Quick Facts
Duration13 Days / 12 Nights
Kilimanjaro RouteMarangu Route — 5,895m
Hut AccommodationMandara · Horombo · Kibo
Safari ParksSerengeti National Park · Ngorongoro Crater
BeachZanzibar Island
Start Price$2,600 / person
Best SeasonJan–Mar · Jun–Oct
Group TypePrivate or Small Group
Summit Rate70–75% (Marangu 5-day)
Vehicle4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
Why This Trip Works
Five days on Kilimanjaro, two days on safari, and four nights in Zanzibar — Tanzania's three signature experiences in one 13-day itinerary.
We've guided travelers through this combination from our Moshi base since 2012. The sequencing matters: the mountain comes first while your legs are fresh, the safari follows while the summit is still with you, and Zanzibar closes the journey when rest is what the body needs. Done in reverse, it works less well.
The Marangu Route was chosen specifically because it's the only Kilimanjaro route with permanent hut accommodation. No tent setup after a long trekking day, better protection from the cold, and a slightly more consistent sleep environment. For travelers doing a longer Tanzania itinerary, the energy saved on the mountain has a measurable effect on how the safari days feel afterward.
If you want a higher summit success rate, we recommend upgrading to our 7-day Machame Route or 8-day Lemosho Route — both of which can replace Days 1–5 in a modified 15 or 16-day version of this package.
Why This 13-Day Journey Works
Three Tanzania experiences in one seamless itinerary
Kilimanjaro via Marangu — only route with hut accommodation
Serengeti full-day game drives with experienced guide-driver
Ngorongoro Crater — among the highest wildlife densities in Africa
Zanzibar recovery: beach, Stone Town, and spice farm on the same trip
End-to-end logistics managed from our Moshi base
Pulse oximeter altitude monitoring on all Kilimanjaro days
Private 4×4 Land Cruiser for all game drives
TATO registered, TANAPA licensed operator since 2012
2-hour inquiry response — direct line to our team in Moshi
This Package Is Well Suited For
- Travelers who want the complete Tanzania experience in one trip
- Those prepared to train aerobically for 3–6 months before the climb
- Couples and small groups who want private logistics end-to-end
- Travelers who prefer hut accommodation over camping on Kilimanjaro
- Those combining physical challenge with wildlife and genuine rest
- Anyone who wants a single operator to manage mountain, safari, and beach
This Package May Not Suit
- Those with less than 2 months of preparation time for the mountain section
- Travelers who want maximum summit probability — consider upgrading to our 7-day Machame or 8-day Lemosho options
- Anyone with untreated heart conditions or serious respiratory issues
- Those on a very tight schedule — 13 days is the minimum to do this trip properly
- Budget travelers expecting basic accommodation throughout — this is a structured tour with logistics costs
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Days 1–5
🏔️ Kilimanjaro
Marangu Route · 5,895m
Days 6–8
🦁 Safari
Serengeti · Ngorongoro
Days 9–13
🏖️ Zanzibar
Beach · Stone Town · Spice Farm
Day0
Arrival in Moshi, Tanzania
900m elevation Moshi hotel overnight
Our driver meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport — 45 minutes by road to your hotel in Moshi. Evening briefing with your lead guide: gear check, Marangu Route overview, altitude management protocols, and any questions answered. Early night recommended.
Day1
Marangu Gate (1,830m) → Mandara Hut (2,720m)
8 km 3–4 hours +890m
Registration at Marangu Gate, then into dense montane rainforest. Well-maintained trail, colobus monkeys in the canopy, steady but manageable gradient. First night in the A-frame Mandara Hut — dormitory bunks, basic but weatherproof. Huts provide mattresses; bring your sleeping bag.
Day2
Mandara Hut → Horombo Hut (3,720m)
12 km 6–8 hours +1,000m
The forest thins to heathland, then moorland. First clear views of Mawenzi — Kilimanjaro's second summit — appear to the east. Horombo Hut is the most developed camp on the Marangu Route and the site of your acclimatization rest. Our guide checks your oxygen saturation after dinner.
Day3
Horombo Hut — Acclimatization Day
3,720m Acclimatization Optional half-day walk
A rest day at Horombo with an optional acclimatization walk toward Mawenzi Tarn (4,330m) — you gain altitude during the day and return to sleep lower, which measurably improves your body's adjustment. Pulse oximeter readings taken morning and evening. This day is important; use it to rest, eat well, and hydrate.
