Get the best of both worlds with this combined Africa Safari and summit climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Join this exciting group tour that will first climb the mighty Mt. Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route (whiskey route). After climbing Africa’s highest mountain (and the largest free-standing mountain in the world), the group will embark on an awe-inspiring safari through the famous Serengeti and Ngorongoro National Parks.

It’s two trips of a lifetime all wrapped up into one great trip!

B: Breakfast | L: Lunch | D: Dinner

Brief Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive Moshi
Day 2-8: Kilimanjaro Trek up Machame Route (B, L, D)
Day 9-13: Safari to Serengeti & Ngorongoro National Parks (B, L, D)


Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1
Arrival in Moshi

Booked into the assigned hotel in Moshi for an overnight and a briefing from your guide.

Day 2
Kilimanjaro Trek: Day 1

Machame Gate to Machame Camp Elevation (ft): 6000ft to 10,200ft Distance: 18km Hiking Time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Montane Forest

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. (all meals while trekking)

We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

Day 3
Kilimanjaro Trek: Day 2

Machame Camp to Shira Camp Elevation (ft): 10,200ft to 12,600ft Distance: 9km Hiking Time: 4-6 hours Habitat: Mooorland

After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite.

Day 4
Kilimanjaro Trek: Day 3

Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp Elevation (ft): 12,600ft to 12,700ft Distance: 15 km Hiking Time: 5-7 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 "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4876m / 15,997 ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3860m / 12,664. 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
Kilimanjaro Trek: Day 4

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp Elevation (ft): 12,800ft to 13,800ft Distance: 7 km Hiking Time: 4 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite.

Day 6
Kilimanjaro Trek: Day 5

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp Elevation (ft): 13,780 ft to 15,100ft Distance: 13km Hiking Time: 8 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave the Karanga Valley and connect with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. 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
Kilimanjaro Trek: Day 6

Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp Elevation (ft): 15,100ft to 19,300ft (and down to 10,200ft) Distance: 7km ascent / 23km descent Hiking Time:6- 8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

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 (5685m / 18,652 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.

It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you.

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
Kilimanjaro Trek: Day 7

Mweka Camp to Moshi Elevation (ft): 10,200ft to 6000ft Distance: 15km Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: 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 hotel in Moshi. Don't forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration! Overnight in an excellent hotel.

Day 9
Lake Manyara

After a hearty breakfast you and your group will meet your safari guide and travel 3-4 hours from Moshi to Lake Manyara, stopping for lunch enroute. In the afternoon you will experience your first game drive at Lake Manyara National Park. The park is famous for its huge variety of birdlife (almost 400 different species) and for its elephant population and tree-climbing lions. Overnight at a camp or upgrade to an excellent safari hotel.

Day 10:
Serengeti National Park

In the morning you will drive to the world famous Serengeti National Park. In the afternoon you will go on a game drive through the Serengeti Plains tracking the great animals of Africa. Overnight at a camp or upgrade to an excellent mobile tented safari camp. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included)


Day 11:
Serengeti National Park

Following a delicious breakfast you will head out and spend a full day continuing to explore the vast and spectacular Serengeti. Your guide will know the best places to find the constantly moving and sometimes elusive animals of these great plains. Overnight at a camp or upgrade to an excellent mobile tented safari camp. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included)

Day 12:
Ngorongoro Crater

Leaving the amazing Serengeti Plains after a morning game drive, you will make your way to the Ngorongoro Crater National Park. Perhaps more awe-inspiring than the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater is not only one of nature’s true wonders, it is also a photographer’s dream. Being the largest intact crater in the world, Ngorongoro is the massive remnants of a once mighty volcano that collapsed upon itself 2 million years ago. The result is an unbroken circular wall that measures 2,000 feet high, 10 miles across and features a flat, fertile floor. Due to its height, passing clouds get caught up on the crater, providing precious rainwater all year. Today the crater is a self-contained, year-round Garden of Eden for 30,000 plus animals of all kinds and the perfect spot for safaris any day of the year. Ngorongoro is, beyond question, a sight that you will never forget. Overnight at a camp or upgrade to an excellent hotel. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included)

Day 13:
Ngorongoro Crater, Return to Moshi, Trip Ends

In the morning, continuing your exploration of Ngorongoro. The morning will feature a half-day game drive of this incredible natural wonder. In the late afternoon, drive back to Moshi. Trip Ends. Transfer to the Kilimanjaro airport. No overnight included. (Breakfast and lunch are included)