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Safari to Kilimanjaro - Machame Route

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Operated by Intrepid Travel
Tripcode: YKXCC
Overview
Destination:
Kenya, 
Tanzan, 
Tanzania (United Republic Of), 
Start:Nairobi, Kenya
Finish:Moshi, Tanzania
Duration:15 days
Style:
Adventure,
Overland,
Walking & Trekking,
Wildlife,
Travel Period
September 2025 - October 2027
Experience some of Kenya and Tanzania's most famous natural wonders on a 15-day adventure that will see you tackling the most challenging and scenic way to the roof of Africa on a trek along the Machame route to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. Once you descend, embark on an overland journey across the Serengeti plains and enjoy multiple game drives to seek out Africa's iconic animals. Descend to the floor of the gigantic Ngorongoro Crater in pursuit of elephants, lions, and elusive rhinos. This tour is a non-stop active action that's perfect for independent travellers who love a challenge.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

2. As this is a combination trip made up of two popular itineraries, the composition of your group and your leader may change.

3. Although no mountaineering experience is required, a good level of physical fitness is necessary. You must be comfortable walking 6-8 hours uphill per day.

4. Parts of your trip go above 2800 meters / 9200 feet, where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude, regardless of your age, gender and fitness. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information for details.

5. Sleeping bags can be hired at no cost on the Kilimanjaro section of this trip. You will be required to provide your own sleeping bag for the first section of this trip (Days 1-8) or hire one at an additional cost.

