23 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari and Cultural Tour
23 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari and Cultural tour is one of the long Tanzania safari tours to book for an amazing and all-around Tanzania exploration, of the northern part of Tanzania. This 23 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari and Cultural Tour takes you to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro which is the highest point in Africa, different Tanzania national parks in the northern circuit including Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, and Lake Manyara National Park. This 23 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari and Cultural Tour also takes you to Lake Natron, as well as Lake Eyasi which is the home of the indigenous tribes of Hadzabe and Datoga for a typical Tanzania tribal experience! Kindly note that this safari can be customized as per your preference.
Tanzania Safari Highlights of 23 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari and Cultural Tour
- Climb Kilimanjaro Mountain
- Serengeti Wildebeest Migration
- Big 5 animals in Tanzania
- Guided walking Safari Experience
- Bird watching
- Lake Natron visit
- Hunting with the Bushmen.
Day 1: Arrival
Upon your arrival at JRO, a representative from Focus East Africa Tours will pick you up and transfer to your hotel of stay in Moshi. Check in at the hotel, relax and enjoy dinner.
Accommodation: Park View Inn
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Prepare for the summit, Crew interaction
Get to relax today at the hotel, and interact with the crew with a brief in preparation for your Kilimanjaro Climb.
Accommodation: Park View Inn
Meal Plan: B/L/D
Day 3: Lemosho Glades to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp
Elevation (ft): 6,825ft to 9,100ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time:3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.
Day 4: Mti Mkubwa to Shira Camp 1
Elevation (ft): 9,100ft to 11,500ft
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time 5-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.
Day 5: Shira Camp 1 to Shira 2 to Moir Hut
Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft
Distance: 14 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland
We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
Day 6: Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Semi Desert
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Day 7: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
Day 8: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Day 9: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Day 10: Mweka Camp to Moshi
Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi. From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi. Dinner and an overnight stay at Park View Inn.
Day 11: Transfer to Arusha, Optional Arusha Cultural Tour
After breakfast, check out and proceed to transfer to Arusha. Check in at the hotel and relax, or opt for an Arusha cultural tour to learn about the way of life of the locals. Shop for whatever it is that you may be in need of. Dinner and an overnight stay at Burka Coffee Lodge.
Day 12: Tarangire National Park Game Drive
Your Tanzania safari guide shall pick you up from your hotel of stay in Arusha, welcome you for your safari experience, and brief you about the safari. You will be driven to Tarangire National Park which is found in the northern part of Tanzania. Tarangire National Park is known for having large herds of elephants as well as ancient baobab trees.
You will check in at your lodge in Tarangire national park as you prepare for lunch and also an afternoon game drive. During your game drive in the national park, you will see wildlife species such as gazelles, impalas, zebras, waterbucks among others as well as the various bird species which this national park is known for and your guide will drive you to your lodge for dinner and overnight at Twiga Lodge and Campsite.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13: Full Day Tarangire National Park Game Drive with Walking Safari
Spend another full day in Tarangire National Park, looking out for various wildlife that you may have otherwise missed. Enjoy a guided walking safari experience and get to come up-close with nature. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay as above.
Day 14: Lake Manyara National Park Game Drive
Lake Manyara National Park is known to inhabit the tree climbing lions and flamingos. With the high levels of the Lake Manyara of recent, more of the park has been engulfed. Look out for wildlife in the park, with lunch enjoyed in the park. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay as above.
