Quick Summary
10-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing tour & Tanzania Big Five Safari is a 10 days tour in Tanzania via the Kilimanjaro Climbing & Big Five Safari Experience route, starting from USD 3280. Below you'll find the latest itinerary, inclusions & exclusions, and how to book.
10 days
Kilimanjaro Climbing & Big Five Safari Experience
USD 3280
Kitano Tours & Safaris
ABOUT 10-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing tour & Tanzania Big Five Safari
This 10-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing tour & Tanzania Big Five Safari 2025 - 2026 - 2027 will take you on the adventure of a lifetime with this 10-day Tanzania experience. Your journey begins with a 7-day climb via the scenic Machame Route—known as the "Whiskey Route"—renowned for its landscapes, gradual acclimatization, and high success rate in reaching the Roof of Africa. You will spend 3 days on safari through the legendary Serengeti National Park and the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater. You'll witness the Big Five, combine physical challenge with wildlife, all in one trip.
- Duration: 10 days
- Route: Kilimanjaro Climbing & Big Five Safari Experience
- Starts at: USD 3280
Highlights for 10-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing tour & Tanzania Big Five Safari
Day 1: Moshi - Machame Gate – Machame Camp
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Valley
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Day 5: Karanga Camp To Barafu Base Camp
Day 6: Barafu Camp To Uhuru Peak To Mweka Camp
Day 7: Mweka Camp To Mweka Gate To Moshi
Day 8: Moshi To Serengeti National Park
Day 9: Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Day 10: Ngorongoro Crater To Moshi
Itinerary Overview
| Day | Title |
|---|---|
| Day 01 | Moshi - Machame Gate – Machame Camp |
| Day 02 | Machame Camp to Shira Camp |
| Day 03 | Shira Camp to Barranco Valley |
| Day 04 | Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp |
| Day 05 | Karanga Camp To Barafu Base Camp |
| Day 06 | Barafu Camp To Uhuru Peak To Mweka Camp |
| Day 07 | Mweka Camp To Mweka Gate To Moshi |
| Day 08 | Moshi To Serengeti National Park |
| Day 09 | Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area |
| Day 10 | Ngorongoro Crater To Moshi |
Day 01: Moshi - Machame Gate – Machame Camp
>> Your Kilimanjaro adventure officially begins today! After an early breakfast at your Moshi hotel, your mountain guide will pick you up for the scenic drive to Machame Gate, located at 1,800 meters (5,905 feet) on the southwestern slopes of Kilimanjaro. The journey takes approximately 1 hour, passing through rural Tanzanian landscapes, coffee farms, and charming villages along the way.
Upon arrival at the gate, you’ll complete park registration and enjoy a packed lunch while your porters organize gear and supplies for the trek. This is a great moment to soak in the excitement and energy at the trailhead—climbers from all around the world gather here, each with their eyes set on Africa’s highest peak.
Once everything is set, you’ll begin your ascent through the lush montane rainforest,
Your porters will have set up your tent, and a hot dinner will be prepared by your camp chef. You'll enjoy a warm meal and your first night under the stars on Mount Kilimanjaro.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation: Budget camping On Mt Kilimanjaro
Day 02: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
>> After an early breakfast at Machame Camp, your climb continues with a shorter but steeper trek up the mountain. The trail begins with a steady ascent through a dense, misty forest of heathers and tall trees draped in old man’s beard moss, gradually transitioning into the unique alpine moorland zone.
The initial stretch leads you up a rocky ridge and soon opens up to a remarkable viewpoint known as the "Picnic Rock" or "Lunch Point"—a great spot to take a break and enjoy sweeping views back toward Machame Camp and across the Shira Plateau.
From here, the climb becomes gentler as you continue across the expansive Shira Plateau, a high-altitude desert-like landscape characterized by bizarre, hardy vegetation and wild alpine flowers such as giant groundsels and everlasting flowers.
