11 Day Summit and Savannah: Kilimanjaro and Safari Adventure

Moshi

Tour Highlights:

Destination :

Northern tanzania
Customized as :
- Trek
- Adventure
- Private
- Mid Range
Duration

Day: 11

Night: 10
You Visit:
- Kilimanjaro National Park
- Tarangire National Park
- Serengeti National Park
- Ngorongoro C. Area

Iternerary:

FULL ITINERARY

Day 0: PRE – TRECK BRIEFING

If you have opted for the optional airport transfer, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer you to your Hotel in Moshi

Pre trek briefing at your hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend in having a pre- trek briefing we will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.

Overnight at Kia Planet Lodge

Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

Elevation: 1,860m to 2,700m (6,102ft to 8,858ft)
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Montane Rainforest

Your journey begins at the Marangu Gate, the iconic starting point for this route. After completing registration with the park authorities and meeting your guide and porters, you step into the lush, dense montane rainforest. The well-graded trail winds gently upwards through a canopy of ancient trees, alive with the sounds of exotic birdcalls and the chatter of colobus and blue monkeys. The air is cool and humid, and the path is often soft with rich soil. You'll arrive at Mandara Hut in the afternoon, a cozy cluster of A-frame huts. If energy permits, you can take a short 15-minute walk to the nearby Maundi Crater after settling in, which offers your first clear, spectacular view over the plains below.

Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

Elevation: 2,700m to 3,720m (8,858ft to 12,205ft)
Trekking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Heathland and Moorland

After breakfast, you leave the enchanting rainforest behind and emerge onto the open heathland. The vegetation transforms dramatically, with giant heathers and lobelias dotting the landscape. The trail continues its steady ascent, and as you gain altitude, you are rewarded with breathtaking views of Mawenzi Peak, Kilimanjaro's rugged eastern summit. The air becomes thinner and cooler. Today's trek is longer, preparing your body for the challenges ahead. You will reach Horombo Hut in the afternoon, a larger complex of huts that can be bustling with other trekkers. This is your first true taste of high altitude, so it's crucial to rest, hydrate, and listen to your body.

Day 3: Acclimatization Day at Horombo Hut

Elevation: 3,720m (12,205ft)
Activity: Acclimatization Hike to Zebra Rocks

This is your most critical day for acclimatization. You will not change huts today, but you will be active. The golden rule of high altitude is "climb high, sleep low." After a leisurely breakfast, you will embark on a hike towards Mawenzi Peak, with the goal of reaching the distinctive Zebra Rocks (named for their striped appearance). This hike will take you to an elevation of around 4,100m (13,451ft), exposing your body to higher altitude before descending back to sleep at the lower elevation of Horombo Hut. This process significantly helps your body adapt to the reduced oxygen levels, drastically improving your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak. The afternoon is for resting, hydrating, and preparing for the next two demanding days.

Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

Elevation: 3,720m to 4,703m (12,205ft to 15,430ft)
Trekking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Today's trek takes you across the vast, lunar-like landscape of the "Saddle," a high-altitude desert plateau that stretches between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. The terrain is stark and barren, with very little vegetation. The walk is steady but can feel long due to the high altitude and exposure to the sun. As you approach Kibo Hut , the imposing sight of the Kibo crater wall, which you will be climbing tonight, comes into full view. You will arrive at the hut by early afternoon. The rest of the day is dedicated to one purpose: rest. You will have an early dinner, followed by a final briefing from your guide. Then, you will try to get a few hours of sleep before being woken around 11:00 PM for the final summit push. Lay out all your warmest gear for the climb ahead.

Day 5: Summit Day! Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

Elevation: 4,703m to 5,895m, down to 3,720m (15,430ft to 19,341ft, down to 12,205ft)
Trekking Time: 10-12 hours (ascend) + 4-5 hours (descend)
Habitat: Arctic Zone (Summit)

You will be woken around midnight for a light tea and biscuits. The final ascent begins in the frigid darkness, your headlamp illuminating the path ahead. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek. The trail consists of a relentless, steep switchback up a loose scree slope to Gilman's Point (5,681m / 18,638ft) on the crater rim. Reaching Gilman's as the sun begins to rise is a moment of pure emotion. From there, you have a final, breathtaking two-hour trek along the crater rim. As you circumnavigate the stunning Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, you finally arrive at your goal: Uhuru Peak , the highest point in Africa. The sense of achievement is overwhelming. After photos and celebration, you begin the long descent. You will retrace your steps back to Kibo Hut for a short rest, then continue descending all the way back to the more oxygen-rich Horombo Hut for a well-earned night's sleep.

Day 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

Elevation: 3,720m to 1,860m (12,205ft to 6,102ft)
Trekking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland and Rainforest

After a hearty breakfast, you begin your final descent. The path down through the heathland and back into the vibrant rainforest will feel surprisingly quick as the oxygen thickens with every step. You will arrive at the Marangu Gate by midday. Here, you will sign the official register and receive your hard-earned summit certificates (gold for Uhuru Peak, green for Gilman's Point). You will then be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for a much-needed hot shower and a triumphant celebration of your incredible achievement.

Overnight at Arusha Tulia Hotel

Day 7: Arusha to Tarangire

After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, enjoy full day game drive with picnic lunch.

The park consists of natural vegetation mainly of Acacia woodland and giant African Baobab trees, with huge swamp areas in the south. Both the river and the swamps act like a magnet for wild animals, during Tanzania’s dry season. The Tarangire National Park is reputed to contain some of the largest elephant herds in Africa.

This African National Park is also home to three rare species of animals – the Greater Kudu, the Fringed-eared Oryx, as well as a few Ashy Starlings.

Overnight at Marera Valley Lodge Karatu.