Day 15: Transfer to Lake Natron, Visit Lake Natron
After a sumptuous breakfast at the lodge, you shall proceed to drive to Lake Natron from where you shall embark on an easy guided walk to visit the Southern part of Lake Natron and explore the ecological diversity and magnificent breeding sites of flamingoes. You shall see a variety of pink flamingoes here. During your walk, you shall also get to cross a forest where you shall get to see a number of giraffes. You shall get to enjoy wonderful sunsets at the end of the day, as you return. You shall then head to your lodge of stay for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Maasai Giraffe Eco Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 16: Drive to Northern Serengeti, En-route Game Drive
Drive Time: Approx. 3.5 hours to Serengeti Park
Wake up to a sumptuous breakfast at the lodge, check out and with your packed lunch proceed on a transfer to Serengeti National Park. Enjoy game viewing as you drive to the northern part of the park, the home of the great migration during this time of the year! Enjoy your picnic lunch in the wilderness. Proceed to the camp all the while enjoying wild game viewing en-route, including the migrating herds! Check in at your camp, relax as you wait for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Mara River Camp by TBC
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 17: Full day in Serengeti National Park (Northern Serengeti)
You will have breakfast at your lodge as you prepare to engage in a morning game drive around Serengeti national park. During your morning game drive, you will search for different wildlife species like lions, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, elephants, wildebeests, antelopes, giraffes, hippos, waterbucks and many others. You will have your lunch before another game driving experience in the national park in the afternoon.
Your guide will drive you around the national park in the northern part of Serengeti national park as you look out for different attractions and wildlife species in the distant plains, especially the migrating herds! Chance to witness the great wildebeest Mara River crossing. You will return to your lodge after this experience for dinner and overnight as above.
Day 18&19: Central Serengeti Game Drives
You have 2 days to explore the central part of Serengeti National Park, especially around the Seronera River and kopjes around, in search of the different animals in the park. You shall see many lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, and so much more! Lunch can be enjoyed over a picnic in the park, or at the camp. Dinner and an overnight stay at the camp.
Accommodation: Tukaone Serengeti Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 20: Transfer to Ngorongoro, Ngorongoro Crater Drive
Drive Time: 145km, Approx. 3.5 hours.
Leave the Serengeti plains for Ngorongoro Conservation Area after breakfast, with your packed lunch.
Proceed to descend the Ngorongoro Crater floor, 600 meters into the crater which is home to numerous wildlife species like the big 5 which includes lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinos and elephants. Other wildlife species in Ngorongoro include hyenas, wildebeests, antelopes, cheetahs, antelopes, zebras, hippos, waterbucks, warthogs among others.
There are also different bird species which can be spotted around Ngorongoro crater like ostriches as well as flamingos common along the shores of Lake Magadi. After your game drive around the Ngorongoro crater, you will proceed to your lodge for check in, relax as you wait for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Eileen’s Tree Inn
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 21: Transfer to Lake Eyasi, Bird Watching and Relaxation
After breakfast, leave the lodge and transfer to Lake Eyasi, the home of the Datoga and Hadzabe people. Enjoy a bird watching experience around the lake, proceed to the lodge for check in. Enjoy lunch and relax for the rest of the afternoon. Dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge
Accommodation: Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 22: Hadzabe Bushmen Experience
After an early sumptuous breakfast at the lodge, you will enjoy a hunting experience with the Bushmen, the local Hadzabe and Datoga and learn their survival skills, and way of life from ages past. Have a traditional lunch with the locals, return to the lodge late. You will have dinner and an overnight stay as above.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 23: Arusha Cultural Tour, Departure
After a sumptuous breakfast at the lodge, you shall proceed for a transfer to Arusha where you will enjoy a cultural tour. Get to purchase souvenirs in Arusha and enjoy lunch. Optional activity is to visit the Serval Wildlife Sanctuary to feed the giraffes and play with other animals! You shall be dropped off at the JRO in time for check in, for your flight leaving at 2120hours. This brings your 23 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari and Cultural Experience to an end!
End of 23 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari and Cultural Tour
Prices includes
- Airport transfers as per itinerary
- all activities as per itinerary
- Hotel/lodge accommodation during the safari
- 4×4 safari land cruiser
- Professional safari and tour guide / driver
- All national park fees
- All meals on the safari
- Kilimanjaro hiking fees
- All game viewing activities specified
- Concession and crater fees
- Drinking water in a safari vehicle
- Government taxes
Prices excludes
- Flights
- Items of personal nature
- hotel accommodation before / after the safari
- Entry visas
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional and anything else not included in the itinerary
