12 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Masai Mara Safari
12 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Masai Mara Safari is a Kenya and Tanzania safari tour that takes you to the top most sought after Kenya and Tanzania safari destinations. This 12 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Masai Mara Safari takes you to the summit of Kilimanjaro Mountain, Ngorongoro Crater Tanzania which is one of the 8 wonders of Africa, Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve which are part of the list as well. To note, Kilimanjaro Mountain is the highest point in Africa and makes one of the 7 Summits of the world.
This 12 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Masai Mara Safari is that ultimate Kenya and Tanzania safari tour that should be booked by travelers after an adventure, game viewing, as well as the great wildebeest migration if in season.
Highlights of 12 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Masai Mara Safari
- Climbing Kilimanjaro Mountain
- Extensive game drives
- Big 5 animals
- Great wildebeest migration (if in season)
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Lake Victoria Views
- Private safari
Detailed 12 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Masai Mara Safari
Day 0 | Arrival
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport, where you will be met by our representative, and transfer to the hotel. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.
Note: Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.
Day 1 | Trekking From Marangu Gate To Mandara Hut
A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park‘s eastern entrance: Marangu Gate (1,860 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Mandara Hut (2,700 m). The trekking route includes passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable), so we recommend you take not only spare clothes, but also your raincoats. When you reach the camp, our mountain support crew will take care of the necessities, pitch the tents, and prepare lunch.
Throughout the entire Marangu route, you will be spending your nights in special huts. They offer a great alternative to those who do not want to sleep in tents.
This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:
-Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine
-Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
-Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.
-At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.
ELEVATION
1,860 m to 2,700 m
HIKING TIME
5-7 hours
DISTANCE
11 km
DIFFICULTY
Medium
HABITAT
Rainforest
Day 2 | Trekking From Mandara Hut To Horombo Hut
Early in the morning after breakfast, the group will depart Mandara Hut to start a moderate trek towards the second high altitude camp: Horombo Hut (3,720 m). When you reach the camp on this day, you will be treated to views of two volcanos at once: Kibo and Mawenzi.
Several hours after lunch you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Kibo Hut with a 200-meter gain in altitude, and then hike back down to Horombo Hut where dinner will be prepared for you.
Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.
Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation: Horombo Hut (3,720 m) — Destination point en route to Kibo Hut (3,920 m)
Hiking distance: 2.5 km
Hiking time: 1–2 hours
ELEVATION
2,700 m to 3,720 m
HIKING TIME
5-6 hours
DISTANCE
10 km
DIFFICULTY
Medium
HABITAT
Moorland
Day 3 | Trekking From Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
On this day, right after breakfast the group will be trekking to the Kibo Hut (4,700 m). The actual trekking is not very difficult; just remember to stick with an appropriate pace to keep up your strength for the trekking to Kilimanjaro’s summit. When you reach the camp you will be served lunch, after which we recommend you sleep as much as you can, avoid any strenuous activity, and drink lots of water.
ELEVATION
3,720 m to 4,700 m
HIKING TIME
4-8 hours
DISTANCE
10 km
DIFFICULTY
High
HABITAT
Alpine desert
Day 4 | Trekking To Uhuru Peak and Descent To Horombo Hut
Night departure from Kibo Hut (4,700 m) and the start of your trekking to Kilimanjaro’s summit: Uhuru peak (5,895 m). The trekking will be moderate from a physical standpoint, but the altitude presents a much more serious problem. For the entire length of the trekking each pair of climbers will be accompanied by their own guide, who will be monitoring your stamina and mental resolve. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Kibo Camp and after a two-hour rest continue your descent to Horombo Hut (3,720 m).
Note: Don’t forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.
ELEVATION
4,700 m to 5,895 m
5,895 m to 3,720 m
HIKING TIME
9-12 hours
DISTANCE
16 km
DIFFICULTY
High
HABITAT
Arctic
Day 5 | Descent From Horombo Hut To Marangu Gate, Transfer to Arusha
You will be offered a warm breakfast in the morning, after which we will head for the Kilimanjaro National Park’s exit: Marangu Gate (1,860 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, and then you will have the chance to share your opinions on the trip in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates and provide you a transfer you to Arusha. Check in at the hotel, relax as you wait for dinner and an overnight stay at Burka Coffee Lodge.
ELEVATION
3,720 m to 1,860 m
HIKING TIME
5-6 hours
DISTANCE
18 km
DIFFICULTY
Medium
HABITAT
Rainforest
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Transfer to Ngorongoro, Crater Drive.
