Kilimanjaro + Northern Circuit Safari
The most complete Tanzania experience. Five days on the summit via the classic Marangu route. Five days across three of East Africa's greatest wildlife parks. This is the trip that earns every hour of your annual leave.
Duration
12 Days / 11 Nights
Climb Route
Marangu (5 days, huts)
Safari Parks
Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
From Price
$3,328/person
Day by Day
Full 12-Day Itinerary
Two distinct experiences woven into one seamless trip. Days 1-6 on the mountain, days 7-12 across the northern safari circuit.
Day 1 — Arusha to Marangu Gate, climb to Mandara Camp
We collect you from your Arusha hotel in the morning and drive to Marangu Gate (1,800m) — approximately 1.5 hours from Arusha. Your guide handles park registration while you get your gear sorted. The trail enters the rainforest immediately — towering trees, ferns, and colobus monkeys overhead. The hike to Mandara Camp (2,700m) takes 4-5 hours on a well-maintained trail. Mandara Camp has dormitory-style huts with bunk beds — a proper roof over your head, which is one of Marangu's main advantages over tented routes.
First night on the mountain — the sound of the rainforest and the anticipation of the days ahead.
Day 2 — Mandara Camp to Horombo Camp
The longest day of the climb in terms of distance. You leave the rainforest behind and enter the heath and moorland zones — the landscape opens up, views stretch across the Kilimanjaro foothills to the plains below. You will see the first giant groundsels and lobelias — otherworldly plants found only on East African mountains. The final ascent to Horombo Camp (3,720m) is steep but steady. Horombo Camp has two dormitory huts and stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi volcanoes.
Mawenzi volcano at sunset from Horombo Camp — deep orange light on the volcanic cone.
Day 3 — Acclimatisation day at Horombo Camp
A rest and acclimatisation day. The optional hike to Zebra Rocks (4,200m) takes 3-4 hours round trip and is strongly recommended — ascending high and sleeping low is the single most effective method of preventing altitude sickness. Even without the hike, you spend the day at 3,720m, giving your body a full day to adjust before the final push. Your guides will serve hot meals and brief you extensively on tomorrow's summit night.
The Zebra Rocks hike — named for the black and white volcanic stripes in the rock face.
Day 4 — Horombo Camp to Kibo Camp
A demanding day. You cross the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi volcanoes — a genuinely desolate, Mars-like landscape of rocks, ice, and silence. The altitude is now beginning to affect you — breathing is harder, steps are shorter, everything takes more effort. The final push to Kibo Camp (4,700m) is steep. You arrive in the early afternoon, eat, and sleep — or try to. Kibo Camp is basic dormitory huts. You will be woken at 23:00 for the summit push.
Kibo crater rim visible from camp — your destination in 12 hours.
Day 5 — Kibo Camp to Uhuru Peak, descend to Horombo Camp
Summit night. You wake at 23:00, dress in every layer you own, and begin the final ascent. The terrain is loose scree underfoot — every step forward is a negotiation with gravity. The two-hour ascent to Gillman's Point (5,715m) on the crater rim is the crux. From Gillman's, a further 1-2 hours along the crater rim brings you to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) — the roof of Africa. The sunrise over the ice fields and the vast African plain below is unlike anything you have seen. The descent to Horombo Camp takes 6-8 hours. You will have been awake for 20+ hours by the time you reach camp.
Uhuru Peak at sunrise — 5,895m above sea level, the highest point on the African continent.
Day 6 — Horombo Camp to Marangu Gate, transfer to Arusha
The final descent to Marangu Gate is long but gentle — a 20km walk through moorland and forest. Your knees will feel every step, but the air is warming, the vegetation is returning, and you know the end is near. At Marangu Gate, you receive your summit certificate — either a gold one for Uhuru Peak or a green one for reaching Gillman's Point. We drive back to Arusha and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to rest, shower, and celebrate. Most climbers sleep 10-12 hours tonight.
Your summit certificate — proof of what you just accomplished.
Day 7 — Rest day in Arusha
Recovery day. Your body is adjusting to lower altitude, your legs are sore, and sleep may come easily or not at all. We arrange a comfortable hotel with hot showers, a good restaurant, and a pool. Optional activities include an Arusha coffee plantation tour, a visit to the local market, or simply sleeping. Your safari guide will meet you in the evening for a briefing on the days ahead. Tonight's dinner is on us — your first proper meal after the mountain.
A hot shower, a cold Kilimanjaro Lager, and the satisfaction of having climbed the mountain.
