7-Day Kilimanjaro Climb Machame Route + 3-Day Safari

Starting Elevation: 1,640m (5,380 ft)
Ending Elevation: 2,835m (9,301 ft)
Distance: 11km (6.8 miles)
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Montane Rainforest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, drive approximately 50 minutes from Arusha to Machame Gate, passing through the village of Machame on the lower mountain slopes. At the gate, your porters will organize and weigh gear while park officials’ complete registration formalities. Once ready, you’ll begin your trek through the magnificent montane rainforest. The well-maintained trail winds upward through dense vegetation, where tall trees draped in moss and lichen create a mystical atmosphere. Watch for colobus monkeys swinging through the canopy and listen for the diverse birdlife. The path gradually steepens as you ascend a ridge through lush forest. After 5-7 hours of trekking, you’ll arrive at Machame Camp, set among giant heather at the forest’s edge. Your tent will already be pitched, hot washing water provided, and dinner being prepared by your skilled camp chef.

What You’ll Experience: Rich biodiversity, possible rainfall (bring rain gear), humid conditions, and the excitement of beginning your Kilimanjaro adventure. The first day is relatively gentle to allow your body to begin adjusting to altitude.

Overnight: Machame Camp in mountain tents
Meals Included: Full board (breakfast at hotel, packed lunch on trial, dinner at camp)

Starting Elevation: 2,835m (9,301 ft)
Ending Elevation: 3,750m (12,500 ft)
Distance: 5km (3.1 miles)
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, leave the rainforest glades and continue ascending along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather until the ridge ends, then turn west onto a river gorge. As you climb higher, the vegetation transforms from forest to heath and moorland. The trail becomes rockier and steeper, requiring steady pacing. You’ll traverse several streams and cross the unique high-altitude landscape dotted with giant heather and otherworldly plants. The heath zone features attractive helichrysum and lobelia dominating the harsh mountain landscape, with various geological features visible including lava tubes and glacial valleys. By midday, you’ll reach the Shira Plateau, where the landscape opens dramatically. Your campsite offers spectacular views of Kibo Peak and the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. This is one of the most scenic camps on the entire route, providing a true “room with a view.”

What You’ll Experience: Changing ecosystems, thinner air as you gain altitude, spectacular mountain vistas, and your first clear views of the summit. Drink plenty of water and maintain a slow, steady pace (pole pole).

Overnight: Shira Camp in mountain tents
Meals Included: Full board with hot meals prepared by our own chef

Starting Elevation: 3,750m (12,500 ft)
High Point: 4,630m (15,190 ft) at Lava Tower
Ending Elevation: 3,960m (13,000 ft)
Distance: 10km (6.2 miles)
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a crucial “walk high, sleep low” acclimatization day where you ascend into alpine desert toward Kibo’s main peak. The morning trek takes you steadily upward across the lunar-like landscape of the Shira Plateau. After about five hours of hiking, you’ll reach the impressive rock formation called Lava Tower at 4,630m, a real highlight of the Kilimanjaro. This 300-foot volcanic plug is where you’ll stop for a hot lunch. Many trekkers feel the effects of altitude here, but this is intentional and beneficial for acclimatization. After lunch at Lava Tower, descend for two to three hours to Barranco Camp, passing through the strange yet beautiful “Garden of the Senecios” featuring giant groundsel plants and lobelias. Barranco Valley is one of the most beautiful areas on the mountain. Although you’ll end the day at nearly the same elevation you started, having climbed to Lava Tower significantly improves your body’s adaptation to altitude.

What You’ll Experience: Possible altitude symptoms (headache, breathlessness), dramatic landscape changes, your highest elevation yet, the satisfaction of “training” your body for summit night, and relief as you descend to camp.

