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14-Day Kilimanjaro Trek via Machame & Classic Safari
Tanzania Safari

14-Day Kilimanjaro Trek via Machame & Classic Safari

Safari price
From $6,820
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Safari Escort journey

Trip Overview

Pair a Machame Route Kilimanjaro climb with a safari through Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater over 14 days.

The 14-Day Kilimanjaro Trek via Machame & Classic Safari first follows the Machame Route through Machame Hut, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, and Mweka Camp, progressing toward the summit before descending from the mountain.

The second part shifts into a northern Tanzania safari through Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater, keeping the parks, game drives and transfers in the exact order shown in the itinerary.

A memorable mountain journey is about the full route as much as reaching the summit. Explore the daily walking stages, overnight camps and changes in altitude below, then speak with our team about acclimatisation, packing and the pace best suited to your experience and travel window.

One trail, many landscapes, one step at a time
Mount Kilimanjaro rising above the cloudsMount Kilimanjaro
Elephant habitat and baobab landscape in Tarangire National ParkTarangire
Wildebeest moving across the plains of Serengeti National ParkSerengeti
Zebra and wildlife habitat inside Ngorongoro CraterNgorongoro Crater
Moments along the route
Safari Highlights

Your Journey Highlights

  • Arrival in MoshiMeet the local team, complete the planned transfer and settle in before the active part of the journey begins.
  • Machame Hut CampContinue along the mountain route at a measured pace, moving through changing terrain and preparing carefully for the next stage.
  • Shira PlateauContinue along the mountain route at a measured pace, moving through changing terrain and preparing carefully for the next stage.
  • Barranco CampContinue along the mountain route at a measured pace, moving through changing terrain and preparing carefully for the next stage.
  • Karanga CampContinue along the mountain route at a measured pace, moving through changing terrain and preparing carefully for the next stage.
  • Barafu CampContinue along the mountain route at a measured pace, moving through changing terrain and preparing carefully for the next stage.

Your Itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Moshi

  • Arrival: Kilimanjaro Int. Airport
  • Transfer: JRO – Moshi
  • Meals Included: Dinner

Meet your arranged transfer on arrival and travel to Nguchiro Palace Hotel in Moshi. Your mountain guide will lead a practical briefing on the Machame route, daily pacing, altitude awareness and the plan for the first hiking morning. A gear check gives you time to resolve any equipment gaps before the trek begins. Afterwards, rest, hydrate and prepare your daypack so the climb can start in an organised, unhurried way.

Accommodation

Nguchiro Palace Hotel

Nguchiro Palace Hotel is an Iringa-based property used as an overnight stop on southern Tanzania road itineraries. Private rooms and on-site meal service give travellers a practical place to recover between the longer distances separating Mikumi, Udzungwa and Ruaha. Staying in town also supports refuelling, supplies and the next day’s timed departure. The hotel is therefore best suited to the logistical rhythm of a multi-park journey rather than presented as a wilderness camp.

LocationIringaStay styleMountain camp
Day 02

Machame Hut Camp

  • Activity: Transfer & Trekking
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A short drive brings you to the Machame trailhead ( 5,380 ft). Short pauses provide time for hydration, photographs and a closer look at the vegetation and terrain. Weather and trail conditions can change quickly, so keep the day’s essential layers and drinking water within easy reach. The guide will monitor the group throughout the stage and adjust the pace when the route or altitude requires it. Following the guide’s instructions helps conserve energy and keeps the group moving safely through demanding sections of the route.

Accommodation

Machame Hut Camp

Machame Camp is the first major overnight campsite on Kilimanjaro’s Machame Route after the climb from Machame Gate. It sits near the transition from montane forest to heath, where the air is cooler and the vegetation begins to open. Accommodation is in expedition tents erected and supported by the mountain crew, with simple public campsite facilities. The night is used for rest, meals and the first stage of altitude adjustment before the trail continues toward the Shira Plateau.

LocationMount KilimanjaroStay styleMountain camp
Day 03

Shira Plateau

  • Activity: Trekking
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, your hike continues, taking you out of the forest and into the moorlands. The trail is scenic, and you will take your time to soak in the views, which include spectacular panoramas of Kibo peak. The landscape changes as you ascend, offering a new perspective of the mountain's grandeur. The scenery develops throughout the walk, making the journey itself as important as the day’s destination. Your mountain team will maintain a steady, sustainable pace so the group can move safely across the changing trail.

