Combining the thrill of climbing Africa's highest mountain with the spectacle of Tanzania's finest game parks, this trip is ideal for adventurers who want the best of both worlds. Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak, rising to a height of 19,341 feet from the surrounding plains and savannah. It is the highest freestanding mountain in the world. This tent-based trek is led by an experienced guide and includes a full complement of porters and cooks, all meals included. This trip features Serena Lodges - a company that sets the highest standard in the entire region. The game parks offer a visual feast of the best game parks in Tanzania. Starting with Tarangire in the shadow of Kilimanjaro, an opportunity to acclimatize before your climb. Then relax in the laid back colonial splendor of Arusha in a coffee plantation beside Lake Duluti. After the ascent, head west into Ngorongoro, the world's largest intact caldera which is host to thousands of animals. From the cloudy heights of the volcano's peak, you will descend into the legendary Serengeti to explore the vast reaches of this world famous park. Then return to Lake Manyara for a unique perspective on the vast Rift Valley.

Kensington Tours has its own offices in Nairobi, Kenya, and Arusha, Tanzania (click on the KT Nairobi video). We also have our own tented camps (www.kensingtoncamps.com). Our prices include the support of our own dedicated team on the ground! Another reason we deliver unbeatable value.

Day 1
Arusha - Kilimanjaro
Airport transfer with private vehicle and guide. Kensington Tours donates a portion of our proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities. Includes Flying Doctors air ambulance emergency evacuation to Nairobi in the event of serious illness. Situated at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, Aishi is located a few kilometres from the Machame Gate where climbers commence their ascent of this most majestic mountain by way of the picturesque Machame Trail. Just 3 degrees south of the equator, the two world famous peaks of Kibo (5895m) and Mawanzi (5194m) are permanently snow-capped. Specialising in organised climbs, Protea Hotels Aishi provides all necessary tenting and equipment, as well as the most experienced guides and porters to make this unique experience a holiday always to remember.


Arusha is a city of northern Tanzania surrounded by some of Africa's most famous landscapes and national parks. Beautifully situated below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley, it has a pleasant climate and is close to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as having its own Arusha National Park on Mount Meru. International flights arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, and regional flights use Arusha airport.

Day 2
Kilimanjaro
Machame Gate to Machame Hut (9,300’)
(Hike time: 7.5 hrs, Elevation change: +1200 M Approx.distance, 10km, Final elevation 3100 M) Early pick-up at Hotel and to Machame gate (5,400’) where trekking formalities take about 30 minutes. From the gate, the first hour follows an easy track through dense forest. The path continues along the ridge, rising steadily with several steep sections. The gradient eases slightly as the forest merges into heather-covered ground toward Machame Hut. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). This six day climb is probably the most beautiful up Kilimanjaro. All supplies/equipment you bring will be portered and a cook prepares all your meals. There are two porters per person, one lead guide and one cook/guide. Tent is included. Sleeping mat, sleeping bag, walking sticks and proper clothing, etc, can be rented in destination before hike. Kilimanjaro, by any name, is a metaphor for the compelling beauty of East Africa. When you see it, you understand why. Not only is this the highest peak on the African continent; it is also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, rising in breathtaking isolation from the surrounding coastal scrubland – elevation around 900 metres – to an imperious 5,895 metres (19,336 feet). Kilimanjaro is one of the world's most accessible high summits, a beacon for visitors from around the world. Most climbers reach the crater rim with little more than a walking stick, proper clothing and determination. And those who reach Uhuru Point, the actual summit, or Gillman's Point on the lip of the crater, will have earned their climbing certificates. And their memories.

Day 3
Kilimanjaro
Machame Hut to Shira Hut (12,300’)
(Hike time: 7 hrs/Elevation change: +800 M/Approx.distance, 6km/Final elevation 3800 M)
From the Machame Hut we cross the stream onto its west bank and follow the path up the steep rocky ridge criss-crossing before reaching Shira Hut at the base of a semi-circular wall of rocks. We will have ascended 900 meters (3,000’) in 5-7 hours and about 6 km (3.72 miles) of walking. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). Overnight at Machame (6d).

