Kilimanjaro Safaris: Luxury Kilimanjaro Climbing Safari Packages
Luxury Kilimanjaro trekking safaris offer the ability to combine a Mount Kilimanjaro climb with a traditional East African safari, which can include visits to famous wildlife reserves like Serengeti. Tours typically include guides, permits, and accommodation on the mountain, with different routes and duration available. Kilimanjaro Safaris can range from a few days to longer, providing wildlife viewing opportunities in stunning game reserves.
We offer private Kilimanjaro Climbing safaris with one to seven-day itineraries to Mountain Kilimanjaro. The Things You Didn’t Know About Kilimanjaro Climbing Safari on this page. While Mount Kilimanjaro undoubtedly draws the majority of our guests to East Africa, many trekkers take advantage of the opportunity to spend some time on a wildlife safari either before or typically after their Kilimanjaro ascent.
Did you know? – Tanzania is considered to be the best safari destination on earth. – Since you travelled so far, it would be a waste not to take advantage of the wildlife viewing chances. here see all our Tanzania safari packages
We provide one- to seven-day private Kilimanjaro safaris. Whether you’re planning a quick trip or a lengthy vacation, Kilimanjaro Trekking Serives Co. offers a schedule that meets your needs. Our knowledgeable guides take you right to the action, whether it’s in the Serengeti savannas or the depths of Ngorongoro Crater.
Luxury Kilimanjaro Trekking Safaris
Kilimanjaro trekking safaris, more commonly known as Kilimanjaro climbs and treks, are tours that combine a safari experience with a multi-day guided ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. While not a typical “safari” with wildlife viewing in the traditional sense, these tours offer a unique adventure through the park’s diverse ecosystems and flora, culminating in a summit attempt via established routes like Marangu, Machame, or Lemosho.
Kilimanjaro climbing safaris combine the challenging trek up Mount Kilimanjaro with subsequent wildlife safaris in Tanzania’s famous national parks, like Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater. Tours can be booked through specialist operators (Kilimanjaro Trekking Services Co.) and typically include the climbing portion, a safari, gear, and accommodation, with costs varying based on the chosen climbing route and safari length.
Extend Your Adventure
Following the conquest of Kilimanjaro, immerse yourself in Africa’s unparalleled wildlife encounters in Tanzania and beyond. Discover the Serengeti and other renowned terrains with Kilimanjaro Trekking Services Co. Experience breathtaking itineraries, opulent camps, and safaris conducted by expert Tanzanian guides.
Mount Kilimanjaro And Mountain Gorillas
Kilimanjaro and gorillas are two separate wildlife experiences in East Africa; you can trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and then fly to Rwanda or Uganda to trek and see mountain gorillas in their natural habitats, as these are not found on Kilimanjaro. Many tour operators offer combined trips that allow travelers to experience both the climb up Kilimanjaro and a gorilla trek, combining a mountainous landscape with an up-close encounter with endangered primates.
Kilimanjaro And Gorillas Itinerary
Kilimanjaro and gorillas are two separate East African adventures that can be combined into one safari trip, though they are in different countries. Kilimanjaro is a mountain climb in Tanzania, while gorilla trekking occurs in the Virunga Massif, a volcanic range spanning Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Travelers can fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for the mountain and then transfer to a neighboring country like Rwanda or Uganda for the gorilla trekking portion of their journey.
Kilimanjaro And Serengeti Itinerary
Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti are two major, but geographically distant, attractions in Tanzania. You cannot see Mount Kilimanjaro from the Serengeti due to their separation by hundreds of miles and the Earth’s curvature, though both are famous for wildlife. Many iconic photos of Kilimanjaro with wildlife are actually taken in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park, which is very close to the mountain. To see Kilimanjaro, you should visit cities like Arusha or Moshi, or use Amboseli, while the Serengeti is a destination for safaris and the Great Migration.
Serengeti, Ngorongoro And Kilimanjaro
A common Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro itinerary involves climbing Kilimanjaro for 5-7 days, followed by a 4-6 day safari visiting the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park, beginning and ending in Arusha. The Kilimanjaro climb uses routes like Marangu or Machame, while the safari includes game drives in a 4×4 vehicle and ends with a departure from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Amboseli, Ngorongoro, Serengeti And Kilimanjaro
The sequence “Amboseli-Ngorongoro-Serengeti-Kilimanjaro” describes a popular safari route that begins in Amboseli National Park (Kenya), known for elephants and Mt. Kilimanjaro views, then crosses into Tanzania to explore the Ngorongoro Crater’s dense wildlife, the vast plains of the Serengeti National Park, and concludes with views of (or a climb up) Mount Kilimanjaro. This journey combines unique landscapes.
