This package pairs the Kilimanjaro Marathon, run annually in Moshi (typically late February or March, exact dates confirmed with the marathon organizers each year), with our 4-Day Tanzania Lodge Safari to Tarangire National Park, the central Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. It's a natural combination for runners who want to make the most of being in Tanzania, race weekend in Moshi, then straight into the Big Five circuit on the Northern Safari Circuit.
The package can run in either order, race first then safari, or safari first then race, let us know your preference when booking. If you'd rather pair the marathon with a Kilimanjaro climb instead of a safari, see our Kilimanjaro Marathon and Machame Climb package.
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For a more accurate estimate, contact us with your specific requirements and budget. We'll send a detailed quote based on your itinerary, group size, and preferred level of comfort.
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On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), our representative meets you and assists with the transfer to your accommodation in Arusha, the starting point for your safari.
Distance: Airport transfer, approx. 1 hour to Arusha
Activity: Arrival and transfer to Arusha
Accommodation: Hotel in Arusha
Meals: Breakfast
Your driver-guide collects you from your hotel in Arusha and drives south to Tarangire National Park, famous for large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and a high concentration of wildlife along the Tarangire River. You'll enjoy a full game drive with a picnic lunch inside the park.
Distance: Approx. 120 km from Arusha, full day including game drive
Activity: Full-day game drive in Tarangire National Park
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in the Karatu area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast you drive west through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, pausing at the crater rim viewpoint, and descend onto the Serengeti plains via Naabi Hill Gate. You'll reach the Seronera Valley by mid-afternoon for the day's second game drive, in one of the highest leopard-density areas in East Africa.
Distance: Approx. 200 km, 4-5 hours driving plus afternoon game drive
Activity: En-route game drive, then afternoon Seronera game drive
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp inside the Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
An early morning game drive in the Serengeti, the best window for predator activity, before driving east into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area for a full game drive on the crater floor, a 600-metre-deep caldera with one of Tanzania's most reliable black rhino populations alongside lion, elephant and buffalo.
Distance: Approx. 250 km, full day including game drives
Activity: Morning Serengeti game drive, then full Ngorongoro Crater floor game drive
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in the Karatu area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, you'll drive back to Arusha, ending the safari portion of your trip and continuing on to Moshi to settle in ahead of marathon weekend.
Distance: Approx. 3 hours driving
Activity: Drive back to Arusha, then on to Moshi
Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
A day to recover from the safari, collect your race number, and explore Moshi at your own pace ahead of race day.
Distance: At leisure in Moshi
Activity: Rest, recovery and race-number collection
Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
Meals: Breakfast
Race day itself. You'll join runners from around the world on a course through local villages and plantations with Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop, fully supported with water and aid stations and medical support throughout, finishing at the stadium in Moshi with bands, spectators and prizes.
Distance: Race distances: 42.2km (full marathon), 21.1km (half marathon), or 5km (fun run)
Activity: Run the Kilimanjaro Marathon, Half Marathon or 5K Fun Run
Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
After breakfast, we'll arrange your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight.
Distance: Airport transfer, approx. 45 minutes
Activity: Departure transfer
Accommodation: N/A, end of package
Meals: Breakfast
Please note: the order of the safari and the race can be swapped (race first, then safari) to suit your preference, just let us know when booking. The itinerary is subject to change based on accommodation availability, and exact race dates are confirmed with the marathon organizers each year, we'll provide current dates at the time of booking.
The race is held annually in Moshi, typically at the end of February or in March. Exact dates are set by the marathon organizers each year and we confirm the current date with you at the time of booking, since this package is built around fitting both the safari and race weekend together.
Yes, this is a flexible package and we can run the safari before or after the marathon depending on your preference. Some runners prefer to race first while fresh and use the safari afterward to recover and relax; others prefer the opposite. Let us know what works best for you when booking.
The safari portion is entirely vehicle-based, no fitness requirement applies there. The race itself depends on which distance you choose, the full and half marathon both require genuine running training, while the 5km fun run is accessible to most reasonably active people.
The price covers hotel and lodge accommodation throughout (Arusha, on safari, and in Moshi around race weekend), all transport in a private 4x4 safari vehicle, a professional English-speaking driver-guide, all park entry and conservation fees for Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area (including the Crater service fee), meals as specified, airport transfers, and assistance with race-number collection. Race entry fees, international flights, Tanzania visa, travel insurance, alcoholic drinks, tips and personal expenses are not included. See the full "What's included" and "Not included" sections on this page for the complete breakdown.
Across the 4-day safari you're highly likely to see lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and a wide range of antelope and birdlife, with the Ngorongoro Crater offering one of Tanzania's most reliable chances of spotting the endangered black rhino. The Serengeti has the highest leopard density in East Africa, and Tarangire's elephant herds can reach 300 animals during the dry season.
Race entry is typically registered separately through the official Kilimanjaro Marathon organizers, and we can guide you through that process, but this package covers your accommodation, transfers, safari and logistics around the race rather than the entry fee itself.
Most nationalities can obtain a Tanzania tourist visa online via the eTA system before travel, or on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport. The visa costs USD 50 for most nationalities and USD 100 for US citizens. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation is recommended for all travelers on this package.
SafariBando operates from Moshi with our own vehicles and team for the safari portion, and our local team is on hand throughout your stay for any logistics around the race as well. If a safari vehicle has an issue, our Arusha operations base can dispatch a replacement. The Flying Doctors Service covers medical evacuation from all parks on this itinerary, and we can arrange membership as part of your booking on request.
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