14 Days Kilimanjaro & Wildlife Safari

Itinerary

This 14-day Kilimanjaro and Wildlife Safari adventure offers a once-in-a-lifetime journey through Tanzania’s most iconic natural landscapes, combining the challenge and triumph of summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, with unforgettable wildlife encounters across world-renowned national parks.

The adventure begins with a carefully planned Kilimanjaro climb via the Lemosho Route, widely regarded as the most scenic and best-acclimatized trail on the mountain. Over several days, trekkers ascend gradually through distinct ecological zones—from lush rainforest and heather moorlands to alpine desert and icy summit glaciers. This route maximizes summit success while allowing climbers to fully experience the mountain’s breathtaking beauty. Reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) at sunrise is the ultimate reward, offering panoramic views above the clouds and a deep sense of personal achievement.

Following the descent from Kilimanjaro, the journey transitions into a classic Tanzania wildlife safari, providing a perfect contrast of comfort, exploration, and discovery. Guests travel in custom-built 4×4 safari vehicles accompanied by experienced guides, exploring some of Africa’s most celebrated parks. From the vast elephant herds of Tarangire National Park and the lush ecosystems of Lake Manyara, to the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—each destination offers unique scenery and extraordinary game viewing.

The safari concludes in the legendary Serengeti National Park, famous for its endless plains, large predator populations, and the Great Wildebeest Migration. Here, guests enjoy immersive game drives in search of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and countless bird species, creating unforgettable photographic and wildlife experiences.

This thoughtfully designed itinerary balances adventure, safety, cultural richness, and comfort, making it ideal for travelers seeking both physical challenge and rewarding relaxation. Whether you are an experienced trekker or a first-time safari traveler, this journey delivers an authentic, life-changing experience in the heart of East Africa.

Days 1–8: Mount Kilimanjaro Trek (Lemosho Route – Best for Acclimatization)

Day 1 – Arrival in Arusha / Moshi

Day 2 – Lemosho Gate → Mti Mkubwa Camp

Day 3 – Mti Mkubwa → Shira 1 Camp

Day 4 – Shira 1 → Shira 2 Camp

Day 5 – Shira 2 → Barranco Camp (via Lava Tower)

Day 6 – Barranco → Karanga Camp

Day 7 – Karanga → Barafu Camp

Day 8 – Summit Day: Barafu → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp

Days 9–14: Tanzania Wildlife Safari

Day 9 – Descend & Transfer to Arusha

Day 10 – Arusha → Tarangire National Park

Day 11 – Tarangire → Lake Manyara National Park

Day 12 – Ngorongoro Crater

Day 13 – Serengeti National Park

Day 14 – Serengeti → Arusha / Kilimanjaro Airport

✔️ Package Includes

Kilimanjaro park fees & rescue fees
Professional mountain guides, porters & cooks
All meals on the mountain
Safari vehicle (4×4 Land Cruiser)
English-speaking safari guide
Park entry fees & crater fees
Accommodation (mountain + safari lodges)

🔁 Optional Add-Ons

Zanzibar beach holiday (3–5 days)
Hot air balloon safari in Serengeti
Machame or Northern Circuit route instead of Lemosho

Detailed safari itinerary

Detailed Day-by-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking Itinerary

Route: Lemosho Route
Duration: 8 Days on the Mountain
Summit: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m)

Day 1: Arrival in Moshi / Arusha

Altitude: ~900 m
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. In the afternoon or evening, there will be a full trek briefing, gear inspection, and opportunity to rent any missing equipment. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Lemosho Gate – Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp

Altitude: 2,100 m – 2,650 m
Trekking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest

After breakfast, drive to Londorossi Gate for registration, then continue to the Lemosho trailhead. The hike begins through lush rainforest, home to black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and diverse birdlife. The trail is gentle, allowing your body to begin adapting to altitude. Arrive at Mti Mkubwa Camp, where the crew prepares dinner and your first night on the mountain.

Day 3: Mti Mkubwa Camp – Shira 1 Camp

Altitude: 2,650 m – 3,610 m
Trekking Time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Heath & Moorland

The forest gradually thins as you ascend onto the Shira Plateau. The landscape opens into rolling moorlands with giant heather and volcanic rock formations. Stunning views of Kibo Peak emerge for the first time. This day marks your transition into higher altitude zones, and guides will closely monitor your acclimatization. Overnight at Shira 1 Camp.

Day 4: Shira 1 Camp – Shira 2 Camp

Altitude: 3,610 m – 3,850 m
Trekking Time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Moorland

This is a relatively short but important acclimatization day. You traverse the expansive Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus in the world. The terrain is gentle, allowing time to adjust to altitude while enjoying dramatic views of Mount Meru and the Western Breach of Kilimanjaro. Overnight at Shira 2 Camp.

Day 5: Shira 2 Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp

Altitude: 3,850 m – 4,600 m – 3,960 m
Trekking Time: 6–7 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

This is a critical acclimatization day following the “climb high, sleep low” principle. You ascend to Lava Tower (4,600 m), where you have lunch, then descend to Barranco Camp. The alpine desert landscape is stark and dramatic. Descending helps your body adapt, increasing summit success. Barranco Camp offers breathtaking views of the Barranco Wall and glaciers above.

Day 6: Barranco Camp – Karanga Camp

Altitude: 3,960 m – 4,035 m
Trekking Time: 4–5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, tackle the famous Barranco Wall, a steep but non-technical scramble that rewards you with spectacular views. The trail then undulates across valleys and ridges before reaching Karanga Camp. This is a shorter trekking day, giving time to rest and prepare for the summit phase. Overnight at Karanga Camp.

Day 7: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp

Altitude: 4,035 m – 4,673 m
Trekking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

A steady ascent leads to Barafu Camp, the final camp before the summit attempt. After an early dinner, you rest and prepare for the most challenging day of the trek. Your guides will provide a detailed briefing on summit night, including pacing, safety, and cold-weather preparation.

Day 8: Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak – Mweka Camp

Altitude: 4,673 m – 5,895 m – 3,100 m
Trekking Time: 12–14 hours
Habitat: Arctic Zone → Rainforest

Summit night begins around midnight. You ascend slowly under the stars to Stella Point, then continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Reaching the summit at sunrise is a powerful and emotional moment.

After photos and celebration, descend carefully back to Barafu Camp for a short rest, then continue down to Mweka Camp in the rainforest. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 9: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Return to Hotel

Altitude: 3,100 m – 1,640 m
Trekking Time: 3–4 hours

Descend through lush rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you receive summit certificates and bid farewell to your mountain crew. Transfer back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for a hot shower and well-earned rest.

Key Highlights

High summit success rate due to excellent acclimatization
Scenic and less crowded route
Professional guides with daily health checks
Full ecological journey through five climate zones

Day 9: Arusha – Tarangire National Park

Destination: Tarangire National Park
Accommodation: Safari lodge or tented camp

After breakfast in Arusha, depart with your professional safari guide in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser and drive to Tarangire National Park, known for its massive elephant herds and iconic baobab trees. Upon entering the park, enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge.

Tarangire is especially rich in wildlife during the dry season, when animals gather along the Tarangire River. Expect to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, and a variety of antelope species, as well as predators such as lions and leopards. Bird lovers will enjoy over 500 bird species.

Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 10: Tarangire – Lake Manyara National Park

Destination: Lake Manyara National Park
Accommodation: Lodge near Lake Manyara / Ngorongoro

After breakfast, enjoy a short morning game drive in Tarangire before departing for Lake Manyara National Park. This compact but diverse park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, lush groundwater forest, and scenic alkaline lake.

During the afternoon game drive, spot elephants, hippos, buffaloes, baboons, blue monkeys, and large flocks of flamingos and other water birds. The park’s varied habitats make it one of Tanzania’s most scenic destinations.

Later in the afternoon, drive to your lodge near the Ngorongoro Highlands for dinner and overnight.

Day 11: Ngorongoro Crater (Full Day Safari)

Destination: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Accommodation: Lodge on the crater rim or nearby highlands

After an early breakfast, descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This natural wildlife sanctuary supports over 25,000 animals year-round.

Enjoy a full-day game drive with picnic lunch on the crater floor. Wildlife sightings may include lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, hippos, and the critically endangered black rhinoceros. The crater’s dense wildlife population offers some of the best game viewing in Africa.

In the late afternoon, ascend from the crater and transfer toward the Serengeti region for overnight.

Day 12: Ngorongoro – Serengeti National Park

Destination: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation: Tented camp or safari lodge inside Serengeti

After breakfast, drive toward the legendary Serengeti National Park, passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and vast open plains. Enjoy scenic views and Maasai villages along the way.

Upon entering the Serengeti, begin an afternoon game drive. The park is home to large populations of lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, and plains game. Depending on the season, you may encounter the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife events.

Dinner and overnight inside the Serengeti.

Day 13: Serengeti National Park (Full Day Game Drives)

Destination: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation: Same lodge or camp

Spend a full day exploring the Serengeti with morning and afternoon game drives. The vast plains provide excellent opportunities to track predators and observe wildlife behavior in their natural habitat.

Early morning is ideal for spotting lions and leopards on the hunt, while afternoon drives reveal large herds of herbivores and active predators. A picnic lunch or return to camp for lunch may be arranged depending on preference.

Optional activities (at extra cost):

Hot air balloon safari at sunrise
Visit to a Maasai community

Dinner and overnight in the Serengeti.

Day 14: Serengeti – Arusha / Kilimanjaro International Airport

Destination: Departure

After breakfast, enjoy an optional short morning game drive before departing the Serengeti. Transfer by road or domestic flight (optional) to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward journey or extension to Zanzibar.

This marks the end of your unforgettable Tanzania safari experience.