Kilimanjaro, Serengeti And Zanzibar Itinerary
A common Kilimanjaro-Serengeti-Zanzibar itinerary combines a ~6-day Machame Route Kilimanjaro trek, a ~3-day safari including Lake Manyara, the Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater, and a ~3-day Zanzibar island getaway with beach time and Stone Town exploration. The entire trip typically takes around 19 days, starting with arrival, followed by the trek, safari, flight to Zanzibar, and ending with departure.
Kilimanjaro And Rwanda Gorilla Trek
Commence an extraordinary expedition across East Africa, beginning with Kigali’s dynamic culture and the stunning Volcanoes National Park, habitat of the elusive mountain gorillas. Embark on a journey through verdant woods for a unique gorilla experience, ascend the renowned slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, and traverse the boundless plains of the Serengeti abundant with wildlife. Conclude your Kilimanjaro And Rwanda Gorilla Trek Itinerary at the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, where breathtaking vistas coincide with exceptional wildlife observation.
Worst/Best Time to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
The best times to climb Kilimanjaro are the dry seasons: January to March and June to October. The period from June to September is a peak season, offering warm, dry, and less slippery conditions but more crowds. The period from January to March is another warm, dry period with a chance of summiting in snow, and it’s a good choice if you prefer fewer crowds than the June-September season.
The Complete Guide to the Best Kilimanjaro Routes
Find out everything you need to know to pick the best Kilimanjaro route for your trip!
Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa. There are 8 different ways to get to the top. Any one of the Kilimanjaro routes has its own advantages, such as a faster ascent, more beautiful views, hut stays, or a calmer hiking experience. We’ll help you pick the best way for your trip in this guide.
The “roof of Africa” is reached by eight different Kilimanjaro routes. The following are on the list: Machame, Marangu, Rongai, Northern Circuit, Umbwe, Kilema, and Western Breach.
On top of that, there are different Routes with different schedules. For instance, the Lemosho route can be done in 6, 7, or 8 days. Each of these versions has a slightly different profile for getting used to the altitude. It might not seem important to choose between a shorter or longer schedule, but the longer ones usually have much higher success rates because they give people more time to get used to their surroundings. If you want to climb Kilimanjaro but aren’t sure which route and schedule is best for you, we’ll go over the pros and cons of each route.
Have you ever thought about how busy Kilimanjaro’s routes are? The Kilimanjaro Trekking Services Co. study showed the total number of hikers who used all of the popular trails from January to September 2023. Most likely, this information is 98% or more correct. We’ve added the numbers for each route, along with any changes, to the list below.
8 Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes
Here is a list of Kilimanjaro routes that you can take, along with our thoughts on each one:
Marangu Route 5 Day Itinerary
A 5-day Marangu Route trek up Mount Kilimanjaro typically involves trekking through rainforests and moorlands to Mandara Hut, then to Horombo Hut, followed by an ascent to Kibo Hut before the summit push to Uhuru Peak on Day 4, with descent back to Horombo Hut that same day. Day 5 is the final descent from Horombo Hut back to Marangu Gate and then to your starting point in Moshi or Arusha. This is the shortest way to the summit, offering the luxury of hut accommodations.
Machame Route 6 Day Itinerary
The 6 Days Machame Route, often called the “Whiskey Route,” is a popular and scenic trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, known for its diverse landscapes and “climb high, sleep low” method, which provides better acclimatization than faster routes but has a slightly lower success rate (around 70-75%) than the longer 7-day version. The trail begins at Machame Gate and proceeds through rainforest, moorland, and alpine desert, culminating with a summit attempt on Day 5 followed by a descent to Mweka Gate on Day 6.
Marangu Route 6 Day Itinerary
The 6-day Marangu route is a popular, hut-to-hut trek up Mount Kilimanjaro that offers a unique climbing experience with dormitory-style accommodations, known for its comfort and straightforward path. The typical itinerary involves arrival in Moshi, trekking through diverse terrains including rainforest and moorlands, an acclimatization day at Horombo Hut, a challenging summit attempt to Uhuru Peak, and a final descent. While the huts offer comfort, the shorter timeframe can reduce acclimatization, potentially impacting summit success rates compared to longer routes.
