18 Days Safari – Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro

On arrival at Kilimanjaro international airport meet our safari manager and drive to Mount Meru Hotel in Arusha or similar in Moshi. After check in the hotel our Kilimanjaro manager & your guide will join you for detailed briefing & gear checking. He will then leave you to relax and spend the rest of the day at the hotel before dinner & overnight.

Overnight at Mount Meru Hotel in Arusha. Dinner and breakfast included.

Sample Accommodations:

Arusha Planet Lodge
The African Tulip Hotel
Arusha Villa
Arusha Coffee Lodge

Trekking time:  5 to 7 hours

Distance: Approximately 11 kilometers

Habitat: Montane forest

Your Kilimanjaro combined safari tours starts after breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel in Arusha and drive to Machame Gate. The driving is of about 2 hours via some villages & local farms of banana and coffee plantation here you will get a little glimpse of the livelihood of Tanzanian close to the Mountain. At the gate you will do some park formalities including weighing luggage for porters to carry not to exceed 20 kg per porter. A valid permit will be issued to you showing 6 days of hiking through this route.

You will probably have lunch at the gate before the hiking. The trekking will start in the afternoon through the rain forest where you may expect rain, mud, and fog. During trekking you will possibly hear many exciting birds singing in the overlapping canopy above, and you may spot some black and white colobus monkeys, sykes monkeys as they move from trees to trees.

The route continues to the heath land and all the way to the end of your first day at Machame camp (9,875 feet), the trekking of the day is 9 Km in 5 to 7 hours of walking. This area is located above the rain forest vegetation type, the hiking is long but in a moderate steep.

The porters and chef, who move very fast up the mountain, will reach the camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served before going to sleep. At this point of Kilimanjaro combined Safari Mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared.

Overnight at Machame Camp. All meals included  

Trekking time: 5 to 6 hours

Distance: Approximately 9 kilometers

Habitat: Moorland

Kilimanjaro combined safari continues, after breakfast, the day starts through lovely heath land and afro-alpine moorland furnished with superb views of Kilimanjaro Peak. The route starts getting steeper as you pass through the Savannah with tall grasses, Giant Heather and Erica trees. Hike nearby large stones as you arrive at the moorland zone ruled by lobelia and senecia plants as well as volcanic rocks wrapped with beards and lichen, which safeguard wild alpine flowers and other plants that growing beneath them. You will spend the night at Shira Camp (12,615 feet), trekking of this day is 9 km in 5 to 6 hours of walking. Getting to the camp same procedures will follow as of the first day.

Overnight at Shira Camp. All meals included

Trekking time: 7 hours

Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers

Habitat: Semi-desert

Today you are getting closer to the peak as we get nearer to the Lava Tower. The trek becomes a bit tougher the path gets steeper as you approach to the lava Tower, a volcanic plug of over 300 feet tall which codes an exposed pass at 15,000 feet. You will have packed lunch at this point while acclimatizing, here is where most climbers start feeling the effects from the high elevation which includes shorten of breath & headache. After lunch & some rest you will descend along the steep path from Lava Tower (4630 m) to Baranco Campsite at an altitude of (3950 m).

Lowering 680 m from Lava Tower to Barranco camp gives huge advantage to hikers to allow their body to get used to the conditions of high elevation. Walking down to the camp takes about 2 hours. This camp is located in a valley bellow “The Breakfast Wall” Baranco Wall & the Breach. Same procedure of hot water to wash, possibly dinner while watching the sunset.

Overnight at Baranco Camp (3950 m). All meals included.

Trekking time: 7 hours

Distance: Approximately 13 kilometers

Habitat: Alpine desert

Mt Kilimanjaro safari tours continue with a great challenge of climbing the Barranco Wall, begin your day after breakfast, you may need 1 to 1.5 hours to go on top of the great Barranco wall, advisable early start to avoid traffic jam at the wall. You will be above the cloud so you will be able to spot the barren and rocky plateau just behind the wall attentively waiting for you this morning.  The stunning three southern glacier (Heim Glacier) and the beautiful view of Kibo peak can be seen if the weather is clear on this day.