Overnight: Barranco Camp in mountain tents
Meals Included: Full board with picnic lunch en route

Starting Elevation: 3,960m (13,000 ft)
Ending Elevation: 3,995m (13,100 ft)
Distance: 5km (3.1 miles)
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today begins with conquering the famous Barranco Wall, a 257-meter rock face that looks intimidating but isn’t as difficult as it appears. While called a “wall,” it’s more of a steep scramble requiring the occasional use of hands for balance. The views from the top are spectacular, with the Southern Ice Fields and summit visible above the clouds. The trail then winds through a series of ridges with ups and downs, traversing the mountain’s southern face. You’ll cross several valleys with stunning views throughout. The day is relatively short, reaching Karanga Camp after 4-5 hours, which is strategically planned to give you rest before the summit push. Karanga is a smaller, more intimate camp situated on a rocky promontory. This shorter day allows your body additional acclimatization time and ensures you’re well-rested for the challenges ahead.

What You’ll Experience: The thrill and accomplishment of climbing the Barranco Wall, incredible photo opportunities, possibly the clearest views of the summit route, and growing excitement as summit day approaches.

Overnight: Karanga Camp in mountain tents
Meals Included: Full board with rest and relaxation time at camp

Starting Elevation: 3,995m (13,100 ft)
Ending Elevation: 4,673m (15,331 ft)
Distance: 4km (2.5 miles)
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Early Dinner

Today you complete the Southern Circuit, ascending to rocky Barafu Hut, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. The trail is steep and rocky, climbing steadily through increasingly barren alpine desert. Barafu means “ice” in Swahili, aptly named for its exposed, windswept location. Upon arrival at camp (usually by early afternoon), you’ll have hot drinks and an early dinner around 5-6 PM. Your guides will brief you on the summit attempt, check your equipment, and ensure you have warm layers ready. The peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo dominate the landscape. After dinner, try to rest and sleep for a few hours. You’ll be woken around 11 PM for hot tea and biscuits before beginning your summit push around midnight. Pack your summit daypack with water, snacks, headlamp (with spare batteries), camera, and all warm clothing layers.

What You’ll Experience: Thin air, slower pace, growing anticipation and nervous energy, spectacular sunset views, and the challenge of trying to sleep before summit night. Many climbers find this rest period difficult but crucial.

Overnight: Barafu Camp in mountain tents
Meals Included: Full board with early dinner (around 5-6 PM)

Starting Elevation: 4,673m (15,331 ft)
Summit Elevation: 5,895m (19,341 ft)
Ending Elevation: 3,068m (10,065 ft)
Distance: 5km ascent / 12km descent
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
Total Hiking Time: 11-14 hours
Habitat: Arctic to Rainforest
Meals: Light snacks during ascent, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Around midnight, you’ll begin the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek, ascending in darkness for several hours while taking frequent, short breaks. The route heads northwest through heavy scree and loose volcanic rock via endless switchbacks. The cold and wind can be extreme, temperatures may drop to -20°C. Progress is slow and methodical. Your headlamp creates a small bubble of light as you focus on the steps ahead, following your guide’s steady pace. After approximately 6-7 hours, you’ll reach Stella Point at 5,685m on the crater rim, where you’ll witness one of the most magnificent sunrises imaginable over Mawenzi Peak. From Stella Point, continue for another hour along the crater rim, sometimes through snow, to reach Uhuru Peak—the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire African continent! Take photos, celebrate this incredible achievement, then begin your descent.

Descend back to Barafu Camp for a brief rest and brunch, then continue down to Mweka Camp at 3,068m in the upper rainforest. The descent can be grueling on knees and legs, trekking poles are essential. The richness of oxygen and moisture at Mweka is wonderfully refreshing after the summit. Despite exhaustion, you’ll feel euphoric having accomplished this remarkable feat.

What You’ll Experience: The hardest physical and mental challenge, extreme cold, altitude effects, potential nausea, overwhelming joy at reaching the summit, one of the world’s greatest sunrises, exhaustion on descent, and profound satisfaction.