6. An optional balloon safari in Serengeti National Park is possible on this itinerary. As the balloon only holds 16 people, places are limited, and we recommend that you book in advance. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Highlights:
  • 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 2. As this is a combination trip made up of two popular itineraries, the composition of your group and your leader may change. 3. Although no mountaineering experience is required, a good level of physical fitness is necessary. You must be comfortable walking 6-8 hours uphill per day. 4. Parts of your trip go above 2800 meters / 9200 feet, where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude, regardless of your age, gender and fitness. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information for details. 5. Sleeping bags can be hired at no cost on the Kilimanjaro section of this trip. You will be required to provide your own sleeping bag for the first section of this trip (Days 1-8) or hire one at an additional cost. 6. An optional balloon safari in Serengeti National Park is possible on this itinerary. As the balloon only holds 16 people, places are limited, and we recommend that you book in advance. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Standard inclusions
  • Meals: Meals: 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 13 dinners.
  • Transport: Overland Vehicle, 4WD Safari Vehicle, Minibus.
  • Accommodation: Camping (with facilities) (3 nights), Camping (with basic facilities) (8 nights), Hotel (3 nights).
  • Amboseli National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive.
  • Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner.
  • Amboseli - Kimana Ranger Project.
  • Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive.
  • Serengeti National Park - Afternoon Overland Vehicle Game Drive.
  • Serengeti National Park - Morning Overland Vehicle Game Drive.
  • Serengeti National Park - Afternoon Overland Vehicle Game Drive.
  • Serengeti National Park - Morning Overland Vehicle Game Drive.
  • Mount Kilimanjaro - Trek Briefing.
  • Mount Kilimanjaro - Complimentary equipment hire (sleeping bag and walking poles) - must be requested at time of booking.
  • Fully catered trek including National Park entrance fees, climbing fee, tented camps & rescue services.
  • Mount Kilimanjaro - Porterage of 1 bag (9kg/20lb max).
  • Mount Kilimanjaro - Return transfers from hotel to park gate.
  • Mount Kilimanjaro - Emergency oxygen and comprehensive first aid kits.
  • Moshi - Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project.
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Itinerary
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Day 1: Nairobi
Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm in Nairobi. If you arrive early, you can head out and explore the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum or the highly recommended Bomas of Kenya, where traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes are displayed in an outdoor village. Tonight, why not ask your leader for local dinner recommendations and head out to get to know your fellow travellers.
Day 2: Amboseli National Park
Today, you'll board your overland vehicle bound for Amboseli National Park. The park covers an area of about 392 square kilometres and is home to the largest population of African elephants in Kenya, many of which are ‘big tuskers’ (elephants with large tusks). You may even spot a ‘super tusker’ – a male bull elephant with tusks that weigh over 45 kg each, usually so long they scrape the ground. If you're lucky to visit on a clear day, you'll be treated to amazing views of Mt Kilimanjaro. When you arrive, you'll set off on a game drive in your overland vehicle to explore the park and discover the wildlife that calls this place home.
Day 3: Mto Wa Mbu
This morning, you'll visit the Kimana Ranger Project and meet the inspiring men and women who protect the vital Kimana Sanctuary, an important wildlife area, particularly for migrating elephants. At the Ranger Training Academy, listen to stories of what it takes to safeguard this unique environment and the risks involved in protecting the Greater Amboseli ecosystem. The project plays a crucial role in improving the lives and working conditions of rangers, supporting local communities, and promoting conservation efforts where both wildlife and people can thrive. After your visit, travel toward the Kenya-Tanzania border, heading to Mto wa Mbu, a charming village that offers a glimpse into small-town African life. In the afternoon, join the local community for a guided walk around the village, visiting farms, milling machines, and homes. You'll finish the day with a traditional dinner, experiencing local hospitality before settling in at your campsite in Mto wa Mbu.
Day 4: Serengeti National Park (Ngorongoro Crater)
Rise and shine early today before entering the Ngorongoro Conservation area. When you arrive at the crater, swap your overland vehicle for open roof 4WDs. Take in the spectacular views from the crater's rim as you make your way to the bottom, where animals roam the lakes, rivers, woodlands and hills. The animals here are less wary of humans and vehicles, and as a result, it's easier to watch them up close. Keep an eye out for wildebeest, lion, zebra, cheetah, buffalo, gazelle and the endangered black rhino. Later, head to the wide-open plains of the Serengeti. The Serengeti landscapes see a huge contrast of colours during the year – green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry season. The never-ending landscape is home to thousands of animals travelling as herds across the plains. This region gets its name from the local Maasai word ‘siringet’, meaning the place where the land moves on forever. Enjoy a picnic lunch, then head to your campsite within the park. Tonight, listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift to sleep.
Day 5: Serengeti National Park
Start the day nice and early with an overland vehicle game drive at dawn. You’ll head out while the animals are at their most active, then head back to camp for brunch at around 11 am. This morning, there’s also the option of a balloon ride over the park. If you have pre-booked this activity, you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site. After a safety briefing, glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, where you’ll get some amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes, you will ascend, getting an overview of the vastness of the plains and the early morning movements of the herds. After landing, dig into a delicious bush breakfast, then return to your camp. After spending the warmer part of the day relaxing with your herd – just as the animals do – depart again at dusk for another overland vehicle adventure through the wild, returning in time for dinner.
