23 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari and Cultural Tour

The 23 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari and Cultural Tour is a comprehensive safari tour that offers an amazing and comprehensive exploration of Tanzania’s northern region. This 23-day Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari, and Cultural Tour takes you to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is the highest point in Africa, and different Tanzanian national parks in the northern circuit, including Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, and Lake Manyara National Park. This 23-day Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari, and Cultural Tour also takes you to Lake Natron, as well as Lake Eyasi, which is the home of the indigenous tribes of Hadzabe and Datoga for a typical Tanzania tribal experience!

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

Upon your arrival at JRO, a representative from Salt Holidays will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel of stay in Moshi. Check in at the hotel, relax, and enjoy dinner.

Accommodation: Park View Inn

Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 2: Prepare for the summit, Crew interaction

Get to relax today at the hotel and interact with the crew with a brief 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 depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). After arriving at the trailhead, we eat lunch before starting our journey through the undisturbed forest that leads to the first camp site.

Day 4: Mti Mkubwa to Shira Camp 1

Elevation (ft): 9,100ft to 11,500ft

Distance: 8 km

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Moorland

We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.

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 explore the Shira plateau for a full day. We take a gentle walk east towards Kibo’s glaciered peak, cross the plateau, and arrive at Shira 2 camp, situated on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatisation opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Day 6: Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft

Distance: 7 km

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Semi Desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast toward the Lava Tower, called “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction, which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 feet. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000 feet. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for Summit Day.

Day 7: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft

Distance: 5km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatisation.

Day 8: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft

Distance: 4 km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction, which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

Day 9: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)

Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

Habitat: Arctic

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

You will pause for a brief rest at Stella Point (18,600 ft), where, weather permitting, you will witness the most magnificent sunrise of your life. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

From the summit, we now make our descent, continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp, located in the upper forest, may experience mist or rain in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 10: Mweka Camp to Moshi

Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi. From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi. Dinner and an overnight stay at Park View Inn.

Day 11: Transfer to Arusha, Optional Arusha Cultural Tour

After breakfast, check out and proceed to transfer to Arusha. Check in at the hotel and relax, or opt for an Arusha cultural tour to learn about the way of life of the locals. Shop for whatever it is you may be in need of. Dinner and an overnight stay at Burka Coffee Lodge.

Day 12: Tarangire National Park Game Drive

Your Tanzania safari guide will pick you up from your hotel in Arusha, welcome you to your safari experience, and provide you with a briefing about the safari. You will be driven to Tarangire National Park, which is found in the northern part of Tanzania. Tarangire National Park is known for having large herds of elephants as well as ancient baobab trees.

You will check-in at your lodge in Tarangire National Park as you prepare for lunch and an afternoon game drive. During your game drive in the national park, you will witness wildlife species such as gazelles, impalas, zebras, and waterbucks, among others, along with the various bird species that this park is renowned for. Your guide will then drive you to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Twiga Lodge and Campsite.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 13: Full Day Tarangire National Park Game Drive with Walking Safari

Spend another full day in Tarangire National Park, looking out for various wildlife that you may have otherwise missed. Enjoy a guided walking safari experience and get to come up-close with nature. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay as above.

Day 14: Lake Manyara National Park Game Drive

Lake Manyara National Park is known to inhabit the tree-climbing lions and flamingos. The rising levels of Lake Manyara in recent years have engulfed more of the park. Look out for wildlife in the park, with lunch enjoyed in the park. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay as above.

Day 15: Transfer to Lake Natron, Visit Lake Natron

After a sumptuous breakfast at the lodge, you shall proceed to drive to Lake Natron, from where you shall embark on an easy guided walk to visit the southern part of Lake Natron and explore the ecological diversity and magnificent breeding sites of flamingoes. You shall see a variety of pink flamingoes here. During your walk, you shall also get to cross a forest where you shall get to see a number of giraffes. You shall get to enjoy wonderful sunsets at the end of the day as you return. You shall then head to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Maasai Giraffe Eco Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 16: Drive to Northern Serengeti, En-route Game Drive

Drive Time: Approx. 3.5 hours to Serengeti Park

Wake up to a sumptuous breakfast at the lodge; check out; and, with your packed lunch, proceed on a transfer to Serengeti National Park. Enjoy game viewing as you drive to the northern part of the park, the home of the great migration during this time of the year! Enjoy your picnic lunch in the wilderness. Proceed to the camp all the while enjoying wild game viewing en route, including the migrating herds! Check in at your camp; relax as you wait for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Mara River Camp by TBC

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

23 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari and Cultural Tour — Wildebeests

Day 17: Full day in Serengeti National Park (Northern Serengeti)

You will have breakfast at your lodge as you prepare to engage in a morning game drive around Serengeti National Park. During your morning game drive, you will search for different wildlife species like lions, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, elephants, wildebeests, antelopes, giraffes, hippos, waterbucks, and many others. You will have your lunch before another game-driving experience in the national park in the afternoon.

Your guide will drive you around the national park in the northern part of Serengeti National Park as you look out for different attractions and wildlife species in the distant plains, especially the migrating herds! Chance to witness the great wildebeest Mara River crossing. You will return to your lodge after this experience for dinner and overnight as above.

Day 18&19: Central Serengeti Game Drives

You have two days to explore the central part of Serengeti National Park, particularly the area around the Seronera River and nearby kopjes, in search of various park animals. You shall see many lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, and so much more! Lunch can be enjoyed over a picnic in the park or at the camp. Dinner and an overnight stay at the camp.

Accommodation: Tukaone Serengeti Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 20: Transfer to Ngorongoro, Ngorongoro Crater Drive

Drive Time: 145 km, approx. 3.5 hours.

Leave the Serengeti Plains for Ngorongoro Conservation Area after breakfast with your packed lunch.

Proceed to descend the Ngorongoro Crater floor, 600 meters into the crater, which is home to numerous wildlife species, like the Big 5, which includes lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinos, and elephants. Other wildlife species in Ngorongoro include hyenas, wildebeests, antelopes, cheetahs, antelopes, zebras, hippos, waterbucks, and warthogs, among others.

You can also spot various bird species around Ngorongoro crater, such as ostriches and flamingos, which are common along the shores of Lake Magadi. Once you complete your game drive around the Ngorongoro crater, you will proceed to your lodge for check-in. Relax as you wait for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Eileen’s Tree Inn

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 21: Transfer to Lake Eyasi, Bird Watching, and Relaxation

After breakfast, leave the lodge and transfer to Lake Eyasi, the home of the Datoga and Hadzabe people. Enjoy a bird-watching experience around the lake, then proceed to the lodge for check-in. Enjoy lunch and relax for the rest of the afternoon. Dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge

Accommodation: Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 22: Hadzabe Bushmen Experience
After an early, sumptuous breakfast at the lodge, you will enjoy a hunting experience with the Bushmen, the local Hadzabe, and Datoga and learn their survival skills and way of life from ages past. Have a traditional lunch with the locals; return to the lodge late. You will have dinner and an overnight stay as above.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 23: Arusha Cultural Tour, Departure

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at the lodge, you will be transferred to Arusha for a cultural tour. Get to purchase souvenirs in Arusha and enjoy lunch. Optional activity is to visit the Serval Wildlife Sanctuary to feed the giraffes and play with other animals! You shall be dropped off at the JRO in time for check-in for your flight leaving at 2120 hours. This brings your 23-day Kilimanjaro hike, Tanzania safari, and cultural experience to an end!

End of 23 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari and Cultural Tour

23 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Tanzania Safari and Cultural Tour includes