Africa 2025

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, pick up, and transfer to your hotel for overnight bed and breakfast.

Elevation: 5,380 ft to 9,350 ft

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

The drive from Moshi to the Machame Gate takes about 50 minutes. We’ll pass through the village of Machame, located on the lower slopes of the mountain. As we leave the park gate, we walk through the dense rainforest on a winding trail, up a ridge, until we reach the Machame Camp.

Elevation: 9,350 ft to 12,500 ft

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Heath

We leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge. On the Shira Plateau, we will pass through heather and open moorlands, then cross a large river gorge to Shira 2 Camp.

Hike from Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower

Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft

Distance: 7 km/4 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Hike from Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft

Distance: 3 km/2 miles

Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We will continue to the east up a ridge and then trek southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. Then, we will descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at a higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We begin the day by descending into a ravine, to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb a non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall, we will cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We will leave Karanga and go to the junction, which connects with the Mweka Trail. Then, we will continue up to the rocky section of Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we will make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

Hike from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft Summit!

Distance: 5 km/3 miles

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft

Distance: 12 km/7 miles

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we will begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek, but possibly the most rewarding. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you will likely ever see, over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we will arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. From the summit, we will then make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

On our last day, we will descend to Mweka Gate and collect our summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we will continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.

Leisure/relaxing day at the Hotel or visiting Moshi Kids Center for volunteering activities with kids and teacher. We will stay overnight at our bed and breakfast.

*Climbers only package – Climber will be transferred to JRO to fly home after breakfast.

** Safari and Hot Spring group is picked up at JRO and transferred to the Hotel.

In the morning we will drive to Kikuletwa Hotspring, which will take about an hour from the Hotel and in the evening, we will drive back to Springlands Hotel. The Rundugai hot water springs /(Kikuletwa Hot Springs) or Chemka hot springs, are an unexpected paradise hidden in the desert scrub outside the town of Boma. Situated about 35 kilometers from Moshi, in the heart of the Sanya Plains, are the Rundugai Springs. They are an extraordinary phenomenon, rushing up from underground in the middle of a parched and dusty landscape. Locally called Chemka, meaning boiling, this refers to the way in which the water appears to boil as it emerges from underground. In fact, the water is not hot, but rather a pleasant temperature! This is a perfect picnic and swim spot. The views of Kilimanjaro on a clear day, are also fabulous. Unfortunately, the water is full of fluoride which means the local people can’t use it for drinking. The crystal-clear, turquoise waters are surrounded by palm trees and winding roots that offer a picturesque spot for a relaxing afternoon swim. The spring is rather big and over 6 meters deep in some places, although you can see the bottom through the clear waters, no matter where you are. You can also wrap your arms around one of the roots and just let the water flow by as you drift off into a daydream listening to the wildlife. You can have as much fun or relaxation as your heart desires and your mind and body needs. In the late afternoon after lunch, we will drive back to the Hotel for dinner and our overnight stay.

After breakfast, we’ll fly from Arusha or JRO, to the northern Serengeti. As we arrive at the Kogatende Airstrip, our professional driver-guide will welcome us with a boxed lunch to enjoy before a fascinating half-day game drive. During this drive, we will have a chance to view the spectacular Great Migration. Around the evening, we will drive to Kenzan for a relaxing dinner and overnight stay.

*Airfare Included

The Great Wildebeest Migration from July to October: During the long dry season, wildebeest migration moves towards northern Serengeti. From July until September, these herds of animals are seen at the major Mara River crossing to reach Masaai Mara. This crocodile-infested river gives you chances of viewing some amazing wildlife encounters. A continuous wave of wildebeest crossing through the river gives these dangerous predators several chances of hunting the weak and careless.

We will enjoy a private bush breakfast along with a packed lunch as we drive through the lush green landscape of Serengeti, home to millions of wildlife inhabitants. These animals live in this ancient ecosystem that continues to support them. It is an ideal place for viewing lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes and other wildebeests. You can mark some leopards leaping for a catch or a thrilling crocodile encounter or some playful hippos. Around the evening, we’ll return to Kenzan for a relaxing dinner and overnight stay.

Incomparable experience of the great migration can be witnessed as they cross the river. More than 1.2M wildebeest, along with thousands of zebras, elands and gazelles, will be an awe inspiring display.

A morning game drive in the Northern Serengeti to track the Great Migration along with Big 5 in the heart of the Serengeti National Park. Later on, we’ll depart and drive to the Central Serengeti for a game drive. That night, we will again stay in the Serengeti for a delicious dinner and a comfortable stay at night.

We’ll enjoy a morning game drive in the Serengeti before transferring to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. We will then check-in at the Lodge for an afternoon walking safari with a local Maasai guide, and hike through the hills and plains of Maasai country. This will allow us to get to know this ancient culture well, perhaps bumping into local herdsmen along the way or the many animals that cohabitate with them within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

After breakfast, we’ll drive to Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive inside the crater. This is the best place in Tanzania to see black rhino and a pride of lions, including the magnificent black manned males. There are also colorful flamingoes and a variety of water birds. Other game that you can see include leopard, cheetah, hyena, other members of the antelope family and small mammals. In the afternoon, we’ll drive back to the Lodge in Karatu and stay overnight.

After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a leisurely morning at the hotel and depending on your flight time, you will be picked up and transferred to JRO to catch your departure flight back home, unless you plan to join us in Zanzibar.