Day4
Horombo Hut → Kibo Hut (4,703m)
15 km 6–8 hours +983m
A long crossing of the alpine saddle — an exposed plateau between Mawenzi and the Kibo summit cone. The landscape here is lunar: no vegetation, extreme UV, cold wind. Kibo Hut sits directly below the summit. Eat dinner early, sleep as much as you can. Your guide wakes you around midnight.
Day5
Kibo Hut → Uhuru Peak (5,895m) → Horombo Hut (3,720m)
22 km total 12–16 hours +1,192m / −2,175m
Midnight start in darkness. Scree trail up to Gilman's Point on the crater rim (5,681m), then along the rim to Uhuru Peak — the highest point in Africa. Sunrise above the clouds. Descent all the way back to Horombo Hut for the night. This is the longest and hardest day; your guide sets the pace throughout.
Day6
Horombo Hut → Marangu Gate → Transfer to Serengeti
20 km descent 6–7 hours + drive −1,890m
Final descent through the forest to Marangu Gate. TANAPA summit certificate, porter tips, vehicle to Moshi for a hot shower and a real meal. After lunch, we drive to Serengeti National Park via the Ngorongoro Highlands, arriving for an evening game drive as the light turns golden across the plains.
Day7
Full Day — Serengeti National Park
Dawn to dusk game drives 7am–6:30pm
Your first full Serengeti day. Your guide-driver positions based on current sightings and radio contact with other vehicles in the area. The central plains hold resident lion prides, cheetah families, and large elephant herds year-round. Morning is the most productive time for predator activity; afternoon for the golden light photography. Midday packed lunch at a scenic spot.
Day8
Ngorongoro Crater — Full Descent
Crater floor at 1,800m 6–7 hours on the floor Full day
Early drive to Ngorongoro Crater and descent to the floor — a 2,000m-deep collapsed volcano covering 260 km², with resident populations of lion, elephant, buffalo, black rhino, hippo, and flamingo. The wildlife concentration here is exceptional. All Big Five present year-round. Ascend by late afternoon and overnight on the crater rim.
Day9
Crater Rim → Flight to Zanzibar
Domestic flight ~90 min Afternoon arrival Beach hotel check-in
Morning transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha for the domestic flight to Zanzibar. Approximately 90 minutes in the air. Transfer to your beachfront hotel on arrival. Afternoon and evening at your own pace — the beach, a sundowner, and your first night without an early alarm in nine days.
Day10
Zanzibar — Rest and Beach
Full free day No schedule
A completely free day. Swimming, reading, sleeping. Optional: Nungwi Natural Aquarium (sea turtles, 10-minute walk), snorkeling from the beach, or a sunset dhow cruise arranged through the hotel. We can organise activities or leave you entirely undisturbed.
Day11
Stone Town and Spice Farm
Stone Town guided walk 3–4 hours Spice Farm afternoon
Morning guided walk through Stone Town — UNESCO World Heritage city, carved wooden doors, the Old Fort, the former slave market site, and the Darajani Market. Your guide explains the historical context that makes the architecture meaningful. Afternoon at a working spice farm in the central highlands: cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom. Traditional Swahili lunch at the farm.
Day12
Zanzibar — Free Day
Optional: snorkeling, diving, dolphin tour Free choice
Your final full day. Options we can arrange: snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll (hawksbill turtles, reef sharks, visibility up to 30m), a scuba session for certified divers, a dolphin boat trip from Kizimkazi, or a second day of doing nothing at all. Dinner recommendation from our team.
Day13
Departure
Airport transfer Check-out
Transfer to Zanzibar International Airport. Connections to Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, or direct international departures. For travelers extending their time in Tanzania, we can arrange additional nights or a connection to the mainland.
