Tanzania Trek & Safari

Sample Tanzania Itinerary (Subject to Change):

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

Drive from Moshi to Marangu Gate for permits before taking a short transfer to the Rongai Gate trailhead. The path winds through corn and potato fields and then climbs gently through the forest which is home to a variety of wildlife, including the black and white colobus monkey.

Rongai Gate to Rongai Cave Elevation: 6,398 ft to 9,300 ft.
Approximate hiking time/distance: 8 km, 3-4 hours.
Terrain: Rainforest

Day 3: Kilimanjaro Trek

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

Rongai Cave to to Second Cave Elevation: 9,300 ft to 11,300 ft
Approximate hiking time/distance: 6 km, 3-4 hours
Terrain: Heath

After lunch, leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi.  Your campsite is in a sheltered valley near Kikelewa or 2nd Caves campsite.

Second Cave to Kikelewa Cave Elevation: 11,300 ft to 11,811 ft
Approximate hiking time/distance: 6 km, 3-4 hours
Terrain: Heath

Day 4: Kilimanjaro Trek

The hike today is short and steep up a grassy slope. Views of the wilderness area are stunning. As you exit the heath zone and emerge into the Alpine Desert zone, the landscape changes dramatically. Your camp is situated beneath the jagged spires of Mawenzi, at Mawenzi Tarn. The remainder of the day can be spent relaxing or exploring the area.

Kikelewa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn Elevation: 11,811 ft to 14,160 ft
Approximate hiking time/distance: 5 km, 3-4 hours
Terrain: Alpine Desert

Day 5: Kilimanjaro Trek

This is an extra day meant for acclimatization and can be spent day hiking on Mawenzi Ridge. The unique landscape offers motivating views of Kibo and Mawenzi. After spending a few moments exploring the area, head back to Mawenzi Tarn for camp.

Mawenzi Tarn to Mawenzi Ridge Elevation (ft): 14,160 ft -14,400 ft
Approximate hiking time/distance: 2 km, 1-2 hours
Terrain: Alpine Desert

Mawenzi Ridge to Mawenzi Tarn Elevation (ft): 14,400 ft -14,160 ft
Approximate hiking time/distance: 2 km, 1-2 hours
Terrain: Alpine Desert

Day 6: Kilimanjaro Trek

Cross the lunar desert of the ‘saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite  at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night at Kibo Huts.

Marwenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut Elevation (ft): 14,160 ft to 15,430 ft
Approximate hiking time/distance:  8 km, 5-6 hours
Terrain: Alpine Desert

Day 7: Kilimanjaro Trek

Wake at midnight to prepare for your Kilimanjaro summit ascent! Start the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. The goal is to reach Uhuru Peak just after sunrise. The beginning of this climb is darkness on a switchback trail with headlamps or flashlights through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point. Rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi.

Those who are still feeling strong can make the 3-hour round trip to the summit of Kilimanjaro (Uhuru Peak) passing spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo is surprisingly fast. Continue your descent to reach your campsite at Horombo campsite where you will overnight.

Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft
Approximate hiking time/distance: 6 km, 6-8 hours
Terrain: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut Elevation (ft): 19,341 ft to 12,250 ft
Approximate hiking time/distance: 16 km, 4-5 hours
Terrain: Heath

Day 8: Kilimanjaro to Moshi

Today you have a long trek mostly downhill through the tropical rainforest. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu gate, collect your summit certificate. A vehicle will meet you here to travel by road to Moshi to relax and celebrate in your hotel.

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
Approximate hiking time/distance: 20 km, 5-7 hours
Terrain: Rainforest

Day 9: Moshi – Tarangire N.P. – Karatu

Drive from Moshi to Tarangire National Park (approximately 2-3 hours). On arrival at the park gate, you will do the necessary paperwork, before commencing a mid-morning game drive inside the park.

This park is spectacular in the dry season when many of the migratory wildlife species come back to the permanent waters of the Tarangire River. Huge herds of wildebeest, zebras, elephants, elands, and Oryx gather to stay in Tarangire until the onset of the rain when they migrate again to good grazing areas. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the special designated area and often looking the Tarangire River.

After lunch, you will proceed with afternoon exploration. Your guide will likely push further south toward the Silale Swamp. Why here? The swamp acts as a giant sponge. Even in the dry season, it stays green, attracting thousands of elephants, buffalo, and the lions that hunt them. This is also the best spot to see Tree-climbing Pythons and the rare Oryx or Kudu.

In the late afternoon (around 4 pm), which is also referred to as the Golden hour exit the park, the “Golden Hour” light makes the baobabs look orange and glowing—perfect for photography.
Overnight Karatu.

Day 10: Karatu – Serengeti

After breakfast, drive from Karatu – Serengeti (enroute game drive). This takes 3 – 4 hours. The word “Serengeti” is derived from the Maasai language, meaning “endless plain.” En-route to the Serengeti you can opt to visit as Masaai Village, a perfect place to explore Maasai culture and even participate in some tribal activities Or visit Olduvai Gorge, known as the Cradle of Humanity; the Museum is a testament to the long journey that humanity has made from its humble roots in East Africa to its current state as the dominant species on earth. Enjoy a game drive enroute to your camp.
Overnight Serengeti

Day 11: Serengeti N.P.

After breakfast, venture into the Serengeti’s wilderness corners for a full day of game viewing in the park. With a picnic lunch, take your leisure while exploring this world heritage site where earth’s largest concentration of plain game still roams free.
Overnight Serengeti.

Day 12: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater – Karatu

After breakfast, drive to Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive inside the crater. This is renowned as the best place in Tanzania to see black rhino as well as prides of lions that include the magnificent black-maned males. There are also many colorful flamingoes and a variety of water birds and other game such as leopard, cheetah, hyena, other members of the antelope family and small mammals.
Overnight near Karatu.

Day 13: Karatu – Lake Manyara N.P. – Moshi

Drive to Tarangire National Park (approximately 30 minutes). After registration at the park gate, start a late morning game drive, which is the best time to view animals in this park. When you approach it from the east, the Rift Valley escarpment looms on the horizon forming an impressive backdrop to the lake. In the tall trees of the groundwater forest, monkeys leap from branch to branch, and on the escarpment, elephants stand in the shade. Other animals frequently seen are zebras, impalas, monkeys, giraffes, buffalo, hippos, and others.
Overnight in Moshi.

Day 14: 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.

Effective 1 October 2026: All Canadian & USA Passport holders require a mandatory Tanzania National Insurance Policy to enter the country. This policy is purchased directly from a local Tanzanian provider and is quite limited in coverage, therefore should not be considered a replacement for your full travel insurance from your home country provider.

To save you time on arrival, we highly recommend you purchase this policy directly on the Tanzanian Government website link within a few weeks before your arrival and carry a print out of this policy for presentation. on entry: https://inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz/

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