Kilimanjaro Trekking & Safari: 12-day Multi Activity Holiday

Itinerary

Kilimanjaro trekking & safari: 12-day multi activity holiday itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Mc-Elly's Hotel
Pick up from Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer to Mc-Elly's Hotel in Arusha town for a pre-climbing briefing. The tour consultant will give you guidelines on what to expect from the first day of the trek to the last and final preparations for the tour.
If you have any last-minute questions, this will be the best time to ask for answers and clarifications.
You will overnight at Mc-Elly's Hotel. Self-contained double room
Bed and Breakfast

Day 2: Marangu gate to Mandara Hut
Elevation: 6,046ft to 8,858ft Distance: 8km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Rainforest
Pickup from Mc Elly’s hotel at 08:30am drive to Marangu Gate for the necessary formalities before beginning our trek. The hiking trail begins by ascending a beautiful, tropical rainforest. At the upper edge of the forest line, we have the opportunity to see blue monkeys.
The trail then widens to expose beautiful hillsides until we reach Mandara Hut for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
Elevation: 8,858ft to 12,205ft Distance: 12km
Hiking time: 6-8 hours Habitat: Heath
You will start the day continuing through the forest until the trail opens into high moorland. Experience your first views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks – two of the three volcanic peaks that make up the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Day 4: Horombo acclimatization
This acclimatization day is optional but please keep in mind that the Marangu Route has the lowest success rate. We recommend that you add this optional one-day stay at the Horombo Hut to explore the surroundings. It will increase your chances to reach Uhuru peak. Dinner and overnight are at Horombo Hut.

Day 5: Horombo to Kibo Hut
Elevation: 12,205ft to 15,430ft Distance: 10km
Hiking time: 6-8 hours Habitat: Alpine desert
Climb gradually, then cross the lunar desert of the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo. Kibo Hut, sits at the bottom of the Kibo Crater wall. Once here, you will rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day.

Day 6: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 15,430ft to 19,341ft Distance: 6km
Hiking time: 6-8 hours Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut:
Elevation: 19,341ft to 12,250ft Distance: 16km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Heath

Very early in the morning (around midnight), begin your 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. You will ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent but short breaks. At Gilman’s Point (18,600ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, you 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, you descend to Horombo Hut. Later in the evening enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 7: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate to Arusha
Elevation: 12,205ft to 6,046ft Distance: 20km
Hiking time: 5-7 hours Habitat: Rainforest

On your last day, you have a long trek (mostly downhill) through the tropical rainforest. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu gate, you will collect your summit certificates.

Driver will be waiting and then drive back to Arusha at Mc Elly's Hotel for overnight stay.
Self-contained Double room – Dinner and overnight

Day 8: Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast a driver guide will pick you from Mc-Elly's Hotel at 08.30 am and then drive to Lake Manyara National Park (about 135km) for full day game drive with a picnic lunch.
Lake Manyara is home to giant fig trees, acacia woodlands, mahogany trees, and grassy flood plains. The contrasts of this area are simply breathtaking, with the open plains, huge escarpment, Soda Lake, dense woodlands, and distance volcanic peaks. Animals such as elephant, hippo, Impala, giraffe, warthog, wildebeest, blue monkey, and buffalo can be seen.
This park is also home to leopards and the famous tree-climbing lions.
Lake Manyara National Park provides the perfect introduction to Tanzania’s birdlife with over 400 species that have been recorded within the park's boundaries. Highlights include pink-hued flamingos, herons, storks, and pelicans.
Dinner and overnight at Migombani campsite.

Day 9: Serengeti National Park
After an early breakfast, have a full day game drive en-route to Serengeti National Park, crossing over the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The vast Serengeti plains home to a huge variety of animals and bird species.
Enjoy game viewing and a picnic lunch en-route to the Serengeti Pimbi campsite for dinner and overnight.

Day 10: Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater rim
After early breakfast pack everything, take your picnic lunch boxes and depart with full day game drive en route to the rim of Ngorongoro at Simba campsite via Olduvai Gorge the historical site (Optional to visit)
You are in Serengeti plains, the world natural wonder, and the first natural African icon. Explore wild predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards kidding in the branches of trees, flamingos, and water birds on the Lake Magadi, as well as lovebirds and kingfishers across the Seronera River Valley.
Only in Serengeti, you will see millions of big wild mammals and wildebeest’s migration. Then you will depart with en route game watching across the Kopjes of Serengeti plains to explore the cheetahs, lions, and leopards. Hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, elephants, and small antelopes are plenty, finding their survival in this plain
Dinner and overnight at Simba campsite, situated on the crater rim.

Day 11: Ngorongoro Crater
After an early breakfast, descend 610m to the Ngorongoro Crater floor for 6 hours of game viewing with a picnic lunch box. Spot the endangered black rhinos, lions, elephants, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeests, and other wild animals.
On the soda lake in the Ngorongoro Crater, you will see many bird species, including flamingos. All these animals support large predators such as lions and leopards and scavengers such as Hyena and Jackals. Late in the evening drive back to Arusha at Mc Elly’s Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Transfer to Airport
Have breakfast at Mc-Elly's Hotel and then drive to Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport