12 Day Kilimanjaro & Wildlife Expedition

Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by the Earth Explorers expedition team and transferred to your hotel in Moshi.

After check-in, enjoy time to relax and recover from your journey. Later, meet your expedition team for a comprehensive Kilimanjaro briefing, where your guides will review the trekking plan, safety procedures and equipment. Your personal gear will also be inspected to ensure you are fully prepared for the climb ahead.

Accommodation: Moshi
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, drive to Machame Gate, where you will complete registration and begin your Kilimanjaro adventure via the scenic Machame Route.

The trek starts through the lush montane rainforest, where towering trees, moss-covered vegetation and birdlife create a beautiful introduction to Mount Kilimanjaro. The trail gradually climbs through the forest before reaching Machame Camp.

Your mountain crew will prepare camp while you relax, enjoy dinner and prepare for the following day’s trek.

Hiking: Approximately 5–7 hours

Accommodation: Machame Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, continue your ascent toward Shira Camp. The landscape changes dramatically as you leave the rainforest behind and enter the open alpine moorland.

The trail becomes steeper, offering increasingly impressive views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the surrounding landscape. Take your time, maintain a steady pace and allow your body to adjust to the increasing altitude.

Arrive at Shira Camp and enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery before dinner and overnight rest.

Hiking: Approximately 4–6 hours

Accommodation: Shira Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today is an important acclimatization day as you follow the classic “climb high, sleep low” principle.

From Shira, trek toward Lava Tower, reaching approximately 4,600 metres before descending toward Barranco Camp. The changing landscape becomes increasingly dramatic, with volcanic formations and alpine vegetation surrounding you.

The descent into the Barranco Valley provides spectacular views of the mountain, including the impressive Barranco Wall.

After arriving at camp, enjoy dinner and rest in preparation for tomorrow’s challenging trek.

Hiking: Approximately 6–8 hours
Accommodation: Barranco Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Wake up to dramatic views of Kilimanjaro before tackling the famous Barranco Wall.

With the assistance of your experienced mountain guides, carefully make your way up the rocky wall before continuing across the high-altitude terrain toward Barafu Camp.

Barafu means “ice” in Swahili, and the environment becomes colder and more barren as you approach the summit base camp.

Upon arrival, enjoy an early dinner and rest as much as possible. Your summit attempt begins during the night.

Accommodation: Barafu Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This is the defining day of your expedition.

You will begin your summit attempt in the early hours, trekking through the darkness toward Stella Point and eventually Uhuru Peak, at 5,895 metres—the highest point in Africa.

Reach the summit as the sun rises over the African continent, creating an unforgettable moment at the Roof of Africa.

After celebrating your achievement and taking photographs, begin the descent down the mountain. Your team will continue downward before transferring you back to Moshi for a well-earned shower, comfortable bed and recovery.

Summit: Uhuru Peak – 5,895 m
Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning following your Kilimanjaro climb.

Later, visit Serval Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can experience close-up encounters with wildlife in a beautiful natural setting. This is also an excellent opportunity for photography and a gentle transition from your mountain adventure into the safari portion of the expedition.

Continue to Arusha, Tanzania’s safari gateway, where you will check into your accommodation and relax.

Accommodation: Arusha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, famous for its enormous elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and diverse wildlife.

Enjoy a full-day game drive across the park, searching for elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo and numerous bird species.

The dramatic landscapes of Tarangire provide excellent opportunities for wildlife photography, particularly around the park’s seasonal water sources.

Later, continue to Karatu for your overnight stay.

Accommodation: Karatu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife areas.

Enjoy a game drive across the crater floor in search of the Big Five, including lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos. You may also encounter hippos, hyenas, zebras, wildebeest and gazelles.

After exploring the crater, ascend and continue toward the legendary Serengeti National Park.

Enter the Serengeti and begin experiencing its endless plains and abundant wildlife before arriving at your accommodation.

Accommodation: Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Wake up in the heart of the Serengeti and enjoy a full day of wildlife exploration.

Your private safari vehicle and experienced guide will take you across different areas of the park in search of Africa’s most iconic wildlife.

Look out for lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, giraffes, zebras and wildebeest. Depending on the season and location of the herds, you may also witness dramatic predator-prey interactions.

Return to your Serengeti accommodation after a full day in the wilderness.

Accommodation: Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Rise before sunrise for one of the expedition’s most memorable experiences—a hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti.

As the sun rises, float silently above the plains while watching wildlife move across the landscape below. From the air, the vastness of the Serengeti becomes truly spectacular.

After landing, celebrate with an unforgettable champagne bush breakfast before continuing your safari by 4×4 vehicle.

Spend the remainder of the day exploring the Serengeti with your guide.

Accommodation: Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti, giving you one more opportunity to encounter wildlife before leaving Tanzania’s iconic wilderness.

Later, transfer for your included domestic flight from Serengeti to Zanzibar.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your beach resort. Check in, settle into your room and enjoy the rest of the day relaxing beside the Indian Ocean.

Accommodation: Zanzibar Beach Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today is dedicated entirely to relaxation.

Wake up to the sound of the Indian Ocean and enjoy a leisurely day at the beach. Swim in the turquoise waters, relax on the white-sand beach or simply enjoy the resort facilities.

For travelers seeking additional experiences, optional activities can include a Stone Town tour, spice farm visit, snorkeling, scuba diving or a sunset dhow cruise.

Accommodation: Zanzibar Beach Resort
Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy another beautiful day on Zanzibar.

Take this opportunity to slow down after the adventure of climbing Kilimanjaro and exploring Tanzania’s national parks. Spend the day swimming, relaxing on the beach, enjoying water activities or simply soaking up the tropical atmosphere.

This is your final full day in Tanzania, so make the most of your time beside the Indian Ocean.

Accommodation: Zanzibar Beach Resort
Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy your final breakfast in Zanzibar before checking out.

At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to Zanzibar International Airport for your international flight home.

Your 15-day expedition comes to an end after an extraordinary journey combining the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania’s legendary wildlife, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and the tropical beaches of Zanzibar.

Meals: Breakfast