The trekking will be on gravel and sand path along the rocky moors. Many times you will be passing through big stones, streams, grasses and across many herbs. After 2 to 3 hours of polepole pace you will reach the Karanga camp standing at an altitude of 4250 meters. When trekking up one hill after another you can be able to observe the other upcoming routes from the distance. This day hot lunch will be served at the camp, after lunch it will be a resting time may be walking around to enjoy the camps environment.

Overnight at Barafu Camp. All meals included.

Trekking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 7-8 hours to descend to Mweka

Distance: Approximately 7 kilometer ascent and 23 kilometer descent

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

The Night summit! Your guide will wake you up before midnight for some snakes before set off for your final push to the roof of Africa “The Uhuru Peak”. It is a very silent night when you and your guide pacing into the freezing cold trial. With slow pace step by step “polepole” the route leads sharply up and over rocks to reach the rim of the crater. At this point many climbers feels that this is the most mentally and physically challenging part of their entire climb, it can take you 5 to 6 hours  to reach “The Stella point” stands at an altitude of 5740 m, from there you have only about 150 meters to reach the actual summit.

As the sun gets up in this morning, the first sun rays will accompany you towards Rebmann Glacier and further ahead to Hans Mayer point.

The amazing play of lights across the ice formation will soon appear as the sunrise. You will then start seen the summit sign of Kilimanjaro Mountain in front of you. It is done! You have made it via Machame route. Congratulations you have just conquer “The roof of Africa” Kilimanjaro Mountain the highest point in Africa 5895 meters above the sea level. The stunning view of the areas around the mountain is visible, you can proudly take some memorable and distinctive pictures of the summit.

If weather permits, you can take a short break before descending along the crater rim and further down to Stella point and more down to Rebman Glacier. Proceed descending via the same route of ascent down to Barafu Camp, Hot lunch will be served here,

After lunch you will continue further down to Mweka camp, as walking down along this trial you will observe how vegetation changing with altitude, reach your camp late afternoon. This will be a long and tiring day for you, reaching the camp late afternoon, wash and spend the rest of the day relaxing and gathering some strength for the next day of your Kilimanjaro combined safari adventurous.

Overnight at Mweka Camp (3,100 m). All meals included

Trekking time: 3-4 hours

Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers

Habitat: Moorland & rain forest

Soon after a very good breakfast, “The celebration” dancing & singing will start, it will be time for short speech & tipping and maybe a souvenir photo of the whole team before walking down to Mweka gate a distance of about 10 km. Walk through a well-established forest road and the second half of the way is mostly characterized by rain forest. Kilimanjaro combined safari tours, climbing session Machame route 6 day.

As per National park rules & regulation all hikers will sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Climbers who reached Stella Point at an alt. of (5685 m) receive green certificates for those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895 m) receive gold certificates (Big Diploma). After receiving certificates, you will descend 3 km  down to Mweka village this will take you about 1 hour.

You will have hot lunch at the gate & meet your drive who is already there waiting for you and drive you back to Mvuli hotel in Arusha. At the lodge you will meet our safari manager for short safari briefing. Spend the rest of the day at the lodge, possibly have a good hot shower before dinner.

Overnight at Planet Lodge or similar in Arusha. Dinner & breakfast Included.

Take your breakfast before 09:00 am and leave for Tarangire National Park. The driving is along the Northern Highway accross Massai steppe & many villages all the way to the Park gate. This beautiful Park located at the foot of the Tanzania’s Great Rift Valley escarpment runs along Tarangire River which is the valuable water source in then Park.

Tarangire is famous for its huge Baobab trees & large elephant population, you may also expect to spot heads of wildebeest, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, hippos, baboons, many antelopes & the giant African elephant. For bird watchers this is the paradise over 400 species of bird have been recorded here which includes the rare species of Ash Staling. Great Kudu & fringed Eared Oryx are among rare species found in Tarangire.

Predators like lion, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals & the ever-elusive leopard are also inhabit this Park. Tarangire Park forms the central annual migratory cycle within Tarangire Lake Manyara ecosystem which include up to 3000 elephants, 25,000 wildebeest and about 30,000 zebra. Late afternoon drive to Marera Valley Lodge near Karatu town.

