6-Day Tanzania Safari and Kilimanjaro Hike with Materuni Falls

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Experience the lush slopes of Kilimanjaro on a scenic hike through rainforest to Mandara Hut
• 02 Marvel at Materuni Waterfall and enjoy a village coffee experience on Mount Kilimanjaro's slopes
• 03 Discover Tarangire National Park, known for its giant baobabs and impressive elephant herds
• 04 Explore the vast plains and kopjes of Serengeti National Park, famed for the Great Migration
• 05 Visit the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Crater, home to dense wildlife and striking crater landscapes
• 06 Relax with a swim at Chemka Hot Springs in a beautiful forest setting

Explore some of Tanzania's most remarkable landscapes on a 6-day journey that combines a Kilimanjaro day hike, Materuni Waterfall, classic wildlife safaris, and a relaxing visit to Chemka Hot Springs. Hike through Kilimanjaro's rainforest to Mandara Hut and Maundi Crater, experience village life and coffee-making at Materuni, and search for wildlife in Tarangire, Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater. Along the way, discover baobabs, elephants, vast plains, crater scenery, and the natural beauty that makes each destination unique.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Arusha, Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, Marangu

Languages English, Spanish, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Kilimanjaro Rainforest Hike to Mandara Hut and Maundi Crater

• You will be picked up in the morning from your hotel in Moshi and driven to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Marangu Gate (1860 m). The drive takes approximately 1 hour. Your trek then begins as you hike through the dense Kilimanjaro rainforest. Surrounded by impressive vegetation, you may catch a glimpse of black-and-white Colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and various bird species. Along the way, your guide will share information about Kilimanjaro and explain the different species of plants and animals you encounter.
• After a 3-4 hour hike, you will reach Mandara Hut (2720 m), where you can rest and have lunch. Your guide will then lead you on a short hike of about 15 minutes to Maundi Crater, where you will enjoy wonderful views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Afterwards, you will descend for 2 hours back to Marangu Gate, where your vehicle will be waiting. You will then transfer back to your hotel. On the return journey, you can enjoy the sunset and reflect on the day's memories.

2

Day 02

Materuni Waterfall Walk and Coffee Experience

• The Materuni Waterfall tour begins with a walk through the area near the waterfall, which is rich in the beautiful natural scenery of Tanzania. It is an opportunity to experience the whole process of making coffee, from shamba to cup, before swimming in the natural pool filled with fresh water from the roof of Africa - Kilimanjaro.
• A Serengeti Wildlife Safari driver will be at your hotel in the morning, and after breakfast, the journey to Materuni will begin. Our local guide will welcome you at the village and guide you through all the activities. Local African food will be prepared, and you will enjoy your lunch in Materuni village - a lovely day with Serengeti Wildlife Safaris.
• After you finish all the activities in Materuni Village, our driver will take you back to Arusha Zawadi House for an overnight stay, where you will await the next day's adventure in Tarangire National Park.

3

Day 03

Game Drive in Tarangire National Park

• You will be met by our driver-guide, who will give you a short briefing. Afterwards, you will head to Tarangire National Park for a game drive. The park stretches along the Tarangire River and is mainly made up of low-lying hills on the Great Rift Valley floor. Its natural vegetation consists largely of acacia woodland and giant African baobab trees, with huge swamp areas in the south.
• During Tanzania's dry season, both the river and the swamps act like magnets for wild animals. Tarangire National Park is reputed to contain some of the largest elephant herds in Africa. This national park is also home to three rare species of animals: the greater kudu, the fringe-eared oryx, and a few Ashy starlings.
• You will have a picnic lunch, after which you will continue with the game drives until late evening. Then, you will drive to your overnight accommodation.

4

Day 04

Drive Through the Highlands to Serengeti National Park

• Early in the morning, you will drive via the cooler highlands towards the southern Serengeti, and by midday, you will reach the plains of Serengeti National Park. This park is the largest in Tanzania and has a diversity of habitats and landscapes - short grass plains, savannah, thick bush, swamps, and lakes. It also has bizarre rock formations called kopjes dotting the grassy landscape, where predators are often seen. The Serengeti is famous for its yearly migration, during which hundreds of thousands of wildebeests and zebras trek in search of fresh grass and water. You will spend the night at Tukaone Serengeti Camp inside the park.

5

Day 05

Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Return to Arusha

• On this day, you will descend more than 600 m into the crater to view wildlife on a half-day safari. Supported by a year-round water supply and fodder, the Ngorongoro Crater sustains a wide variety of animals, including herds of wildebeest, zebras, buffaloes, elands, warthogs, hippos, and giant African elephants.
• Another major draw of this picturesque national park is its dense predator population, including lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, and the ever-elusive leopards, which sometimes require a trained eye to spot. You will visit Lake Magadi, a large but shallow alkaline lake in the southwestern corner, which is one of the crater's main features. Many flamingos, hippos, and other water birds can be seen here. After lunch, you will ascend from the crater and return to Arusha.

6

Day 06

Relax at Chemka Hot Springs

• This naturally heated Chemka Hot Springs excursion is an easy day trip from Arusha, with time to swim in a beautiful forest setting. It is a relaxing experience after a long safari in this area. The water is clean and warm enough to encourage swimming, making it an ideal place to end your tour on a memorable note.
• Enjoy your whole day here and have lunch before the evening return. Later, our driver will take you back either to your hotel or directly to the airport, depending on your schedule.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• All accommodations
• All activities, unless indicated as optional
• All transportation, unless labeled as optional
• Meals, as specified in the day-by-day section
• Taxes / VAT
• All transport by road
• Camping equipment
• Park fees
• Professional guide
• Sleeping bags
• Drinking water on all days
• Government-imposed increases of taxes and/or park fees
• All meals on safaris
• Quality safari jeep
• Guide wages
• Airport pickup
• Air-conditioned car
• Drinks

What's Not Included

• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
• International flights
• Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
• Tips (tipping guideline: USD 10-15 per person per day for your guide)

What to bring

• Luggage: choose a duffel bag or soft-sided bag. Ideally, the fabric should be durable and waterproof, and the bag should be lockable.
• Clothes: pack for hot days and cool nights.
• Shoes: as long as you are not going on a safari that requires a lot of walking, you will be fine with light hiking boots and sports sandals.
• Sun protection.
• First aid: antiseptic ointment, antihistamine cream and tablets, Nurofen or an equivalent painkiller, eye drops, anti-diarrhea treatment, a couple of bandages, and medication for personal allergies or asthma.
• Photography and electrical equipment.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Arusha, Tanzania

Tour start

Marangu, Tanzania

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.