13 Days Kilimanjaro adventure & Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari

Overview

About this itinerary

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Moments on this route

Itinerary

13 Days / 12 Nights · day to day

Each day is paced for game drives, transfers, and a proper night in camp or lodge.

1. 

   Day 1

   Arrival in Arusha

   Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed and transferred to your lodge in Arusha. After settling in, your guide will provide a detailed briefing on the upcoming Kilimanjaro hike and safari, followed by a full gear check to ensure you have all required equipment boots, layers, backpack, sleeping bag, and other essentials. The rest of the day is yours to relax, adjust, and prepare for the adventure ahead.

2. 

   Day 2

   Arusha to Machame Camp

   After an early breakfast, you’ll depart Arusha and drive to the Machame Gate, where your Kilimanjaro adventure officially begins. After registration and meeting your mountain crew, you’ll start the trek through the lush rainforest, ascending gradually along a well-maintained trail filled with birdlife, tropical vegetation, and occasional wildlife sightings. The hike takes about 5–6 hours before reaching Machame Camp at 3,010m, where you’ll settle in, enjoy a hot meal, and rest for the night.

3. 

   Day 3

   Machame Camp to Shira Cave Camp

   Today you’ll emerge from the giant heather zone and hike across the wide, open moorland as you ascend toward Shira Cave on Mount Kilimanjaro. At approximately 3,840m, the Shira Plateau offers sweeping views and unique geological formations shaped by the mountain’s ancient volcanic activity. Upon reaching Shira Cave Camp, take time to explore the area and enjoy the beautiful high-altitude landscape before settling in for a warm dinner and an overnight stay.

4. 

   Day 4

   Shira Camp to Barranco Camp

   From the Shira Plateau, you’ll begin your climb toward Kibo, the main peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. As you traverse the rugged high-altitude desert of volcanic rocks and boulders, the mountain’s glaciers come into clear view, creating dramatic scenery. Although the day includes a total ascent of only about 110m, you will climb higher for acclimatization before gradually descending into the sheltered Barranco Valley. After 6–7 hours of trekking, you’ll arrive at Barranco Camp at 3,950m for dinner and an overnight stay.

5. 

   Day 5

   Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley to Barafu Hut

   Today begins with a steep ascent up the famous Barranco Wall, a rewarding scramble that offers stunning views from the top. You’ll then descend into the Karanga Valley, where you’ll stop for lunch and rest before continuing your climb. In the afternoon, the trail leads upward toward Barafu Hut at 4,600m, completing a 7–8-hour hiking day with a total ascent of about 650m. From Barafu Camp, enjoy magnificent views across to Mawenzi Peak as you settle in for the evening. Spend the rest of the night relaxing and preparing for the challenging summit push in the early hours of the morning.

6. 

   Day 6

   Barafu Hut to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

   Your summit push begins with a bracing 1:00 a.m. start, climbing steadily up the steep, frozen scree toward the crater rim. This challenging ascent is part of every Kilimanjaro route, but your goal is to pass Gillman’s Point and continue to Stella Point. From here, a final 40-minute walk leads you to Uhuru Peak at 5,900m—the highest point on the African continent. After celebrating your achievement, begin the long descent back to Barafu and continue down to Mweka Camp at 3,400m. This demanding day includes about 7 hours of ascent and a 2,600m descent, with 6–7 additional hours to reach your campsite above Mweka Gate for a well-earned rest.

7. 

   Day 7

   Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate – Return to Arusha

   After breakfast, you’ll make your final descent through the lush rainforest, a scenic 3–4-hour hike down to Mweka Gate. Here you’ll sign out, receive your summit certificate, and meet your driver for the transfer back to Arusha. Enjoy a well-deserved shower, hot meal, and relaxing evening at your lodge as you celebrate the completion of your incredible Kilimanjaro adventure.

8. 

   Day 8

   Arusha to Tarangire National Park

   We will pick from the hotel in Arusha at 7:30 am for a scenic three-hour drive to Tarangire National Park. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a full-day game drive, exploring the park’s diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife. Tarangire is one of Tanzania’s hidden gems and a must visit for safari lovers. The park is famous for its large elephant herds, often seen in the hundreds, as well as its ancient baobab trees that create a dramatic landscape unlike anywhere else in Africa. The Tarangire River, the park’s lifeline, draws vast numbers of animals during the dry season, offering incredible game-viewing opportunities. Beyond elephants, you can spot lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, and an impressive variety of birdlife, making Tarangire a paradise for both wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.

9. 

   Day 9

   Tarangire To Central Serengeti (Big Cat Explore)

   After breakfast, we journey through the lush highlands where the Iraqw people cultivate wheat, coffee, and corn, offering a glimpse into Tanzania’s rich agricultural traditions. The drive takes us into the world renowned Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you’ll stop at the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater viewpoint to admire its vast beauty and capture unforgettable photos. Along the way, you will also have the chance to visit an authentic Maasai boma, experiencing the culture and traditions of one of Africa’s most iconic tribes. By midday, we arrive in the Central Serengeti for lunch, followed by an exciting, guided game drive across the endless plains in search of the Serengeti’s legendary big cats lions, leopards, and cheetahs. As the sun sets over the savannah, you’ll continue your evening game drive before heading to your lodge or camp for dinner and an overnight stay, surrounded by the sounds of the wild.

10. 

    Day 10

    Follow the Great Migration

    After an early breakfast, set out for a full day of adventure in the legendary Serengeti National Park, a place unlike anywhere else on earth. The Serengeti is celebrated for its endless golden plains, where the drama of life and survival plays out daily. Your game drive focuses on following the path of the Great Migration, where vast herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move across the savanna in search of fresh grazing. Alongside this incredible spectacle, the Serengeti offers some of the best opportunities to witness Africa’s big cats—prides of lions resting in the grasslands, cheetahs sprinting across the plains in pursuit of prey, and leopards stealthily hiding in acacia trees. With every turn, you’ll discover the park’s astonishing diversity, from elephants and buffalo to giraffes, hyenas, and countless bird species. This day promises a truly unforgettable safari experience. In evening time, you will Enjoying the Friend Bush dinner.

11. 

    Day 11

    Central Serengeti To Ngorongoro Highland

    After an early morning breakfast, we head out for an exciting game drive in the Serengeti National Park, embarking on a guided safari in search of the park’s iconic big cats lion, leopard, and cheetah. Enjoy the thrill of spotting these predators in their natural habitat across the vast, breathtaking Serengeti plains. Following an action-packed morning, have lunch in the heart of the park, surrounded by stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife. In the afternoon, continue with a guided game drive toward the Ngorongoro Highlands, making the most of wildlife encounters along the way, before arriving at your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay.

12. 

    Day 12

    Ngorongoro Crater Experience

    Early morning breakfast, after which you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for an unforgettable game drive. Explore the crater’s rich ecosystem and enjoy close encounters with the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—as well as other diverse wildlife. Lunch will be served inside the crater, surrounded by stunning scenery. After 6 to 7 hours of immersive game viewing, you will begin the ascent back up the crater rim to Arusha for dinner and overnight stay or departure

13. 

    Day 13

    Departure at Kilimanjaro Airport

    On the final day of your safari, enjoy a morning breakfast at your lodge before transferring from Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport for your departure. Reflect on the incredible wildlife encounters, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable memories made throughout your Tanzanian adventure. This marks the end of your journey, leaving you with stories, photos, and experiences to cherish for a lifetime.

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