Accommodation

Shira Plateau Camp

Shira Plateau Camp is a designated Kilimanjaro campsite on the mountain’s broad western plateau. Its open moorland setting gives trekkers expansive views and marks a clear change from the forested lower slopes. Accommodation is in expedition tents supported by the mountain crew, with meals served under simple campsite conditions. The stop is important for acclimatization and route progression before trails continue toward Lava Tower, Moir, Barranco or the northern side of Kibo.

LocationMount KilimanjaroStay styleMountain camp
Day 04

Barranco Camp

  • Activity: Trekking
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a long but important day for acclimatization. You'll climb high, but sleep low. The trek includes an acclimatization hike to Lava Tower ( 15,190 ft) for lunch, a striking volcanic rock formation. Afterward, you will descend to the beautiful Barranco Valley. The scenery is amazing today, passing through different ecological zones of the mountain. For those with extra energy, and if weather permits, there is a chance to scramble up Lava Tower.

Accommodation

Barranco Camp

Barranco Camp occupies a dramatic basin beneath Kilimanjaro’s Barranco Wall on the mountain’s southern circuit. Trekkers sleep in expedition tents supported by their guide, cook and porter team, with intentionally simple campsite facilities. The surrounding valley, giant groundsels and close view of the wall make this one of the route’s most distinctive overnight settings. Its lower sleeping elevation after a higher acclimatization walk also supports the climb-high, sleep-low rhythm used on longer routes.

LocationMount KilimanjaroStay styleMountain camp
Day 05

Karanga Camp

  • Activity: Trekking
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you’ll continue to acclimatize, allowing your body to adjust to the higher altitudes in preparation for the upcoming summit push. The day starts with a challenging but exhilarating climb up the steep Barranco Wall. There will likely be time for an acclimatization hike in the afternoon. Weather and trail conditions can change quickly, so keep the day’s essential layers and drinking water within easy reach. The guide will monitor the group throughout the stage and adjust the pace when the route or altitude requires it.

Accommodation

Karanga Camp

Karanga Camp is a designated Kilimanjaro campsite above the Karanga Valley on the mountain’s southern circuit. Trekkers sleep in expedition tents and rely on their mountain crew for meals, water management and camp organization. The relatively short stage from Barranco allows time to recover after crossing the Barranco Wall and to continue acclimatizing before Barafu. Its purpose in the itinerary is therefore strategic: it breaks the ascent into a safer, better-paced progression toward summit base.

LocationMount KilimanjaroStay styleMountain camp
Day 06

Barafu Camp

  • Activity: Trekking
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The trek continues as you complete your circuit of the mountain. You will have an early supper and try to get a few hours of sleep before your summit ascent begins around midnight. Following the guide’s instructions helps conserve energy and keeps the group moving safely through demanding sections of the route. The scenery develops throughout the walk, making the journey itself as important as the day’s destination. Your mountain team will maintain a steady, sustainable pace so the group can move safely across the changing trail.

Accommodation

Barafu Camp

Barafu Camp is a designated high-altitude campsite on Mount Kilimanjaro and the principal summit base for the Machame and related southern routes. The exposed, rocky setting is functional rather than hotel-like, with expedition tents and facilities managed by the climbing crew. Dinner, equipment checks and an early rest take priority because most summit attempts begin around midnight. This overnight stop is therefore about preparation, acclimatization and safety before the ascent toward Stella Point and Uhuru Peak.

LocationMount KilimanjaroStay styleMountain camp
Day 07

Summit and Mweka Camp

  • Activity: Summit Trek
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will begin your summit push around midnight, using headlamps to light your way. The slow and steady ascent leads you to Stella Point, and then onward to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa ( 19,341 ft). The altitude makes this a demanding climb, and you will need to dress warmly for the cold. Weather and trail conditions can change quickly, so keep the day’s essential layers and drinking water within easy reach. The guide will monitor the group throughout the stage and adjust the pace when the route or altitude requires it.

