8 DAYS KILIMANJARO TREKKING | 4 DAYS SERENGETI LODGE SAFARI
ARRIVE IN TANZANIA
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town, you will meet our guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Missing gears can be rented on this day.
DAY 1: LONDOROSSI GATE TO FOREST CAMP
-Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft
-Distance: 6 km
-Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
-Habitat: Rain Forest.
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at the trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first campsite.
DAY 2: FOREST CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP 1
-Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft
-Distance: 8 km
-Hiking Time 5-6 hours
-Habitat: Moorland.
We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.
DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP 1 TO SHIRA 2 TO MOIR HUT
-Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft
-Distance: 14 km
-Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
-Habitat: Moorland.
We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibos Glacier Peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
DAY 4: MOIR HUT TO LAVA TOWER TO BARRANCO CAMP
-Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft
-Distance: 7 km
-Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
-Habitat: Semi Desert.
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the Sharks Tooth. Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
DAY 5: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP
-Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
-Distance: 5km
-Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
-Habitat: Alpine Desert.
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
DAY 6 : KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP
-Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
-Distance: 4 km
-Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
-Habitat: Alpine Desert.
After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
DAY 7: BARAFU CAMP TO SUMMIT TO MWEKA HUT
-Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
-Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
-Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
-Habitat: Arctic.
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
DAY 8: MWEKA CAMP TO MOSHI
-Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
-Distance: 10 km
-Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
-Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.
DAY 9: MOSHI – TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, your driver will be at your hotel ready to take an approximate 2-hour drive to Tarangire National Park. Giant baobab trees, bush savannah and the seasonal marshes add to the wonder of this nature reserve. The Tarangire National Park is considered one of the best places to view elephants up close. The park is also home to buffaloes, zebras, and wildebeests which are always closely followed by a range of predators such as lions. Leopards are seen now and then but cheetahs are rarely spotted. From the open roof of the safari vehicle, you will be able to absorb the landscape and watch the animals. In the evening you reach your lodge inside the park.
Day 10: KARATU – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, you will travel via the cooler highlands towards the southern Serengeti and at midday, you will reach the plains of the Serengeti National Park. This park is the largest in Tanzania and has a diversity of habitats and landscapes – short grass plains, savannah, thick bush, swamps, and lakes. Bizarre rock formations called kopjes dot the grassy landscape where predators are often seen. The Serengeti is famous for its yearly migration when hundreds of thousands of wildebeests and zebras trek to find fresh grass and water.
Day 11: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK – NGORONGORO CONSERVATION
On your outward journey to the park gate, you will enjoy some more game viewing before you leave the Serengeti National Park in the early afternoon to continue your journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. On the way, you can also see the Maasai boma with their traditional life. You will be staying at the lodge located on the rim of Ngorongoro crater.
Day 12: NGORONGORO CRATER – MOSHI
After breakfast, you will descend the crater 600m down the crater for the game. The massive collapsed volcano is home to over 25,000 mammals ranging from the Big Five – lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard – to spotted hyenas, rare warthogs, and some of the more than 500 bird species of the area. After an extensive game drive and a picnic for lunch at the hippo pool, you will leave the caldera in the late afternoon you will leave the crater, and drive to Arusha town.
Accommodation: Moshi/ Arusha
$4,350
$3,400
$2,950
$2,810
- National parks gate fee.
- Hut or camping fees.
- All 3 meals a day while on Safari.
- Two nights’ Accommodation in Moshi bed and breakfast (double or triple occupancy)
- Certified, experienced, English-speaking guides for safari.
- Rescue fees. (Required by the national park)
- First aid kit.
- Cooking equipment, and eating utensils.
- Extras at the lodges i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry.
- International and internal flight
- Tips (guides and porters) – recommended.
- Extra activities.