Ultimate 12-Day Kilimanjaro Trek and Serengeti Safari

The best time for general wildlife viewing is during the long dry season from late June to October. The vegetation is thin, making animals much easier to spot, and wildlife concentrates heavily around permanent water sources.

• For the Great Migration River Crossings: Target July to August in the northern Serengeti.

• For Calving/Birthing Season: Target January to February in the southern Serengeti (Ndutu area).

• For Birding: The "Green Season" (November to April) brings lush landscapes and migratory birds.

Yes, Tanzania is widely considered one of the safest and most stable countries in Africa. The safari industry is highly professionalized. While in the national parks, experienced guides manage all wildlife encounters safely. As with any global travel, basic common sense applies when visiting major towns or transit hubs—such as keeping valuables secure and staying with registered guides.

Most international passport holders do require a tourist visa.

• Cost: $50 USD for most nationalities; $100 USD for US citizens.

• How to apply: It is highly recommended to apply online in advance via the official Tanzanian Immigration e-visa portal to avoid long queues. Alternatively, it can be purchased as a Visa on Arrival at major entry hubs like Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

• Routine Health: Ensure your routine vaccines (Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A & B) are up to date.

• Malaria: Most safari destinations sit in malaria zones. Travelers should consult a doctor or travel clinic to get the appropriate malaria prophylaxis (preventative medication) before traveling.

• Yellow Fever: A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory if you are arriving from or transiting through a country where Yellow Fever is endemic.

Your choice depends entirely on your travel circuit:

• Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO): The definitive gateway for the famous Northern Circuit (Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Lake Manyara) and Mount Kilimanjaro climbs.

• Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam: Best if you are exploring the Southern Circuit (Nyerere/Selous, Ruaha) or connecting directly to the coast.

• Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ): The primary hub if you are heading straight to the beaches of Zanzibar.

The key is to pack light (especially since domestic safari bush flights have strict luggage limits of 15 kg / 33 lbs in soft-sided bags) and wear layers.

• Colors: Stick to neutral, earthy tones (khaki, tan, olive green, beige). Avoid bright colors, dark blue, and black—dark blue and black attract tsetse flies, while bright whites make you stand out too much to wildlife.

• Clothing: Long-sleeved shirts and lightweight trousers to protect against mosquitoes and sun. Bring a warm fleece or jacket; early morning game drives can be surprisingly cold.

• Essentials: High-SPF sunscreen, insect repellent containing DEET, a wide-brimmed sun hat, sunglasses, good binoculars, and a quality camera with a zoom lens.

Tanzania's parks are grouped geographically into two main regions:

Absolutely. A safari can be an incredibly enriching, educational experience for families. However, most operators recommend a minimum age of 6 to 8 years old. Safari days involve long hours of sitting quietly in a vehicle, bumpy dirt roads, and early mornings, which can be challenging for toddlers. Additionally, certain walking safaris or specific eco-lodges enforce a strict age limit for safety reasons.

• Currency: The official currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS), but US Dollars (USD) are incredibly widely accepted for tourist services, park fees, and at lodges. Crucial Note: Make sure your USD bills are printed in 2009 or later, and are free of tears or heavy marks, as older or damaged bills are rejected by local banks.

• Tipping: Tipping is a customary and highly appreciated way to reward the hard work of your safari crew. As a general industry standard guideline:

  • Safari Driver-Guide: $20 - $30 USD per day (total from the vehicle group).

  • Camp/Lodge Staff: $10 - $20 USD per day (placed in the communal staff tip box).

Wildlife is most active when temperatures are cool, so the daily rhythm revolves around the sun:

• 06:00 AM: Early wake-up call with tea or coffee, followed by a departure for an early morning game drive just as the bush wakes up (this is prime time for spotting predators on the move).

• 09:30 AM: Return to the lodge or bush camp for a hearty breakfast/brunch.

• Mid-Day: Relax at the lodge, swim, read, or rest during the heat of the day when animals rest under thick shade.

• 03:30 PM: Head out for an afternoon game drive as the temperature drops, often stopping for a classic "sundowner" drink in the bush to watch the sunset.

• 07:00 PM: Return to camp for a warm shower, drinks around the campfire, and a multi-course dinner.

The Great Migration is the largest synchronized movement of wildlife on earth, where over 1.5 million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, move in a continuous clockwise cycle between Tanzania and Kenya. It is not a single event but a year-round pilgrimage driven entirely by rainfall patterns, as the herds constantly search for fresh grazing pasture and water.

The dramatic river crossings—where herds plunge into waters filled with crocodiles—typically take place from late July to October.

• The Location: This happens in the Northern Serengeti at the Mara River and Grumeti River.

• Note for Planning: Witnessing a crossing requires patience, as the herds can gather on the banks for hours or even days before the first animal takes the leap.

Because the migration is continuous, the herds can be found in different sections of the Serengeti throughout the year:

• January to March: Southern Serengeti (Ndutu area) for the calving season.

• April to May: Western Corridor and Central Serengeti (Seronera) as the herds move north during the rainy season.

• June to July: Transitioning through the Western and Northern Serengeti towards the rivers.

• November to December: Moving back south through the eastern Serengeti to start the cycle again.