Accommodation

Mweka Camp

Mweka Camp is a designated descent campsite on Kilimanjaro’s southern slope, normally reached after the summit day. Its lower elevation and return to thicker vegetation feel markedly different from the exposed alpine terrain around Barafu and the summit. Trekkers sleep in expedition tents while the mountain crew prepares the final camp meal and manages equipment after a demanding descent. The stay provides essential recovery before the last walk through forest to Mweka Gate.

LocationMount KilimanjaroStay styleMountain camp
Day 08

Mweka Park Gate to Arusha

  • Hiking: 3–5 hours
  • Transfer: Mweka Gate – Arusha
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The final day of trekking takes you on a descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. Here, you will have lunch and say goodbye to your incredible mountain crew before leaving Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. A drive back to Arusha awaits, where you can enjoy a hot shower and a well-deserved celebratory dinner. The guide will monitor the group throughout the stage and adjust the pace when the route or altitude requires it. Following the guide’s instructions helps conserve energy and keeps the group moving safely through demanding sections of the route.

Accommodation

Masailand Safari Lodge

Masailand Safari Lodge is an Arusha-area property used as a comfortable staging point before or after safari. Its rooms, gardens and shared facilities provide more space to settle than a brief airport stop, while remaining connected to city services and road transfers. On-site dining supports early departures and relaxed arrival evenings according to the booked meal plan. The lodge’s role in these itineraries is to bridge international or domestic travel with the northern parks without altering the safari route.

LocationArushaStay styleSafari lodge
Day 09

Relaxing Day and Arusha City Tour

  • Activity: Arusha City Tour
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After a well-deserved night's rest, you'll have a relaxing morning to recover from the Kilimanjaro trek. In the afternoon, you'll embark on a guided city tour of Arusha. This tour offers a glimpse into the vibrant "safari capital" of Tanzania. You can visit the Maasai Market for local crafts, explore the Cultural Heritage Centre, see the iconic Clock Tower, and learn about the country's history at the Arusha Declaration Museum. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and pick up some unique souvenirs.

Accommodation

Masailand Safari Lodge

Masailand Safari Lodge is an Arusha-area property used as a comfortable staging point before or after safari. Its rooms, gardens and shared facilities provide more space to settle than a brief airport stop, while remaining connected to city services and road transfers. On-site dining supports early departures and relaxed arrival evenings according to the booked meal plan. The lodge’s role in these itineraries is to bridge international or domestic travel with the northern parks without altering the safari route.

LocationArushaStay styleSafari lodge
Day 10

Safari to Tarangire National Park & Drive to Karatu

  • Transfer: Arusha – Tarangire – Karatu
  • Activity: Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast, your safari adventure begins with a drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its massive elephant population and iconic baobab trees. You'll enjoy a thrilling game drive, spotting a variety of wildlife, including lions, leopards, and a vast array of bird species. Respectful viewing distances are maintained so animals can continue their natural behaviour. Your guide will follow the day’s route and current wildlife conditions to select productive viewing areas. The drive is paced to allow time to watch animal behaviour rather than simply moving from one sighting to the next.

Accommodation

High View Hotel Karatu

High View Hotel is positioned above Karatu with views across the surrounding hills and cultivated highland countryside. Its en-suite rooms, indoor and outdoor dining areas and gardens provide a conventional hotel base between northern-circuit safari days. The restaurant serves local and continental dishes, and packed meals can be arranged for early departures or crater excursions. The location is convenient for Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the road linking Karatu with the Serengeti.

LocationNgorongoro highlandsStay styleMountain camp
Day 11

Karatu to Serengeti National Park

  • Transfer: Karatu – Serengeti
  • Activity: Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following breakfast, you will drive to the world-renowned Serengeti National Park, home to the Great Migration. The journey takes you through the stunning landscapes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area before arriving at the Serengeti gate. After a picnic lunch, you will embark on an evening game drive, a perfect introduction to the endless plains teeming with wildebeest, zebras, and powerful predators. Changes in vegetation and terrain reveal a different side of the park as the day progresses. The guide will explain the ecology, tracks and signs that help interpret each encounter.

