13 Day Kilimanjaro Machame & Serengeti Safari

A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park’s entrance: Machame Gate (1,800 m).

After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp (3,010 m). The first stage of climbing Kilimanjaro on the Machame Route includes passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable), so we recommend you take not only spare clothes but also your raincoats.

This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:
– Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine
– Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
– Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness.
– We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.

At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.

Altitude: Machame Gate (1,800 m) — Machame Camp (3,010 m)
Distance: 10 km
Time: 5–6 hrs.

After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Machame Camp (3,010 m). The trekking route includes passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable), so we recommend you take not only spare clothes but also your raincoats.

Main Destination:

• Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

• Mid-range Camping
  In Mount Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks :

• All meals included
• ( Drinking water)

After breakfast you will start trekking up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp (3,845 m). On this day you will emerge from the rainforest and for the first time be able to see stunning views of the Shira Plateau laid out in front of you.

Physically speaking, the trekking is not very difficult, but you may feel the changes in altitude, so pay attention to your body and remember that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good trekking. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and some rest, after which the group will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 300 meter gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp you will be served a hot dinner.

NB: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully climbing Mount Kilimanjaro up the Machame Route and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.

Trekking from Machame Camp to Shira Camp:
Altitude: Machame Camp (3,010 m) — Shira Camp (3,845 m)
Distance: 7 km
Time: 4–5hrs.

Acclimatization hike:
Altitude: Shira Camp (3,845 m) — Destination point en route to Lava Tower (4,120 m)
Distance: 2 km
Time: 1–2 hrs.

Main Destination:

• Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

• Mid-range Camping
  In Mount Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks :

• All meals included
• ( Drinking water)

Depart Shira Camp after breakfast and head towards Lava Tower ascending from 3,845m to 4,630m. The rise-and-fall nature of this trek may present some difficulties. However, the 4,630 m altitude at the Lava Tower itself is crucial for proper acclimatization. The lunch break will take place here in order to give you some extra high-altitude time before descending approximately 650 m to Barranco Camp (3,960 m), which is the next overnight stop on this route.

Then you will descend to Barranco Camp (3,960 m). Here you can see the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! Next day you will be climbing it, but don’t worry: it features a very simple hiking trail.

NB: In those cases where some group members feel uncomfortable climbing up to Lava Tower, the route may be changed to bypass it resulting in the highest point reached 4,400 meters.

Altitude: Shira Camp (3,845 m) — Lava Tower (4,630 m) — Barranco Camp (3,960 m)
Distance: 12 km
Time: 6–8 hrs.

Main Destination:

• Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

• Mid-range Camping
  In Mount Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks :

• All meals included
• ( Drinking water)

On this day it is best to make an early start to avoid crowding on the way up Barranco Wall. Despite the Wall’s seemingly daunting height and steepness the actual climb is rather merciful at a mere hour or so. The top provides a great photo opportunity with Kibo Peak as the backdrop.

The next part of the day is rife with ups and downs where your guides will choose the best place for individual climbers.
A lunch break at Karanga Camp shall be followed by an acclimatization climb towards Barafu with its highest point being 4,270 m. The group then drops back to Karanga Camp for the overnight.

Trekking between Barranco and Karanga Camp:
Altitude: Barranco: 3,960 m – Karanga: 4,035 m.
Distance: 5 km
Time: 4–5 hrs.

Acclimatization climb:
Altitude: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) — highest point reached: 4,270 m
Distance: 2.5 km
Time: 1–2 hrs.

Main Destination:

• Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

• Mid-range Camping
  In Mount Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks :

• All meals included
• ( Drinking water)

After breakfast you begin your way to Barafu Summit Camp (4,673 m). Our team will set up a camp for you ahead of time, including tents and sleeping bags, so you can relax. After regaining strength, you have to complete an acclimatization climb towards the intermediate Kosovo Summit Camp with its highest point being 4,800 m and then back to Barafu Camp, where you will be served a hot dinner. It is better to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping before night summiting.

Trekking between Karanga and Barafu Camp:
Altitude: Karanga Camp (4,035 m) — Barafu Camp (4,673 m)
Distance: 6 km
Time: 4–5 hrs.

Acclimatization climb:
Altitude: Barafu Camp (4,673 m) — Kosovo Camp (4,800 m)
Distance: 2 km
Time: 1–2 hrs.

Main Destination:

• Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

• Mid-range Camping
  In Mount Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks :

• All meals included
• ( Drinking water)

Summiting starts around midnight from 4,673 m, ending on Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m. While the trek itself is fairly simple, rarified mountain air does pose a challenge. Therefore, a guide who will monitor their condition throughout the climb shall accompany every two climbers ensuring safety above all. Upon summiting, you shall have an opportunity to walk on the nearby glacier.

The descent to 3,820 m at Millennium Camp starts after a two-hour rest back at Barafu Camp.

