African Safari and Kilimanjaro Climb 2025

We will arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, be picked up and transferred to the Springlands Hotel, or similar hotel, for overnight bed and breakfast. You will need to be at the airport no later than 7:00 PM local time, to be picked up.

We will drive from Moshi to Marangu Gate for permits, before taking a short transfer to the Rongai Gate trailhead. The path winds through corn and potato fields, and then climbs gently through the forest – which is home to a variety of wildlife, including the black-and-white Colobus Monkey.

We will begin this morning with a steady incline up to Second Cave. As we continue trekking through the moorland, we will leave the main trail for a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, before finally arriving at Kikelewa Cave for the night.

The hike today is short and steep, up a grassy slope. Views of the wilderness area are stunning; as we exit the heath zone and emerge into the Alpine Desert zone, the landscape changes dramatically. Our camp is situated beneath the jagged spires of Mawenzi, at Mawenzi Tarn. The remainder of the day can be spent relaxing, or exploring the area.

This is an extra day meant for acclimatization, and can be spent day-hiking on Mawenzi Ridge. The unique landscape offers motivating views of Kibo and Mawenzi. After spending a few moments exploring the area, we will head back to Mawenzi Tarn for camp.

We climb gradually, then cross the lunar desert of the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo. Our camp, Kibo Hut, sits at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. Once here, we will rest and enjoy an early dinner, to prepare for the summit day.

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. 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. At Gilman’s point (18,600 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see, coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we will arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. After spending a few moments taking in the plains of Africa and your accomplishment, we descend to Horombo Hut. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

On our last day, we have a long trek (mostly downhill) through the tropical rainforest. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu gate, we collect our summit certificates. A vehicle will meet us here, and drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.

Leisure /relaxing day at the Hotel – Bed and Breakfast:

PART II: 5 DAYS’ SAFARI TOUR – Northern Tanzania.

At 9:00 AM, we will take the drive from Moshi (Springlands Hotel) to Lake Manyara National Park (takes about 4 hours). After having a picnic lunch in Manyara, we will start a late afternoon game drive, which is the best time to view animals in this park. When we approach it from the east, the Rift Valley escarpment looms on the horizon, forming an impressive backdrop to the lake. In the tall trees of the ground water forest, monkeys leap from branch to branch, and on the escarpment, elephants stand in the shade. Other animals frequently seen are zebras, impalas, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, and others. We will overnight at Highview Hotel, or similar hotel – full board.

The drive to Serengeti National Park via Olduvai Gorge, takes 3 to 4 hours. Olduvai Gorge is an archaeological site located in the eastern Serengeti plains, in which early human fossils were first discovered. It has an amazing landscape that resulted from the same tectonic forces that created the Great Rift Valley millions of years ago. Then in the late evening, we drive to, and overnight at the Serengeti Wild Camp, or similar – full board.

After breakfast, venture into the Serengeti’s wild corners for a full day of game viewing in the park. While having a picnic lunch beside you, take your time, and explore this world heritage site, where earth’s largest concentration of game still roams free! In the late evening, we go to the Serengeti Wild Camp or similar, have dinner, and stay overnight. Full board.

After breakfast, we drive to Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive inside the crater. This is the best place in Tanzania to see black rhino, as well as prides of lion that include the magnificent, black-maned males. There are lots of colorful flamingos and a variety of water birds. Other game that one can see includes leopard, cheetah, hyena, other members of the antelope family, and small mammals. In the late afternoon we will drive to Highview Hotel, or similar, for dinner and stay overnight. Full Board.

Our drive from the Highview Hotel to Tarangire National Park will take two hours. This park is spectacular in the dry season, when many of the migratory wildlife species come back to the permanent waters of the Tarangire River. Huge herds of wildebeest, zebras, elephants, elands, and oryx gather to stay in Tarangire, until the onset of rain, when they migrate again to good grazing areas. In the late afternoon, we will drive back to Moshi at Springlands Hotel, or similar, for overnight bed and breakfast.

After breakfast, we check out of the Hotel, and transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport, to catch our departure flights.