13-Day Kilimanjaro Lemosho Trek and Tanzania Safari with Ngorongoro

• Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be met by the tour representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. A briefing will be conducted in the evening at the hotel to prepare you for the climb ahead, followed by a group dinner - an opportunity for the group to get to know each other before the climb.

• We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead, which takes another hour. Upon arrival at the trailhead, we eat lunch and then commence through the undisturbed forest, which winds to the first campsite.

Elevation (ft): 6,825ft to 9,100ft

Distance: 6 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

• We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 Camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing.

Mti Mkubwa to Shira Camp 1

Elevation (ft): 9,100ft to 11,500ft

Distance: 8 km

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Moorland

• We explore the Shira Plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo's glaciered peak, across the plateau, which leads to Shira 2 Camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of Lent Hills. Various walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Shira Camp 1 to Shira 2 to Moir Hut

Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft

Distance: 14 km

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Moorland

• From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast toward the Lava Tower called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction, which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is significant for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft

Distance: 7 km

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Habitat: Semi Desert

• After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 15,000ft

Distance: 9 km

Hiking Time: 8-10 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head northwesterly and ascend through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
• At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see, weather permitting. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now descend, continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)

Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

Habitat: Arctic

• After breakfast, we will descend to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.
• From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Village to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.

Mweka Camp to Moshi

Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

• Leave Moshi early in the morning and drive to Tarangire National Park for a full day of game viewing until afternoon, with picnic lunch en route. Enjoy wildlife including big groups of elephants, lions, zebras, baobab trees, and much more. Dinner and overnight at camp/lodge.

Game viewing drives = PM

Other Activities (Additional Cost) = Visit Maasai Village*

Non-Game viewing travel time = 2.5 hours

Luxury Lodge = Tarangire Sopa Lodge

• After breakfast, drive to Serengeti with game viewing en route, and enjoy a sunset game drive at Seronera River. After that, drive to camp/lodge for dinner and overnight.

Game viewing drives = PM

Other Activities (Additional Cost) = NIL

Non-Game viewing travel time = 6 hours

Luxury Lodges = Serengeti Serena Lodge

• After breakfast, spend a whole day game viewing and enjoy the endless plains toward the western corridor at Gurumeti River - home of crocodiles and plenty of other wildlife. After that, drive to camp/lodge for dinner and overnight.

Game viewing drives = AM/PM

Other Activities (Additional Cost) = Hot Air Balloon*

Non-Game viewing travel time = NIL

Luxury Lodges = Serengeti Serena Lodge

• Early sunrise game drive in the Serengeti Seronera area, where you can see plenty of wildlife taking advantage of the cooler temperatures of the early morning - experience predators hunting prey and much more. Thereafter, drive back to the camp for a full breakfast, then continue with a game drive with a picnic lunch box en route until the afternoon. Afterwards, drive to camp/lodge for dinner and overnight.

Game viewing drives = PM

Other Activities (Additional Cost) = Hot Air Balloon*

Non-Game viewing travel time = 4 hours

Luxury Lodge = Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge.

• After breakfast, drive to the Ngorongoro Crater floor for a full day of game viewing and enjoy plenty of wildlife in the crater with picnic lunch en route. Thereafter, drive back to Moshi.

Game viewing drives = Hike to crater rim/Maasai Village*

Other Activities (Additional Cost) = Crafts Market*

Non-Game viewing travel time = 4 hours

Luxury Lodge = NIL