Day 1: Arrive Arusha, Tanzania
Welcome to Tanzania. On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by the Gosheni Safaris team and transferred to your hotel in Arusha.
Later today, you will receive a short briefing for your Kilimanjaro climb. Your kit and equipment will also be checked to ensure you are ready for the adventure ahead.
NOTE: The included transfer is a group transfer and will be scheduled according to the arrival times of the majority of guests. If you arrive earlier and prefer not to wait, or if your flight arrives after the scheduled group transfer, you may arrange a private transfer (additional charges apply) or make your own way to the hotel.
MEALS: Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Mount Meru Hotel, Arusha
Day 2: Arusha ~ Marangu Gate (1860m) ~ Mandara Hut (2715m)
After breakfast, depart for Kilimanjaro National Park, with a scenic drive through local villages on the mountain’s lower slopes. On arrival at Marangu Gate, complete park registration and final climb preparations while your crew organise equipment.
Begin your Kilimanjaro Hike through lush montane rainforest, following a well defined trail beneath towering trees. Along the way, keep an eye out for wildlife and birdlife unique to this region. A quieter forest trail also runs alongside the main route, offering a more scenic option before rejoining the path to Mandara Hut.
Arrive at Mandara Hut in the afternoon, set within a peaceful forest clearing. The camp features simple A frame huts with bunk beds and basic facilities, providing a comfortable first night on the mountain.
APPROXIMATE WALKING TIME: 5 Hours
APPROXIMATE DISTANCE: 8 km
HABITAT: Montane Forest
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Mandara Hut
Day 3: Mandara Hut (2715m) ~ Horombo Hut (3705m)
Today’s Kilimanjaro Hike continues as you leave the forest behind and move into open moorland. The trail passes the base of Maundi Crater, where a short detour rewards you with your first clear views of Kibo and its glaciers.
As the landscape opens, the scenery becomes more dramatic. Along the way, you will see unique alpine plants, including giant lobelias and towering groundsels. These striking features create a truly otherworldly environment as you gain altitude.
Continue steadily to Horombo Hut, set on a plateau with expansive views across the mountain. Arrive in the afternoon with time to rest, acclimatise, and take in the surrounding scenery.
APPROXIMATE WALKING TIME: 6 Hours
APPROXIMATE DISTANCE: 12 km
HABITAT: Moorland
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Horombo Hut
Day 4: Horombo Hut (3705m) ~ Acclimatisation Day
Today is dedicated to acclimatisation, an important part of your Kilimanjaro Hike to improve your chances of reaching the summit. Horombo Hut sits on a wide plateau and is often lively with climbers, guides, and porters moving both up and down the mountain.
To aid acclimatisation, a guided hike towards Mawenzi Hut is recommended. Along the way, pass the striking Zebra Rocks, known for their distinctive black and white patterns. This gradual climb helps your body adjust to the altitude before returning to Horombo Hut for rest.
Spend the remainder of the day relaxing, taking in the alpine scenery, and preparing for the higher elevations ahead.
APPROXIMATE WALKING TIME: 4 to 5 Hours
HABITAT: Moorland
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Horombo Hut
Day 5: Horombo Hut (3705m) ~ Kibo Hut (4730m)
After breakfast, your Kilimanjaro Hike continues into the stark and dramatic alpine desert. The trail gradually climbs towards the Saddle, the wide plateau between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, where the landscape becomes dry and exposed.
Follow the easier lower route, passing the last reliable water point before reaching higher altitude. From here, the terrain is rocky and remote, with vast open views and very little vegetation. The steady pace is important as you gain elevation and prepare for the final ascent.
Arrive at Kibo Hut in the afternoon, set in a barren and windswept environment below the summit. After time to rest, you will prepare your gear for the overnight summit attempt. Ensure warm clothing, headlamps, and essentials are ready before an early night.
APPROXIMATE WALKING TIME: 6 Hours
APPROXIMATE DISTANCE: 10 km
HABITAT: Alpine Desert
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Kibo Hut
Day 6: Kibo Hut (4730m) ~ Uhuru Peak (5895m) ~ Horombo Hut (3705m)
Your summit day begins just before midnight, as your Kilimanjaro Hike reaches its most challenging and rewarding stage. After a light snack, set out into the darkness, following a slow and steady pace towards the summit.
The climb to Gillman’s Point is steep and demanding, with loose scree underfoot requiring both physical and mental focus. From here, continue along the crater rim, often surrounded by snow, as you make your final push to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Reaching the summit at sunrise is an unforgettable moment, with incredible views across the glaciers and plains below.
After celebrating at the top, descend carefully back to Kibo Hut for a short rest. Then continue down to Horombo Hut, where the lower altitude brings welcome relief after a long and demanding day.