Day 6: Karatu
Enjoy a leisurely game drive and picnic lunch on your way out of Serengeti National Park today. Soak up final views of this incredible spot before making the long drive to Karatu – a small town nearby and your base for the next two nights.
Day 7: Karatu
Today is a free day to relax or explore at your own pace. You might like to head to a local coffee plantation or take an optional game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. Maybe opt for a hike through the Ngorongoro Reserve Forest to the Elephant Caves – a great way to stretch your legs after a few days of overland travel. You'll hike through the Ngorongoro rainforest as your local guide explains the ins and outs of the area and points out interesting animal tracks and footprints. Marvel at the wild landscape and spot beautiful birdlife as you walk.
Day 8: Moshi
After breakfast, board your overland truck for the final time and head back to Arusha. Upon arrival, you'll be dropped off at the Impala Shuttle Office, where you'll say goodbye to your truck and crew. From there, you'll take an unescorted shuttle bus to Moshi, nestled in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro (1300 m). The shuttle departs around 9 am. You’ll have a second welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight for a full briefing and kit inspection by an experienced Kilimanjaro climber. After the meeting, fuel up on a hearty dinner with your fellow trekkers and get a good night’s rest, ready to start your climb tomorrow!
Day 9: Machame Camp
Meet your guides and porters after breakfast this morning, then take the opportunity to organise your gear before setting off to the Machame Gate – the south-western entrance to the Mt Kilimanjaro National Park. On the way, stop into one of the clothes lending offices of Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Projects and learn how their program, supported by the Intrepid Foundation, is assisting porters. Begin your hike around lunch time, starting with a stroll through the rainforest, looking out for some of the many brightly coloured birds here. Set up camp at Machame in the mid-afternoon, ready for your first night on Kilimanjaro! The huts fell into disrepair some years ago, so with the help of the porters, you’ll be setting up tents for the night. Tonight, enjoy a meal prepared by the porters and savour the first night of sleeping outdoors.
Day 10: Shira Camp
Your second day on the mountain takes you out of the rainforest and up a steep ridge into moor land. Watch as the vegetation grows sparser as you ascend along the path to the Shira Plateau – soon, several distinct species, including the giant groundsel and lobelia, will be the only plants dominating the harsh landscape. Spend the night camping on the edge of the plateau and be treated to a golden sunset over the snow-dusted peaks of Kibo.
Day 11: Barranco Camp
After breakfast today, enjoy a fantastic walk as you continue through the rolling landscape and deep river valleys, stopping for a packed lunch along the way. The undulating land here offers a great chance to acclimatise and as you ascend to the more rugged areas of the mountain, there are great views of the Kibo Massif and its scenic surroundings. Tonight, you’ll sleep at Barranco Camp.
Day 12: Barafu Camp
Have breakfast together at Barranco Camp this morning, then begin today’s hike. From Karanga, head up to the intersection of the South Circuit and the Mweka route where you’ll start climbing up a ridge to Barafu Hut. Barafu is Swahili for ‘ice’ – as the name suggests, it can be very cold here at night! You should arrive at Barafu around lunchtime, allowing plenty of time to rest before the final summit attempt very early tomorrow morning.
Day 13: Uhuru Peak / Millennium Camp or Mweka Camp
At around midnight, you’ll be woken by the guides with some hot tea and biscuits to give you energy before the long, difficult ascent up scree, and sometimes snow, to Stella Point (5780 m). Pass the giant Rebmann Glacier on the way, and hopefully arrive at Stella Point in time for sunrise and superb views of the crater and the glacier glistening in the morning sun. From Stella, it’s a further 1-hour hike along the rim of the crater to Uhuru Peak (5895m) – the highest point in Africa! From the summit, take in unforgettable views of the crater, the ice fields and the vast East African plains below. After some photos and well deserved pats on the back, you’ll begin your descent. Back at Barafu Camp, enjoy a well-earned lunch and much thicker air. After, continue to Mweka Camp for the night for a well-deserved rest.
Day 14: Moshi
Today, you’ll continue to descend the mountain, traversing alpine meadows and rainforest to the Mweka park gate. When you arrive, have some lunch after checking out of the park and then transport back to the hotel for a relaxing shower – a real treat after the physical exertions of the last few days! Tonight, gather with your trekking companions for dinner, sharing your experiences of the past six days on the mountain.
Day 15: Moshi
With no activities or trekking planned for today, you’re free to depart at any time. Transfers to Kilimanjaro Airport or a shuttle to Nairobi can be arranged locally – please speak to your leader at your welcome meeting if you wish to organise this.
Day 16: Moshi
With no activities or trekking planned for today, you are free to depart at any time. Transfers to Kilimanjaro Airport or a shuttle to Nairobi can be arranged locally – please speak to your leader at your welcome meeting if you wish to organise this.
Dates

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Duration

Travellers

Operator
Intrepid Travel

Intrepid is a small group tour travel company with humble beginnings that now sends over 100,000 travellers a year on grassroots and responsible travel tours.

Important Information
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*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice. For more information, please see Terms of Use
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