Overnight at Marera Valey Lodge near Karatu town. All meal included.

After breakfast you will start your journey to the Serengeti National Park,  drive across high laying farmland of Karatu and along many village, reach Ngorongoro gate for check in before driving to the highlands of Ngorongoro 2300 m. Stop at the Crater view point for some good pictures of the crater floor from the above. Then drive along the crater rim and down to the endless rolling plains of Serengeti.

On the way you will visit one of the Masai village where by some Masai warrior invites you & take you in and around their houses with some story of their nomadic life around this area, you will meet their kids and other members of the family, you may ask questions & take pictures with them. Later they will sing a farewell song which involves jumping high. Afterward you will have a short drive to Naabi Hill gate where you will check into the Serengeti. You may have your packed lunch at Naabi Hills gate or further at the Copjes (Rocky outcropping) in the Serengeti.

Depending on where the Wildebeest Migration is packed you will drive there & spend the sunset game drive with the migration of herds. You may see some animal actions like hunting fighting even killing, the animal to be encountered are including lions, leopard, hyena, jackal, elephant, giraffe, zebra and many antelopes. Reach your Camp at central Serengeti before or during the sunset. With or without Wildebeest Migration Serengeti is as good as always as not all animals are involving in the migration of herds.

Overnight at Thorn Tree Camp central Serengeti or similar. All Meals included.

Start with the first rays of the day with packed breakfast and lunch box for an early morning game drives. Early morning game drive allows you to spot cat family on the road as they try to avoid the morning mist. You will also see some other predator coming back from their long night of hunting or eating along the road or a group of lioness organizing a morning ambush and many many more animals actions. break for breakfast in the bush afterward, resume your morning game drive.

If Wildebeest Migration will be packed in Serengeti then, you will go straight to where they are and spend as much time as you can with the herds. Afternoon depending on where you are you can break for lunch at Soronera visitors center in central Serengeti. After lunch and some rest you can walk around before embarking with your afternoon game drives. Drive back to your camp before or after sunset.

Overnight at Thorn Tree Camp central Serengeti or similar. All Meals included

After breakfast at your camp Leave for Ngorongoro Crater game drive on the way, descent 600 meters into the crater floor for a wonderful game drives. In this nature wonder of the world only few animals migrate in and out of the crater, you may expect to sport the rare black rhino, zebra, elephant, wildebeest, lion, hyena, cheetah, leopard and others, with a lucky day the Big Five can be spotted in the Crater in one day of game drives. Later afternoon drive to the hotel for dinner & overnight.

Overnight at Marera Valley Lodge near Karatu Town or similar. All meals included.

After leisurely breakfast, return back to Arusha for your flight to Zanzibar in the afternoon. On arrival at Zanzibar airport meet our representative & transfer to Z Hotel Zanzibar or similar for your beach extension.

Overnight at Z Hotel Zanzibar on the Northern part of the Zanzibar Islands. Dinner and breakfast included.

Soothe yourself on the invitingly Zanzibar beaches with option of many water sport including diving, fishing, snorkeling and many more.

Overnight at Z Hotel Zanzibar on the Northern part of the Zanzibar Islands. Dinner and breakfast included.

After spending precious time on the beach, Kilimanjaro safari combine best Zanzibar beach takes you to Zanzibar Stone town (Option) on the way you can do the famous Spice tour that includes short walks around the spice farms where you can see, touch and test most of the spices grown on this Island like cinnamon, cardamon, ginger, paper, nutmeg and many more.

You will also see and test many tropical fruits like durian, jack fruits, passion fruits but this depends on the season. During the tour will experience both Spices, herbs and medicinal plants our experience guide will explain to you on how they us them in medicine, cosmetics and in cooking. Later they will invite you for an opulent lunch cooked with spices. (see Zanzibar Island tour). Later drive to stone town and check in at Tembo House Hotel at the front part of the stone town. If you wish you can walk around the stone town on your own and explore  the narrow lines & the ruins.

Overnight at Tembo House Hotel in Stone town or similar. Breakfast included.