The "Roof of Africa" & Serengeti Safari
From the heights of Kilimanjaro to the vast Serengeti plains, this adventure takes you to two of Tanzania's most iconic settings. Start with a strenuous trek to the top of Kilimanjaro - a challenge that is on many traveler's list, but is certainly not for the faint of heart! "Kili" is the world's highest free-standing mountain and proper preparation is key! Spend six nights on Kili before heading out for four nights on a thrilling safari. Witness the majestic animals of Africa against the lovely Serengeti landscape - a perfect way to unwind in comfort after your climb.
At Travel Beyond, we believe your trip should be designed just for you, not for the masses. Our travel consultants create a custom itinerary for each client, offering recommendations for places and experiences that best fit your style. The itinerary below was planned for a past client, but we’re sharing it for travel inspiration and as an example of what a Mount Kilimanjaro climb and Serengeti safari might look like. To further paint the picture, take a look at the accompanying video! This itinerary describes Kilimanjaro’s Machame Route, but other options are available. Let us know when we can design a trip just for you!
Welcome to Tanzania!
Upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be met for your private transfer to Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge. Accommodations will be reserved for two nights, including all meals. Relax and enjoy your evening at leisure.
Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge Meals: N/A
Enjoy your day at leisure! You will greatly appreciate having this day to help you recover from any jet lag and acclimate to your new time zone. Enjoy the lodge’s peace and serenity, it’s lovely gardens and the beautiful views. Take a walk on the grounds to observe the wide variety of bird life or enjoy a refreshing dip in the lodge’s swimming pool. You are sure to find Ngare Sero the perfect place to relax and mentally prepare for your Kili climb.
This evening your Kilimanjaro guide will meet you at the hotel for an important equipment check and a briefing about your climb. Your guide will look at all of your equipment to make sure you have everything you need in order to be as comfortable as possible on the climb.
After, you can retire for the evening in anticipation of a big day tomorrow!
Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
This morning you will be transferred to Mount Kilimanjaro. You will start your climb from the Mt. Kilimanjaro Machame Gate.
Today’s hike will take you through verdant afromontane forest to your first camp, Machame Camp. Look out for pretty endemic flora and a gradation of forest zones!
Each day of the trek, your private camp will be set up and ready for you when you arrive into camp. Guest tents fit two people comfortably and have a three-inch mattress, -30F sleeping bag and thermal liner to give you a comfortable sleep. Your mess tent and a separate toilet tent will also be set up for your use.
Today’s Trek:
Altitude Change: From 5,900 to 10,000 feet above sea level
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 7 hours
Machame Camp Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Today you will depart Machame Camp and head to Shira Camp.
This hike is relatively steep and you will gain altitude rapidly. A picnic lunch will be taken on trail today. The zone you pass through today is known as the “heath zone” where attractive Helichrysum and lobelia plants become apparent. Various geologic features can be seen today from lava tubes to glacial valleys.
Today’s Trek:
Altitude Change: From 10,000 to 12,600 feet above sea level
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 7 hours
Shira Camp Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Today is a walk high, sleep low day, meaning that over the course of your trek, you will reach a height of (approx 15,100 feet) before returning to a lower elevation to sleep. This is a long day, but the next time you reach this altitude will be in two days time. You will ascend into alpine desert and those feeling strong can head up to Lava Tower before descending to Barranco camp. Lunch is taken as a picnic lunch on route. This is a great acclimatization day!
Today’s Trek:
Altitude Change: From 12,600 to 12,800 feet above sea level
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 8 hours
Barranco Camp Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Today you have a relatively short day, as you make your way to Karanga Camp. You will need to conquer the infamous “Barranco Wall” first, so prepare for hard work. You will soon discover that the selection of Karanga Camp is very strategic, as spending significant time at altitude is essential for safe acclimatization.
You will spend the night at Karanga Camp. Sunsets here are particularly spectacular with views of the southern glacial valleys and ice fields towering more than 3,000 feet above you.
Today’s Trek:
Altitude Change: From 12,800 to 13,450 feet above sea level
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 4 hours
Karanga Camp Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Today you depart Karanga Camp for another half-day ascending trek to Barafu camp. Lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before tomorrow’s summit bid. You are in desolate alpine desert and even though strong winds can rip over the camp at times, the evening typically produces splendid views of Mawenzi peak.
You will spend the night at Barafu Camp. In anticipation of your departure from camp at midnight, a relatively early dinner is taken before heading to bed for the evening.
Today’s Trek:
Altitude Change: From 13,450 to 15,100 feet above sea level
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 3 hours
Barafu Camp Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
The summit!
You will depart Barafu Camp just before midnight in your quest to complete the final summit bid.
Patience and persistence is the name of game at this point. You will ascend toward Stella Point, which affords a relatively short final trek to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! You will have about 15 minutes at the summit to take pictures and have a bit of celebration for all you have accomplished.
Alas, what goes up must come down! After your summit you will begin the long downhill hike to Mweka Camp. Your goal is to reach Mweka camp before dusk.
Today’s Trek:
Altitude Change: From 15,100 to 12,340 feet above sea level
Highest Point: Uhuru Peak – 19,340 feet above sea level
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 12 hours
Mweka Camp Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
After breakfast you descend once again through afromontane forest. Around noon, you will bid farewell to your crew and be transferred back to Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge in Arusha. Accommodations will be reserved for one night, including tonight’s dinner and breakfast tomorrow. Enjoy a well-deserved shower, a relaxing meal, and the remainder of your evening at leisure.
Today’s Trek:
Altitude Change: From 12,340 to 5,900 feet above sea level
Distance: 7 miles
Time: 5 hours
Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
This morning after breakfast you will be met for your private transfer to the Arusha Airport for your shared light aircraft flight to the Serengeti.
Upon arrival at the airstrip, you will be met by a camp representative and transferred to Serengeti Safari Camp, your home for the next four nights. This afternoon, meet your guide and other guests for a shared safari activity. Lunch and dinner will be served at camp.
Serengeti Safari Camp Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
On safari! Enjoy morning and afternoon shared game drives. All meals will be served at camp.
Serengeti Safari Camp was the first of its kind. It was designed with a purpose in mind; to be in the best possible location to view the wildebeest migration as it covers hundreds of miles of the Serengeti each year. So it should come as no surprise that it really hasn’t changed much since its early pioneering days. This camp is all about the fabulous guides that will get you right into the action!
Serengeti Safari Camp Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Today you will be transferred to the airstrip for your shared light aircraft flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport, for your onward flights home.
N/A Meals: Breakfast
