Kilimanjaro + Safari Combo
12 Days: Lemosho Route Climb (7 days) + Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari (5 days)
$4,200 per person
The Ultimate Tanzania Adventure
This 12-day combo package delivers the complete Tanzania experience: summit Africa's highest peak via the scenic Lemosho Route, then descend to track the Big Five across the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. One trip, two bucket-list experiences.
The Lemosho Route (7 days) is Kilimanjaro's most scenic climb—through rainforest, across the Shira Plateau, and up to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m. Then, after a rest day in Arusha, you switch from mountain boots to safari vehicle for 5 days exploring Tanzania's most wildlife-dense parks. It's physically demanding but logistically seamless—one booking, one operator, zero hassle.
What's Included
Not included: International flights, Tanzania visa ($50 on arrival), sleeping bag rental ($30), trekking poles rental ($20), travel insurance, alcoholic drinks, tips for mountain crew ($250-300 per group) and safari guide ($10-15/day), personal gear.
12-Day Itinerary
Days 1-7: Kilimanjaro Climb (Lemosho Route)
Day 1: Lemosho Gate (2,100m) to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,750m)
Distance: 6km | Time: 3-4 hours | Gain: 650m
Drive from Arusha to Lemosho Gate (3-4 hours) for registration and permit checks. Begin hiking through lush montane rainforest—giant ferns, colobus monkeys, and exotic birds. The trail is gentle and muddy. Camp in the forest at Mti Mkubwa ("Big Tree") Camp.
Day 2: Mti Mkubwa to Shira 1 Camp (3,500m)
Distance: 8km | Time: 5-6 hours | Gain: 750m
Leave the rainforest and cross into the heath and moorland zone. The vegetation thins—giant heather, everlasting flowers, and volcanic rock. Views open up across the Shira Plateau. Camp at Shira 1 with stunning sunset views of Kibo summit.
Day 3: Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp (3,850m)
Distance: 7km | Time: 4-5 hours | Gain: 350m
Traverse the Shira Plateau—a high-altitude moonscape of volcanic rock and scattered vegetation. The trail is relatively flat, allowing for acclimatization. Optional side hike to Shira Cathedral (4,000m) for panoramic views. Camp at Shira 2 with views of Kibo's western flank.
Day 4: Shira 2 to Barranco Camp (3,960m) via Lava Tower (4,600m)
Distance: 10km | Time: 7-8 hours | Gain: 750m, Loss: 640m
Critical acclimatization day: climb high, sleep low. Ascend to Lava Tower (4,600m) for lunch—altitude headaches are common here. Then descend to Barranco Camp through the alpine desert zone. Barranco Valley is one of the most scenic camps on Kilimanjaro, with views of the Barranco Wall and hanging glaciers.
Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (4,035m)
Distance: 5km | Time: 4-5 hours | Gain: 75m
Climb the Barranco Wall—a 257m scramble up volcanic rock (non-technical, but exposed). Stunning views from the top. Then cross a series of ridges and valleys (the "kissing rock" section) before descending to Karanga Camp. Short day to aid acclimatization.
Day 6: Karanga to Barafu Camp (4,640m)
Distance: 4km | Time: 3-4 hours | Gain: 605m
Ascend to Barafu ("ice" in Swahili) Camp—the final camp before summit. The landscape is barren alpine desert: rocks, scree, and thin air. Arrive by early afternoon, rest, hydrate, and eat an early dinner. Sleep 4-5 hours before the midnight summit push.
Day 7: Summit Uhuru Peak (5,895m), Descend to Mweka Camp (3,080m)
Distance: 17km | Time: 12-16 hours | Gain: 1,255m, Loss: 2,815m
Wake at 11pm, depart midnight. Climb through the night using headlamps—switchback after switchback up scree and volcanic ash. Reach Stella Point (5,739m) at sunrise, then push the final hour to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa. Summit photos, then descend back to Barafu for brunch. Continue down to Mweka Camp in the rainforest. This is the longest, hardest day.
Summit success rate: 95% on the Lemosho Route with our 7-day itinerary. Proper acclimatization is key.
Day 8: Mweka Gate to Arusha — Rest & Celebrate
Descend through the rainforest to Mweka Gate (3-4 hours). Receive your summit certificate from Kilimanjaro National Park. Drive back to Arusha (2 hours). Check into a hotel, hot shower, rest, and celebrate your summit. This is a crucial recovery day before the safari begins.
Overnight: Arusha hotel (included). Optional upgrade to luxury lodge available.
Days 9-12: Northern Circuit Safari
Day 9: Tarangire National Park
Drive: 2 hours | Game drive: 5-6 hours
Depart Arusha and drive to Tarangire National Park—famous for massive elephant herds (200-300 individuals) and ancient baobab trees. Game drive along the Tarangire River, where wildlife congregates during the dry season. Expect lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and over 550 bird species.
Overnight: Tarangire Safari Lodge or similar (mid-range lodge with park views).
Day 10: Ngorongoro Crater — Full-Day Game Drive
Drive: 1.5 hours | Game drive: 6-7 hours
Early breakfast, then descend 600m into the Ngorongoro Crater—the world's largest intact volcanic caldera. The crater floor is a wildlife Eden: lion prides, black rhinos (rare!), elephants, buffalo, hippos, flamingos, and every East African antelope species. Picnic lunch at the hippo pool. This is one of the best Big Five viewing locations on Earth.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Farm House or similar (lodge on the crater rim).
Day 11: Serengeti National Park
Drive: 3-4 hours (game viewing en route) | Game drive: 3-4 hours
Drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and enter the Serengeti via Naabi Hill Gate. Game drive en route—the drive itself is a safari. Reach the central Serengeti (Seronera area) by midday. Afternoon game drive along the Seronera River, famous for resident lion prides, leopards in acacia trees, and year-round wildlife concentrations.
Overnight: Serengeti Safari Camp or similar (tented camp in the park).
Day 12: Serengeti to Arusha (or Airport)
Morning game drive: 2-3 hours | Drive/flight: 6 hours or 1.5 hours
Final morning game drive to catch predators hunting at sunrise. After breakfast, drive back to Arusha (6-7 hours via Ngorongoro) or take a short flight from Seronera airstrip to Arusha/Kilimanjaro airport (flight upgrade: $200-250/person, must be booked in advance).
Arrive Arusha by late afternoon (or midday if flying). Airport drop-off for evening international flights, or overnight in Arusha (additional night available on request).
Best Time to Go
This combo works best during Tanzania's dry seasons when both the mountain and safari conditions are optimal:
January – February
Mountain: Short dry season. Clear skies, cold summit nights, excellent conditions. January and February are among the best months on Kilimanjaro.
Safari: Wildebeest calving season in the southern Serengeti — thousands of calves born daily through February, attracting lions, leopards, and hyenas. Predator action at its most dramatic. Green landscape, excellent photography conditions.
Late June – October
Mountain: Long dry season. Peak conditions. Cold summit nights, clear views. June departures offer near-peak conditions with significantly fewer crowds than July-August.
Safari: Great Migration arrives in the northern Serengeti from late June. The first Mara River crossings typically begin the last week of June, building through July and peaking August-September. Witnessing a crossing — thousands of wildebeest plunging into the Mara River against the current — is one of the world's great wildlife spectacles.
Avoid for this combo: April-May (long rains — muddy trails, poor summit visibility, wet safari roads compromise game viewing) and November (short rains — unpredictable mountain conditions, though safari remains viable). Late March is a transition window — early March departures are still viable; by mid-March the long rains make both mountain and safari significantly harder.
Pricing & Booking
Deposit: 30% to confirm booking. Balance due 30 days before departure. Payment via bank transfer or credit card (3% processing fee).
Cancellation policy: 60+ days before departure: full refund minus $300 admin fee. 30-59 days: 50% refund. Less than 30 days: no refund. Travel insurance strongly recommended.
Why Book with Mount Kilimanjaro Climb
48 Years Experience
Family-owned operator since 1978. Three generations guiding climbs and safaris.
95% Summit Success
Industry-leading summit rate on Lemosho Route due to proper acclimatization.
& TATO Certified
member. Fair wages, proper gear for crew.
No Middlemen
Book direct with the ground operator. No markup, no hidden fees.
One Operator, Seamless Logistics
Same team manages your entire 12-day journey—no handoffs between companies.
4.9/5 TripAdvisor
287 verified reviews. 94% rate us 'excellent.'
Ready to Summit Kilimanjaro and Safari the Serengeti?
Contact us via WhatsApp for instant responses, or submit an inquiry. We typically respond within 2-3 hours during business hours (EAT).
Based in Arusha, Tanzania · Phone: +255 786 110 786 · Response time: 2-3 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 12 days enough to recover between the climb and safari?
Yes. Day 8 is a full rest day in Arusha after you descend from Kilimanjaro. You'll shower, sleep in a real bed, and recover before the safari starts on Day 9. Safari is physically easy—you're sitting in a vehicle for game drives. Most clients find the safari relaxing after the climb.
What fitness level is required?
The Kilimanjaro portion requires good cardiovascular fitness. You should be able to hike 6-8 hours with a daypack (porters carry your main gear). Start training 3-4 months before: hiking, stair climbing, cardio. The safari portion requires no fitness—it's low-exertion wildlife viewing from a vehicle.
Can I do the safari first, then climb?
We don't recommend it. The safari involves long drives and early wake-ups, which can be tiring before a climb. The standard sequence (climb → rest → safari) allows you to tackle the physical challenge first, then relax on safari. However, we can reverse the order if you have specific scheduling needs.
What should I pack?
You'll need two sets of gear: mountain gear (warm layers, sleeping bag, trekking boots, headlamp) and safari gear (neutral-colored clothing, sun hat, camera with zoom lens). We provide a detailed packing list upon booking. You can leave safari gear at the hotel during the climb—no need to carry everything to the summit.
Can I extend the safari portion?
Yes. Popular add-ons include extra Serengeti days (+$350/person/day), Zanzibar beach extension (3-7 days), or Lake Manyara/Tarangire additions. Contact us for custom itineraries. Most clients find 5 safari days (including Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti) hits the sweet spot.
What if I don't summit Kilimanjaro—do I still get the safari?
Yes. The safari portion is independent of summit success. If altitude sickness or other issues force you to descend early, you'll still do the full safari starting Day 9. There's no refund for unused mountain days, but the safari is guaranteed.
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