Accommodation

Serengeti Safari Lodge

Serengeti Safari Lodge is a permanent lodge-style base inside the Serengeti ecosystem. Guest rooms and shared dining areas provide more solid structure than a mobile camp while keeping the stay close to daily wildlife routes. The surrounding plains and acacia country remain the focus, with game drives arranged through the itinerary rather than confined to the property grounds. Its central role is to support consecutive Serengeti days before the route continues toward Ngorongoro or another park region.

LocationSerengetiStay styleMountain camp
Day 12

Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park

  • Activity: Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is dedicated to a full-day exploration of the Serengeti. You will spend the day on game drives, venturing deeper into the park to witness the incredible predator-prey action. Your guide will take you to areas known for a high concentration of wildlife, giving you the best opportunities to see lions, cheetahs, and leopards. A picnic lunch in the bush allows you to maximize your time in this magnificent wilderness. Respectful viewing distances are maintained so animals can continue their natural behaviour.

Accommodation

Serengeti Safari Lodge

Serengeti Safari Lodge is a permanent lodge-style base inside the Serengeti ecosystem. Guest rooms and shared dining areas provide more solid structure than a mobile camp while keeping the stay close to daily wildlife routes. The surrounding plains and acacia country remain the focus, with game drives arranged through the itinerary rather than confined to the property grounds. Its central role is to support consecutive Serengeti days before the route continues toward Ngorongoro or another park region.

LocationSerengetiStay styleMountain camp
Day 13

Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive & Drive to Karatu

  • Activity: Game Drive
  • Transfer: Ngorongoro – Karatu
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast, you will drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the world's largest intact volcanic caldera. The drive is paced to allow time to watch animal behaviour rather than simply moving from one sighting to the next. Keep binoculars and a camera close, because wildlife can appear anywhere along the track. Changes in vegetation and terrain reveal a different side of the park as the day progresses. The guide will explain the ecology, tracks and signs that help interpret each encounter.

Accommodation

High View Hotel Karatu

High View Hotel is positioned above Karatu with views across the surrounding hills and cultivated highland countryside. Its en-suite rooms, indoor and outdoor dining areas and gardens provide a conventional hotel base between northern-circuit safari days. The restaurant serves local and continental dishes, and packed meals can be arranged for early departures or crater excursions. The location is convenient for Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the road linking Karatu with the Serengeti.

LocationNgorongoro highlandsStay styleMountain camp
Day 14

Departure

  • Transfer: Arusha – JRO
  • Departure: Kilimanjaro Int. Airport
  • Meals Included: Breakfast

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before being transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your international departure flight. You leave with cherished memories of both the heights of Kilimanjaro and the stunning wildlife of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Traffic and airline schedules can change, so the exact collection time will be reconfirmed locally. The transfer closes the journey with time to reflect on the landscapes, wildlife and coastal experiences shared along the way. The pickup will be coordinated with the confirmed flight details so there is suitable time for the airport formalities.

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Your Safari Package

Included & Excluded

Included

Included in the published itinerary

  • All park and conservation fees
  • All transfers and flights as per itinerary
  • Mountain accommodations (campsites) and hotels as per itinerary
  • Professional mountain guides, porters, and a cook
  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with an expert driver-guide
  • Game drives as per itinerary
  • All meals as stated
  • Drinking water on the mountain and during transfers/tours
  • Arusha city tour
Not included

Additional costs

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal hiking gear and equipment
  • Optional activities
  • Personal expenses
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Before you go

Safari Questions,
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14 days / 13 nights. The day-by-day itinerary shows where each overnight falls. Check arrival and departure flight times before arranging onward travel, and ask us if you would prefer a slower pace or an extra night.

From $6,820 per person. Ask for a quote for your dates and group size. The final quote depends on travel dates, group size, room choice and any flights or extras. Request a written breakdown of park fees, accommodation, meals, transfers and exclusions before you book.

Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro (Machame Route), Arusha, Tarangire National Park, Karatu, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater. Use the day-by-day route above to see the order of visits. Ask for estimated road or flight times between stops for your chosen dates; that is often more useful than counting destinations alone.

Nguchiro Palace Hotel, Machame Hut Camp, Shira Plateau Camp, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, Mweka Camp, Masailand Safari Lodge, High View Hotel, Serengeti Safari Lodge, None. Exact properties and room types depend on availability. Ask us to confirm each stay, its location, meal plan and any proposed alternative in writing before paying a deposit.