Shira Camp is located on a flat, rocky plain exposed to the elements, making it a bit colder at night. You'll have time to rest, acclimatize, and enjoy dinner under the stars before settling into your tent.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation: Budget camping On Mt Kilimanjaro
Day 03: Shira Camp to Barranco Valley
>> Today’s trek offers both challenge and incredible scenery. You'll begin the day with a gentle ascent from Shira Camp, gradually gaining altitude while enjoying sweeping panoramic views across the Shira Plateau.
Midway through the day, you'll reach the impressive Lava Tower at 4,600 meters — a striking volcanic rock formation and an excellent acclimatization point. Here, you'll pause for a well-earned hot lunch at the base of the tower, taking time to absorb the raw beauty of the alpine desert and the towering cliffs of the Western Breach above.
After lunch, the trail descends steeply into the Great Barranco Valley, offering a different perspective of the mountain's ecology. As you drop to an altitude of 3,900 meters, the barren high desert gives way to a more lush and misty moorland zone. The descent helps with acclimatization, following the “climb high, sleep low” principle.
It’s a perfect spot to rest, reflect, and prepare for the next stage of the adventure.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation: Budget camping On Mt Kilimanjaro
Day 04: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
>> A short but fun and meant for acclimatization, the day starts with a scramble to the top of the Great Barranco wall. You'll then traverse over scree to the Karanga Valley [390M] beneath the icefalls of the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers. You will stay overnight at Karanga Campsite.
Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100 ft. Distance: 5 km. Hiking Time: 4-5 hours.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation: Budget camping On Mt Kilimanjaro
Day 05: Karanga Camp To Barafu Base Camp
>> After breakfast, you'll leave Karanga and hit the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. You'll continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here you'll make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft. Distance: 4 km. Hiking Time: 4-5 hoursHabitat: Alpine Desert.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation: Budget camping On Mt Kilimanjaro
Day 06: Barafu Camp To Uhuru Peak To Mweka Camp
>> Early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), you'll continue your way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow on your 1-hour ascent to the summit.
At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, you'll make your descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Later in the evening, you'll enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation: Budget camping On Mt Kilimanjaro
Day 07: Mweka Camp To Mweka Gate To Moshi
>> After breakfast, you'll 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).
A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to the hotel in Moshi.
Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400 ft. Distance: 10 km. Hiking Time: 3-4 hoursHabitat: Rain Forest
Next day you will have safari, then might be used to beginning your 3 days Safari to Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 08: Moshi To Serengeti National Park
>> After breakfast, you'll be picked up at the hotel in Moshi, drive straight to join a safari group in Arusha, and then straight to Serengeti National Park. You will drive into the Serengeti. Serengeti originates from the Maasai word Siringit and means “endless plains.” Therefore, you will see why the Maasai named this region the grassland savannah. You can see kopjes in Serengeti. These kopjes are bizarre rock formations formed by the weathering of granite outcrops. Moreover, the plains are the perfect hunting grounds for leopards and other big cats.
Therefore, you will have an excellent chance to view these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, you will reach the destination for the day, the Seronera Valley in the central Serengeti area. You will enjoy the night and stay in a “safari-style” luxury tented Camp, enjoying a good meal in the middle of the African bush.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation: Budget camping inside Central Serengeti NP
Day 09: Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area
>> After breakfast, you will continue the game drive through Serengeti National Park. You will see hundreds of wildebeests and zebras, lions, and other big cats, such as leopards and cheetahs, in the Seronera Valley. After lunch at a picnic site, you will drive toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You will enjoy the night on the crater’s edge and the fantastic view as the sun goes down.
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
- Accommodation: Budget camping on the crater rim of Ngorongoro Crater
Day 10: Ngorongoro Crater To Moshi
>> You will enjoy breakfast at the lodge and drive down into the crater. The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest caldera and has unbelievable wildlife diversity. On the grass steppe in the acacia tree woods, you will find almost all species in East Africa. Quite often, you can observe the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard) in Ngorongoro Crater.
Within a couple of hours. Late afternoon, you'll drive to the Maasai village for a cultural tour. You will then transfer back to Moshi or the airport for your next destination
- Time: 8-10hrs
- Meals: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks
- Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Inclusions
- Porterage
- Rescue fee
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Exclusions
- Climbing gear
- International flights (From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees