16 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking and Tanzania

DAY 1: ARRIVAL DAY

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you’ll be warmly welcomed by a friendly SafariBando representative and transferred to the comfortable Panama Garden Resort, where you can relax and enjoy amenities like a swimming pool and Wi-Fi. In the evening, attend a detailed trekking briefing conducted by SafariBando’s experienced managers, who will ensure you're fully prepared for your upcoming Kilimanjaro adventure. Bed and breakfast included.

Accommodation: Panama Garden Resort

DAY 2: LONDROSSI GATE – MTI MKUBWA CAMP: 4.8KM /3MI | 3-4 HRS | RAINFOREST

Elevation: 2389m/7838ft to 2785m/9137ft

Altitude gained: 396m

Departing from Moshi a 45-minute drive will take you through welcoming mountainside villages to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

DAY 3: MTI MKUBWA CAMP – SHIRA I CAMP: 7.9KM/5MI | 4-6HRS | MOORLAND

Elevation: 2785m/9137ft to 3504m/11,496ft

Altitude gained: 719m

After a good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, we leave the forest behind now, the trail climbs steadily with wide views to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. Temperatures begin to drop.

DAY 4: SHIRA I CAMP –SHIRA HUT: 6.9KM/4.3MI | 5-7HRS | MOORLAND

Elevation: 3504m/11,496ft to 3895m/12,779ft

Altitude gained: 391m

We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

DAY 5: SHIRA HUT – LAVA TOWER – BARRANCO CAMP: 10.1KM/6.3MI | 4-6HRS | SEMI DESERT

Elevation: 3895m/12,779ft to 3986m/13,077ft

Altitude gained: 91m

Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before we then continue, South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev. 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to a second junction, which leads to the Arrow Glacier. We then continue to descend to overnight at Barranco Camp.

DAY 6: BARRANCO CAMP – KARANGA CAMP: 5.2KM/3MI | 4-5HRS | ALPINE DESERT

Elevation: 3986m/13,077ft to 4034m/13,235ft

Altitude gained: 48m

After breakfast, we continue on a steep ridge up to the adventurous Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction, which connects, with the Mweka Trail. This is one of the most impressive days to see the power, agility, and strength of your crew zip over this wall with what appears such ease. Overnight at Karanga Camp.

DAY 7: HIKE KARANGA CAMP – BARAFU CAMP: 3.3KM /2 MI | 4-5HRS | ALPINE DESERT

Elevation: 4034m/13,235ft to 4662m/15,295ft

Altitude gained: 628m

We continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once reached you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night. Overnight at Barafu Camp.

DAY 8: BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT: 4.86KM /3MI UP | 5-7HRS | – MWEKA CAMP: 13KM /8MI DOWN | 5-6HRS | GLACIERS, SNOW CAPPED SUMMIT

Elevation: 4662m/15,295ft to 5895m/19,341ft

Altitude gained: 1233m

Descent to 3106m/10,190ft

Altitude lost: 2789m

Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

We continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers trying to stay warm and focused on the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1 hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way.

Congratulations, one step at a time you have now reached Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!

After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight Mweka Camp.

DAY 9: MWEKA CAMP – MWEKA GATE – MOSHI: 9.1KM/6MI |3-4HRS | RAINFOREST

Elevation: 3106m/10,190ft to 1633m/5358ft

Altitude lost: 1473m

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.

From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes

DAY 10: HOTEL RELAXATION

This day is dedicated to relaxation and recovery at your hotel after completing the Kilimanjaro trek. Take this time to rest, refresh, and enjoy the comfort of your surroundings as you reflect on your mountain adventure. In the evening, gather with your group for a casual get-together and prepare for the exciting safari journey that begins tomorrow.

Accommodation: Panama Garden Resort

DAY 11: MOSHI TO TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK.

Our Safari starts in Moshi after breakfast, later depart to Tarangire for full day game drive. You will reach the main gate and after registration, you will depart into the park for game safari drive, it will take you games drive before the drive back to the lodge.

Accommodation: Farm of Dreams

Activity: Guided game drive

DAY 12: TARANGIRE TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK.

Today you will have morning breakfast followed by long journey safari to Serengeti. It will take us to about seven hours to reach the main gate. In your way, you will have an option to pass via Olduvai Gorge for a historical tour. At the main gate, you will have your packed lunch later transfer to the park for next game safaris drive before it gets dark. Dinner and a hot shower will be served at the park before overnight. 

Accommodation: Suenos de luxury camp

Activity: En route-Guided game drive

DAY 13: SERENGETI TO NGORONGORO CRATER.

Early morning game drive and after depart to Ngorongoro Conservation area. We will stopover at Olduvai Gorge, boasting with a history dating back to the dawn of time. It was here, that the anthropologists Drs. Lois and Mary Leakey discovered the skulls of ‘Nutcracker Man’ and ‘Handy Man’, both very significant links in the chain of human evolution Late afternoon transfer to  Lodge where you will have dinner and overnight

Accommodation:

Activity: Guided game drive

DAY 14: NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA

After breakfast, we depart for Ngorongoro Crater passing through the forested slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands before arriving at the rim of the crater...We’ll descend into the crater which is one of the most densely crowded game areas in the world, home to nearly 40,000 animals...Here we’ll have a good chance of seeing the big five: lion, leopard, rare Black Rhino, buffalo and elephants...Along with the big five; we will also see herds of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle...After a picnic lunch, we’ll continue our game drive then depart the crater and arrive at our accommodations.

Accommodation: Farm of Dreams lodge

Activity: Guided game drive

DAY 15 – LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast drive to Lake Manyara National Park with packed lunch...Encompassing this area is Lake Manyara Park which is often overlooked, but game-rich and best known for its tree-climbing lions...We’ll have time for full day game drive then evening drive back to Arusha

Accommodation: Tulia boutique hotel

Activity: Guided game drive

DAY 16: DEPATURE
After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure flight, marking the end of your unforgettable Tanzanian adventure.