Day 4
Kilimanjaro
Shira Hut to Barranco Hut (12,800’)
(Hike time: 5 hrs/Elevation change: +100 M/Final elevation: 3900 M)
From Shira Hut hike to Lava Tower (15,000’) , we proceed to Barranco via the Great Barranco Wall. This route offers panoramic views of Kibo through Karanga Valley as we hike high and sleep low, dropping back down to Barranco after lunch. Today’s hike will take most of the day. The Barranco campsite is located on elevation of 3950m. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). Overnight at Machame (6d).

Day 5
Kilimanjaro
Barranco Hut to Barafu camp
From Barranco Hut we climb up through the edge of Great Barranco. 95 percent of that day of walking will be on an elevation of 4250m. We will break our day at the Karanga valley campsite at an elevation of 4,000m walking time is 4 to 5 hrs on this day. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). Overnight at Machame (6d).

Day 6
Kilimanjaro
Barafu Camp to the Summit and then Mweka Camp
The trek begins before sunrise (1-2 am), as the walk will take 10-14 + hours. We will avoid the mist that sets later in the day.The 1,100-meter (3,600’) ascent in just over 3 km (1.86 miles) will take us about 6-8 hours. After a brief stay at the summit of the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak, at over 5,898 meters (19,340'), we descend via the Barafu Route roughly 2,500 meters (8,200’) in 12 km (7.44 miles) in about 4-7 hours to Mweka Camp.
Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). Overnight at Machame (6d).

Day 7
Kilimanjaro
Mweka Hut to Mweka Gate (6,000’)
(Descent time: 4 hrs/Elevation change: -1250M/Approx.distance: 10km/Final elevation: 1828 M)
Today we descend about 1400 meters (4,592’) through the forest on a jungle path for about 10 km (6.2 miles) in 3-4 hours to reach Mweka Gate. Our representative will transfer you to Hotel. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). Overnight at Protea Hotel Aishi Machame .

Day 8
Arusha - Ngorongoro
Your guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning to transfer you to the Ngorongoro Crater. This drive will take approximately 3hrs. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Hike the hills of Ngorongoro with a local guide. Prices may vary depending on accommodation. Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). Our new Kensington Endoro Lodge has been revamped and relocated to the foot of the Ngorongoro Highland Forest just outside of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Here you are surrounded by natures haven, a mystical forest and tranquil environment, with a sense of calmness beyond words. The lodge is located along the fire line of the Ngorongoro Conservation Authority; 5.5km from the town of Karatu, and a short 14km drive from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area gate. Preserving the harmony and intimacy of the reserve, this lodge combines nature's splendor with warm hospitality and skilled friendly staff. Each Chalet is perched luxuriously on the hillside with spectacular views of the Ngorongoro Forest below. "The Ngorongoro Crater is often called ‘Africa’s Eden’ and the ‘8th Natural Wonder of the World’. A massive extinct volcano, the sheet walls drop thousands of feet to a "Noah's Ark" of animals on the verdent floor below. Large herds of zebra, buffalo, antelope and wildebeest graze nearby while sleeping lions laze in the sun. At dawn, the endangered black rhino returns to the thick cover of the crater forests after grazing on dew-laden grass in the morning mist.

Day 9
Ngorongoro
Private transportation and guide in the Ngorongoro national park. Includes national park fees. You'll be up early this morning as you drive approximately 20 minutes from your camp or lodge to the main gates of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. There are only three roads that connect the crater rim with the crater floor, one for driving down, one for driving up and another that goes both ways. The crater is roughly 20 km/12 mi wide and 600 m/2,000 ft deep, once you've reached the top of the caldera it takes about 45 minutes to decend to the crater floor. The floor is home to a rich and highly concentrated wildlife. Some 20,000 mammals of size live there, including about 20 black rhinoceros, making the crater the best place in Tanzania to see the rhino. The crater floor also has one of the highest carnivore densities in the world. Lions, cheetahs, hyaenas and jackals are commonly seen, while leopards, servals and bat-eared foxes may be seen with some good luck.



