Tanzania Trek & Safari

Sample 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

Depart early after breakfast and a briefing. Travel by vehicle through many villages and coffee plantations 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. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (2,600m) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains. Overnight at 1st Cave or Simba Campsite 

Altitude: Moshi (915m) to Nale Muru (1,950m) to Simba Camp (2,750m). 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 with superb views of Kibo and the eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi.  Your camp site is in a sheltered valley near Kikelewa or 2nd Caves campsite. 

Altitude: Simba Camp (2,750m) to Second Cave (3,450m). Approximate walking time/distance:  7 km, 6-7 hours. Terrain: Moorland

Day 4: Kilimanjaro Trek

Today is an acclimatisation day. After a morning of leisure, set off around noon, leaving the main trail and walking across the moorland on a smaller path toward the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. and on to the campsite at 3rd Cave. 

Altitude: Second Cave (3,450 m) to Third Cave (3,870 m). Approximate walking time/distance: 6 km, 4-5 hours. Terrain: Moorland

Day 5: Kilimanjaro Trek

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb panoramic views. Leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn, spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area and acclimatise.  Overnight at Mawenzi Turn Hut Campsite. 

Altitude: Third Cave (3,870m) to Mawenzi Tarn (4,330m). Approximate walking time/distance: 8 km, 3-4 hours. Terrain: Alpine Desert

Day 6: Kilimanjaro Trek

Cross the lunar desert of the ‘saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite (4,750 m.) 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. Overnight at Kibo Camp and rise at midnight start the ascent to summit.   

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.

Altitude: Summit Day Kibo Huts (4,695m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Horombo Huts (3,690m). Approximate walking time/distance: 4 km up, 14 km down 11-15 hours. Terrain: Alpine Desert

Day 8: Kilimanjaro to Moshi

Descend steadily down the mountain through the moorland to the Mandara Hut which is the first stop on the Marangu Route. After lunch continue your descent through lush forest to the National park gate.  Travel by road to Moshi to relax and celebrate in your hotel.

Altitude: Horombo Huts (3,690m) to Marangu Gate (1,830m) to Moshi (890m). Approximate walking time/distance: 18 km, 5-7 hours. Terrain: Moorland & lush forest.

Day 9: Moshi – Lake Manyara – Karatu

Drive from Moshi to Lake Manyara National Park  (approximately 4 hours).  After a picnic lunch in Manyara, start a late afternoon 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 ground water forest, monkeys leap from branch to branch and on the escarpment elephants stand in the shade. Other animals frequently seen around here are zebras, impalas, monkeys, giraffes, buffalos, hippos and others. Overnight Karatu.

Day 10: Karatu – Olduvai Gorge – Serengeti

After breakfast, drive to Serengeti National Park via Olduvai Gorge (approximately 3-4 hours). Olduvai Gorge is an archaeological site located in the eastern Serengeti plains where early human fossils were first discovered. It has an amazing landscape that resulted from the same tectonic forces that created the Great Rift Valley millions of years ago. 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-manned 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 – Tarangiri N.P.- Moshi

Drive to Tarangire National Park (approximately 2-hours). 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. 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.

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