9 Days Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari in Tanzania
The 9 Days Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari in Tanzania will take you for a rejuvenating hiking expedition on Africa’s highest free standing Mountain Kilimanjaro which sits high up in the cloud at (5,895m) above sea level.
Day 1: Arrival and Pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport – Transfer to your Lodge
The 9 Days Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari in Tanzania will start with a pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport by our Professional Driver guide from Paradise Adventure Vacations who will meet and greet you, he will brief you about the safari and thereafter transfer you to your Lodge where you will have relaxation from your long flight while preparing for the next day’s activity.
Location: Kilimanjaro
Accommodation Option:
| Mid-Range | Kilimanjaro Mountain resort or similar |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 2: Hike to Machame Camp (3,000m)
After an early breakfast at the lodge on day 2 of your Hiking Safari, you will hike to Machame Gate with your guides. Machame Gate is located on the western side of Mt.Kilimanjaro. As you make your way up the foothills you will hike through tropical rainforests where you are likely to spot some black and white colobus monkeys as well as plenty of tropical bird species. A steady 5-hour climb will lead you to Machame Camp where your tent will already be pitched and ready for you. You will have your dinner which will start with a hot bowl of soup and energy packed food. Before you retire for an overnight, you will have a briefing for the next day. Your oxygen level and heart rate will be measured to make sure you are healthy and prepared for tomorrow’s climb.
Location: Machame Camp
Accommodation Option:
| Mid-Range | Machame Camp |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 3: Hike to Shira Camp (3,900m)
After a hot breakfast on day 3, you will climb through the last part of the rainforest of the Kilimanjaro slopes. Once you pass the tree line, the landscape changes to moorland where a lot of endemic plants and tree species are found. Today you will need to remember to go “pole pole” (slowly slowly) as this part of the hike involves a 3-4 hour steep climb. After a break at lunch you will continue on the final 1 ½ hours of moderate ascending and descending trail until you arrive at Shira Camp. The views from Shira Camp are considered one of the most impressive of the Machame route offering glimpses of the summits of both Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro. If you still have a bit of energy left in you, you can explore Shira cave which is located only 15 minutes from the camp. Be prepared for a cold night tonight, as temperatures frequently drop below 00C at these elevations.
Location: Shira Camp
Accommodation Option:
| Mid-Range | Shira Camp |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 4: Hike to Barranco Camp (3,840m)
Today you will need your energy for a long and tough day to start. You will ascend steadily from the moorlands to Alpine desert landscape and since the vegetation is low to the ground in this part, there are many stones on the trail and it can get quite dusty. The challenge today is both the long distance that you are covering and the ascent to a higher altitude. At this stage you may experience some altitude sickness symptoms like severe headache, nausea and/or dizziness. Your first goal of the day is to reach the Lava Tower at 4630 meters and this stretch will take between 4 to 5 hours. On arrival you will need to take at least half an hour to rest and let your body acclimatize to the high altitude. After acclimatization and some lunch, you will hike for another 2-3 hours to Barranco Camp and now since you are descending to lower altitudes, any potential symptoms of altitude sicknesses will now fade.
Location: Barranco Camp
Accommodation Option:
| Mid-Range | Barranco Camp |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 5: Acclimatization Day Karanga Camp (3,995m)
After a good night’s rest, you will feel ready to conquer the great Barranco Wall! This steep 260m high wall may look a bit terrifying but making your way over the wall with your hands and feet is quite fun and the view at the top over Karanga Valley is more than worth the effort. The acclimatization process of climbing the Barranco Wall at 4100 meters is an important factor in succeeding in completing the Kilimanjaro expedition. After only 1 ½ hours you will reach Karanga Camp where the guides have already pitched your tent so you can spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing.
Location: Karanga Camp
Accommodation Option:
| Mid-Range | Karanga Camp |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 6: Hike to Barafu Camp (4,550m)
On your day 6, you will have a steady hike from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp which will take 3 hours and it will be your last stretch before summit day! Today is all about resting up for the big day tomorrow. Dinner will be served at 5:30 PM and you should get some sleep after this. Around midnight you will be woken up to hike to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Location: Barafu Camp
Accommodation Option:
| Mid-Range | Barafu Camp |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 7: Hike to the Summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro
You will be woken up just before mid-night and after breakfast, you will set off on your summit bid of Mt. Kilimanjaro. For the best chance of reaching the summit today, you will need to hike very slowly and steadily. After 6-7 hours on a steep ascending trail, you will reach Stella Point at 5,685 meters just in time for the sun to rise slowly over Mawenzi peak. Another hour of hiking over a glacier and caldera, you will reach Uhuru Peak which is the highest point of Africa at 5,895 meters above sea level. Sit and enjoy the views for a while and congratulate yourself on a job well done. You will soon descend on a 3-4 hour hike back to Barafu Camp for a well-deserved lunch and rest. You will continue on for another 3-4 hours today following the Mweka route to the last camp on your Kilimanjaro expedition (Mweka Camp at 3100m). After this unique and highly memorable day, you will have a nice hot meal and some well-deserved sleep!
Location: Mweka Camp
Accommodation Option:
| Mid-Range | Mweka Camp |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 8: Drive to Arusha – Relaxation
Your day 8 on the trails will be very enjoyable and relaxed through lush tropical rainforests. After 3 hours of descent you will reach Mweka Gate where you will have your final meal with your expedition crew and fellow hikers. From the comfort of the lodge, you can relax and reminisce about the impressive climb you just completed to the roof of Africa! After a well-earned tip for the crew, you will drive to Arusha for relaxation, dinner and an overnight.
Location: Arusha
Accommodation Option:
| Mid-Range | Arusha Planet Lodge |
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Day 9: Departure back to Arusha Airport
On your final day of the 9 Days Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari in Tanzania, you will have your delicious breakfast and thereafter check out of your lodge and transfer to Arusha Airport for your departure flight back home.
Thank you so much for specifically choosing Paradise Adventure Vacations on the 9 Days Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari in Tanzania and we hope to see you again!!!
Location: Arusha
Accommodation Option: No
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
Our Safari Vehicles Seating Plan - 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser Extended
All our Safari vehicles are Toyota Land-cruiser 4×4 with pop-up roofs. The vehicles are serviced and maintained to a very high standard before, during and after every safari. Paradise Adventure Vacations Ltd offering all-wheel drive safari vehicles suitable for off-road driving, which enable travelers to discover the magical areas of East Africa in a pleasant and reliable manner.
Our fleet consists of 4×4 Toyota Land cruisers with a hinged roof and skylights above the front seats. The hinged roof offers two main advantages: it provides shade without restricting the view, so that you can enjoy your safari even in the very sunny hours of the day. It also allows a 360-degree all-round view.
Our Vehicles Are Equipped With:
- Adjustable comfortable seats
- Electric refrigerator for drinks
- High-performance shock absorbers
- Tool & first aid kit
- Adapters and battery chargers
Due to the difficult ground and road conditions inside and outside the national parks and wildlife reserves, a four-wheel drive vehicle is not only recommended, but also crucial for an eventful safari.
