13-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Climb & Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you are welcomed by a SafariBando representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. In the evening, attend a trekking briefing with your guide, who will review the route, equipment, packing, and altitude acclimatisation strategy for your climb.

Distance: Approximately 50 km from the airport to Moshi

Activity: Transfer and trekking briefing

Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi

Meals: Bed and Breakfast

The drive from Moshi to Machame Gate takes approximately 45 minutes, passing through the village of Machame. After permit processing, the trail enters the lush cloud forest, dense with mosses, lichen-draped trees, and the sounds of wildlife. The route ascends steadily through the forest, which can be muddy and slippery at lower elevations. Gaiters and trekking poles are recommended.

Distance: 10.75 km; elevation gain 1,190 m; approximately 5-6 hours

Activity: Trek through cloud rainforest to Machame Camp

Accommodation: Machame Camp (tented)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Emerging from the rainforest, the route ascends on a rocky ridge into the moorland zone. The trail crosses a valley before turning west up a river gorge to reach the Shira campsite on the plateau. Giant heather and lobelias replace the forest vegetation. Temperatures begin to drop noticeably.

Distance: 5.3 km; elevation gain 840 m; approximately 4-5 hours

Activity: Trek through moorland to Shira Camp

Accommodation: Shira Camp (tented)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Although the net elevation gain today is modest, this is the most important acclimatisation day on the Machame Route. The trail climbs east toward the Lava Tower at 4,650 m — known as the Shark's Tooth — before descending to Barranco Camp. This acclimatisation circuit (climb high, sleep low) significantly improves the chances of a successful summit. Barranco Camp, surrounded by giant groundsel, is widely regarded as the most scenic campsite on the route.

Distance: 10.75 km; climb to 4,650 m then descent to 3,986 m; approximately 5-6 hours

Activity: Acclimatisation circuit via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Accommodation: Barranco Camp (tented)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The day begins with the Barranco Wall — a 1.5-hour scramble up steep rock that requires use of hands in places. The effort is rewarded with spectacular views from the top. After crossing the Karanga Valley, the trail continues upward to Barafu Camp, the high camp and launch point for the summit push. An early dinner and bedtime are essential.

Distance: 8.5 km; elevation gain 676 m; approximately 6-8 hours

Activity: Trek via Barranco Wall, Karanga Valley, and Karanga junction to Barafu Camp

Accommodation: Barafu Camp (tented)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The summit push begins around midnight by headlamp. The ascent to Stella Point on the crater rim (5,895 m) is the most demanding section — steep, cold, and physically taxing at altitude. From Stella Point the trail continues for approximately one hour to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. After celebrating at the summit, the long descent begins: back to Barafu Camp for breakfast and a short rest, then continuing down to Mweka Camp through alpine desert and moorland.

Distance: Ascent: 4.86 km, approximately 5-7 hours; descent to Mweka Camp: 13 km, approximately 5-6 hours

Activity: Midnight summit push to Uhuru Peak; descent to Mweka Camp

Accommodation: Mweka Camp (tented)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The final descent through the cloud forest to Mweka Gate, where climbers receive their summit certificates — green for Stella Point, gold for Uhuru Peak. Vehicles meet the group at the gate for the drive back to Moshi.

Distance: 9 km; elevation loss approximately 1,500 m; 3-4 hours

Activity: Final descent to Mweka Gate; transfer to Moshi

Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

A full day of rest and recovery in Moshi after completing the Kilimanjaro trek. Time to shower, eat a proper meal, and reflect on the summit before preparing for the safari that begins the following morning.

Distance: N/A – rest day in Moshi

Activity: Rest, recovery, and preparation for safari

Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi

Meals: Bed and Breakfast

After breakfast, the safari begins with the drive to Tarangire National Park. The park is renowned for its large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and the Tarangire River — the only permanent water source in the area, which draws exceptional concentrations of wildlife. Giraffes, zebras, lions, leopards, and over 500 bird species are all regularly encountered across a full day of game drives.

Distance: Approximately 120 km from Moshi to Tarangire

Activity: Full-day game drive in Tarangire National Park with picnic lunch

Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in Tarangire

Meals: Full Board

After breakfast, the long drive heads to the Serengeti National Park, with an optional stop at Olduvai Gorge — one of the world's most significant palaeanthropological sites, where fossils of early human ancestors have been found. You arrive at the Seronera area in the afternoon for your first Serengeti game drive, where lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and vast herds of plains game are commonly encountered.

Distance: Approximately 250 km from Tarangire to central Serengeti, around 6-7 hours

Activity: En route game drive; optional Olduvai Gorge stop

Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in central Serengeti

Meals: Full Board

After an early morning game drive in the Serengeti, the drive heads to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with another stop at Olduvai Gorge if desired. The route passes through the Ngorongoro highlands before arriving at the crater rim in the late afternoon.

Distance: Approximately 145 km from Serengeti to Ngorongoro rim

Activity: Morning Serengeti game drive; optional Olduvai Gorge stop; transfer to Ngorongoro

Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp near the Ngorongoro crater rim

Meals: Full Board

After breakfast you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater — the world's largest intact, inactive volcanic caldera. The crater floor is home to one of Africa's highest concentrations of wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, and the rare black rhino. A picnic lunch at the hippo pool is followed by afternoon drives before the ascent back to your lodge.

Distance: Within the crater, approximately 20 km across

Activity: Full-day Ngorongoro Crater game drive with picnic lunch

Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp near the Ngorongoro crater rim

Meals: Full Board

After breakfast, a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, large flocks of flamingos, and diverse wildlife across its groundwater forest and open floodplain. After the drive, Return to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight.

Distance: Approximately 130 km from Ngorongoro to Arusha via Lake Manyara

Activity: Game drive in Lake Manyara; departure transfer

Accommodation: N/A – departure day

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Extend your trip

For a 7-day Lemosho Route climb with extra acclimatisation, see our 14-day Kilimanjaro and safari package. Add a Zanzibar beach stay after the safari by contacting us directly.