Price & What Is Included
Included
- All airport and inter-destination transfers
- KIA pickup and Zanzibar airport drop-off
- Licensed lead guide and assistant guide on Kilimanjaro
- Cook and porter team (up to 15kg of your gear carried)
- 4 nights hut accommodation on Kilimanjaro (Mandara, Horombo x2, Kibo)
- All meals on Kilimanjaro (breakfast, lunch, dinner, hot drinks)
- Pulse oximeter monitoring twice daily on the mountain
- Supplemental oxygen carried on summit day
- All TANAPA park and rescue fees (Kilimanjaro)
- TANAPA summit certificate
- 2 nights safari accommodation (lodge or tented camp)
- All meals during the safari section
- All park and conservation fees — Serengeti and Ngorongoro
- Private 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof for all game drives
- Experienced guide-driver for the safari section
- Domestic flight: mainland Tanzania to Zanzibar
- Zanzibar airport transfer (arrival and departure)
- 4 nights beachfront hotel in Zanzibar with breakfast
- Stone Town guided walking tour
- Zanzibar Spice Farm tour with traditional lunch
- Bottled water during all game drives
- 1 night hotel in Moshi before the climb
Not Included
- International flights to/from Tanzania
- Tanzania visa (approx. $50–$100 USD depending on nationality)
- Comprehensive travel insurance (required — must cover Kilimanjaro evacuation)
- Gratuities for guides, porters, driver, and hotel staff
- Personal gear and equipment (sleeping bag rental available in Moshi)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Lunches and dinners in Zanzibar (excluding spice farm lunch)
- Optional Zanzibar activities (snorkeling, diving, dolphin tours)
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate (required if arriving from endemic country)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Accommodation
Kilimanjaro — Mountain Huts (Marangu Route)
The Marangu Route is the only Kilimanjaro route with permanent hut accommodation throughout. Three stops on the ascent:
Mandara Hut
2,720m — Night 1
Stone-built A-frame huts. Dormitory-style bunks. Basic but weatherproof. Mattresses provided; bring a sleeping bag rated to −15°C.
Horombo Hut
3,720m — Nights 2 & 3
Most developed stop on the route. Used twice — once on ascent and once as the acclimatization rest night. Canteen, basic toilet facilities.
Kibo Hut
4,703m — Night 4
Spartan and cold. Functional for the pre-summit sleep window. Eat dinner early, rest until the midnight wake-up call.
Safari — Accommodation Tiers
| Tier |
Serengeti |
Ngorongoro Rim |
| Standard |
Mid-range tented camp inside the park |
Comfortable crater rim lodge |
| Comfort |
Upmarket tented camp, en-suite |
Quality rim lodge with crater views |
| Luxury |
Private tented lodge, full board |
Premium rim property, plunge pool |
Zanzibar — Beachfront Hotel
Your Zanzibar accommodation is on the north coast (Nungwi or Kendwa — calm water year-round, sunset views) or east coast (Paje or Jambiani — more local character, kite surfing). Specific property confirmed on booking based on your preference and availability.
Standard
Well-reviewed 3-star
Clean, comfortable, good location, breakfast included
Comfort
Boutique 4-star
Sea view rooms, pool access, quality restaurant
Luxury
Luxury boutique
Private beach access, suite, butler service
The Package Price
The price depends on group size, travel season, and accommodation tier. We build every quote from scratch — these are starting points, not fixed prices.
| Group Size |
Standard
Per person from |
Comfort
Per person from |
Luxury
Per person from |
| Solo Traveler |
$4,200 |
$5,600 |
$7,800 |
| 2 Travelers |
$3,400 |
$4,600 |
$6,500 |
| 3–4 Travelers |
$2,900 |
$4,000 |
$5,800 |
| 5–6 Travelers |
$2,600 |
$3,600 |
$5,200 |
Prices in USD per person. High season (July–October, December–January) carries a supplement. All prices include everything listed under "What's Included." Contact us for a precise quote for your dates and group.
What Travelers Say
"We came as two people who'd never done anything like this. We left having stood on top of Africa, watched a lioness hunt in the Serengeti, and spent three days doing nothing on a beach in Zanzibar. The sequence of it — mountain, then safari, then coast — was exactly right. The team in Moshi was reachable throughout."
James & Sarah M.
United Kingdom · Traveled July 2024
"The Ngorongoro Crater day stayed with me longest. We saw all five of the Big Five before noon. The guide knew where to position the vehicle before any of us understood what we were looking at. That kind of local knowledge is what makes the difference."
Kofi A.
Canada · Traveled October 2023
"I was nervous about the mountain. I'm not a climber. But by Day 3 I was walking with the group, the guide checked our oxygen every morning and evening, and on Day 5 I made it to Uhuru. Coming down to the Serengeti two days later felt like entering a completely different world. Which it is."
Priya N.
Australia · Traveled January 2024
Preparation & Travel Tips
Kilimanjaro Training
Train aerobically for at least 3 months before your climb. Running, cycling, and weighted hiking (4–6 hour days with a loaded pack) are the most effective preparation. Altitude affects everyone regardless of fitness level — but fitness means you have more physiological reserve when the altitude hits.
