Unique 12-day Tanzania combo package, incorporating 6 days of trekking on the Machame Route of Mount Kilimanjaro followed by a 4-day safari experience. This itinerary is designed to provide an ideal balance of adventure and wildlife exploration.
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Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel in either Arusha or Moshi. After checking in, you'll attend a pre-climb briefing led by your mountain guide, who will provide an overview of the trekking plan and ensure that your gear is in order. Spend the evening relaxing at your hotel and preparing for the adventure ahead.
The journey to the roof of Africa begins with a morning transfer to Machame Gate for registration, where the excitement of the trek starts to build. You’ll begin your hike through the lush montane forest, a region filled with towering trees, birds, and possibly some monkeys. After approximately 5 to 7 hours of hiking, you will reach Machame Camp, where you will rest for the night.
On your second day of trekking, you’ll leave the forest behind and ascend into the heather and moorland zone. The path will gradually open up, offering stunning views of Kilimanjaro's summit and the Shira Plateau. This is a relatively short day, covering about 5 kilometers in 4 to 6 hours, allowing you ample time to acclimatize and enjoy the panoramic vistas before reaching Shira Camp.
The day starts with a steady climb towards Lava Tower, an important part of your acclimatization strategy, reaching a height of 4,600 meters before descending to Barranco Camp at 3,950 meters. This section of the trail offers a mix of high-altitude desert landscapes and surreal volcanic formations. Although challenging, the climb prepares your body for the higher altitudes ahead. The day's trek lasts between 6 to 8 hours, and you’ll camp at Barranco, famous for its picturesque surroundings, with the Great Barranco Wall towering nearby.
Today’s trek takes you over the Barranco Wall, a steep but thrilling climb that doesn’t require technical skills, but does offer a bit of scrambling in parts. After conquering the wall, you’ll continue on a more gentle path through the alpine desert to reach Karanga Camp. This is a shorter trekking day, around 4 to 5 hours, allowing you to rest and prepare for the more challenging days ahead.
This day involves a gradual ascent through an increasingly barren landscape as you move closer to Barafu Camp, which is the base camp for your summit attempt. You’ll arrive in the early afternoon after 3 to 4 hours of hiking, giving you plenty of time to rest before the final push to the summit. Your guides will give you a briefing and prepare you for the midnight ascent to the top of Kilimanjaro.
Your summit attempt begins around midnight, a thrilling and challenging night hike that leads you to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. The trek is long and arduous, but reaching the summit at 5,895 meters is a moment of triumph and breathtaking beauty. After taking in the sunrise and celebrating your achievement, you will descend back to Barafu Camp for a short rest before continuing down to Mweka Camp, where you’ll spend the night.
After breakfast, you’ll complete the final leg of your Kilimanjaro adventure by descending through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate. Upon arrival, you will be awarded your well-earned certificates and then transferred back to Arusha or Moshi for a well-deserved rest in a comfortable hotel. This day serves as a transition between your Kilimanjaro trek and the upcoming safari adventure.
The safari portion of your journey begins with a drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. After arriving at the park, you’ll embark on a game drive, with chances to spot elephants, lions, zebras, and a variety of other wildlife. Tarangire is especially known for its diverse birdlife and seasonal migration of animals. At the end of the day, you’ll settle into a lodge or tented camp located near the park, where you can relax amidst the sounds of the African wilderness.
The next day brings an exploration of Lake Manyara National Park, a beautiful reserve that sits beneath the dramatic Manyara escarpment. This park is well-known for its tree-climbing lions and large flocks of flamingos that dot the lake's edge. You’ll enjoy a full day of game drives, with opportunities to see hippos, giraffes, and a range of bird species. After an exciting day of wildlife viewing, you’ll return to your lodge for the night.
Your final full day of safari takes you to the world-renowned Ngorongoro Crater, often referred to as Africa’s Eden. You’ll descend into the caldera for a day of game drives, where you might spot the Big Five, including the critically endangered black rhino. The crater's rich ecosystems make it one of the best places to observe wildlife in Tanzania. After an exhilarating day, you’ll return to your lodge on the crater rim or nearby, basking in the incredible scenery of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Depending on your flight schedule, you can either enjoy a cultural visit to a Maasai village to learn about their traditional way of life or head back to Arusha for your departure. Afterward, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home, carrying memories of Tanzania's incredible landscapes and wildlife with you.
This 12-day itinerary provides a well-rounded Tanzanian adventure, combining the challenge of Kilimanjaro with the unforgettable experience of exploring the country's famous wildlife reserves.