Tanzania, Africa: Kilimanjaro Climb and Serengeti Safari
Detailed Itinerary
No place in Africa captures the imagination quite like Tanzania. From the snow-capped summit of Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa at 19,340 feet, to the wildlife-filled plains of the Serengeti to the coral reefs and beaches of Zanzibar. Tanzania is a fascinating country situated in East Africa and bordering the Indian Ocean. It has great natural beauty and extensive protected land whose unique ecosystems are unparalleled.
In addition to its wildlife and stunning scenery, Tanzania is a melting pot of cultures and religion, with over 100 ethnic groups living peacefully together. If the land doesn’t call you back again and again, then, certainly, the people will.
Lotus Expeditions’ Kilimanjaro Climb and Serengeti Safari is the quintessential African adventure. Our journey starts in Arusha from where we begin our eight day trek up the Shira Plateau to the summit of Kilimanjaro. It is a superb route with a 98% success rate. One of the best features of the route is the longer, slower ascent which gives the body time to acclimatize to the altitude. The route also has the added benefit of traveling across a World Heritage Site and one of the Kilimanjaro wilderness areas.
Following our challenging, high mountain adventure we will return to Arusha and the start of an unforgettable five-day safari to Ngorongoro Crater and the Plains of Serengeti. The wildlife viewing in Tanzania is unmatched and the wildebeest migration across the Serengeti should not be missed! We will travel in comfortable jeeps and sleep in luxury tented camps.
Trip Summary
- Climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro at 19,340 feet
- Five-day wildlife driving safari with private luxury tent camps
- Opportunities for cultural exchange with the Maasai
- Visit Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti Plains
Itinerary
Key: B, L, D—breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner included; O/N—overnight in hotel or camping
Day One, Depart your Home Country
Travel from your home country to Kilimanjaro Airport in Arusha, Tanzania, Africa. Most international flights travel overnight and subsequently you will arrive on Day Two.
Day Two, Arrive in Arusha
A Lotus Expeditions representative will meet you outside the baggage area and transfer you to a private luxury camp inside Arusha National Park at the base of Mt. Meru. Here you can experience the still unchanged bush of Eastern Africa. The camp is situated at 6,000 feet, helping you acclimatize in preparation for climbing Kilimanjaro. Group orientation and welcome dinner in the evening. D; O/N, Arusha Luxury Camp, 6,000 feet
Day Three, Arusha Luxury Camp
Today is an opportunity to relax, pack and recoup from the long journey. Our African guide will give an expedition briefing and will answer any questions you have about the climb. He will also check equipment and ensure you are fully prepared. If time allows we may go for a short game drive as giraffe, buffalo and antelope are often seen in this area. Alternatively you may go on a short acclimatization hike on the slopes of Mt. Meru up to 8,000 feet. B. L, D; O/N, Arusha Luxury Camp, 6,000 feet
Day Four, Begin Kilimanjaro Expedition
We will drive approximately one hour through beautiful grasslands and Maasai Villages to the Kilimanjaro National Park forest edge. From there we will walk about three hours through undisturbed lush jungle to our camp for the night. With luck you will be able to see Colobus monkeys and signs of elephant and other forest wildlife on your walk to camp. B, L, D; O/N, Montane Forest Camp, 9,000 feet
Day Five, Shira Plateau West Side
After breakfast we begin a leisurely hike through the forest where we will see abundant game and bird life. The day's hike will take us up through the Montane Forest and the Hagenia forest zone. Our guides will explain the unique environmental differences that characterize these equatorial zones. B, L, D; O/N, Shira I Camp, 11,300feet
Day Six, Shira Plateau East Side
Our hike today will be about four hours across the Shira Plateau, a World Heritage Site, and one hour up the western slope of the Kibo Massif. Camp will be in the upper heath zone in full view of the Western Breach. The views from this camp are stunning. B, L, D; O/N, Fischer’s Camp, 12,950 feet
Day Seven, Lava Tower
Today we will hike approximately six hours to camp just under Lava Tower, a 300 foot high volcanic lava plug that juts out of the side of the mountain. This will be our first introduction to the alpine zone, with the only plant life being the hardiest of grasses and lichens. We will have a spectacular view of our final ascent route up the Western Breach. B, L, D; O/N, Lava Tower Camp, 14,300 feet
Day Eight, Arrow Glacier
With the Western Breach ascent route in full view we will spend two hours climbing to the base of the route where we will camp near Arrow Glacier. An afternoon hike further up the route before relaxing in camp will help our acclimatization and improve our performance the following day. B, L, D; O/N, Arrow Glacier Camp, 16,000 feet
Day Nine, Summit Crater Camp
We will wind our way up the Western Breach non-technical climbing route for about six hours to the crater rim of the main Kilimanjaro summit massif. Those who still have the energy on top can explore the inner crater and the ash pit before moving to our highest camp on the crater floor. There is often snow on this section of the route. Our spectacular high camp is next to the Furtwrangler Glacier with stunning views westward toward Mount Meru and the setting African sun. B, L, D; O/N, Summit Crater Camp, 18,500 feet
Day Ten, Summit Day!