APPROXIMATE WALKING TIME: 13 to 16 Hours
APPROXIMATE DISTANCE: 20 km
HABITAT: Alpine Desert and Arctic Summit
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Horombo Hut
Day 7: Horombo Hut (3705m) ~ Marangu Gate (1860m) ~ Arusha
After breakfast, begin your final descent through the moorland and back into lush rainforest. Continue past Mandara Hut as you make your way down to Marangu Gate, reflecting on your Kilimanjaro Hike achievement.
On arrival at the gate, collect your summit certificate. Climbers who reached Gillman’s Point receive a green certificate, while those who reached Uhuru Peak are awarded a gold certificate.
After completing park formalities, depart for Arusha by road. On arrival, enjoy time to relax before a short safari briefing ahead of your next adventure.
APPROXIMATE WALKING TIME: 6 Hours
APPROXIMATE WALKING DISTANCE: 20 km
APPROXIMATE DRIVING TIME: 3 Hours
APPROXIMATE DRIVING DISTANCE: 120 km
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Mount Meru Hotel, Arusha
Day 8: Arusha ~ Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, depart Arusha and begin your journey to Tarangire National Park. The drive takes you through local villages and scenic landscapes before arriving at one of Tanzania’s most impressive wildlife regions.
Tarangire is well known for its large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and diverse wildlife. The Tarangire River runs through the park and attracts animals year round, especially during the dry season. As you explore, keep an eye out for lions, giraffes, zebras, and a wide variety of birdlife.
Enjoy your first safari experience with excellent game viewing opportunities before heading to your lodge to relax and take in the surrounding wilderness.
APPROXIMATE DRIVING TIME: 2 Hours
APPROXIMATE DRIVING DISTANCE: 120 km
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Tarangire Simba Lodge
Day 9: Tarangire National Park ~ Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, depart Tarangire and travel towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The journey takes you through changing landscapes as you make your way to one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations.
On arrival, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day game drive. This natural amphitheatre is home to an incredible concentration of wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, and one of the best chances in Tanzania to spot the rare black rhinoceros. In addition, the crater supports a high density of predators, with lions, hyenas, and cheetahs often seen.
Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor before continuing your safari. Later in the day, ascend the crater walls and transfer to your lodge to relax after an unforgettable experience.
APPROXIMATE DRIVING TIME: 3.5 Hours
APPROXIMATE DRIVING DISTANCE: 135 km
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Marera Valley Lodge
Day 10: Ngorongoro Conservation Area ~ Central Serengeti (Seronera)
After breakfast, depart Ngorongoro and journey towards the vast plains of the Serengeti. Enjoy a scenic drive with a picnic lunch along the way, as the landscape opens into one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife regions.
Arrive in the Central Serengeti, known as Seronera, an area rich in year round wildlife. This region is home to large populations of predators, including lions, leopards, and cheetahs. In addition, the Serengeti is famous for the Great Migration, where vast herds of wildebeest and zebra move across the plains in search of fresh grazing.
Continue with a game drive en route to your camp, taking in the incredible scenery and wildlife encounters before settling in for the evening in the heart of the Serengeti.
APPROXIMATE DRIVING TIME: 3.5 Hours
APPROXIMATE DRIVING DISTANCE: 145 km
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Signature Serengeti Camp
Day 11: Central Serengeti ~ Northern Serengeti
After breakfast, depart Central Serengeti and journey north towards the Mara region. The drive takes you through changing landscapes, with game viewing opportunities along the way.
The Northern Serengeti is known for its remote beauty and is a key area for the Great Migration. The Mara River is the main highlight, where herds of wildebeest and zebra may attempt dramatic crossings. While sightings cannot be guaranteed, the experience of tracking the herds adds to the adventure.
Arrive at your camp in the Northern Serengeti and settle in, surrounded by wilderness and incredible scenery.
APPROXIMATE DRIVING TIME: 5 Hours
APPROXIMATE DRIVING DISTANCE: 155 km
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Enkutoto Migration Camp
Day 12: Northern Serengeti National Park
Spend a full day exploring the Northern Serengeti, focusing on the Mara River region. This area offers excellent opportunities to witness wildlife in a more secluded setting.
Continue searching for the Great Migration herds and potential river crossings, while also spotting resident wildlife including lions, elephants, and giraffes. The diverse landscapes of kopjes, woodlands, and open plains provide a stunning backdrop throughout the day.
Return to camp in the evening to relax and reflect on another rewarding day on safari.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Enkutoto Migration Camp
Day 13: Northern Serengeti ~ Arusha
After breakfast, transfer to Kogatende Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Arusha. Enjoy aerial views of the Serengeti as you depart this incredible wilderness.
On arrival in Arusha Airport, you will be met and transferred by road to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight home.
APPROXIMATE DRIVING TIME: 1 Hour
APPROXIMATE DRIVING DISTANCE: 50 km
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch
