11-Day Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari
A private 11-day trip: seven days climbing Kilimanjaro on the Machame route, then four days on safari in Tarangire, the central Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, staying in mid-range lodges.
The Roof of Africa and the Serengeti
The climb comes first, while you are fresh: rainforest, the Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, the Barranco Wall and a sunrise summit at Uhuru Peak. After a hot shower and a night in a hotel in Moshi, the safari begins, and the only effort left is looking out of the window of a 4x4 with a pop-up roof.
The safari follows our popular 4-day route: Tarangire's elephants and baobabs, two nights in the central Serengeti, where lions and leopards live all year, and a morning on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater. One team plans and runs the whole trip, so you do not need to arrange anything between the mountain and the parks.
See the 4-day safari on its own →
Highlights
- 7 days on Kilimanjaro's Machame route, with Lava Tower and the Barranco Wall
- Two hotel nights in Moshi, before and after the climb
- A game drive in Tarangire among elephants and baobabs
- Two nights in the central Serengeti
- A game drive on the Ngorongoro Crater floor
Altitude Profile
Approximate altitudes in metres on the Kilimanjaro part; published figures differ between sources. D1–D7 are the days on the mountain.
Read our park guides: Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater
Route Map
- By road
- Day of the trip
- Arusha
Lines show the order of travel, not the exact roads.
Our driver meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and takes you to your hotel in Moshi. Your lead guide briefs you on the climb and checks your gear.
Overnight: Hotel in Moshi (mid-range, or similar)
Meals: Dinner is not included on arrival day
↑ about 1,000 m · about 11 km · 5–7 hours
After registering at Machame Gate you climb steadily through tall rainforest to the first camp at the forest's edge.
Overnight: Machame Camp (tents)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
↑ about 900 m · about 5 km · 4–6 hours
A steep, rocky path through heather and moorland onto the Shira Plateau.
Overnight: Shira Cave Camp (tents)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
↑ about 890 m, ↓ about 680 m · 6–8 hours
Up to Lava Tower for lunch, then down into the Barranco Valley: climbing high and sleeping lower helps you acclimatise.
Overnight: Barranco Camp (tents)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
About 4–5 hours
A morning scramble up the Barranco Wall, then across ridges and valleys to Karanga Camp, with the afternoon to rest.
Overnight: Karanga Camp (tents)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
↑ about 600 m · 3–4 hours
A short climb to the summit base camp. Early dinner and rest before the midnight start.
Overnight: Barafu Camp (tents)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
About 12–16 hours
By headlamp to Stella Point and along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, ideally at sunrise, then down to Barafu for a rest and on to Mweka Camp in the forest.
Overnight: Mweka Camp (tents)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
↓ about 1,450 m · 3–4 hours
A walk down through the rainforest to Mweka Gate and your summit certificate, then a hot shower and a quiet afternoon at your hotel in Moshi.
Overnight: Hotel in Moshi (mid-range, or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Your safari guide collects you in the morning and drives you west past Arusha to Tarangire, about three and a half hours. You spend the afternoon on a game drive among elephant herds, baobab trees and the Tarangire River.
Overnight: Mid-range lodge near Tarangire or Mto wa Mbu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You climb past Karatu, over the Ngorongoro highlands with a view down into the crater, and onto the Serengeti plains, with a game drive on the way to your camp.
Overnight: Mid-range tented camp in the central Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A full day of game drives around the Seronera River valley, known for lions, leopards and cheetahs, with a picnic lunch in the park. Elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, impalas, wildebeest and hippos are common. Lions are seen often and leopards more rarely. Wild animals move freely, so no sighting can be guaranteed.
Overnight: Mid-range tented camp in the central Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An early start to drive back to the crater rim and down to the crater floor for a game drive with a picnic lunch. In the afternoon you drive back to Arusha, arriving in the early evening, and we drop you at your hotel or at Kilimanjaro International Airport for an evening flight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Price Per Person — Private Trip
| Group Size | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $5,515 |
| 2 People | $4,525 |
| 3 People | $4,190 |
| 4 People | $4,025 |
| 5 People | $3,925 |
| 6 People | $3,860 |
Price per person in US dollars, by the number of people travelling together, with mid-range lodges on safari. Groups of more than 6: price on request.
Optional extra: a sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the central Serengeti, about an hour in the air, followed by a bush breakfast. About 599 US dollars per person for flights in 2026 and about 660 US dollars from 1 January 2027. Children from 7 years. Ask us to add it when you book.
Trip Notes
- Start: Moshi (airport pickup included) · End: Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport
- 12 days in total: 7 days climbing + 4 days on safari
- Private trip: your group only, on the dates you choose
- Mid-range lodges and tented camps on safari (named when we confirm availability)
- Prices may change if park fees change
Includes
- Kilimanjaro National Park conservation, camping and rescue fees
- Our own licensed mountain guides, cook and porters, with a personal porter
- Private toilet tent, emergency oxygen, mountain tents and a sleeping bag
- All meals on the mountain and drinking water
- 2 nights' hotel in Moshi with breakfast
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and a professional driver-guide
- All safari park fees and the Ngorongoro Crater vehicle fee
- 3 nights in mid-range lodges or tented camps with all meals on safari
- All transfers from arrival to the end of the safari
- Summit certificate
Excludes
- International flights and visa fees
- Travel insurance covering trekking to 6,000 m and evacuation
- Tips for the mountain crew and safari guide
- Personal climbing clothes and boots
- Drinks other than drinking water
- Lunch and dinner in Moshi
- Hot-air balloon flight (optional)
- Tanzania's compulsory inbound travel insurance for foreign visitors (44 US dollars per person, from 1 October 2026)
- Any government increase in park fees or taxes after booking
Questions Travellers Ask
Why climb first and do the safari after?
You start the climb fresh and well rested, and the safari afterwards is a relaxing way to recover: no walking, comfortable lodges and plenty of time to sit and watch animals.
Can I choose another route or a longer safari?
Yes. You can swap the Machame climb for Lemosho, Rongai or Marangu, or add days in the Serengeti. Tell us your dates and we send a new price.
What luggage do I need?
You need trekking gear for the mountain and lighter clothes for the safari. Bags you do not need on the climb stay safely at the hotel in Moshi.
Is there a rest day between the climb and the safari?
The night after the climb is in a hotel in Moshi, and the safari starts the next morning with an easy drive. If you would like a full rest day, we can add one.
What insurance do I need?
Travel insurance that covers trekking up to 6,000 metres, emergency evacuation and the safari. Check the altitude limit in your policy before you book.