Drive Time: Approx. 4 hours
After breakfast at the hotel, you shall be picked by the guide and with your packed lunch, drive to the conservancy and get to descend about 600 meters into the Ngorongoro crater during your game drive. You will look out for wildlife species such as elephants, lions, buffalos, rhinos, cheetahs, hippos, antelopes, kudu, zebras, impalas, gazelles among others on the Ngorongoro crater floor. You will also look out for attractions like Lake Magadi in the crater where you will see flamingos and other bird species on the lakeshores.
After your picnic lunch in the wild, head out for a walking safari experience in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, for an opportunity to come up-close with nature and wild game including zebras, antelopes, among others; as a ranger guide guides you. Return to the lodge enjoying yet another wild game viewing opportunity, for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hhando Coffee Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Transfer to Serengeti National Park
After a sumptuous breakfast at the lodge which you shall enjoy at leisure, you shall proceed to check out of the lodge and proceed for a transfer to Serengeti National Park. Enjoy a game drive as you leave Tarangire National Park. Enjoy game watching through the Ngorongoro and also Serengeti as you proceed to your lodge, with lunch en-route. Look out for more wildlife in the Serengeti whilst enjoying the sunset over the Serengeti plains. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Accommodation: Mara River Camp by TBC
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Full Day Serengeti National Park
You will start your day with breakfast at your lodge as you prepare for a full day of wildlife viewing in Serengeti national park. You will start with a morning game drive around the national park as you look out for wildlife species like elephants, wildebeests, cheetahs, antelopes, kudu, giraffes, waterbucks, zebras, gazelles among others. You will have lunch after your morning game drive.
After lunch you will engage in an afternoon game drive and enjoy searching for other wildlife species in the savannah plains of Serengeti national park and also enjoying the beautiful scenery as you drive around the national park, as well as migrating wildebeest herds. Chance to witness the Mara River crossing. You will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay after our game drive.
Optional Activity: Hot Air Balloon.
Accommodation: As above
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Transfer to Lake Victoria Area, Relaxed Afternoon
After a relaxed breakfast, check out for a drive to the South-Eastern bay of Lake Victoria, whilst enjoying amazing game viewing in the Serengeti Plains. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. Relax on the shores of this lake which is rich in history. The breeze is refreshing.
Accommodation: Malaika Beach Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Transfer to Masai Mara Reserve
After breakfast the lodge, proceed to drive to Masai Mara Reserve Kenya via Isebania border where your Kenya safari guide shall meet you once again. Proceed to the lodge as you look out for amazing wild game in the reserve, including some herds of wildebeests. Chance to witness the great wildebeest migration in Masai Mara National Reserve as well. Dinner and overnight stay at Sentrim Mara Camp.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11: Full Day Game Drive in Masai Mara
Today, spend the day in the Masai Mara Park Reserve, looking out for wild game but also for the wildebeest migration. Chance to see the Mara River crossing here as well, and so much more that Masai Mara has to offer, punctuated with picnic lunch. Dinner and an overnight stay as above.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Masai Cultural Tour, Departure
After an early breakfast, your guide shall proceed leave the park by 10am, and get to enjoy a cultural tour interacting with the Maasai tribe learning their culture and way of life, as well as buy souvenirs for yourselves. Enjoy your packed lunch and then proceed to transfer you to Nairobi arriving in time at the NBO in time for your flight, or hotel of stay, ending your safari.
End of 12 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Masai Mara Safari
12 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Masai Mara Safari Includes:
- Airport Pick up and drop off as per itinerary
- Tent, Foam, Cooking equipment, eating utensils during the hike
- Kilimanjaro hiking fees, Rescue fees
- Oxygen Cylinder and Oxy-meter
- Private 4×4 Safari Land cruiser and fuel
- Full time local English speaking Guide/Driver.
- All accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
- All national park fees
- All meals on the safari
- All game viewing activities specified
- Kenya and Tanzania VAT on tourism activities and park fees
- Concession and crater fees
- Government taxes
12 Days Kilimanjaro Hike, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Masai Mara Safari excludes
- Flights, visas, and related costs.
- Some hiking equipment is available for rent
- Personal expenses like drinks, laundry, telephone calls and other items of a personal nature.
- Optional excursions and activities not listed in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- anything else not included in the itinerary
