Kilimanjaro Day Hike and Serengeti Safari: 6-Day Tanzania Adventure
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
6 days
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness: able to hike 8–12 km with 1,000–1,300 m elevation gain in a day and tolerate long game-drive days.
Overview
Combine a high-altitude day hike on Mount Kilimanjaro with airlifted game drives in Serengeti and a descent into Ngorongoro Crater. This six-day route delivers dramatic alpine vistas, close wildlife encounters, and cultural stops around Arusha.
Kilimanjaro Day Hike and Serengeti Safari: 6-Day Tanzania Adventure
Select participants and date
The morning opens cold and still at Londorossi gate. A pale sun lifts above the montane forest and the trail exhales steam: breath from the soil, breath from your lungs. Colobus monkeys call from the canopy while the path climbs—steady switchbacks through moss-draped trunks, then a sudden clearing where Kibo’s jagged summit and a ribbon of glacier cut the sky. You’ve gained over 1,000 meters in a day, and the Shira Plateau stretches out like an ancient basalt table beneath you.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Hydrate for altitude
Carry 2–3 liters of water and an electrolyte mix; start hydrating the day before the hike to reduce altitude fatigue.
Footwear and traction
Wear broken-in, waterproof hiking boots with ankle support—the trail shifts from muddy forest to stony moorland.
Wildlife etiquette
Keep a safe distance, follow guide instructions, and turn off flash photography near animals to avoid startling them.
Timing matters
Schedule the Kilimanjaro hike early morning to avoid afternoon clouds and improve visibility; safaris are best at dawn and dusk.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Colobus monkey
- Black rhino (rare; Ngorongoro)
History
Kilimanjaro’s peaks are remnants of an ancient volcano; the region’s slopes have long been home to Chagga communities who farm the fertile lower flanks.
Conservation
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area balances wildlife protection with Maasai pastoral rights; support local enterprises and stay on designated roads to reduce impact.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Arusha
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Sturdy hiking boots
Support and grip for mixed terrain from wet forest trails to rocky moorland.
Layered insulated jacket
Warmth for cold high-altitude mornings and evenings on Kilimanjaro slopes.
winter specific
Binoculars (8x–10x)
Essential for spotting cats and distant wildlife in Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
Sun protection (hat & sunscreen)
High UV exposure on open plains and at altitude requires reliable sun protection.
summer specific