Gear for the Mountain
The essential layer is a down jacket rated to −10°C or colder and a waterproof outer shell. Summit night temperatures reach −15 to −20°C with wind. Bring a sleeping bag rated to −15°C comfort rating (not limit rating). Sleeping bag rental is available at our Moshi office. See our full packing list.
Altitude Sickness Awareness
Mild symptoms above 3,000m — headache, fatigue, reduced appetite — are normal and not cause for immediate concern. Our guides monitor oxygen saturation twice daily with pulse oximeters. Serious symptoms (confusion, loss of coordination, breathlessness at rest) mean descent. Read our altitude sickness guide before travel.
Safari Season
The Serengeti has good game viewing year-round. River crossings peak July–September in the northern Serengeti. Calving season (January–February) in the south is excellent for predator activity. Tell us your dates and we'll set accurate expectations for what you'll see. See best time to visit the Serengeti.
Zanzibar Practical Notes
The north coast (Nungwi) has calm swimming water year-round. The east coast (Paje) is best June–October for kite surfing. Dress modestly in Stone Town — Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim. Drink bottled water only. Pack reef-safe sunscreen for any snorkeling excursions.
Visas and Documentation
Most nationalities require a Tanzania visa. Apply online at immigration.go.tz or obtain one on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (~$50 USD cash). Yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from an endemic country. See our Tanzania visa guide.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is non-negotiable for this trip. Your policy must specifically cover high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation from Kilimanjaro. AMREF Flying Doctors membership is a practical addition for the safari section.
Currency and Tips
USD is the most practical currency in Tanzania. ATMs in Moshi, Arusha, and Stone Town. No reliable ATMs inside national parks or on the mountain. Tips for guides, porters, drivers, and hotel staff are not included in the package price and form a meaningful part of crew income. We send a tip guideline on booking confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
No technical climbing skills are required. Kilimanjaro is a trek — no ropes, harnesses, or ice axes on the Marangu Route. The challenge is altitude, not terrain. What matters is aerobic fitness, mental resilience, and adequate preparation time.
Our Marangu 5-day success rate is 70–75%. If maximising summit probability is a priority, we strongly recommend upgrading to our 7-day Machame (85–90%) or 8-day Lemosho (88–93%) routes. We can build a modified 15 or 16-day package around either option — just ask.
The Serengeti has resident wildlife year-round. The famous Mara River crossings happen in the northern Serengeti July through September. If your dates fall in this window, we position you in the north. Outside this period, the central and southern Serengeti offer excellent predator sightings and general Big Five encounters.
Your safari and Zanzibar sections continue as planned regardless of summit outcome. Our guides have both the authority and the responsibility to recommend turning back if altitude sickness poses a genuine health risk. A turnaround is not a failure — and the rest of the trip remains fully intact.
Yes. The 5-day Marangu section can be replaced with a 7-day Machame Route, which adds 2 days, eliminates camping, provides better acclimatization, and carries our 85–90% summit success rate. The overall package becomes 15 days. We can also build around the 8-day Lemosho (16 days total). Contact us and we'll price the modification.
The safari and Zanzibar sections are suitable for children aged 5 and above. Kilimanjaro has a minimum age of 10 years set by Tanzania National Parks, with our recommended minimum of 12 for the 5-day Marangu route. Tell us the ages of your group and we'll advise on the best structure.
Tips for the Kilimanjaro crew: approximately $20–25/day for the lead guide, $15/day for the assistant, $12/day for the cook, and $6–8/day per porter. For a group of two on a 5-day climb, this totals roughly $200–280 distributed at the descent. Safari guide: $10–15/day shared among the group. We send a full tip guideline with your booking confirmation.
For peak season travel (July–October), book 4–6 months in advance. Quality Serengeti lodges and Zanzibar beach properties fill quickly during this period. For other months, 6–8 weeks is usually adequate — though earlier is always better for accommodation selection.
Michael Mwampegete
Founder & CEO — Travel Luxuries Adventure
Michael has operated Kilimanjaro climbs and Tanzania safaris from Moshi since 2012. The 13-Day Kilimanjaro, Serengeti & Zanzibar package is one of our most-requested combinations — the sequencing of mountain, then safari, then beach is deliberate and it works. Contact us and Michael's team will build your specific quote.