Day 8 — Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Your safari begins. We depart Arusha after breakfast and drive to Tarangire National Park (approximately 2.5 hours). Tarangire is the most underrated of Tanzania's northern circuit parks — famous for enormous elephant herds that gather along the Tarangire River and a stunning collection of ancient baobab trees. The park has the highest concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti during the dry season (June to October). You will do a full game drive with a picnic lunch in the park, then exit in the late afternoon and drive to your tented camp near Karatu.
Elephants crossing the Tarangire River — dozens of them, led by matriarchs, in the late afternoon light.
Day 9 — Karatu to Serengeti National Park (Central)
After breakfast, we drive into the Serengeti (approximately 4 hours including the crater crossing). The Serengeti is the jewel of Tanzania's safari circuit — 15,000km² of savanna, riverine forest, and granite outcrops. Your first game drive begins immediately on entry, tracking wildlife along the way to your camp. Between December and July, you are here during or near the Great Migration — the largest movement of land animals on Earth, with over a million wildebeest moving across the plains. Even outside migration season, the Serengeti has exceptional year-round predator density.
Lion pride on a kill in the central Serengeti — your first morning game drive.
Day 10 — Full day in the Serengeti
A full day in the Serengeti with your guide. The early morning (departing at 06:00) is the best time for predator sightings — lions, leopards, and cheetahs are most active in the cool of dawn. Midday is quiet; animals rest in the shade. The late afternoon game drive (departing at 16:00) catches the second wave of activity as the day cools. Your guide will read the terrain, follow tracks, and position you for the best wildlife encounters. Dinner and overnight at your Serengeti camp.
A leopard in a fig tree in the Serengeti — the most elusive of the Big Five.
Day 11 — Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
An early morning game drive in the Serengeti before departing for Ngorongoro. The drive to the crater rim takes approximately 3 hours. After settling into your lodge on the rim, you descend into the crater for an afternoon game drive. The Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest intact volcanic caldera — a 264km² self-contained wildlife theatre. The floor is dominated by soda lakes, marshes, and open grassland. Lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, hippo, and critically the black rhino are all resident. It is one of the few places in Tanzania where you are almost guaranteed to see rhino.
Black rhino on the Ngorongoro crater floor — the rarest sight in Tanzanian safari.
Day 12 — Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha
A final dawn game drive in the crater before breakfast at your lodge. The early morning is when predators are most active — lions hunting, leopards in the trees, and the crater's soda lakes fill with flamingos. After breakfast, we drive back to Arusha (approximately 4 hours). If you have an evening international flight, we transfer you directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Otherwise, we drop you at your Arusha hotel. Your 12-day Tanzania adventure ends here.
Last game drive at dawn — the crater in golden light with the morning mist rising from the floor.
5 days across Tanzania's greatest parks
The Safari You Will Never Forget
Pricing
From $3,328 per person
Based on 2 travelers. Prices decrease for larger groups. Solo traveler supplement applies.
Deposit: 30% to confirm. Balance 30 days before departure.
What is included
- ✓All park fees and rescue fees
- ✓Professional English-speaking guide (mountain and safari)
- ✓All meals on the mountain and safari
- ✓Camping/lodge accommodation on safari
- ✓Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- ✓All airport transfers
- ✓Pre-climb briefing in Arusha
Not included
- —International flights
- —Visa fees ($52 for most nationalities)
- —Travel insurance (required — ensure it covers mountain evacuation)
- —Personal hiking gear (boots, sleeping bag, layers)
- —Tips for mountain and safari guides
- —Alcoholic beverages and personal purchases
- —Zanzibar extension (available on request)
Is the 12-day right for you?
This is the itinerary we recommend for most travellers who want both the mountain and a proper safari. It gives the mountain the respect it deserves and gives you enough time in the parks to genuinely explore.
Choose 12 days if...
- —You want both the mountain and a proper multi-day safari
- —You prefer the hut-based comfort of the Marangu route
- —You want to see the Great Migration or a wide variety of wildlife
- —You are a first-time climber with good fitness
- —You have the time — 12 days is the sweet spot for this combo
Choose a shorter combo if...
- —You have 7 days or fewer in Tanzania
- —You are an experienced high-altitude climber
- —You only have time for Ngorongoro Crater as your safari
- —You are specifically targeting a Machame route summit push
Not sure which itinerary is right for you? Compare all our combo itineraries or message us on WhatsApp with your dates and we will advise.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us your travel dates, group size, and fitness level. We will confirm availability and send you a detailed itinerary and quote within 24 hours.
Or email: travel@safarikilimanjaro.com
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Safari Kilimanjaro
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