The 23 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari and Cultural Tour is one of the lengthy Tanzania safari trips to book for an outstanding and all-around Tanzania exploration of the northern region of Tanzania. This 23-day Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari, and Cultural Tour takes you to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest point, as well as various Tanzania national parks in the northern circuit, such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, and Lake Manyara. This 23-day Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari, and Cultural Tour also includes visits to Lake Natron and Lake Eyasi, which are home to the Hadzabe and Datoga indigenous tribes, for a typical Tanzania tribal experience. Please keep in mind that this safari can be customised to meet your specific needs.
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
When you arrive at JRO, a Salt Holidays representative will pick you up and bring you to your accommodation in Moshi. Check in to the hotel, unwind and have dinner.
Accommodation: Park View Inn Meal Plan: Dinner.
Day 2: Prepare for the summit and crew commitment.
Relax at the hotel today and meet with the team for a briefing 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 leave Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes around 4 hours, where you will complete entrance requirements. Then travel another hour to the Lemosho trailhead. We have lunch at the trailhead before hiking through pristine forest to the first camp site.
Day 4: Mti Mkubwa to Shira Camp 1
We proceed down the track that leads out of the forest and onto a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock adorned with lichen beards. As we travel through the beautiful rolling hills and pass multiple streams, we arrive at Shira Ridge before gradually descending to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from over the plateau is stunning.
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 spend a whole day exploring the Shira plateau. It’s a moderate hike east towards Kibo’s glaciered summit, over the plateau, to Shira 2 camp amid moorland meadows by a stream. Then we head to Moir Hut, a little-used spot at the base of Lent Hills. Lent Hills offers a range of treks, giving it a good acclimatisation opportunity. Shira is one of Earth’s tallest plateaus.
Day 6: Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation ranges from 13,800 to 13,000 feet.
Distance is 7 km.
Hiking Duration: 4-6 hours.
Habitat: Semi desert.
From the Shira Plateau, we continue east along a ridge, past the intersection and heading for Kibo’s summit. As we go, our route shifts to the southeast, towards the Lava Tower known as the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly beyond the tower, we arrive at the second intersection, which leads to the Arrow Glacier at an elevation of 16,000 feet. We now descend to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000 feet. Here we rest, have supper, and spend the night. Although you conclude the day at the same level as you began, this day is critical for acclimatisation and will assist your body prepare for summit day.
Day 7: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation ranges from 13,000 to 13,100 feet.
Distance is 5 km.
Hiking Duration: 4-5 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and head up a rocky slope, past the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campground. This is a short day intended for acclimatisation.
Day 8: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp.
Elevation ranges from 13,100 to 15,300 feet.
Distance is 4 km.
Hiking Duration: 4-5 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.
After breakfast, we leave Karanga and head to the intersection with the Mweka Trail. We proceed up to the Barafu Hut. You completed the South Circuit, which provides views of the peak from a variety of positions. Here we set up camp, recover, eat dinner, and prepare for the summit day. This vantage point offers views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.
Day 9: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (or down to 10,000ft).
Distance: 5 km rise, 12 km descent.
Hiking time: 7-8 hours ascent and 4-6 hours descend.
habitat: Arctic
We continue the hike to the peak between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers in the early hours (midnight to 2 a.m.). You go northwest and climb over hard scree to Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most psychologically and physically hard part of the journey.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will take a brief break and be rewarded with the most spectacular dawn you will ever witness (weather allowed). On your 1-hour journey from Stella Point to the peak, you may experience snow the entire time. Uhuru Peak is the highest peak on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers can glimpse the dawn from the summit.
From the peak, we descend directly to the Mweka Hut camp site, pausing at Barafu for lunch. You’ll need gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel heading down. Mweka Camp is located in the higher forest, so mist or rain might be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we have our final meal on the mountain and get some well-deserved sleep.
Day 10: Mweka Camp to Moshi
Elevation ranges from 10,000 to 5,400 feet.
Distance is 10 km.
Hiking Duration: 3-4 hours.
Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, we continue our descent to the Mweka Park Gate, where you will get your summit certificates. At lower levels, it may be damp and muddy. Gaiters and hiking poles will assist. Shorts and t-shirts should suffice (have rain gear and warm clothes on available).
From the gate, it’s another hour to Mweka Village. A van will meet you in Mweka village and transport you back to your accommodation in Moshi. From the gate, it’s another hour to Mweka Village. A van will meet you in Mweka village and transport you back to your accommodation in Moshi. Dinner and overnight stay at the Park View Inn.
Day 11: Transfer to Arusha, Optional Arusha Cultural Tour
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Arusha. Check into your accommodation and relax, or take an Arusha cultural tour to learn about the residents’ way of life. Shop for everything you need. Dinner and overnight stay at the Burka Coffee Lodge.
