19 Days with Kilimanjaro Trekking

Itinerary

On Arrival: Picked at the airport and transferred to Weru Weru River Lodge

Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
We depart Moshi for Marangu Gate for the necessary formalities before beginning our trek. The hiking trail begins by ascending a beautiful, tropical rain forest. 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
Elevation change: 6,046 ft to 8,858 ft
Distance covered: 8 km/5 miles
Trekking duration: 4-5 hours
Mountain zone: Rain Forest

Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
We start the day continuing through the forest until the trail opens into high moorland. We may get our first views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks two of the three volcanic peaks that make up the summit of Kilimanjaro
Elevation change: 8,858 ft to 12,205 ft
Distance covered: 12 km/7 miles
Trekking duration: 6-8 hours
Mountain zone: Heath

Day 3: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
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 rest, enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day
Elevation change: 12,205 ft to 15,430 ft
Distance covered: 10 km/6 miles
Trekking duration: 6-8 hours
Mountain zone: Alpine Desert

Day 4: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak and down to Horombo
Starting anytime between 12am and 2am, we 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 shining from behind the Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we 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
Elevation change: 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft (and down to 12,205 ft)
Distance covered: 6 km/4 miles
Trekking duration: 6-8 hours
Mountain zone: Arctic

Day 5: Horombo to Marangu Gate
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
Elevation change: 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
Distance covered: 20 km/12 miles
Trekking duration: 5-7 hours
Mountain zone: Rain Forest

Day 6 and 7: Lake Natron Relaxation
You go to Lake Natron Camp. A phenomenal semi-luxury tent camp at the largest flamingo breeding ground in the world. In the afternoon you go to paradise waterfalls for a swim. From the camp you have a view of one of Africa's most active volcanoes, the sacred mountain of the Maasai - Ol Doinyo Lengai.
Distance covered: 340km
Accommodation: Lake Natron Camp

Day 8: TAASA Lodge
TAASA Lodge is situated in a private concession in the Loliondo Game Controlled Area, about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Kleins Gate, to the North East of the Serengeti National Park, less than an hour drive from Lobo airstrip. TAASA has the unique benefit of driving a private concession with no outside vehicles. In addition, guests can easily enter the Serengeti and visit the Mara River depending on migration activity. This dramatically increases guests’ game viewing experiences, enjoying both private and national park access.
Distance covered: 156km
Accommodation: TAASA Lodge

Day 9 and 10: Serengeti National Park
You enter into the mighty Serengeti. Nowhere in the world can you find a comparable concentration of wildlife. Lions, cheetah, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, zebras, wildebeest, crocodiles. This is the ultimate endless wilderness! Two night stay in the stylish Ang’ata tented camp.
Distance covered: 230km
Accommodation: Zawadi Camp

Day 11: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
From Serengeti you drive to the 'highlands' of Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Here Masai & wildlife live together. You sleep in An'gata Ngorongoro Camp right on the edge of Ngorongoro crater!
Distance covered: 280km
Accommodation: Rhino Lodge

Day 12: Ngorongoro Crater
You descend into the crater for a final game drive. You will search for the rhinos, among other things. Furthermore, you can expect hyenas, lions, and buffalo in large numbers. The old male elephants are among the largest in the world. After this unique game drive you will drive to Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel in Moshi.
Distance covered: 270km
Accommodation: Weruweru River Lodge

Day 13: Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee Tour and Hotsprings
Enjoy a relaxing morning before head out to the cultivation zone of Mt.Kilimanjaro to enjoy one of the most beautiful waterfalls, coffee farms to process and prepare your own coffee and later to the astonishing Kikuletwa Hotsprings. In the evening the guide will drive you back to Weruweru Lodge.
Distance covered: 92km
Accommodation: Weruweru River Lodge

Day 14: Magoroto Forest
After breakfast, this might be the best day for a smooth drive to the Eastern Usambara Mountains where you will enjoy the scenic view of Palms, cruise and swim around the most beautiful waterhole and enjoy walking, cycling and birding activities.
Distance covered: 335km
Accommodation: Magoroto Forest

Day 15: Amboni Caves and Tanga Town
On this day, you can relax in the morning to enjoy the last beauty of Magoroto before a 3 hour drive to Amboni, the most extensive limestone cave in East Africa with spectacular limestone features. From here, you will head to Tanga, one of the most ancient Swahili towns along the shores of the Indian Ocean with varieties of local Swahili cuisines and culture. Overnight at Mkonge Resort.
Distance covered: 110km
Accommodation: Mkonge Resort

Day 16: Pangani
Morning drive to this small town in East Africa’s coast, 50 kms South of Tanga with long history culture the town has Arabic, German, Asian and British Colonial rules influence. This is a place where Swahili, Arab, colonial traditions and modern hospitality blends together. The town is located at the mouth of Pangani River that collects its water from Mt Kilimanjaro and Meru to the Indian Ocean. Here you will enjoy coastline with clean beaches where endangered Green Turtles breeds, historic sites, coral reefs, Old Port as well as great diversity of tropical marine dwellers.
Distance covered: 110km
Accommodation: Mkonge Resort

Day 17: Bagamoyo via Saadani National Park
After breakfast, drive to the Pangani ferry to cross the Pangani River exactly at its mouth as it pours into the Indian Ocean. Today, you will spend most of the time driving beside the Indian Ocean on the left through a lot of villages. A 2 hour drive brings you to Saadani National Park where you will drive through and get to see abundant species of herbivores and possibly, a Lions. Exit Saadani and head to Bagamoyo for a relaxing evening and overnight stay at Firefly.
Distance covered: 140km
Accommodation: Firefly

Day 18: Bagamoyo
On this day, you will spend most of your time walking around this oldest city and visit the Bagamoyo museum which tells the story of slave trade and the arrival of the first missionaries who came in a bid to end slavery and built the first Catholic Church. Explore Kaole Ruins, the old stone ruins of tombs and mosques dating to a period between the 13th and 16th centuries unveil unique history of Arab Slavers. Overnight at Firefly.
Distance covered: 140km
Accommodation: Firefly

Day 19: Sightseeing and Departure
On this last day of the trip, enjoy a relaxing morning breakfast before check-out. You will drive to Dar es Salaam, a major city and commercial port on Tanzania’s Indian Ocean coast which grew from an old fishing village. The open-air Village Museum famously known as “Makumbusho” has re-created the traditional homes of local and other Tanzanian tribes and hosts tribal dancing. Its part of the National Museum, which offers Tanzanian history exhibits, including the fossils of human ancestors found by anthropologist Louis Leakey. The sightseeing takes you through the city en-route to Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR).
Distance covered: 104km