16 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania and Kenya Safari
16 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania and Kenya Safari. This 16 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania and Kenya Safari is a long Kenya and Tanzania safari package that literally covers all the most sought after destinations. With this 16 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania and Kenya Safari, you will get to climb Kilimanjaro Mountain, one of the 7 Summits of the world that is also considered the easiest to summit. While on this 16 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania and Kenya Safari, you shall get to visit the different Tanzania national parks and Kenya wildlife safari destinations.
Apart from climbing Kilimanjaro Mountain, which is the highest point in Africa, travelers enjoy extensive game drives and guided walking safaris, or even boat safaris while on this 16 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania and Kenya Safari. Explore Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater Tanzania, Serengeti National Park all in Tanzania, as well as Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli National Park on this 16 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania and Kenya Safari. Get to enjoy the great wildebeest migration whilst on this 16 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania and Kenya Safari which is best booked for travel in the months of July to October.
Detailed Itinerary 16 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania and Kenya Safari
Day 0 | Arrival
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport, where our representative shall meet you and transfer to the hotel. In the evening there will be a briefing with the climbing crew in preparation of the climb.
Note: Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.
Day 1 | Trekking From Marangu Gate To Mandara Hut
A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park‘s eastern entrance: Marangu Gate (1,860 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Mandara Hut (2,700 m). The trekking route includes passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable), so we recommend you take not only spare clothes, but also your raincoats. When you reach the camp, our mountain support crew will take care of the necessities, pitch the tents, and prepare lunch.
Throughout the entire Marangu route, you will be spending your nights in special huts. They offer a great alternative to those who do not want to sleep in tents.
This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:
-Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine
-Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
-Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.
-At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.
ELEVATION
1,860 m to 2,700 m
HIKING TIME
5-7 hours
DISTANCE
11 km
DIFFICULTY
Medium
HABITAT
Rainforest
Day 2 | Trekking From Mandara Hut To Horombo Hut
Early in the morning after breakfast, the group will depart Mandara Hut to start a moderate trek towards the second high altitude camp: Horombo Hut (3,720 m). When you reach the camp on this day, you will be treated to views of two volcanos at once: Kibo and Mawenzi.
Several hours after lunch you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Kibo Hut with a 200-meter gain in altitude, and then hike back down to Horombo Hut where dinner will be prepared for you.
Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.
Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation: Horombo Hut (3,720 m) — Destination point en route to Kibo Hut (3,920 m)
Hiking distance: 2.5 km
Hiking time: 1–2 hours
ELEVATION
2,700 m to 3,720 m
HIKING TIME
5-6 hours
DISTANCE
10 km
DIFFICULTY
Medium
HABITAT
Moorland
Day 3 | Trekking From Horombo Hut To Kibo Hut
On this day, right after breakfast the group will be trekking to the Kibo Hut (4,700 m). The actual trekking is not very difficult, just remember to stick with an appropriate pace to keep up your strength for the trekking to Kilimanjaro’s summit. When you reach the camp you will be served lunch, after which we recommend you sleep as much as you can, avoid any strenuous activity, and drink lots of water.
ELEVATION
3,720 m to 4,700 m
HIKING TIME
4-8 hours
DISTANCE
10 km
DIFFICULTY
High
HABITAT
Alpine desert
Day 4 | Trekking To Uhuru Peak and Descent To Horombo Hut
Night departure from Kibo Hut (4,700 m) and the start of your trekking to Kilimanjaro’s summit: Uhuru peak (5,895 m). The trekking will be moderate from a physical standpoint, but the altitude presents a much more serious problem. For the entire length of the trekking their own guide, who will be monitoring your stamina and mental resolve, will accompany each pair of climbers. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Kibo Camp and after a two-hour rest continue your descent to Horombo Hut (3,720 m).
Note: Don’t forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.
ELEVATION
4,700 m to 5,895 m
5,895 m to 3,720 m
HIKING TIME
9-12 hours
DISTANCE
16 km
DIFFICULTY
High
HABITAT
Arctic
Day 5 | Descent From Horombo Hut To Marangu Gate, Transfer to Arusha
You will be offered a warm breakfast in the morning, after which we will head for the Kilimanjaro National Park’s exit: Marangu Gate (1,860 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, and then you will have the chance to share your opinions on the trip in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates and provide you a transfer you to Arusha. Check in at the hotel, relax as you wait for dinner and an overnight stay at Burka Coffee Lodge.
ELEVATION
3,720 m to 1,860 m
HIKING TIME
5-6 hours
DISTANCE
18 km
DIFFICULTY
Medium
HABITAT
Rainforest
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Tarangire National Park Game Drive
You shall be picked up by your guide at the hotel in Arusha after breakfast, and proceed to transfer you to Tarangire National Park, which is known for large herds of elephants and also numerous bird species.
You will also engage in a game drive in Tarangire national park and look out for different wildlife species such as elephants, buffalos, antelopes, zebras, lions, leopards among others. After the game drive you will proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hhando Coffee Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Drive, Crater Rim Walk
After breakfast at the lodge, drive to the conservancy and get to descend about 600 meters into the Ngorongoro crater during your game drive. You will look out for wildlife species such as elephants, lions, buffalos, rhinos, cheetahs, hippos, antelopes, kudu, zebras, impalas, gazelles among others on the Ngorongoro crater floor. You will also look out for attractions like Lake Magadi in the crater where you will see flamingos and other bird species on the lakeshores.
After your picnic lunch in the wild, head out for a walking safari experience in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, for an opportunity to come up-close with nature and wild game including zebras, antelopes, giraffes among others, in the company of a ranger guide. Return to the lodge enjoying yet another wild game viewing opportunity, for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: As above
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Transfer to Serengeti National Park, Game Drive
After a sumptuous breakfast at your lodge of stay, check out of the lodge and proceed for a transfer to Serengeti National Park with a packed lunch box in hand. Enjoy game watching through the Ngorongoro and also Serengeti plains. After a picnic lunch in Serengeti National Park, enjoy a short game drive and be introduced to the amazing wildlife in Serengeti National Park Tanzania. Chase the sunset as you drive to your camp of stay in northern Serengeti. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Accommodation: Mara River Camp by TBC
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Full Day Serengeti National Park – Mara River Area
You will start your day with breakfast at your lodge as you prepare for a full day of wildlife viewing in Serengeti national park. You will start with a morning game drive around the national park as you look out for wildlife species like elephants, wildebeests, cheetahs, antelopes, kudu, giraffes, waterbucks, zebras, gazelles among others. You will have lunch after your morning game drive.
After lunch you will engage in an afternoon game drive and enjoy searching for other wildlife species in the savannah plains of Serengeti national park and also enjoying the beautiful scenery as you drive around the national park, as well as migrating wildebeest herds. Chance to witness the Mara River crossing. You will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay after our game drive.
Optional Activity: Hot Air Balloon.
Accommodation: As above
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Transfer to Lake Victoria Area, Relaxed Afternoon
After a relaxed breakfast, check out for a drive to the South-Eastern bay of Lake Victoria, whilst enjoying amazing game viewing in the Serengeti Plains. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. Relax on the shores of this lake which is rich in history. The breeze is refreshing.
Accommodation: Malaika Beach Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11: Transfer to Masai Mara Reserve
After breakfast the lodge, proceed to drive to Masai Mara Reserve Kenya via Isebania border where your Kenya safari guide shall meet you once again. Proceed to the lodge as you look out for amazing wild game in the reserve, including some herds of wildebeests. Chance to witness the great wildebeest migration in Masai Mara National Reserve as well. Dinner and overnight stay at Sentrim Mara Camp.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Full Day Game Drive in Masai Mara
Today, spend the day in the Masai Mara Park Reserve, looking out for wild game but also for the wildebeest migration. Chance to see the Mara River crossing here as well, and so much more that Masai Mara has to offer, punctuated with picnic lunch. Dinner and an overnight stay as above.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13: Transfer to Lake Naivasha, Crescent Island Visit
Drive Time: Approx. 3 hours
After an early breakfast, transfer to Lake Naivasha from where you shall take a boat-ride to crescent Island Sanctuary for a unique walk with wildlife. The sanctuary is home for giraffes, water-bucks, elands, wildebeests, zebras, impalas and hippos among other wildlife one is likely to find at the conservancy. Birds include the fish eagles, ospreys, lily-trotters and many more, all punctuated with a lunch stop. Proceed to the lodge, check in and relax. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge.
Accommodation: Ziwa Bush Lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 14: Drive to Amboseli National Park
Breakfast will be served before you check out of your lodge in Lake Nakuru national park and continue your drive to Amboseli national park through the rift valley escarpment as you proceed to Nairobi where you will have a stopover for lunch.
After lunch, continue your drive to Amboseli national park where you will have an en route game viewing experience to see wildlife species along the way such as herds of elephants, which this national park is famous for. Also, enjoy the sweeping views of Mt Kilimanjaro on your way to your lodge, Check in, relax as you wait for dinner and an overnight stay at Amboseli Sopa Lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 15: Full day in Amboseli national park, Walking Safari
Your full day adventure in Amboseli National Park will begin with breakfast at your lodge and then your guide will drive you around the wilderness of the national park as you search for the different wildlife species such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, zebras, gazelles, kudu, giraffes, elands as well as various bird species.
You will have lunch and later you will have a guided walking safari for another wildlife viewing experience and to enjoy photography as you catch sight of the beautiful sunset with the back drop of Mt Kilimanjaro. After, enjoy yet an evening game drive as you return to your lodge for your dinner and overnight as above.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 16: Departure
On the last day of your safari, you will have your breakfast and then you will check out of the lodge as you prepare for your journey back to Nairobi where you will be dropped off by your guide at the airport or at your preferred location in Nairobi, which will end your safari.
End of 16 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania and Kenya Safari
16 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania and Kenya Safari Includes:
- Airport Pick up and drop off as per itinerary
- Tent, Foam, Cooking equipment, eating utensils during the hike
- Kilimanjaro hiking fees, Rescue fees
- Oxygen Cylinder and Oxy-meter
- Private 4×4 Safari Land cruiser and fuel
- Full time local English speaking Guide/Driver.
- All accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
- All national park fees
- All meals on the safari
- All game viewing activities specified
- Kenya and Tanzania VAT on tourism activities and park fees
- Concession and crater fees
- Government taxes
16 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania and Kenya Safari excludes
- Flights, visas, and related costs.
- Some hiking equipment is available for rent
- Personal expenses like drinks, laundry, telephone calls and other items of a personal nature.
- Optional excursions and activities not listed in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- anything else not included in the itinerary
