Combining hiking mountain Kilimanjaro with safari in Serengeti

Combining hiking mountain Kilimanjaro with a safari in Serengeti. When planning to hike the mountain Kilimanjaro and Serengeti National Park game safari, you need to tailor an itinerary that suits your interests while following the time spent on holiday. The least time you have to spend on Mountain Kilimanjaro is seven days, but it can take longer depending on your route.

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The Serengeti National Park is Tanzania's gem in safari jewellery. It is famous for hosting the mysterious Great Wildebeest Migration, one of the world's natural wonders. However, it is hard to determine its start. Even the reason why millions of animals decide to take a pilgrimage to Masai Mara National Park every year is a mystery. 

The reasons that stimulate these millions of animals to take this annual path are still speculations that they search for greener pastures, but even carnivores join the caravan. Serengeti National Park is one of the top African safari destinations most adventure seekers have on their bucket list.

Even beyond the great wildebeest migration season, Serengeti National Park is game-rich, but to experience its natural beauties, you need a well-planned itinerary with a professional driver guide.

Below is the possible itinerary for a combo of Serengeti National Park and Hiking Mountain Kilimanjaro.

Day 1 Drive to Serengeti National Park 

From Arusha in Tanzania, you wake up for breakfast and drive to Serengeti National Park. The drive is scenic, with great views of the countryside and the chance to encounter the Masai nomads walking with large herds of cattle along the way. 

From Kilimanjaro International Airport, the drive to Serengeti National Park is about 420 kilometres with about 8 hours of drive time.

Please note that you may fly to Serengeti National Park from Kilimanjaro International Airport to land at the airfield closer to your lodge.

Day 2: Game Drive In Serengeti National Park

Wake up early for a game drive in Serengeti National Park, where animals can be spotted as they emerge from night hideouts and late afternoon as they return home. During the drive in the tracks of Serengeti National Park, you may encounter animals like lions, cheetahs, hyenas, buffaloes, elephants, gazelles, impalas, zebras, waterbucks, bushbucks, giraffes, and others. Look out for an array of bird species that grace the shores of this park.

If it is wildebeest migration season, you may return to the park for another game drive to enjoy the gathering of millions of carnivores and herbivores in different parts of this huge Tanzania National Park.

Day 3 Drive to Mountain Kilimanjaro

Wake up early for breakfast and drive to Mount Kilimanjaro. The distance from Serengeti National Park to Mount Kilimanjaro is about 345 kilometers, and it takes about 4 to 5 hours by road. You can also fly from Serengeti National Park to any airstrip closer to Mount Kilimanjaro, which takes about 30 minutes. 

Day 4 Start the hike using the Machame Route.

Start the hike early before the sun is too much to bear. The hike starts with a briefing at the Machame gate. Hire porters to help carry your belongings. Follow the ranger guide through the montane forest at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. Along the way, you can spot different primate species and mammals like elephants and buffaloes.

The time you may take to get to the stopover point of this route is about 5 to 7 hours, including resting time. Arrive at the Machame hut ready for dinner and overnight.

Day 5 Machane hut to Shira hut

Wake up early for breakfast, freshen up, and continue from the montane forest section on Kilimanjaro, walking through the steep slopes and heath. On the way, you may encounter rocky ridges and a river's gorge to the west. Finally, you will get to Shira hut for the night. The trip takes about 4 to 6 hours. At this point, the altitude is about 3000 meters to 3850 meters above sea level.

Day 6 Camp Shira To Camp Barranco

Rise for breakfast and start on the journey up the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. At this point, you may start feeling the altitude effects, and you will get higher. Hike up Mount Kilimanjaro to stop at the lava tower, about 4600 meters above sea level. Move down to Camp Barranco, where you will spend the night. Enjoy the Barranco sunset from the great Barranco wall. 

The altitude is from 3850 meters above sea level to 4600 meters above sea level, then descends to 3930 meters above sea level overnight. At this point, the environment is like a semi-desert. The hiking time is about 6 to 7 hours.

Day 7 Barranco camp to Karanga camp

After breakfast, start the hike through the scramble up to the top of the great Barranco Wall. Cross over the screen to Karanga Valley, 3930 meters above sea level and under the Heim, Kersten, and Decken Glaciers. The hike takes about 4 hours and takes you through the alpine desert from 3950 meters above sea level to 3930 meters above sea level.

Day 8 Karanga camp to Barafu Camp

Wake up for breakfast and descend to the Mweka trail and the Barafu camp. At this point, enjoy the stunning view of the mountain top, which is covered by an alpine desert. Mawenzi Peak and Kibo are in sight.

Day 9 Barrafu camp to Uhuru summit to Mweka hut.

Take breakfast and start on the journey to the summit of Mountain Kilimanjaro. This may be the most challenging point as you walk from Scree to Stella Point at 5732 meters above sea level on the crater's edge. Hike to Uhuru Peak, which is 5895 meters above sea level, the highest point in Africa.

Descend from Uhuru Peak to Mweka hut at 3100 meters above sea level. The environment is composed of glaciers, stone scree, and alpine desert. At this point, you need walking poles to get through the loose gravel.