Day 12: Tarangire National Park Game Drive
Your Tanzania safari guide will meet you up from your accommodation in Arusha, welcome you to the safari, and inform you on the itinerary. You will be taken to Tarangire National Park, which is located in northern Tanzania. Tarangire National Park is famed for its vast elephant populations and old baobab trees.
You will settle into your lodge in Tarangire National Park while preparing for lunch and an afternoon wildlife drive. During your game drive in the national park, you will see wildlife species such as gazelles, impalas, zebras, and waterbucks, among others, as well as the various bird species for which the park is famous. Your guide will then drive you to Twiga Lodge and Campsite for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 13: Full Day Tarangire National Park Game Drive with Walking Safari
Spend another full day exploring Tarangire National Park, seeking for animals you might have missed. Enjoy a guided walking safari and get up close to nature. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay, as described previously.
Day 14: Lake Manyara National Park Game Drive
Lake Manyara National Park is home to tree-climbing lions and flamingos. Lake Manyara’s current high levels have absorbed more of the park. Look for animals while enjoying lunch in the park. Return to the lodge for supper and overnight stay, as described previously.
Day 15: Transfer to Lake Natron, Visit Lake Natron
After a delicious breakfast at the lodge, you will drive to Lake Natron, where you will go on an easy guided walk to observe the biological richness and stunning flamingo nesting grounds in the southern section of the lake. You will notice a variety of pink flamingos here. During your walk, you will pass through a forest and encounter a lot of giraffes. You will be able to enjoy beautiful sunsets when you return at the end of the day. You will then go to your lodging location for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Maasai Giraffe Eco Lodge. Meal plan includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 16: Drive to Northern Serengeti, En-route Game Drive
Drive Time: About 3.5 hours to Serengeti Park.
After a delicious breakfast at the lodge, check out and, with your packed lunch, proceed to Serengeti National Park. Enjoy game watching as you drive to the northern area of the park, which is home to the big migration at this time of year. Enjoy a picnic meal in the bush. Proceed to the camp while enjoying wild game watching along the way, including migratory herds! Check into your campsite and relax while you wait for supper and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Mara River Camp (TBC)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 17: A full day in Serengeti National Park (Northern Serengeti).
You will enjoy breakfast at your lodge before embarking on a morning wildlife drive across Serengeti National Park. During your morning game drive, you will look for animals like as lions, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, elephants, wildebeests, antelopes, giraffes, hippos, waterbucks, and many more. You’ll eat lunch before continuing your game drive around the national park in the afternoon.
Your guide will take you across the northern Serengeti National Park, looking for many sights and animal species in the far plains, particularly migratory herds! A chance to see the huge wildebeest Mara River crossing. After this excursion, you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay as described above.
Day 18&19: Central Serengeti Game Drives
You have two days to explore the centre Serengeti National Park, particularly the Seronera River and its surrounding kopjes, in search of the park’s many wildlife. You will encounter lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, and much more! Lunch may be eaten on a picnic in the park or at the campsite. Dinner and an overnight stay at the campground.
Tukaone Serengeti Camp offers a meal plan that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 20: Transfer to Ngorongoro, Ngorongoro Crater Drive
Drive time: 145 km, or around 3.5 hours.
After breakfast, leave the Serengeti plains for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, carrying your packed lunch.
Proceed 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater bottom, which is home to a variety of animal species, including the big five: lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinos, and elephants. Other animal species found in Ngorongoro include hyenas, wildebeests, antelopes, cheetahs, zebras, hippos, waterbucks, and warthogs, among others.
There are also many bird species that may be seen around Ngorongoro Crater, such as ostriches and flamingos that live along the shores of Lake Magadi. After your game drive around the Ngorongoro crater, you will check into your lodge, relax while you wait for dinner, and spend the night there.
Accommodation at Eileen’s Tree Inn. Meal plan includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 21: Transfer to Lake Eyasi, Bird Watching and Relaxation
After breakfast, depart the lodge and go to Lake Eyasi, home to the Datoga and Hadzabe tribes. Enjoy a bird-watching excursion around the lake before returning to the resort to check in. Enjoy lunch and unwind for the remainder of the day. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge
Accommodation: Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 22: Hadzabe Bushman Experience
After an early gourmet breakfast at the lodge, you will go hunting with the Bushmen, the local Hadzabe and Datoga, and learn about their survival methods and way of life from the past. Have a traditional meal with the villagers and return to the resort late. You will have dinner and an overnight stay as above.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 23: Arusha Cultural Tour and Departure.
After a magnificent breakfast at the lodge, you will be transferred to Arusha for a cultural trip. Visit Arusha to buy souvenirs and have lunch. Optional activity: visit the Serval Wildlife Sanctuary to feed the giraffes and interact with the other animals! You will be dropped off at the JRO in time to check in for your flight departing at 2120 hours. This ends your 23-Day Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari, and Cultural Experience!
End of 23 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari and Cultural Tour
23 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari and Cultural Tour 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
23 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari and Cultural Tour 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
