11 Days Kilimanjaro Climbing & Game Viewing Safari.
From
Duration
Tour Type
Explore Tours
Book a 11 Days and 10 nights Kilimanjaro climbing adventure using the Marangu route guided by Engagi Safaris. The 11 Days safari also entail game viewing in Tarangire, Serengeti and Lake Manyara National Parks offering you the best game viewing experience. The 11 days mountaineering & game viewing trip offers you the best of Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest volcano in Africa and the big five game in the wilderness. Marangu route is the most popular and the oldest Route drawing over 80% of trekkers on Kilimanjaro. Marangu is also called the Coca Cola route from where the final summit bid is undertaken via the Normal/Marangu Route. You will have several night stopovers in purpose built huts on the slopes of the mountain. Marangu route is the cheapest and shortest route and also frequently very busy. The three parks Serengeti, Tarangire and Lake Manyara are among the popular tourist destinations in Tanzania. We shall start and end in Arusha!
Camping days:
- Camping fees
- Accommodation in established camping areas, some of them with basic services
- Collective camping equipment (double tent type igloo, mattresses, kitchen equipment, table and seats)
- Cooker/Porters and professional trekking Guides /safari Guide
Included/Exclude
- Transfers between kilimanjaro airport (Tanzania)/ hotel / kilimanjaro airport
- Transport by 4WD Safari car
- All activities included in the itinerary
- English-speaking driver guide. Other languages on request
- National Park entry fees
- Full board during all the trekking (except drinks) and bed & breakfast in Arusha
- International flight
- Airport fees
- Tanzania Visa
- Kenya Visa (if you fly to Nairobi)
- Any kind of drinks
- The visit to the Maasai Boma, we’ll have to negotiate the price in situation
- Sleeping bag and mosquito bag
- Tips and extras personal needs
- Travel insurance
Tour Plan
Upon your arrival at Arusha International airport, the driver guide from Engagi safaris will be waiting for you. Meet, greet and transfer to your hotel in Arusha. Use the rest of the day to prepare your climbing equipment and materials, as you get ready for the next day’s adventure. You are advised to change some currency into local cash for easy transaction, tipping and simple shopping. Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel.
Trekking starts today! Have an early breakfast around 0700am at your hotel, have briefing on what to expect. You will then transfer to the park gate accompanied by our crews whom you will be spending the rest of the days together. The actual hike begins at the park gate (6,000′) and we hike 5.5 miles up to Mandara Hut (8,860′) near the upper edge of the forest line. The hike takes about 4-6 hours. The path is interesting, starting off through rain forest vegetation, and then opening up to giant heather. If time and weather permit, a short walk from Mandara to Maundi Crater is worth it. Accommodations here, as well as at Horombo, are in wooden A-frame huts that sleep 4 to 8.
Overnight: Mandara Hut
Meal plan: Lunch, dinner, breakfast
Start up the hike headed to Horombo Hut at 12,200′. The trek takes roughly 5-6 hours to cover the 10-mile journey which offers you the first views of the Kibo summit. The trail is strenuous and slippery and takes us clear of the forests and out onto the moorland. It passes beneath the rocky southern face of Mawenzi-one of the three volcanoes that make up Kilimanjaro. Rainfall in this region is frequent.
Overnight: Horombo Hut
Meal plan: Lunch, dinner, breakfast
Today, you shall have another long hike up to Kibo Hut at almost 15,500′. The hike takes roughly 7 hours due to its steeper slopes and the high altitude, which slows everyone down. The route passes directly up onto the Saddle, a wide, flat area with the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi looming overhead. Views from here can be fantastic. The last part of the trail passes across the arid plateau before ascending to Kibo Hut. Kibo Hut is a stone hut with rooms that sleep 10-15 people in bunk beds. We have a light dinner, and turn in early for any sleep if possible. The guides give a little pre-climb talk after dinner.
Overnight: Kibo Hut
Meal plan: Lunch, dinner, breakfast
You will be woken up very early to have breakfast and start up hike at between 12:00hrs and 12:30hrs. The trail swings back and forth up a steep scree slope and the climate is bitterly cold. The summit climb is an event you will not forget, with the night sky full of stars. Most climbers arrive at Gillman’s Point, elevation 18,635 feet, in time to enjoy sunrise around 6:30 a.m. The views from the top looking down on the plains of Africa make it all worthwhile. For the strong, the true summit is Uhuru Peak (19,340 feet)-an additional 3 hours away round-trip. The descent from Gillman’s Point is fairly rapid, taking about 2 hours. Most climbers take a short rest at Kibo Hut before descending to Horombo Hut for the night, arriving in the late afternoon.
Overnight: Horombo Hut
Meal plan: Lunch, dinner, breakfast
A long 14-mile hike follows breakfast back to the Marangu gate and park’s headquarters. Drive to your hotel in Arusha for relax and overnight.
After the breakfast depart to Tarangire National Park located in the northern circuit of Tanzania. This park is famous because of the large population of elephants that inhabit this sanctuary and the majestic and impressive baobab trees. Lodge accommodation.
Meal plan: Lunch, dinner, breakfast
In the morning, go for guided game viewing experience to see the big five game and other wild animals grazing and hunting in open savannahs. Expect to see lots of animals such as Elephants. Wildebeests, Lions, Impalas, buffalos, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, zebras, topis and giraffes among others. Return to the lodge for late breakfast and early lunch. In the afternoon, depart to Serengeti National Park, crossing for the first time the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Tented camp accommodation.
Meal plan: Lunch, dinner, breakfast
Spend this whole exploring the beauty of Serengeti National park. Guided game drives in the park offers you scenic views of various wild animals feeding and resting. Look out for the big five (Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, Buffalos and Elephants) plus several other animals which call this savannah park home! In the afternoon we will enjoy the impressive sunshine in the savannah. Tented camp accommodation.
Meal Plan: Lunch, dinner, breakfast
Have an early morning breakfast and with packed lunch drive to Ngorongoro crater for game viewing experience. You will spend this whole day in Ngorongoro to explore and enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of this conservation area. The Conservation Area is believed to harbor over 25000 mammals including the black rhino, which are in extinction danger. After having enough of Ngorongoro you will in the evening transfer to Karutu town for dinner and overnight.
Rise up very early and transfer to Lake Manyara for game viewing experience. Guided game drives offer you excellent views of animals such as Giraffes, Zebras, Lions, Buffalos, Cheetahs, Impalas and elands among others. The park is lo home to over 400 bird species some of which are endemic to the Albertine rift. Some notable birds in Lake Manyara National park include little bee-eater, Silvery cheeked hornbill, Hottentot teal, sacred ibis, Yellow billed stork and Hamerkops among others. In the afternoon after lunch drive back to Arusha.