Our 7 Days Climbing Kilimanjaro Safari and Tsavo East Kenya Safari takes you through Tanzania's majestic Mount Kilimanjaro via the scenic Machame Route before transitioning to Kenya's renowned Tsavo East National Park. Experience the thrill of conquering Africa's rooftop while immersing yourself in the raw beauty of East African wilderness. The tour seamlessly blends mountain climbing with classic safari experiences, offering you the best of both worlds.
This Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari expedition begins in the coffee plantations of Moshi, Tanzania, where you'll prepare for your Kilimanjaro ascent. The journey takes you through diverse ecological zones, from tropical rainforests to arctic conditions at Uhuru Peak. After your triumphant summit, you'll cross into Kenya to explore Tsavo East National Park, famous for its red elephants and diverse wildlife. The transition from mountain to savannah creates a perfect contrast that showcases East Africa's incredible biodiversity.
Your Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari adventure concludes with unforgettable game drives through Tsavo East's vast landscapes, where big cats roam freely among baobab trees. This classic safari destination adjoins Tsavo West and offers excellent opportunities to spot elephants, lions, leopards, and countless bird species. The combination of mountain climbing achievement and wildlife encounters creates memories that will last a lifetime. This unique itinerary perfectly balances physical challenge with relaxing safari experiences in two of East Africa's most iconic destinations.
Day 1: Arrival in Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi
Day 2: Machame Gate to Machame Camp - Begin Kilimanjaro ascent
Day 3: Machame Camp to Shira Camp-Continue Mountain climbing
Day 4: Shira Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp - Summit Day
Day 5: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, transfer to Kenya border
Day 6: Proceed to Tsavo East National Park for evening game drive
Day 7: Full day game drive in Tsavo East and departure to Nairobi
Arrival and pick up at Kilimanjaro International Airport marks the beginning of your incredible Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari adventure in the heart of Tanzania. Upon landing, you'll be warmly welcomed by your professional English-speaking guide who will transfer you to your comfortable accommodation in Moshi town, located 45 minutes (55 kilometers) from the airport. The charming town of Moshi sits at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, offering stunning views of Africa's highest peak and serving as the perfect starting point for your Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari journey. Your evening will be spent at leisure, enjoying a welcome dinner while receiving a comprehensive briefing about your upcoming mountain climbing adventure and the subsequent Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari experience that awaits you.
Transfer to Machame Gate begins early morning as you embark on the first day of your Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari Mountain climbing adventure, driving 1 hour (28 kilometers) from Moshi to the gate at 1,800 meters above sea level. After registration and final equipment checks, you'll proceed to Machame Camp through the lush tropical rainforest, hiking for approximately 5-7 hours covering 11 kilometers to reach 3,000 meters elevation. The trail winds through dense vegetation where you might encounter colobus monkeys and various bird species, making this portion of your Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari experience rich in biodiversity. Your first night on the mountain will be spent at Machame Camp, where you'll enjoy a hot meal and rest in preparation for the challenging days ahead in your Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari adventure.
Continue with your Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari ascent as you leave the rainforest zone behind and enter the moorland zone, trekking from Machame Camp to Shira Camp over 5-6 hours covering 5 kilometers. The trail becomes steeper and more challenging as you gain altitude, reaching 3,840 meters at Shira Camp where you'll be rewarded with spectacular views of Mount Meru and the surrounding landscape. This day is crucial for acclimatization in your Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari journey, as your body adapts to the decreasing oxygen levels while you enjoy the dramatic change in vegetation and scenery. The afternoon at Shira Camp allows for rest and exploration of the Shira Plateau, a vital preparation phase for the summit attempt that lies ahead in your Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari adventure.
Proceed to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5,895 meters, beginning your Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari summit attempt at midnight from Shira Camp through Barranco and Karanga valleys. The challenging 12–15-hour trek covers approximately 16 kilometers, taking you through the arctic zone where you'll experience sub-zero temperatures and witness the breathtaking sunrise from Africa's rooftop. After celebrating your achievement at Uhuru Peak and capturing memories of this pinnacle moment in your Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari adventure, you'll begin the descent to Mweka Camp at 3,100 meters for your final night on the mountain. The descent takes 6-8 hours through different ecological zones, allowing you to reflect on your incredible accomplishment while preparing for the next phase of your Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari journey.
Continue with your descent from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, completing your Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari Mountain climbing adventure with a 3–4-hour trek covering 10 kilometers through tropical rainforest to the gate at 1,640 meters. Upon reaching Mweka Gate, you'll receive your official Kilimanjaro climbing certificates before beginning the transfer to the Kenya-Tanzania border at Namanga, a scenic 4-hour drive (280 kilometers) through the East African landscape. The journey offers glimpses of Maasai villages and acacia-dotted plains, providing a cultural transition as you move from the mountain phase to the safari portion of your Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari experience. Your overnight accommodation near the border allows for rest and preparation for the wildlife adventure that continues your Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari journey the following day.
Proceed to Tsavo East National Park, beginning the safari portion of your Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari adventure with a 3–4-hour drive (250 kilometers) from the border to this iconic Kenyan wildlife destination. Upon arrival at your safari lodge within the park, you'll enjoy lunch before embarking on your first game drive through the vast savannah landscape that defines this classic safari experience in your Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari journey. Tsavo East National Park, which adjoins Tsavo West, is renowned for its large herds of red elephants, big cats including lions and leopards, and diverse wildlife that roam freely across the 13,747 square kilometers of pristine wilderness. Your evening game drive offers excellent opportunities to spot the famous Tsavo lions and other predators as they become active during the cooler hours, creating unforgettable moments in your Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari adventure.
Continue with a full day of game viewing in Tsavo East National Park, maximizing your Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari wildlife experience with morning and afternoon game drives through different sections of this vast wilderness area. The park's diverse ecosystems, from semi-arid scrubland to seasonal rivers and rocky outcrops, provide habitat for over 500 bird species and numerous mammals including elephants, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, and various antelope species. Your final game drives focus on areas known for big cat sightings and elephant congregations, offering last opportunities to capture stunning photographs and create lasting memories of your Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari adventure. The day concludes with a transfer to Nairobi (300 kilometers, 5-6 hours’ drive) via the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, arriving in the evening where you can connect to your onward travel arrangements, bringing your incredible Kilimanjaro Safari and Kenya Safari journey to a memorable close.