Lemosho Route, Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro

This is a combination package of a 9-days Kilimanjaro climb via the Lemosho Route  and a 5-days safari in Northern Tanzania. A complete Tanzania 14-day holiday package, With the Best of Tanzania Expedition travel in custom designed 4×4 safari vehicles with open roofs for game viewing. Traveling for 14- days, the trekking and safari includes meals, accommodation, park entry fees and visit to Mt.Kilimanjaro, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater.

Day 1: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Moshi.

Elevation: 1,000m to 1,200m.
Distance: 36 km
Driving Time: 45Min
Habitat: Town

KilimanjaroTravels.com driver will meet and pick you up from JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi for overnight B/B.

Day 2: Moshi to Londorosi gate to Big tree campsite.

Elevation: 1,200 m to 1,950 m to 2,850 m
Distance: 9 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest

We will pick you up from your hotel,  and transport you to Londorosi gate for registration. After this formality, you board the vehicle and drive again to Lemosho glade. From this point you will start the trek across undisturbed Montane forest decorated with Black and White Colobus Monkey to the camp where dinner and overnight will take place.

Day 3: Big tree campsite to Shira one campsite

Day 4: Shira two campsite to Moir campsite

Elevation: 3500m to 4155m
Distance: 11km
Hiking time: 7 hours
Habitat: Moorland

It is a really good day whereby you will follow the trail to Shira two campsite the Lava Tower (4,542 meters). This day allows you to climb high and sleep low and is critical for acclimatization. Stronger hikes may continue to the ruined camp at Arrow Glacier (4,871 meters). Continue hiking from Lava Tower to Moir Hut.

Day 5: Moir campsite to Buffalo campsite

Elevation: 4155m to 4145m
Distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 4 hours.
Habitat: Moorland.

Today you will start the hike by hiking out of the Moir Valley. Hike to the summit of Lent Hills before returning to the main trail. Continue east through a rock field. Finally reach Buffalo Camp at the end of the day.

Day 6: Buffalo Campsite to Third cave Campsite

Elevation: 4145m to 3936m. Elevation loss 209m
Distance: 8 km.
Hiking time: 5 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.

Today you will climb to the top of Buffalo Ridge before continuing on through the barren landscape to Third Cave Camp. Cross many gullies during this day you will loss 209m today.

Day 7: Third cave Campsite to School Hut Campsite

Elevation: 3936m to 4717m.
Distance: 8 km.
Hiking time: 5 hours.
Habitat: Alpine Desert.

Begin the day by backtracking yesterday’s trail until the dry riverbed. Head west toward Kibo on a steady upward climb. By the early afternoon, reach School Hut on the eastern slopes of Kibo. The Saddle to Mawenzi lies just a few minutes from the camp. Prepare for your midnight ascent to Uhuru Peak.

Day 8: School Hut Camp/ Uhuru Peak/ Mweka Camp

Elevation: 4717m to 5895m to 3100m
Distance: 15km
Hiking time: 10 – 12 hours
Habitat: Desert and ice.

Due to the steep ascent at high altitude, this is the most challenging day of the ascent. Leave School Hut around midnight to begin your hike to the top of Kibo Crater. It is important to remember to snack during the ascent to keep your energy up. You will likely lose your appetite during this day and begin to feel new effects of altitude sickness. Reach Gilman’s Point on the Crater rim. Continue on to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. The hike to the summit is slow, and will take approximately 1.5 hours from Gilman’s Point. After reaching the summit, descend to Barafu Camp for a rest and brunch. Around 1pm, descend to Millennium Camp. Reach Millennium Camp at approximately 6pm.

Day 9: Mweka campsite to Mweka gate

Elevation: 3100m to 1700m
Distance: 9km
Descending time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane forest.

Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast you will descend down to Mweka park gate walking across Montane forest. This descent will take 3-4 hours. Here at the gate you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to the hotel for your certificate presentation and a well deserved celebration.

Day 10: Moshi / Arusha — Tarangire National Park.

After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, enjoy full day game drive with picnic lunch. Tarangire is one of Tanzania’s largest national parks and sanctuary for an unusually large elephant population. Majestic baobab trees are an interesting feature of the park. Animals concentrate along the Tarangire River, which provides the only permanent water supply in the area. There is a great diversity of wildlife including lion, leopard, cheetah and up to six thousand elephants. This African National Park is also home to three rare species of animals – the Greater Kudu, the Fringed-eared Oryx, as well as a few Ashy Starlings. After game viewing you will drive to your hotel / tented camp for dinner and overnight.

Main Destination: Tarangire National Park

Accommodation: Marombo tented camp / Lake Burunge tented camp

• Mid-range tented camp in or near Tarangire NP.

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 11: Tarangire — Serengeti.

After breakfast drive to the Serengeti – one of the most famous game parks in Africa, passing through Olduvai Gorge, the site of Leakey’s family discovery of fossils of human and animal ancestors dating back to almost two million years. The Olduvai Gorge is a historical site of the world and has much history of the earliest human being and much more historical information that is worth much to visit. The Serengeti National Park is the world’s last great wildlife refuge as it contains an estimated three million large animals, most of which take part in a seasonal migration that is one of nature’s wonders. The area covers 14,763 sq kms and the name Serengeti comes from the Maasai ‘Siringet’, meaning endless plains. Here is home to millions of wildebeest during the migration and over the huge flat plains you are likely to find lion, cheetah, leopard, hyena and many other small predators. You will have your picnic lunch on the way to Serengeti. Upon your arrival you will check in to the lodge / tented camp for a hot shower, dinner and overnight.

Main Destination: Serengeti National Park.

Accommodation: Tanzania Pure Tented camp / Mbugani tented camp / Serengeti Sopa Lodge / Serengeti Serena Lodge / Serengeti Katikati Tented camp

• Mid-range tented camp / lodge near Serengeti NP.

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 12: Serengeti — Full day game viewing.

Today you have a full day to explore the Serengeti. Break the day into morning and afternoon game drives or take a picnic lunch for a full day game drive. The park have endless plain which is a home for lion, leopard, elephants, cheetah, buffalo, wildebeest migration, eland, wild dog, gazelle, crocodiles and many more. Also you will enjoy variety of birds that decorate the park with different sounds. Overnight in Seronera, Serengeti at lodge / tented camp.

Main Destination: Serengeti National Park.

Accommodation: Tanzania Pure Tented camp / Mbugani tented camp / Serengeti Sopa Lodge / Serengeti Serena Lodge / Serengeti Katikati Tented camp

• Mid-range tented camp / lodge near Serengeti NP.

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 13: Serengeti — Ngorongoro Crater.

An early morning starts in the Serengeti to try and find cats before they retreat away from the blazing sun during the day. Enjoy early breakfast, then you meet your guide and have last morning game drive in Serengeti National Park. Then depart to Ngorongoro Conservation area with game drive enroute. Ngorongoro is a special area of which it’s a conservation area and not a National Park. The whole area is managed for both animals and local Masaai people who graze their cattle alongside the indigenous wildlife. On arrival at the crater rim you will have dinner and overnight at your lodge / tented camp.

Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater.

Accommodation: Rhino Lodge / Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge / Ngorongoro Farm House

• Just near Ngorongoro Crater.

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 14: Ngorongoro Crater — Arusha / Moshi / Airport Departure.

A full day in the Ngorongoro Crater. This morning you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater — a wonderful haven for wildlife. Ngorongoro is unique in that almost all the wildlife lives within the crater, hence you have the opportunity to find game easily. Rhino, in particular, can be seen regularly as well as prides of lions and other predators like cheetahs. The Ngorongoro crater is the world’s biggest whole volcanic caldera at 8300 sq km and is arguably the most stunning arena. It is frequently described as one of the wonders of the world, not only because of its geological magnificence, but also because it serves as an extraordinary natural sanctuary for some of Africa’s largest populations of large mammals. Ngorongoro and other freestanding mountains are volcanic in origin, formed during the fracturing process that created the Rift valley 15 to 20 million years ago. When it peaked in size 3 million years ago it was a similar height to Mt. Kilimanjaro today. There is a very high possibility of spotting the big 5 in one day: lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo and leopard. Enjoy lunch by the hippo pond before beginning your drive back to Arusha / Moshi.

Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater

Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

End of tour

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.

Included on the climb

• Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
• Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the standard hotel in Moshi
• Park fees, camp fee, rescue fees
• Transfers to/from the mountain gates.
• Expert guides, cook, assistant guides, and porters.
• Three meals a day during the climb.
• Bottled water on the first day of the climb boiled and filtered on the mountain.
• Entry fees, Camping fees, rescue fees and crew fees.
• Mountains 4 Season sleeping tents double occupancy.
• Sleeping mattress, foam, 1.5 inches thick.
• Mess tent, table, chairs and lanterns.
• Oxygen tank in case of emergency.
• Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent.
• Crew salaries (Guides, cook and porters).

Excluded on the climb

Prices are per person per trip – all in $USD

Accommodation: overnight stays at campsites in Hilleberg | Vaude, 4 season, 2 person tents.

Accommodation in Moshi: Ameg lodge / Pink flamingo / Chanya lodge / Sal salinero hotel

Ascent & descent: different, ascent via Lemosho route, and descent via Mweka route.

Length: this route can be trekked within a minimum of 7 days in total, however an additional day for acclimatisation ishighly recommended.

Price: high-range (higher priced compared to other routes due to length of trek and transfer and transport costs to the start point of the trail). Please contact us for price quote.

Success rate: high due to length of trek and acclimatisation.

Acclimatisation: very good

Level: intermediate – high

People traffic: very low

Note: You are responsible for bringing the required, recommended and optional personal gear and equipment listed below. Be very selective in what you take with you, our porters are limited to carry 15kg of your personal belongings. Communal equipment such as tents, food utensils et cetera is provided.

Required and recommended items.

• 1 x walking poles
• 1 x sleeping bag
• 1 x duffle bag
• 1 x waterproof jacket, breathable with hood
• 1 x insulated jacket, synthetic or down
• 1 x sleeping pad/mattress
• 1 x soft jacket, fleece or soft-shell
• 2 x long sleeve shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
• 1 x short sleeve shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
• 1 x waterproof pants, breathable (side-zipper recommended)
• 2 x hiking pants (convertible to short recommended)
• 1 x fleece pants
• 1 x short (optional)
• 1 x long underwear (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
• 3 x underwear, briefs moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
• 2 x sport bra (women) head wear
• 1 x brimmed hat, for sun protection
• 1 x knit hat for warmth
• 1 x balaclava, for face coverage (optional)
• 1 x Bandana (optional) hand wear
• 1 x gloves, warm (waterproof recommended)
• 1 x gloves liners, synthetic, worn under gloves for added warmth (optional)
• 1 x hiking boots, warm, waterproof, broken-in, with spare laces
• 1 x Gym shoes to wear at camp (optional)
• 3 x socks, thick, wool or synthetic
• 3 x socks liners, tight, thin, synthetic, worn under socks to prevent blisters (option)
• 1 x gaiters, waterproof (option)
• 1 x sun glasses or goggles
• 1 x backpack cover, waterproof (optional)
• 1 x poncho, during rain season (optional)
• 1 x water bottle (Nalgene, 32oz (recommended)
• 1 x water bladder, camelback type (recommended)
• 1 x towel, light weight, quick-dry (optional)
• 1 x pee bottle, to avoid leaving tent at night (recommended)
• 1 x sleeping bag liner, for added warmth (optional)
• 1 x head lamp
• 1 x daypack, for you to carry your personal gear.

Rent your climbing equipment.

Climbing equipment can be rented on your arrival and payable in USD – cash only.