NB: Descent is deceptively easy with treacherous footing and results in 90% of accidents. Mind your feet if you want to avoid falling and damaged toenails!
Altitude: Barafu Camp (4,673 m) — Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — Millennium Camp (3,820 m)
Distance: 15.5 km
Time: 7–12 hrs.

Main Destination:

• Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

• Mid-range Camping
  In Mount Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks :

• All meals included
• ( Drinking water)

This last camp’s position being far lower at the forest line will afford you a good night’s sleep further enhanced by thoughts of having reached the top. Breakfast will be followed by the return to 1,640 m at the final point in this adventure- Mweka Gate. After a short celebration with the whole of the climb crew and arrival at our offices, you will receive your climb certificates, followed by the drive to your lodge.

Altitude: Millennium Camp (3,820 m) — Mweka Gate (1,640 m)
Distance: 13.5 km
Time: 5–6 hrs

Main Destination:

• Arusha

Accommodation:

• Planet Lodge
  Mid-range Lodge in Arusha

Meals & Drinks :

• Breakfast only
• ( Drinks not included)

In the morning after breakfast (around 9:00 AM) your safari guide will arrive at the hotel. After meeting up, you will have a short safari briefing and drive to Lake Manyara National Park, and by 11:00 AM you will already be on your first safari!

The entire territory of this park is cut through with groundwater streams that provide a favorable environment for plants and, in addition, for a multitude of birds (including pink flamingos) and African forest animals.

Around lunchtime you will visit the Maji Moto hot springs and the driver will provide you with personal lunchboxes. After this stop the safari will continue, and by evening you will be transferred to a lodge for dinner & overnight.

Main Destination:

• Lake Manyara National Park

Accommodation:

• Country Lodge
  Mid-range lodge outside the park

Meals & Drinks :

• All meals included
• ( Drinking water)

After breakfast depart with your picnic lunch boxes for Serengeti National Park. Making a game driving on the Serengeti plains, searching for the migration, the largest concentration of plains game (wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle) to be found anywhere in the world. Also the predators (lion and cheetah) and the scavengers (hyena and jackals) together with the elephant, buffalo, giraffe, warthog and many other species of both big and small game. Enjoy your game drive with your private jeep till late evening.

Main Destination:

• Serengeti National Park

Accommodation:

• Heritage Tented Camp
  Mid-range tented Camp inside the park

Meals & Drinks :

• All meals included
• ( Drinking water)

This morning’s African adventure begins with an exploratory game drive through Tanzania’s oldest and most recognized National Park, the Serengeti. This location offers the most expansive game viewing in Tanzania. From predators to prey, great herds of grazing herbivores to tactically cunning packs of carnivores, life on the plains of the Serengeti can best be defined as a complete “circle of life.”

Spend today searching out Impala, one of Africa’s most beautiful and graceful animals. Previously thought to be part of the gazelle tribe, Impalas have been found to be so different that they are now classified as their own sub-family status. Leopards, cheetah, lions and wild dogs prey on impala. Impala can reach running speeds of approximately 50 to 55 mph (80 to 90 km/h) to escape its predators.

Main Destination:

• Serengeti National Park

Accommodation:

• Heritage Tented Camp
  Mid-range tented Camp inside the park

Meals & Drinks :

• All meals included
• ( Drinking water)

After an early breakfast, you will head out for another game drive in the Serengeti. You might be able to spot the “Big Five” – lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard – before embarking on your journey to the Ngorongoro Crater. The animals roam freely through the unfenced reserves offering you an uninterrupted game viewing experience. Arriving at the edge of the crater you will have your first glimpse of what awaits you the following day – glistening streams, open grassland and an infinite amount of animals. You will spend the night at a campsite directly on the crater’s edge with the orange glow of sunset surrounding you as you drift off to sleep.

Main Destination:

• Ngorongoro Highlands

Accommodation:

• Rhino Lodge
  Mid-range lodge inside the park

Meals & Drinks :

• All meals included
• ( Drinking water)

In this day it is better to leave the Lodge as early as possible so you can see the variety of animals that are only active during the morning hours.

Ngorongoro is one of the most famous and interesting of Tanzania’s national parks because here you can find the greatest number of different animal species per square kilometer. You will have the chance to see buffalo, elephants, lions, wildebeests, zebras, hippopotamus and feline species such as caracals and servals. The luckiest travelers might even see a rhinoceros, an animal whose numbers are rapidly declining.

By lunchtime you will arrive at the lakeside, where you will be offered lunchboxes, after which the safari will continue, ending in a few hours, late afternoon return to Arusha then transfer to the airport for your flight back home or dinner & overnight. ( Accommodation in Arusha can be included upon request at extra cost ).

Main Destination:

• Ngorongoro Crater

Accommodation:

• No Accommodation
  (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks :

• Breakfast & Lunch
• ( Drinking water)