Day 8 Mweka to the bottom of Mountain Kilimanjaro 

After hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, start getting back to the bottom via Barafu to Mweka gate. Use Gaiters and walking poles because you need extra support after the exhausting days on the mountain.

They descend from 3100 meters above sea level to about 1800 meters above sea level, walking through a montane forest. This trek takes about 3 to 4 hours.

When Is The Best Time To Plan A Hike On Mountain Kilimanjaro

Since climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is on the bucket list of many adventure safari seekers, it is best to plan for this at least three months in advance so that all the necessary arrangements can be made and you have ample time to do pre-hiking exercises to get fit. If you have company, go through all the guidelines for hiking the mountain with them and carry out all necessary checkups before this adventure.

The best time to hike mountain Kilimanjaro is the dry season, which is June, July, August, September, December, January, and February, when the conditions on the mountain favor the trek. The trails are passable, and there is less vegetation to obstruct them. 

It is best to start hiking on the mountain of Kilimanjaro early each day before the sun gets too hot to bear. Since this is peak season in Tanzania and Kenya, expect more people to join the hike on Kilimanjaro Mountain, so get ready to experience this adventure with strangers.

The wet season, which is March to May and November, is not recommended for hiking Mount Kilimanjaro because the trails get wet and slippery, making the trek challenging. The trailside vegetation obstructs the way, making it difficult to follow the right path. If it rains heavily, you may have to skip a day before continuing the hike on this mountain.  

Expect no or just a handful of people to accompany you during the hike on the mountain of Kilimanjaro.

When is the best time to visit Serengeti National Park?

The dry season is most favorable for game safaris in Serengeti National Park. The Dry seasons in June, July, August, September, December, January, and February include excellent wildebeest migration. This peak tourism season in Tanzania attracts more people, so Serengeti National Park is busy, and accommodation may be fully booked in advance. 

During the game drive in Serengeti National Park, you may spot animals such as gazelles, waterbucks, bushbucks, impalas, zebras, wildebeests, hartebeests, elephants, cape buffaloes, warthogs, and others.

During the wet season, which is March, April, May, and November, safaris to Serengeti National Park may be less in demand, but this is calving season, too. There is plenty of grass for the returnees from the great wildebeest migration, too. 

 Expect to see some wild animals in Serengeti National Park in the low season, although the population may not be as massive as the dry season. If you wish exclusivity on safari, the wet season is favorable.

How long is the hike from Kilimanjaro to the summit?

The time taken to hike mountain Kilimanjaro varies with the route you take up the mountain. The trek up Mount Kilimanjaro may last seven days or more, depending on the pace of the trekkers. You must be determined and ready to face the huddle you will likely face while up mountain Kilimanjaro.

Good health and a certain level of fitness are some factors that favor your stay on the mountain.

How Safe Is Serengeti National Park And Mountain Kilimanjaro Hike?

The safari adventure to Serengeti National Park and Mountain Kilimanjaro is safe because they are under the control of the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA). The TAWA sets rules and regulations that govern all Tanzanian National Parks. 

Tourists must follow the route taken by the ranger guide and not create more paths on the mountain, as this is one way to destroy the vegetation along the way. Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro is safe as long as you follow the rules on the mountain.

Pack the right gear to enjoy the moments on top of the mountain Kilimanjaro 

and Serengeti National Park.

What to Pack For a safari to Serengeti National Park and Hike on Mountain Kilimanjaro 

• Camera to take photos while at Mountain Kilimanjaro, a task that is on the bucket list of many adventure seekers worldwide.
• You need hiking boots that are comfortable and waterproof.
• Sunscreen to protect your skin from getting sunburns.
• Sunglasses to protect your eyes from the direct sunlight and buzzing insects.
• Insect repellant to protect your skin from stinging insects you may find along the way.
• Garden gloves to protect your fingers from touching rough surfaces along the way.
• Some extra clothes to change into after the long day on the mountain.
• Energy bites to munch on when hungry because meals are taken from designated points.
• Hiking rods will give you extra support when hiking the mountain.
• Backpack to carry with your belongings so they do not scatter while you hike.
• A torch to use for lighting.
• Some cash in case you need to do ground purchases like hiring hiking equipment, even porter hiring before starting your hike, purchasing food, cooking equipment, fuel, and others
• Warmers because the higher you go, the cooler it becomes.
• A pair of binoculars is needed to get better visibility of far-ranging features.
• A pair of stockings to protect your feet from getting cold.
• Head gears to cover yourself from getting cold while hiking to get to the top of the mountain Kilimanjaro.
• Sleeping bag for your nights on mountain Kilimanjaro.
• First aid kit with emergency medication in case you need it.
• Rainproof gears to protect you from getting wet and cold when it rains while up the mountain.

You can hike with some of the following hiking gear, too.

Ice axes, ropes, harnesses, crampons, and others.

Combined safaris are great for adventure and our team of consultants is ready to help organize your safari today. Contact us for more information.