Overview
This 12-day Mount Kilimanjaro and Tanzania Safari package by Goggi Africa Safaris is designed for travelers who want to fully experience Tanzania’s natural beauty. It combines a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro with a safari in the country’s top northern parks.
The recommended itinerary includes a 7-day Kilimanjaro climb via the Machame Route, followed by a 5-day safari in northern parks: Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater. During the safari, you can see lions, giraffes, buffaloes, wildebeest, and many other wildlife species. The trip also includes cultural experiences, such as visiting the bushmen at Lake Eyasi, offering a deeper understanding of local traditions and lifestyle
Itinerary
Machame Route Climb + Northern Tanzania Wildlife Safari
📍 Destination: Arusha
🏨 Accommodation: Planet Lodge
🍽️ Meal plan: Full board
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport meet our representative & transfer to Planet Lodge in the suburb of Arusha town. Later our Kilimanjaro manager & your guide for Kilimanjaro will come for a detailed briefing & gear checking before leaving you to spend the rest of the day at the lodge, relaxing & getting prepared for your Kilimanjaro trekking on the next day.
🏨 Accommodation: Machame Camp
🍽️ Meal plan: Full board
Trekking time: 5 to 7 hours
Distance: About 11 kilometers
Habitat: Montane forest
Your Kilimanjaro combined safari begins after breakfast. You will be picked up from your Arusha hotel and drive about 2 hours to Machame Gate, passing local villages and banana and coffee farms, giving you a glimpse of life near the mountain.
At the gate, you complete park formalities and weigh your luggage for the porters (maximum 20 kg per person). A valid permit will be issued for the 6-day Machame Route. You may have lunch at the gate before starting the hike.
The trek begins in the rainforest, where rain, mud, and fog are common. Listen for birds in the canopy and watch for black-and-white colobus monkeys and sykes monkeys moving between trees.
The trail then moves into heathland, ending at Machame Camp (3,010 meters / 9,875 feet) after about 9 kilometers and 5 to 7 hours of hiking. The terrain above the rainforest is moderately steep but manageable.
Porters and the chef will arrive at camp ahead of you to set up tents, boil water, and prepare snacks. After washing up, enjoy a hot dinner. Temperatures at this altitude can drop to freezing, so dress warmly.
🏨 Accommodation: Shira Camp
🍽️ Meal plan: Full board
Trekking time: 5 to 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 9 kilometers
Habitat: Moorland
Kilimanjaro combined safari continues, after breakfast, the day starts through lovely heathland and afro-alpine moorland furnished with superb views of Kilimanjaro Peak. The route starts getting steeper as you pass through the Savannah with tall grasses, Giant Heather and Erica trees.
Hike nearby large stones as you arrive at the moorland zone ruled by lobelia and senecia plants as well as volcanic rocks wrapped with beards and lichen, which safeguard wild alpine flowers and other plants that grow beneath them. You will spend the night at Shira Camp (12,615 feet), trekking on this day is 9 km in 5 to 6 hours of walking. Getting to the camp same procedures will follow as of the first day
🏨 Accommodation: Barranco Camp
🍽️ Meal plan: Full board
Trekking time: 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers
Habitat: Semi-desert
Today you are getting closer to the peak as we get nearer to the Lava Tower. The trek becomes a bit tougher the path gets steeper as you approach the lava Tower, a volcanic plug over 300 feet tall which codes an exposed pass at 15,000 feet.
You will have a packed lunch at this point while acclimatizing, here is where most climbers start feeling the effects of the high elevation which include shortness of breath & headache. After lunch & some rest, you will descend along the steep path from Lava Tower (4630 m) to Barranco Campsite at an altitude of (3950 m).
Lowering 680 m from Lava Tower to Barranco camp gives a huge advantage to hikers to allow their bodies to get used to the conditions of high elevation. Walking down to the camp takes about 2 hours. This camp is located in a valley below “The Breakfast Wall” Baranco Wall & the Breach. Same procedure of hot water to wash, possibly dinner while watching the sunset.
🏨 Accommodation: Barafu Camp
🍽️ Meal plan: Full board
Trekking time: 7 hours
Distance: Approximately 13 kilometers
Habitat: Alpine desert
Mt Kilimanjaro safari tours continue with the great challenge of climbing the Barranco Wall, begin your day after breakfast, you may need 1 to 1.5 hours to go on top of the great Barranco Wall, advisable to early start to avoid traffic jams at the wall.
You will be above the cloud so you will be able to spot the barren and rocky plateau just behind the wall attentively waiting for you this morning. The stunning three southern glaciers (Heim Glacier) and the beautiful view of Kibo Peak can be seen if the weather is clear on this day. The trekking will be on gravel and sand paths along the rocky moors. After 2 to 3 hours of polepole pace, you will reach Karanga Camp at 4250 meters. Hot lunch will be served, then rest before continuing to Barafu Camp.
🏨 Accommodation: Mweka Camp
🍽️ Meal plan: Full board
Trekking time: 8 hours up, 7–8 hours down
Distance: 7 km ascent / 23 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
The Night Summit! Your guide will wake you up before midnight for some snakes before setting off for your final push to the roof of Africa “The Uhuru Peak”.
With a slow pace step-by-step “polepole” the route leads sharply up and over rocks to reach the rim of the crater. Many climbers feel this is the most mentally and physically challenging part.
At sunrise you reach Uhuru Peak (5895 m) and celebrate conquering “The Roof of Africa”. After photos and short rest, descend back to Barafu for lunch, then continue to Mweka Camp.
🏨 Accommodation: Planet Lodge
🍽️ Meal plan: Full board
Trekking time: 3–4 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers
Habitat: Moorland & rainforest
After breakfast, celebration, tipping and certificates ceremony, descend to Mweka Gate. Climbers receive certificates depending on summit level reached. Transfer back to Arusha for rest, hot shower and safari briefing
🏨 Accommodation: Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge
🍽️ Meal plan: Full board
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park for game viewing then cultural visit to Datoga tribe at Lake Eyasi
🏨 Accommodation: Serengeti Tanzania Bush Camp
🍽️ Meal plan: Full board
Early morning Bushmen hunting experience then drive to Serengeti via Ngorongoro highlands.
🏨 Accommodation: Serengeti Tanzania Bush Camp
🍽️ Meal plan: Full board
Full day game drive in Serengeti with sunrise and sunset safari experience
🏨 Accommodation: Marera valley Lodge
🍽️ Meal plan: Full board
Game drive in Ngorongoro Crater with Big Five sightings and Lake Magadi visit.
🍽️ Meal plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Optional Tarangire game drive before transfer to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- All transfers (arrival & departure)
- 2 nights Planet Lodge Arusha (H/B)
- 6 days Kilimanjaro trekking Machame Route
- All park & camping fees
- Guides, chefs & porters
- Mountain tents & mess tents
- Meals & drinking water on mountain
- Rescue fees Kilimanjaro
- 5 days private safari in 4WD Land Cruiser
- Safari driver guide
- All park fees & game drives
- Meals during safari
- VAT included
Cost Excludes
- International flights
- Personal items
- Tips
- Travel insurance
- Drinks in lodges/camps
- Accommodation after safari (optional extra)
Route Map
