15-Day Kilimanjaro Lemosho 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 Londrossi Gate on the western slopes of Kilimanjaro takes approximately 45 minutes. After permit processing, the trail enters pristine western rainforest through welcoming mountainside villages. The Lemosho approach is quieter and more remote than routes on the southern and eastern flanks.

Distance: 4.8 km; elevation gain 396 m; approximately 3-4 hours

Activity: Trek through rainforest to Mti Mkubwa Camp

Accommodation: Mti Mkubwa Camp (tented)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, the trail climbs steadily out of the forest and onto the open heathland, with increasingly wide views across the western plains. The route reaches the rim of the Shira Plateau, where Shira I Camp is located in moorland meadows. Temperatures drop markedly at this altitude.

Distance: 7.9 km; elevation gain 719 m; approximately 4-6 hours

Activity: Trek to Shira I Camp on the plateau rim

Accommodation: Shira I Camp (tented)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

A full exploration day on the Shira Plateau — one of the highest plateaus on earth and a remarkable landscape in its own right. The route walks east toward Kibo's glaciered peak across moorland meadows to Shira 2 camp, then continues to Moir Hut at the base of Lent Hills. Several walks are available from Moir Hut, making this an excellent acclimatisation opportunity. The plateau's silence and scale set Kilimanjaro's western approach apart from all other routes.

Distance: 6.9 km; elevation gain 391 m; approximately 5-7 hours

Activity: Plateau exploration and acclimatisation walk from Moir Hut

Accommodation: Shira Hut (tented)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The day's route climbs east toward the Lava Tower at 4,650 m — the key acclimatisation high point — before descending to Barranco Camp. This circuit (climb high, sleep low) is essential for physiological preparation for the summit. Barranco Camp, surrounded by giant groundsel, is one of the most scenic campsites on the mountain.

Distance: 10.1 km; climb to 4,650 m then descent to 3,986 m; approximately 4-6 hours

Activity: Acclimatisation circuit via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Accommodation: Barranco Camp (tented)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The Barranco Wall scramble begins the day — a steep ascent requiring use of hands on rock. The views from the top are outstanding. A short descent leads to the Karanga Valley, where the camp is positioned for ongoing acclimatisation.

Distance: 5.2 km; elevation gain 48 m net; approximately 4-5 hours

Activity: Barranco Wall scramble and trek to Karanga Valley

Accommodation: Karanga Valley Camp (tented)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

A shorter but steep day to Barafu Camp — the high camp and launch point for the summit push. The alpine desert landscape becomes increasingly barren as altitude increases. An early dinner and early bedtime are essential.

Distance: 3.3 km; elevation gain 628 m; approximately 4-5 hours

Activity: Trek 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 the 7-day Lemosho version without the extra Shira Plateau day, see our 14-day Kilimanjaro and safari package. For a version with a separate departure day in Arusha, see our 16-day Kilimanjaro and safari package.