Enjoy a picnic lunch (included in tour price). Hike the hills of Ngorongoro with a local guide. Prices may vary depending on accommodation. Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). Overnight at Kensington Endoro.

Day 10
Ngorongoro - Serengeti
This morning you will depart from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on your way to the Serengeti. You will stop at Olduvlai gorge and do some game viewing as you enter the Serengeti. This drive usually takes between 5 and 6 hours but can take longer during the rainy season. The Olduvai Gorge or Oldupai Gorge is commonly referred to as "The Cradle of Mankind." It is a steep-sided ravine in the Great Rift Valley, which stretches along eastern Africa. Olduvai is in the eastern Serengeti Plains in northern Tanzania and is about 30 miles (48 km) long. The gorge is named after the Maasai word for the wild sisal plant Sansevieria ehrenbergii, commonly called Oldupai. Enjoy a picnic lunch (included in tour price). Hot air balloon ride ($550pp): Includes a dawn hot air balloon ride over the plains, with the opportunity for amazing pictures of the animal herds below. The balloon will soar up for a wide view of the park, and then sweep down almost to the treetops so you can see the animals up close. Finish with a freshly cooked breakfast right in the middle of the game park, with celebratory champagne. One of our most highly rated activities. Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). A tented wilderness camp in the western Serengeti, this is an intimate connection to nature in the world’s finest game park. Look forward to attentive service with five course bush cuisine of the pan-African and traditional sort. Three main meals are served each day in the large canvas dining tent overlooking the plains, culminating with five course dinners ending with coffee or tea under the stars. The tents, appropriately furnished with Masai inspired style, feature campaign furniture and canvas wardrobe. The Masai theme is showcased with evocative headboards, lamps and fixtures. This is a rare opportunity to experience close contact with the world’s greatest migration, which has been known to feature twenty or so lion prides and countless throngs of zebras and wildebeest. Tanzania's oldest and most popular national park, the Serengeti is massive in size, 14,763 sq km (5,700 sq miles). Famed for its annual migration, when some six million hooves pound the open plains, as more than 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson's gazelle join the wildebeest’s trek for fresh grazing. Yet even when the migration is quiet, the Serengeti offers the most diverse game-viewing in Africa.

Day 11
Serengeti
Head out into the park early in the morning for your private game safari. Tanzania's oldest and most popular national park, the Serengeti offers the most expansive game-viewing in Africa: great herds of buffalo, smaller groups of elephant and giraffe, and thousands upon thousands of eland, topi, kongoni, impala and Grant’s gazelle. Explore this amazing park with the help of your expert guide. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Spend the day taking in the spectacle of the famous wildebeest migration. This annual migration through the Serengeti and Masai Mara is one of the safari highlights of Africa. The wildebeest migration moves in a basic clockwise direction throughout the year in Serengeti eco-system and up into Masai Mara from July to October. The herds are accompanied by zebra and Thomson's gazelle and are stealthily hunted by leopard, lion and hyena.
Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). Overnight at Kensington Serengeti.

Day 12
Serengeti - Arusha
If time allows, your expert guide will be fitting in one more game drive before dropping you off at the airstrip. It will be your last chance to see the park's diverse range of animals. Take your flight from Serengeti (SEU) to Arusha (ARK) today. The flight duration is approximately 1 hr. Stop for lunch at the Arusha Hotel in this tourism capitol of Tanzania. Shop the local souvenir market. Includes opportunity to visit local handicrafts market to stock up on souvenirs. Airport transfer with private vehicle and guide. Depart from Kilimanjaro international airport - end of itinerary.