20 Days Tanzania Wildlife, Kilimanjaro Hike and Zanzibar Holiday

East African country of Tanzania is home to the continent’s highest mountain, snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro. Around the base of its tallest peak, relatively accessible hiking trails wind through rainforest inhabited by colobus monkeys and past the volcanic caldera of Lake Chala. Approaching the summit of Uhuru Peak, the slopes steepen and are studded with glacial ice fields. Our 20 Days Tanzania wildlife, Kilimanjaro Hike and Zanzibar holiday will take you to some of the finest safari destinations in Tanzania to see wildlife and enjoy a relaxing at Zanzibar beach after the trek.

Safari highlights

• Game drives in Tarangire national park
• Game drives in Lake Manyara
• Game drives in Serengeti NP
• Game drives in Ngorongoro crater floor
• Hiking to Kilimanjaro’s Uhuru peak
• Beach holiday in Zanzibar Archipelago

Detailed safari itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kilimanjaro and transfer to Arusha

You will be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel in Arusha (45 minutes depending on traffic jam). Depending on your arrival time, you will have an opportunity to explore the hotel grounds, go for a dip in the swimming pool or partake in any of the offered additional activities available.

Day 2: Drive from Arusha to Tarangire national park

Tarangire National Park is well known for its huge elephant population and baobab trees. It forms the centre of the annual migratory cycle that includes up to 3000 elephant, 25,000 wildebeest and 30,000 zebra. This is one of a Africa’s finest safari destinations, upon arrival you will have lunch and later in the evening head to the park for an evening.

Day 3: Drive from Tarangire national park to Lake Manyara national park

Lake Manyara National park is a spectacular national park located north-western corner of famous Lake Manyara, a hallow soda lake, which lies at the foot of the Great Rift Valley’s western escarpment. Manyara NP is not only known for its large flocks of flamingos, but also for the elusive tree climbing lions. Upon arrival you will enjoy lunch and later enjoy an evening game drive in the park in search of the abundant wildlife and birds.

Day 4: Drive from Lake Manyara to Serengeti national park

After morning breakfast you will start your scenic drive up the Rift Valley escarpment to one of Africa’s finest wildlife sanctuaries, the mighty Serengeti National Park. This drive will take you through Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority where you will make a brief stop at Olduvai Gorge and the museum which documents the discovery of 1.8 million year old human-like fossils. Thereafter you will head to Serengeti National Park, game driving along the way to the lodge.

Day 5: Full day game drive in Serengeti national park

After early morning breakfast you will head out for a game drive in the magnificent Serengeti National Park. With a picnic lunch provided, this full day safari game drive will give you fantastic opportunity to look out for wildlife like wildebeest, Zebras, gazelles, elephants, giraffes and also predators like lions, cheetah, leopards, hyenas and abundant birdlife in the park.

Day 6: Fullday game drives in Serengeti national park

Enjoy a full day of game viewing in the Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti is renowned for its annual wildebeest migration and large predator population. From February to May, a herd of over a million wildebeest (gnu) migrate for the Western Corridor of the park, in search of greener pastures. The Serengeti’s other animal attractions include lion, leopard, zebra, Thompson gazelle, impala, Grant’s gazelle and buffalo. Most of the park is open swathes of grassland, broken by isolated granite kopjes (hills) and patches of acacias woodlands.

Day 7: Drive from Serengeti to Ngorongoro for a game drive in the crater floor

We take an early breakfast at the camp and then head to the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. On arrival we go through the registration process and descend to the floor of the world’s largest unbroken caldera for the most wonderful day of game viewing. We will have lunch at the designated picnic site at the side of the hippo pool and continue with a game drive as we drive up the crater rim for overnight.

Day 8: Drive from Ngorongoro to Arusha for final preparation to hike Africa’s highest Mountain

After breakfast we explore the colourful town of Mto-wa-Mbu for some last minute pictures and curio shopping. Afterwards we head to Arusha, depending on your arrival time, at noon you will be picked up and driven to the unique cultural centre, ‘Cultural Heritage Gallery’ on the outskirts of Arusha. The variety of sculptures, masks, furniture, drawings and photos from all parts of Africa on display here is extremely impressive and worth visiting.

Day 9: Drive to Londorossi gate for your first day of hiking the Kilimanjaro

In the morning, after breakfast we will be driven to the Londorossi Gate. After completing all formalities and a last 15 km drive on a bumpy road, we reach the starting point on the edge of the rainforest. We will enjoy lunch before making our way through the tropical mountain forest. Today’s hike is quite short compared to the days ahead and takes about 3 hours. This gives us time to enjoy the lush landscape, which will change dramatically in the course of our hike. Maybe we can even catch a glimpse of the thumb less Colobus monkey perched in the branches of the trees.

Day 10: Hiking through the Rainforest to Shira Camp 1 (3,500m)

As we walk along the narrow path through the rainforest, we will find that the vegetation becomes increasingly arid until we finally reach the moorland overgrown with lobelia and heather. We ascend through rolling hills and reach Shira Camp 1. If we look over the Shira plateau from our camp, we can see the inimitable snow-capped summit of Kibo. Kilimanjaro was formed as a result of the active continental fissures and consists of three volcanic cones, the Shira / Shira Ridge (3,962 m), the Mawenzi (5,148 m) and the Kibo (5,895 m). It is believed that the first volcanic activity began around 1 million years ago. A tasty dinner and a last look at the starry sky let the day come to an end.

Day 11: Hiking from Shira Camp 1((3,500m) to Shira Camp 2 (3,847m)

Today we cross the Shira Ridge with its rocky bottom, low grass and bushes. Since the terrain is much flatter than the day before, our hike seems more leisurely and we enjoy a fantastic view of the Great Rift Valley and Mount Meru (4,566 m). Beautiful and unique giant lobes still characterize the moor landscape. In the late afternoon we arrive at Shira Camp 2, where we will have dinner and spend the night.

Day 12: Hiking from Shira Camp 2 (3,847m) to Barranco Camp (3986m)

After breakfast we begin our ascent to the lava tower through a terrain littered with boulders. In the distance we see the Kibo, which encourages us to keep walking uphill. At an altitude of 4,640 m we reach the lava tower, take a longer break and let our body get used to the greater height. Then we hike further down to the Barranco Camp. This method of ascending and deep sleeping allows our bodies to get used to the different altitudes better and gives us a good idea of how our bodies will react to changes in altitude. On the way the landscape changes again and soon we are surrounded by huge Senecias (special plant on the mountain) and smaller lobelia plants. After 6 – 7 hours we reach the beautiful and green Barranco Camp, which offers a wonderful view of the valley and the snow-capped summit of Kibo (5,895 m).

Day 13: Hiking from Barranco Camp (3986m) to Karanga camp (4024m)

The famous Barranco Wall, which is probably the steepest part of the entire route, awaits us after breakfast. While no technical climbing is required, in some places we need to use our hands for a better grip and pull ourselves up. Our mountain guides are close by to help us if necessary. After passing Kissing Rock, we hike along the ridge through the Karanga Valley. We pass the last water point and after 3 – 4 hours we finally reach the Karanga Camp. After a well-deserved meal, we go to bed.

Day 14: Hiking from Karanga camp (4024m) to Barafu camp (4,645 m) 

Today we are on our way to Barafu Camp at approx. 4,640 m, which we will reach in approx. 3 – 4 hours. The landscape is very dry and the ground breaks like glass under our boots. On the way through the Afro-Alpine desert to the rocky Barafu Camp, we feel a sense of anticipation, as our last stretch is only a few hours away. Barafu Camp with its rocky landscape offers a breath-taking view of Mawenzi Peak (5,148 m) and the summit path. Here we can relax and have dinner very early, at 5:00 p.m., and go to sleep around 7:00 p.m. The ascent to the summit starts at midnight, so it is important that we rest well beforehand.

Day 15: Hiking from Barafu camp (4,645 m) to Uhuru peak (5895 m) and decent to Millennium camp (3820m)

After a hot tea and a light snack, the ascent begins around midnight. Warmly dressed and with the light of our headlamps, we climb the scree slopes of the Kibo. It’s steep and uphill in serpentines. After a 5 to 7 hour ascent in the dark we reach Stella Point (5,756 m), the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. From here strong wind and cold can be expected. Another 1 to 2 hours ascent along the crater ridge leads us to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Here we see Kilimanjaro in all its glory and enjoy the 360 ° view over the landscape at sunrise. You are now on the “roof of Africa”. The comparatively easy but long descent is almost on the same route. The temperatures now change from minus degrees to high plus degrees. Shortly before noon we should arrive at the Barafu Camp, where the cook is waiting for us with tasty dishes. After a warm meal we can rest for 1 to 2 hours and then descend to Millennium Camp (3,820 m), where dinner and a well-deserved break await us.

Day 16: Final decent from Millennium Camp (3820 m) to Mweka gate (1,653 m) and transfer to Arusha for overnight

After a delicious breakfast and a traditional farewell ceremony by our mountain crew, we’ll begin our final descent to Mweka Gate. A leisurely 2 to 3 hour walk will take us again through the lush rainforest where the endemic Impatiens Kilimanjaro flower grows. When we reach the Mweka Gate, we will be greeted by our transfer driver who will take us back to our hotel. The rest of the day is free – enjoy a long shower and Overnight at hotel in Arusha.

Day 17: Full day at Leisure and Depart Kilimanjaro for Zanzibar for relaxation

We recommend booking flights that depart later so that you can have enough rest at the lodge after our guide will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Zanzibar, upon arrival you will be received by our guide and transfer to your beach resort for relaxation.

Day 18: Full day relaxation in Zanzibar

Relaxation at the beach but optional activities can be arranged through the lodge.

Day 19: Full day Relaxation in Zanzibar

Full day relaxation at the beach but optional activities can be arranged through the lodge.

Day 20: Depart Zanzibar for your flight home.

After enjoying relaxing holiday in Zanzibar the hotel will pick you up and transfer you to the airport for your international flight.

Safari includes

This is an all-inclusive safari package.

Safari excludes

• All flights
• Tanzania and Zanzibar tourist Visas
• Travel insurance
• Tips for guides and hotels
• Alcoholic drinks
• Personal expenses like Tips

When to Book the safari package

We recommend 1 year in advance since the package involves hiking Mount Kilimanjaro.

Best time to Hike Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the warmest and driest times of year, from December to mid-March and mid-June to the end of October.