The calving season takes place between late January and February in the southern plains of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Ndutu). During a short 2-to-3 week window, around 8,000 wildebeest calves are born every single day. This massive influx of vulnerable young action attracts incredibly high numbers of predators (lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas), making it an exceptional time for dramatic wildlife viewing.

No, you do not need to worry about booking anything yourself. When you book your safari itinerary with us, everything is fully included from start to finish.

Attempting to book lodges or mobile camps on your own can be significantly more expensive. As a registered tour operator, we have exclusive standard tour operator rates with all the top lodges and camps across the Serengeti. Because of these established partnerships, the overall cost is lower when booking through us compared to booking the exact same accommodations independently. We handle all the logistics, securing the best spots near the migration action while saving you money.

Mount Kilimanjaro is a "walk-up" mountain, meaning it is a non-technical trek. You do not need ropes, harnesses, crampons, or prior mountaineering experience. However, it is a physically demanding high-altitude endurance trek. You will be hiking uphill for multiple days through rugged terrain, and the final summit night is long, steep, and cold. Anyone with a good level of physical fitness and a strong mental drive can reach Uhuru Peak.

The number one reason climbers fail to summit is Altitude Sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness - AMS), not physical fitness. The body needs time to adapt to lower oxygen levels.

• Our approach: At Climb Kilimanjaro and Safaris, we heavily advocate for longer itineraries (7 to 9 days) such as the Lemosho or Northern Circuit routes. These routes allow a gradual ascent, resulting in a 90% or higher summit success rate, compared to short 5-day routes which see success rates drop below 40%.

The right route depends on your preferences for scenery, crowds, and comfort:

• Lemosho Route (7-8 Days): Our top recommendation. It is highly scenic, remote in the beginning, and has an exceptional acclimatization profile.

• Machame Route (6-7 Days): Known as the "Whiskey Route." Very popular, beautifully varied scenery, but can get crowded during peak season.

• Marangu Route (5-6 Days): The "Coca-Cola Route." It is the only route offering A-frame hut accommodations instead of camping. However, because it is shorter, its success rate is much lower.

• Northern Circuit (9 Days): The longest and newest route, looping around the quiet northern slopes. It offers the absolute highest success rate (over 95%).

You can climb Kilimanjaro year-round, but the best conditions are during the dry seasons:

• January to March: Cooler, very clear skies, and less crowded. Beautiful snow-capped views at the summit.

• June to October: The long dry season. Warmer during the day, very dry, but the mountain sees its highest traffic.

• Note on the Rainy Season: We generally advise avoiding April and May due to heavy rains, though we can organize climbs via the northern Rongai Route, which sits in the mountain's rain shadow.

Not at all. When you book with Climb Kilimanjaro and Safaris, your trek is a fully inclusive package. We provide a comprehensive team for your expedition: certified head guides, assistant guides, a professional mountain chef, and a dedicated team of porters who carry all heavy gear, tents, and food. You only carry a light daypack with your daily essentials.

We provide all the heavy-duty, group expedition gear to ensure you are safe and comfortable:

• High-quality, waterproof four-season mountain tents.

• Thick, comfortable foam sleeping mattresses.

• Large mess tents with tables and chairs for your meals.

• All cooking gear and fresh food.

• Rental Gear: For personal gear like thermal sleeping bags (-20°C rated), trekking poles, or down jackets, you can easily rent these directly through us in Moshi before your climb.

Safety is our ultimate priority. Our mountain guides are highly trained, wilderness-first-responder certified, and have summited Kilimanjaro hundreds of times.

• Daily Check-ups: Your guides will conduct health checks twice a day, measuring your blood oxygen saturation ($SpO_2$) using pulse oximeters and monitoring your heart rate.

• On-Mountain Protocol: We carry emergency medical oxygen tanks and custom evacuation stretchers on every climb. If a climber shows severe signs of altitude sickness, our team acts immediately to safely guide them down to a lower altitude.

You should start physical preparation at least 2 to 3 months before your trip.

• Cardio: Focus on aerobic endurance training like running, swimming, or cycling to improve your lung capacity.

• Leg Strength: Spend time on a stairmaster or walking on high inclines.

• Real Practice: The absolute best training is going on long, full-day hikes in your local area while wearing the actual hiking boots you plan to use on Kilimanjaro. This breaks in your boots and prepares your muscles for consecutive days of walking.

You will be amazed by what our mountain chefs can prepare in a tent! You need high-calorie, nutrient-dense meals to fuel your body at high altitudes.

• Breakfast: Porridge, eggs, sausages, toast, fruit, and hot coffee or tea.

• Lunch & Dinner: Hot soups, pasta, rice, potatoes, fresh vegetables, chicken, and beef.

• Dietary Restrictions: Whether you are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or have specific food allergies, our chefs will tailor the entire menu to your needs at no extra cost—just let us know when booking.

Tipping is a deeply entrenched tradition on Kilimanjaro and represents a vital part of the local economy for the guides, cooks, and porters. While it is voluntary, it is expected as a reward for their incredible physical labor.

• The System: Tipping is done at the very end of the climb during the traditional "Gate Celebration" song.

• Guideline: As a general industry standard, a group of climbers sets aside roughly $250 to $350 USD total per climber to distribute among the entire support crew at the end of the trek.