Long Epic Expeditions & Adventure Mount Kilimanjaro + Wildlife Destinations

DAY 1 ARRIVAL

As you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our dedicated Kili Earth Driver will be eagerly anticipating your arrival at the airport holding a sign with your name on it, ready to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome. From there, a seamless and comfortable transfer service will whisk you away to our enchanting Nice Hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be served a delicious meal. Later on, our experienced mountain coordinators and your KE Guide will give you a pre-trekking briefing, an exciting opportunity to learn about the wonders that await you in your upcoming
expedition.

Enjoy the relaxing environment of Nice Hotel with a swimming pool, a beautiful garden with a bar and a restaurant.

DAY 2 MOSHI TO MACHAME CAMP

After breakfast and a briefing at your hotel, you’ll embark on a 45-minute drive from Moshi to Machame Park Gate. Upon arrival, you’ll complete the registration process and receive your lunch pack. The trek begins as you enter the lush rainforest, where you may encounter muddy and slippery conditions if it has rained.

The trail to Machame Camp covers approximately 11 km and typically takes about 6 hours to complete. In the evening, the porters will boil drinking and washing water, while the cook prepares your dinner. With temperatures potentially dropping to freezing, you’ll retire to your tent for a chilly but rewarding night.

• Altitude: 910 meters (2,985 feet) – 3,000 meters (9,840 feet)
• Hiking distance: 11 km
• Hiking time: 6 hours

DAY 3 MACHAME CAMP TO SHIRA CAMP

After breakfast at Machame Camp, you’ll start your trek towards Shira Camp. The hike covers a distance of approximately 5 km and takes around 4 to 5 hours. The trail begins with a steep ascent through the moorland zone, offering stunning views as you climb. As you approach Shira Camp, you’ll be walking along a ridge with breathtaking vistas of the surrounding landscape.

Upon arrival at Shira Camp, our porters will set up the tents and prepare lunch. You’ll have time to relax and acclimate before dinner. In the evening, your KE Guide will brief you on the plans for the next day’s trek.

• Altitude: 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) – 3,840 meters (12,598 feet)
• Hiking distance: 5 km
• Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours

DAY 4 SHIRA CAMP TO LOVE TOWER TO BARRANCO CAMP

After breakfast at Shira Camp, you’ll embark on a challenging trek to Lava Tower, reaching 4,630 meters. The 11 km hike takes 7 to 8 hours and features rocky, semi-desert terrain.

Enjoy lunch with panoramic views at Lava Tower before descending to Barranco Camp at 3,960 meters. The descent, lasting about 2 hours, offers stunning vistas of the Western Breach. Upon arrival at Barranco Camp, the team will set up your tents and prepare dinner. Your KE Guide will brief you on the next day’s trek in the evening, preparing you for the adventures ahead.

• Altitude: 3,840 meters (12,598 feet) – 4,630 meters (15,190 feet) – 3,960 meters (12,992 feet)
• Hiking distance: 11 km
• Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours

DAY 5 BARRANCO CAMP / KARANGA CAMP

Start your day early with a wake-up call and a nourishing breakfast to fuel your trek. The journey may involve ascending the famous Barranco Wall, a steep but rewarding section. After conquering the Wall, you’ll descend into the scenic Karanga Valley, known for its lush vegetation and breathtaking landscapes. Upon reaching the Karanga campsite, the porters will set up tents while our chef prepares lunch.

After your meal, you’ll embark on an acclimatization hike towards Barafu Camp, ascending 200 meters before returning to camp. In the evening, enjoy a hot meal prepared by the chef. Following dinner, your experienced KE Guide will brief you on the next day’s trek, discussing the route, challenges, and key details.

• Altitude:3,960m – 4,035 m
• Hiking distance: 5 km
• Hiking time: 5 hours

DAY 6 KARANGA CAMP / BARAFU CAMP

Start your day with an early wake-up call and a hearty breakfast to fuel your trek toward Barafu campsite. The trail features varied terrain, including rocky sections and gradual slopes, offering breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro’s high-altitude landscapes. As you ascend, focus on acclimatization to avoid altitude-related issues. Upon reaching Barafu, our porters will handle camp setup while the chef prepares lunch.

After eating, rest until dinner. In the evening, your KE Guide will brief you on the upcoming summit attempt, covering the route, challenges, safety measures, and preparations. Try to rest well, as the summit ascent begins late in the evening.

• Altitude:4035m – 4,046 m
• Hiking distance: 5 km
• Hiking time: 5 hours

DAY 7 BARAFU CAMP / SUMMIT / MWEKA CAMP

You’ll rise around 11:30 PM and start the ascent after some tea and biscuits. Heading northwest, you’ll climb through scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. The 6-hour trek to Stella Point (5685m) is often the most mentally and physically challenging part of the climb. After a brief rest at Stella Point, you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent sunrise, weather permitting.

From there, it’s a 2-hour snow-covered ascent to Uhuru Peak. Your time at the summit will depend on the weather, so don’t linger too long due to the cold and fatigue. The descent to Barafu takes about 3 hours for a short rest before continuing to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight.

Altitude: 4,640 m – 5, 895 m – 3,090 m
Hiking distance: 17 km
Hiking & descending time: 15+ hours

DAY 8 MWEKA CAMP / MWEKA PARK GATE / NICE HOTEL

After breakfast at Mweka Camp, you’ll descend to Mweka Gate and be driven back to Nice Hotel, where a hot lunch and refreshing shower awaits. At the end of the trip, tipping the team is encouraged and appreciated; special envelopes for this purpose are available at the hotel. If you wish to extend your adventure with a safari, you can meet with our safari coordinator at the hotel. After some rest, the Safari coordinator will provide a briefing on the next safari adventure, which will start from visiting the Tarangire national park.

Altitude: 3,090 m – 1,650 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Descending time: 4-5 hours

DAY 9 TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, you’ll drive to Tarangire National Park, known for its incredible game viewing, especially during the dry season when hundreds of animals gather. The park’s diverse landscape includes grassy savannahs, swamps, hills, and iconic baobab trees. Elephants are abundant, and you’ll also see zebras, buffalo, lions and oryxes seeking water. The park is home to many bird species and the Tarangire River, a vital water source during the dry season. After a day of wildlife exploration, return for an overnight stay at Lodge / Hotel  or similar accommodation.

Overnight:  Lodge / Hotel  (with lunch, dinner & breakfast) or similar

DAY 10 TRANSIT TO SERENGETI AND GAME DRIVE

In the morning, after breakfast, you’ll embark on a scenic drive to the Serengeti, one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations. As you travel, enjoy a game drive through the park’s diverse landscapes, where you might encounter the majestic “Big Five” and other wildlife such as cheetahs, giraffes, and elephants. The Serengeti’s expansive savannas and woodlands offer stunning vistas and abundant animal sightings. In the evening, you’ll arrive at Serengeti Safari Lodge, where you’ll settle in for a comfortable overnight stay. This lodge provides a perfect vantage point to unwind and reflect on the day’s wildlife encounters.

Overnight: Lodge/ Camp or Similar.

DAY 11 FULL DAY IN SERENGETI

In the morning, after breakfast, you’ll embark on a full-day game drive through central Serengeti. The Serengeti’s diverse landscapes, ranging from open savannahs to dense woodlands, are a sanctuary for the “Big Five” (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros), along with cheetahs, giraffes, hyenas, and a multitude of bird species. Your safari will reveal captivating scenes of predator-prey interactions, heartwarming family dynamics, and the harmonious coexistence of wildlife in their natural habitat. Prepare for an unforgettable adventure, fully immersing yourself in the timeless beauty and wildlife wonders of the Serengeti.

Overnight: Camp/ Lodge

DAY 12 NGORONGORO CRATER EXPLORATION

In the morning, after breakfast, you’ll depart from the Serengeti and embark on a scenic drive towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Upon arrival, you’ll descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a thrilling game drive, where you can expect to see an extraordinary variety of wildlife, including lions, rhinos, elephants, and flamingos. The crater’s unique ecosystem offers a rich diversity of habitats, making it one of the most remarkable wildlife viewing locations in the world. After a day filled with exploration, you’ll head to Karatu, where you’ll settle in for a comfortable overnight stay.

Overnight:  Hotel/ Lodge or Similar

DAY 13 MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

In the morning, after breakfast, you’ll drive to Lake Manyara National Park. This diverse ecosystem attracts a wide variety of mammals, birds, and other wildlife species. Manyara is renowned for its rare tree-climbing lions and offers excellent game viewing opportunities, with buffalo, impala, giraffe, bushbuck, waterbuck, hippos, and numerous elephants often seen near the lake.

Keep an eye out for blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, and the active Olive baboon troops. Lake Manyara is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with large flocks of flamingos, circling birds of prey, and the brightly colored lilac-breasted roller. In the Afternoon you will drive back to Arusha / Moshi.

Overnight: Nice Hotel or similar.

DAY 14 MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred back to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure. If you wish to extend your adventure, you may choose to add a day trip to your itinerary, exploring nearby attractions or immersing yourself in local culture. For more details, we invite you to visit our Day Trip page. Alternatively, you can continue your journey with a visit to the stunning island of Zanzibar. Whether you’re seeking relaxation on pristine beaches or delving into the island’s rich culture, Zanzibar offers something for everyone. Explore our Zanzibar page to discover the perfect package for your next excursion.