm clothing for your summit climb, the final ascent.

Altitude: Third Cave (3,870 m/12,700 ft) to Kibo Huts (4,695 m/15,400 ft)

Approximate walking time/distance: 8 km, 5 hours 

Terrain: Alpine Desert

Day 6: Kilimanjaro Trek

Wake at midnight to prepare for your Kilimanjaro summit ascent! if you climb before dawn, the goal is to reach Uhuru Peak just after sunrise. The beginning of this climb is in darkness, with headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of your Kilimanjaro trek. Departing at 1am, climb up steep scree or possibly snow to reach Gilman’s Point on the rim of the crater (5,861 m/18,640 ft) between 5-7am to be greeted with views of the crater and its icecaps. After another 2 hours hiking along the crater rim, you arrive at the summit of Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak, by 9am. After pausing to enjoy views and take photos, begin your descent down the mountain to Kibo Huts.  After lunch and a rest you will walk across the saddle to the Horombo Huts.

Altitude: Summit Day Kibo Huts (4,695 m/15,400 ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) to Horombo Huts (3,690 m/12,100 ft)

Approximate walking time/distance: 4 km up, 14 km down 11-15 hours 

Terrain: Alpine Desert

Day 7: Kilimanjaro Trek to Moshi

Continue down the mountain through the moorland to the Mandara Huts. Here you break for lunch and then continue your descent through lush forest to the park gate.  Today is when you tip your guides, porters and cooks before you leave them.  Travel by road to Moshi to relax and celebrate in your hotel.

Altitude: Horombo Huts (3,690 m/12,100 ft) to Marangu Gate (1,830 m/6,000 ft) to Moshi (890 m/2,920 ft) 

Approximate walking time/distance: 18 km, 5-7 hours 

Terrain: Moorland & lush forest

Day 8: Moshi to Lake Manyara National Park & Karatu

Your Tanzania adventure continues today as your wildlife safari starts.  Drive from Moshi to Lake Manyara National Park for an afternoon game drive. This is an enchanting safari destination with beautiful landscapes and diverse wildlife.  Animals frequently seen include Zebras, Monkey, Impala, Giraffe, Buffalo, Hippopotamus and more.

Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater National Park

Today you will enjoy a half day game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater National Park.  This is the the world’s largest inactive, intact volcanic caldera and a natural sanctuary for some of the densest populations of large mammals in Africa. Ngorongoro is often referred to as Africa’s Garden of Eden.  This is one of the best places area in Tanzania to spot critically endangered Black Rhinoceros and prides of Lion and you may also see Leopard, Cheetah, Hyena, Antelope and other small mammals in their natural habitat. Tonight you have the chance to walk through coffee plantations to enjoy watching birds and waterfalls.

Day 10: Karatu to Tarangire National Park and Moshi

Depating Karatu, your drive to Tarangire National Park takes approximately 3 hours. This park is spectacular in the dry season when many migratory wildlife species seeks out the permanent waters of the Tarangire River. Here you may see large herds of game such as Wildebeest, Zebra, Elephant, Elands and Oryx who gather to stay in Tarangire until the rainy season when they migrate again to grazing areas. This area is also revered as a wonderful birding destination. After exploring Tarangire, travel back to Moshi.

Day 11: Depart Moshi, Tanzania

Today your Tanzania journey finishes and the day is spent at your leisure until your departure transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Here is a sample of some of the other Africa vacations we offer, we can also tailor a trip for you:

Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe – 21 Day Small Group Safari Tour

Best of South Africa, Swaziland & Lesotho – 20 Day Small Group Safari Tour

Wild Uganda – 11 Day Small Group Safari Tour

Botswana & Zimbabwe – 10 Day Small Group Safari Tour

South Africa Garden Route – 8 Day Small Group Safari Tour

Wild Tanzania – 7 Day Small Group Safari Tour

Luxury South Africa Safari – 7 Day Vacation Package

Madagascar Beaches & Lemurs – 10 Day Vacation Package