Daily Itinerary – Kilimanjaro Walk, Wildlife Safari & Ngorongoro Walk

Overview

Kilimanjaro Walk

We hike 7 – 22 kilometers per day on mountain trails between 1,400m and 2,200m. The terrain is steep and challenging, with trails that can be slippery when wet. Expect many ridges and valleys, requiring a slow and steady pace. Trekking poles are strongly recommended.

Overnights are spent in comfortable camps with spacious walk-in tents (for 1-2 people or families). Enjoy locally-inspired meals prepared by our expert mountain cooks and served in a dining tent.

Itinerary Summary

Kilimanjaro Walk

• Day 1: Arrival – Marangu, Kilimanjaro (Marangu Hotel)
• Day 2: Marangu to Kidia (13.6mi / 22km)
• Day 3: Kidia to Tema (5.6mi / 9km)
• Day 4: Tema to Wondo (4.3mi / 7km)
• Day 5: Wondo to Mweka (4.9mi / 8km)
• Day 6: Mweka to Kibosho (9.3mi / 15km)
• Day 7: Kibosho to Machame (11.5mi / 19km) – Kaliwa Lodge

Wildlife Safari

• Day 8: Lake Manyara National Park – Ngorongoro Farm House Lodge
• Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater – Nanokanoka Camp

Ngorongoro Walk

• Day 10: Nanokanoka to Empakaai Crater (15.4mi / 25km)
• Day 11: Empakaai Crater to Nairobi Village (4.3mi / 7km – excluding crater hike)
• Day 12: Nairobi Village to Lake Natron (14.8mi / 24km)
• Day 13: Arusha – Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival – Marangu, Kilimanjaro

Pick-up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Marangu Hotel, located in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro (1,800m).

Overnight: Marangu Hotel
Meals: B, L, D
Drive Time: 2 hours

Day 2: Marangu to Kidia

A long but gentle hike, with spectacular views of Moshi Town and Mount Kilimanjaro. Camp on primary school grounds high on a ridge.

Overnight: Fumyuhu School Camp
Meals: B, L, D
Hiking Distance: 13.6mi / 22km

Day 3: Kidia to Tema

Pass through colorful villages, coffee and maize farms, and rivers. Visit Kidia village, the first European settlement in Kilimanjaro.

Overnight: Tema School Camp
Meals: B, L, D
Hiking Distance: 5.6mi / 9km

Day 4: Tema to Wondo

Hike through a dramatic landscape of ridges and valleys covered in tropical rainforest. Spot blue monkeys and experience the scent of eucalyptus trees, marking the Kilimanjaro National Park boundary.

Overnight: Kilimanjaro View Camp
Meals: B, L, D
Hiking Distance: 4.3mi / 7km

Day 5: Wondo to Mweka

Alternate between villages and forests, crossing rivers and irrigation channels used for over 100 years to cultivate coffee, bananas, and fruits.

Overnight: Sungu School Camp
Meals: B, L, D
Hiking Distance: 4.9mi / 8km

Day 6: Mweka to Kibosho

Hike through forests and farms, guided by local knowledge of Mount Kilimanjaro’s rich heritage. Stay at Kibosho Camp, a site surrounded by natural vegetation, birds, and butterflies.

Overnight: Kibosho Camp
Meals: B, L, D
Hiking Distance: 9.3mi / 15km

Day 7: Kibosho to Machame

Final hiking day on village trails, ending at Kaliwa Lodge, nestled among banana and coffee trees. Fall asleep to the sounds of nature.

Overnight: Kaliwa Lodge
Meals: B, L, D
Hiking Distance: 11.5mi / 19km

Day 8: Lake Manyara National Park

Start the wildlife safari at Lake Manyara National Park, home to flamingos, elephants, and tree-climbing lions. Sunset drive to Ngorongoro Farm House Lodge.

Overnight: Ngorongoro Farm House Lodge
Meals: B, L, D
Drive Time: 3.5 hours

Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater

Descend 2,500 feet into Ngorongoro Crater, Africa’s most wildlife-dense area. Afternoon drive to Nanokanoka Camp at Olmoti Crater’s edge.

Overnight: Nanokanoka Camp
Meals: B, L, D
Drive Time: 45 minutes

Day 10: Nanokanoka to Empakaai Crater

Start the 3-day Maasai-guided trek. Walk through the Embulbul Depression and reach Empakaai Crater’s rim, encountering buffalo, monkeys, and antelope.

Overnight: Empakaai Camp
Meals: B, L, D
Hiking Distance: 15.4mi / 25km

Day 11: Empakaai Crater to Nairobi Village

Morning crater exploration, followed by a short trek to Nairobi Village.

Overnight: Nairobi Village Camp
Meals: B, L, D
Hiking Distance: 4.3mi / 7km (excluding crater hike)

Day 12: Nairobi Village to Lake Natron

Hike through grasslands, escarpments, and plains toward Lake Natron, with Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano in constant view.

Overnight: Lake Natron Halisi Camp
Meals: B, L, D
Hiking Distance: 14.8mi / 24km

Day 13: Arusha – Departure

Morning lake walk or waterfall visit before transferring to Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Meals: B, L

Inclusions

✔️ All accommodations (lodging & camping)
✔️ All meals as indicated (B, L, D)
✔️ Bottled or filtered water, coffee, teas, and cocoa
✔️ Services of an expert hiking guide and camp crew
✔️ Use of all camping equipment (excluding sleeping bag)
✔️ Private safari for your group
✔️ Services of a professional English-speaking safari guide
✔️ Park fees & unlimited safari game drives in a 4WD safari vehicle

Exclusions

❌ Tips & gratuities for guides, crew, or staff
❌ Cold drinks & alcohol
❌ Extra accommodations & meals due to airline changes or inability to complete the trek
❌ Pre-trip expenses (immunizations, travel insurance, passports, visas)
❌ International airfare & airport departure taxes
❌ Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, etc.)