Overnight: Mweka Camp in mountain tents
Meals Included: Snacks during climb, full board after return to camp

Starting Elevation: 3,068m (10,065 ft)
Ending Elevation: 1,640m (5,380 ft)
Distance: 10km (6.2 miles)
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, complete the final descent through the lower rainforested slopes to Mweka Gate. The trail can be muddy and slippery gaiters help keep volcanic dust out of boots. At the gate, you’ll sign out of Kilimanjaro National Park and receive your official summit certificate (a treasured memento)! Celebrate with your mountain crew, tip your guides and porters, and say goodbye to the team that made your summit possible. Your vehicle will transfer you back to your hotel in Arusha (approximately 2-hour drive). Enjoy a hot shower, launder your clothes, and celebrate your achievement with a well-deserved meal and rest. This is a crucial recovery day before beginning your safari adventure.

What You’ll Experience: Stiff, tired legs, muddy trails, the satisfaction of completing the trek, emotional goodbyes to your mountain crew, and the luxury of hot water and a real bed!

Overnight: Mid-range hotel in Arusha
Meals Included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner at hotel

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mid-range hotel in Arusha

After the physical demands of climbing Kilimanjaro, this full rest day is essential for recovery before starting your safari. Sleep in, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and take it easy. You can explore Arusha town at your own pace, visit local markets, shop for souvenirs, or simply relax by the pool. Optional activities (at additional cost) include visiting a local coffee plantation, the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre, or the Masai Market. Use this day to recharge, organize your safari gear, and prepare for the wildlife adventure ahead. In the evening, you’ll meet your safari guide for a briefing about the upcoming days.

What You’ll Experience: Relaxation, recovery, the shift from mountain trekking to safari mode, and building excitement for the wildlife encounters ahead.

Overnight: Mid-range hotel in Arusha
Meals Included: Breakfast only (lunch and dinner at your own expense)

Driving Time: (6-7 hours)
Activities: Full-day game drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge/tented camp near Tarangire

After breakfast, depart Arusha around 7:00 AM and drive approximately 6-7 hours to Serengeti National Park with a picnic lunch, passing through the Ngorongoro Highlands.  In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Serengeti National Park and drive to your accommodation for dinner and overnight at Karatu.

What You’ll Experience: Your first African safari game drive, incredible elephant herds, diverse wildlife, stunning baobab landscapes, and the thrill of seeing animals in their natural habitat.

Overnight: Mid-range lodge or tented camp in the Serengeti
Meals Included: Full board with picnic lunch in the park

Game Drives:  (4-5 hours)
Activities: Game drive from morning, afternoon game drive in Serengeti
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mid-range tented camp in Central Serengeti

After breakfast, depart for Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti’s endless plains stretch to the horizon in every direction it’s a sight that takes your breath away. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to around 200,000 zebras and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelles joining wildebeest in their eternal migration. Return at camp in the late afternoon, settle in, and enjoy dinner under the African stars with the sounds of the bush around you.

What You’ll Experience: Stunning landscapes transitioning from highlands to endless plains, your first glimpse of the legendary Serengeti, abundant wildlife, and the authentic safari camp atmosphere.

Overnight: Mid-range tented camp in Central Serengeti
Meals Included: Full board with picnic lunch en route

Activities: Morning game drive in Serengeti, afternoon Ngorongoro Crater tour
Driving Distance: 145-190km (3-4 hours Serengeti to Ngorongoro, 4 hours Ngorongoro to Arusha)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After an early breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive in Serengeti to catch wildlife at its most active, then depart for Ngorongoro Conservation Area with en-route game viewing. After breakfast, descend over 600 meters into the crater to view wildlife in this natural amphitheater spanning about 260 square kilometers. Supported by year-round water supply and fodder, the Ngorongoro Crater supports a vast variety of animals including herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, and giant African elephants. The crater’s dense population of predators includes lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, and the elusive leopard. There’s an excellent chance of spotting the endangered black rhino. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the scenic hippo pool, then ascend the crater and begin the 4-hour drive back to Arusha, arriving early evening. Transfer to your hotel or airport for your onward journey, carrying memories of an extraordinary 12-day Tanzanian adventure.

What You’ll Experience: Early morning wildlife activity, the awe-inspiring descent into Ngorongoro Crater, high-density wildlife viewing, possible Big Five sightings, and the bittersweet feeling as your adventure concludes.

End of Safari: Drop-off in Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport
Meals Included: Breakfast and packed lunch