Lemosho Route 7 Day Itinerary
The 7-day Lemosho route is a scenic and moderately challenging trek up Mount Kilimanjaro that begins on the west side of the mountain, offering low-traffic conditions initially before joining the Machame route on the second day. Climbers experience diverse landscapes, camp in tents overnight, and descend via the Mweka route, with the longer 8-day option recommended for better acclimatization and higher success rates.
Machame Route 7 Day Itinerary
The Machame Route is a popular and scenic way to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, known as the “Whiskey Route,” with the 7-day itinerary offering a high success rate for summiting due to an extra acclimatization day. The 7-day journey begins at Machame Gate, ascending through diverse habitats including rainforest, heath, and alpine desert, to reach the summit (Uhuru Peak) before descending to Mweka Camp and finally Mweka Gate.
Rongai Route 7 Day Itinerary
The Rongai Route 7-Day itinerary for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro involves a gradual ascent from the northern side, starting near the Kenyan border, passing through diverse habitats, joining the Marangu Route at Kibo Hut, reaching Uhuru Peak via the crater rim, and descending via the eastern side to Horombo and Marangu Gate. This route is known for being less crowded, offering excellent acclimatization opportunities, and allowing trekkers to experience both the dry northern side and the lush southern side of the mountain.
Shira Route 7 Day Itinerary
The Shira Route for a 7-day Mount Kilimanjaro climb is a scenic western approach that starts at a high altitude on the Shira Plateau, offering expansive views. The itinerary typically involves trekking across the plateau to Shira 2 Camp, then traversing the Southern Circuit via the Lava Tower and Barranco Wall before a summit push from Barafu Camp and a descent via the Mweka Route. This shorter timeframe is best suited for experienced high-altitude trekkers due to limited acclimatization.
8 Days Lemosho Route Itinerary
The 8-Day Lemosho Route is a highly scenic and successful path up Mount Kilimanjaro that offers excellent acclimatization due to its longer duration, allowing for more time to adjust to the altitude and increasing summit success rates. This route begins on the western side of the mountain, provides diverse scenery, and breaks up the trek between Barranco and Barafu camps, with a short day before the challenging summit attempt. The trek concludes with a descent to Mweka Gate, where climbers receive their summit certificates before being transferred to Moshi or Arusha.
Northern Circuit 9 Day Itinerary
The 9-day Northern Circuit is the longest and newest route on Mount Kilimanjaro, known for its excellent acclimatization and high summit success rates due to its extended duration and less-traveled path around the mountain’s northern slopes. It starts on the western side via the Lemosho route, then circumnavigates the massif clockwise, offering diverse landscapes and incredible views before a summit ascent and descent via the Mweka route.
Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Reviews
Reviews of Mount Kilimanjaro climbs highlight that the ascent is physically and mentally challenging, especially during summit night and the descent, with many climbers recommending a longer trek for better acclimatization. Key factors in a successful climb include choosing a reputable trekking company that prioritizes safety and has experienced guides, cooks, and porters. Positive reviews often praise the guides’ support and the cooks’ impressive food, while negative aspects can include poor toilet facilities and the difficulty of altitude sickness.
Life Time Experience
Me and my wife we booked the 8 day Lemosho hike. With The Kilimanjaro Trekking Services Co. Motta Baraka was our lead guide, he visited us at hotel the day before our hike to brief us and check our equipment for the hike. day one before Gudluck arrived early to pick us up and introduced us to Kisima (assistant guide) and the rest of the team joining us for the hike. During the hike we wanted to change the itinerary from an 8 day to a 7 day, Gudluck provided us with several options of how we could achieve this.
So we ended up completing the hike in 7 days. Both Baraka and Kisima were approachable and supportive through the duration and provided daily briefings. Throughout the 7days the food was amazing and never in short supply so if you think you’ll loose weight doing this hike then think again as we were constantly fully fuelled from pancakes to popcorn and curries to fish and chips It was all amazing Hats off to our chef.
Our safety and well-being were always the teams priority and baraka and kisima we’re constantly checking in to see how we were mentally and physically and offering suggestions to assist. In addition to all of this, the perfect end to every evening was a hot water bottle in your sleeping bag.I felt so safe but also pushed to the limit on this trek.
I cannot recommend this enough and if you booked with The Kilimanjaro Trekking Services Co. you know you’ll be in the best team on the mount Kilimanjaro they also offer to best price with the best service they also have insurance which will help you in case you face any problem in the mountains i highly recommend them
Amazing Adventure, Kilimanjaro climbing Lemosho route, just do it !
We did the 7 day Lemosho Route with The Kilimanjaro Trekking Services Co. a local company in Tanzania. In total we were 5 trekkers (we as a couple + three solo travelers) and 18 crew members. Our guide Justine is very experienced, climbing Kilimanjaro for more than 8 years. He knows every single stone and corner on the mountain.
At all times we felt 100% secure and in best hands, Justine is very professional and so is his crew! Twice a day we had a medical check. We had a briefing before and a debriefing after the trek. During the briefing our equipment was checked in detail to make sure that nothing is missing. On the first trekking day missing equipment you can also rent from them.
They also provide a quality sleeping bags for free , the sleeping bags and tent were of high quality new and warm enough for Kilimanjaro weather. The communication with Elias was great, He also advised us on gear, route challenges, weather, schedule, and also directly assisted with heavier items when needed. Everyone welcomed us and made us feel like family for one week! The crew motivated us on summit night and sang local songs. Without them it would have not been possible to make it to the top! They were a huge motivation and positive vibe booster! We did not only learn so much about the Kili but also a lot about Tanzanian culture and tradition.
The food was great! Everyday they came up with something new and delicious, there was always more than enough. We recommend booking a portable toilet due to limited infrastructure. To sum up: Great experience with The Kilimanjaro Trekking Services Co. providing the best price-performance ratio! Highly recommended!
What is the best route to climb Mount Kilimanjaro
If you want a quick answer, The Kilimanjaro Trekking Services Co. Team and our clients like the Lemosho route the most. Based on our data from the last 10 years, Lemosho has the best acclimatisation profile, the most beautiful views, and the highest success rate. But this beautiful Kilimanjaro route has become very famous in the last few years, and it’s now one of the three busiest routes. The 7-day Rongai route plan is a good choice if you want a more private experience. It’s more than 10 times less busy than the popular routes, but it’s not as beautiful or has as many interesting animals as Dendrosenecio Kilimanjari.
What is the easiest route to climb Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro’s steep hills and long daily hikes are not what make it hard. It’s the high elevation. The “easiest” routes might be the ones that offer the best acclimatisation profiles. We might want to point out Lemosho 7-8 and Rongai 7 again. Machame 7 and Northern Circuit are close behind.
The 7-day Lemosho route is the easiest way to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for a number of reasons. Since it starts at an elevation of 3500 metres, there is no need to climb to that height during the walk. Short walks every day at first keep you from getting too tired, so your body can focus on getting used to the higher elevation. Everywhere you stay the night is at least 3500 metres, which also helps you get used to the altitude. The path from the Barafu Camp to the top is also the fastest, which saves about an hour of travel time.
Because you spend more days on the mountain, the Northern Circuit is a great way to get used to the altitude, but it’s best for walkers who are ready for longer hikes every day. For first-timers, Lemosho, Rongai, and Machame might be easier choices with a better chance of reaching the top. If you think you need more time to rest and get used to the altitude, you can add an extra day at any of the camps to your plan.
Which Kilimanjaro route has the highest summit success rate
The Kilimanjaro Trekking Services Co. says that the 7- and 8-day Lemosho routes have the best success rate at reaching the top, at about 98%. The vast majority of climbers who follow those Lemosho walk plans make it to the top. Want to know why that’s the case? “Climb high, sleep low” is a great way to get used to the altitude, and staying there for a long time is another good reason. On the other hand, most mountain plans that last 7 days or more also have high success rates for reaching the top.
Keep in mind that the success rate at peak varies from operator to operator. You might not be able to safely reach Uhuru Peak if you go with a cheap tour company with bad tools and amateur guides. In fact, their success rate is much lower than 95%, even though they often say it is.
A trustworthy guide, on the other hand, will do everything possible to make sure you have the best chances of reaching the top and enjoy every part of the experience. With success rates of up to 98% on roads like Lemosho 7 and 8, The Kilimanjaro Trekking Services Co. stands by its promise to always do the best.
Which Kilimanjaro Route has the least crowds
People say that Rongai and Northern Circuit have the fewest people. Also, the first few days in Umbwe will treat you to beautiful scenery without a lot of tourists.
It’s best to avoid the busy times, which are July through September and January through February. If you want to avoid groups, the best times to climb are right before or after the busy seasons. For example, the weather is still nice in the beginning of March, the beginning of June, or the end of October.