We will start our ascent to the summit (19,340 feet) early enough to be on the summit by 10:00am. The final ascent is only 800 feet and can be undertaken after sunrise and a leisurely breakfast. After taking in the view from our high point on Uhuru Peak we will begin the long descent to Barafu Hut and down to our final camp near Mweka Hut. We will descend nearly 9,000 feet! B, L, D; O/N, Mweka Camp, 10,500 feet
Day Eleven, Return to Arusha
It takes about 3 to 5 hours to make the 4,500 foot descent to the Park Gate and pick-up. Rain is common in this vegetation zone making the trail muddy and the going slow. We will have our lunch at the gate and say goodbye to our beloved mountain staff before heading to the hotel near Arusha. At the hotel you can relax and swim before our well-deserved celebration dinner! B, L, D; O/N, hotel
Day Twelve, Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area
Drive from Arusha to the highlands of Ngorongoro Crater, a 12-mile wide crater left by a massive volcano with incredible wildlife-viewing opportunities. Our private luxury camp is located near the homestead of our Maasai friend and walking safari guide Ole Dorop. Before reaching camp, our guide can take anyone interested on a hike through the highlands and into camp. B, L, D; O/N, private luxury tent camp
Day Thirteen, Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area
From our camp we will drive twenty minutes to begin the 2000 foot descent into Ngorongoro Crater. Inside the Crater you will see a wide variety of wildlife up close. You can spend the entire day in the crater as your picnic lunch will be with you in the vehicle. At the end of the day ascend the wall of the crater and return to the comforts of your private camp where an Opul (dinner celebration) and cultural exchange with our Maasai friends awaits. B, L, D; O/N, private luxury tent camp
Day Fourteen, Serengeti National Park
Today we leave the Crater highlands and drop onto the famous Serengeti plains. En route we will visit the Olduvai Gorge, an archaeological site where East Africa’s earliest known humanoid remains were discovered in 1959. The Serengeti is the largest park in Tanzania and offers incredible diversity, including plains, rivers, lakes, hills and rocky outcrops. During January through March vast heads of wildebeest can be seen during their annual migration. A wildlife extravaganza! B, L, D; O/N, private luxury tent camp
Day Fifteen, Serengeti National Park
A second day in our private camp will give you plenty of time for further exploration of the vast plains and the diverse wildlife. According to the group’s interest we may either have lunch in camp, or travel with a picnic lunch and go out for the entire day. B, L, D; O/N, private luxury tent camp
Day Sixteen, Return to Arusha
After an early breakfast there may be time for one last game drive if you would like. We return to the hotel in Arusha where a celebratory dinner and “dayroom” await before we board our international flights. B, L, D; dayroom
Day Seventeen, Arrive Home
Additional Documents
Download Detailed Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari Itinerary-Adobe PDF
Download Reservation Packet (Adobe PDF)
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