11 Days Group Kilimanjaro Hiking via Machame Route and Budget Tanzania Safari from Moshi (2026 - 2027)

Relaxing Day in Moshi

Upon arrival in Moshi, spend a leisurely day settling into your accommodation (hotel booked independently). Enjoy the town at your own pace, exploring local markets or relaxing at the hotel. Optional activities, such as guided town tours or cultural experiences, can be arranged at an extra cost. This day allows you to rest and prepare for the upcoming adventures in the Kilimanjaro region.

Machame Gate to Machame Camp

Elevation (ft): (3,000 m): 5-. 6,000 ft / 1,830 m to 10,200 ft / 3,100 m.

Distance: 11 km.

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours.

Habitat: Montane Forest.

Camp: Machame Camp.

The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.

Machame Camp to Shira Camp

Elevation (ft): 10,200 ft / 3,100 m to 12,600 ft / 3,840 m.

Distance: 9 km.

Walking Time: 4-6 hours.

Habitat: Moorland.

Full Board Shira Cave Camp

After breakfast we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the valley along a steep rocky ridge. The route now turns west onto a river gorge until we arrive at the Shira campsite.

Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Valley

Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (3,950 m.): 5-7 hours walking.

12,600 ft / 3,840 m to 12,700 ft / 3,860 m.

Distance: 15 km.

Walking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert.

Full Board Barranco Camp

Today we walk on a gentle ascent and panoramic views. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and after hot lunch the bottom of the Lava Tower (4,600 m.) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3,950 m.).

Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp {4600m} 6-8 hours.

4000m/13,000ft to 4700m/15,350ft

Distance: 9km/

Walking Time: 6-8 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Full Board at Barafu Camp.

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall (elves 4250m/13,900ft), through the Karanga Valley (elves 4050m/13,250ft) to the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp with views of the summit in the distance.

Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp

Elevation (ft): 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,343ft Down to 3090m/10,150ft

Distance: 6km up / 13km down

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Very early in the morning, begin the final ascent from Barafu Camp to Stella Point, navigating steep scree and glaciers. Pause to enjoy the breathtaking sunrise before continuing through snow to Uhuru Peak, Africa’s highest point. After celebrating the summit, descend via Barafu for lunch, then continue down to Mweka Camp. The trek challenges both body and mind, with loose gravel requiring careful footing, ending your final evening on the mountain.

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Arusha or Moshi.

Elevation (ft): 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

Distance: 10km/6mi

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Forest

After breakfast we continue the descent down 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 (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

Africa Natural Tours vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate to drive you back to Moshi then transfer to Arusha. (HOTEL YOU WILL BOOK BY YOURSELF)

Arusha to Serengeti National Park

We will leave Arusha early morning and travel to Serengeti National Park. We will travel to Serengeti on a road near the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, allowing for animal sightings along the way. The golden savannah and endless plains, teeming with zebras, wildebeest, and giraffes make it easy to understand why the Serengeti is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. On this day, we will enjoy a picnic lunch on Naabai kopje (a small, rocky hill in a generally flat area), where you will have the opportunity to view Serengeti’s famous pink-headed lizards. After lunch, we will proceed further into the plains for a leisurely game drive. You will spend the night at the Serengeti,

Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Conservations Area

We will begin our day with an early morning game drive in the central Serengeti. The savannah is an active landscape and the air is flooded with the melodies the birds create as the regenerated sunlight starts to illuminate the full landscape. Your guide will study the prints on the ground to pursue predators. We will travel to the Ngorongoro Crater. You will be provided with dinner and overnight.

Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha

After breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive in Ngorongoro Crater, spotting the Big Five, hippos, zebras, wildebeest, flamingos, and other wildlife. Stop for a picnic lunch by a lake within the crater. Formed over two million years ago, this caldera offers incredible scenery and abundant wildlife. After an unforgettable day of animal sightings, depart for Arusha and check into your hotel (booked independently).

Arusha airport

After breakfast at your hotel, check out and transfer to Arusha Airport (ARK) for your onward flight. Enjoy the scenic drive through the outskirts of Arusha, taking in your last glimpses of the Tanzanian landscape. This concludes your unforgettable safari adventure, filled with wildlife sightings, cultural experiences, and memories of the majestic African wilderness.