7 Days Kilimanjaro Hike and Serengeti Migration Safari
7 Days Kilimanjaro Hike and Serengeti Migration Safari is an ultimate Tanzania safari that takes you to both the roof of Africa and the ancient endless plains of the Serengeti. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak and point in Africa, thus the name “The Roof of Africa”. Climbing Kilimanjaro even for just a few hours allows you a chance to breathe in the crisp fresh rare in many places on earth. Journey onwards to the Serengeti National Park, home of the wildlife and the Great Wildebeest Migration. Follow the migrating herds with this safari.
Choosing to experience both the roof of Africa and the ancient rhythm of the wild requires a careful balance of physical pacing and meticulous planning. A structured 7 Days Kilimanjaro Hike and Serengeti Migration Safari provides a seamless bridge between these distinct worlds, ensuring you move cleanly from the dense forest trails of the mountain to the wide tracking loops of the savannah.
Safari Highlights of this 7 Days Tanzania Safari Itinerary
- Airport Transfers
- Mount Kilimanjaro Hike
- Scenic Views of Mount Kilimanjaro
- Serengeti Safari Game Drives
- Serengeti Migration Safari
- Scenic Flying Safari experience
Detailed 7 Days Kilimanjaro Hike and Serengeti Migration Safari
Day 1: Arrival
Upon arrival at the JRO, meet our guide and proceed on a transfer to your hotel in Moshi. Check-in, relax as you wait for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Materuni Homes
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Pick up, Ascend the Kilimanjaro Via Marangu
Have breakfast at your hotel of stay. Meet your guide at the lobby and after a short briefing, you shall proceed on a transfer to Kilimanjaro Mountain and start your hike.
Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. Look out for birdlife and colobus monkeys here.
Elevation: 5,500ft-9,000ft. Hike Time: 4-5 Hours. Montane Forest.
Dinner and overnight stay at Mandara Hut
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Descend the Kilimanjaro, Transfer to Arusha
Enjoy breakfast on the Kilimanjaro, and proceed to move along the glades, ascending the path of open moorlands towards the Horombo encampment. Enjoy views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo. Look out for giant lobelias. After lunch at Mandara, descend and proceed on a transfer to Arusha.
Check in at the lodge, relax as you wait for your dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Zawadi House Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Central Serengeti National Park, Game Drive
Drive Time: Approx. 7 hours.
After an early breakfast from your hotel in Arusha, with your packed lunch check out of your hotel in Arusha. Proceed to transfer to Serengeti National Park, driving through the beautiful Tanzanian countryside. Watch different communities go through their day. Drive through the stunning Ngorongoro Conservation Area, looking out for the wildlife and Maasai tribe therein.
Picnic lunch is enjoyed in the wilderness of the Serengeti National Park. Enjoy a game drive in Serengeti National Park, looking out for the wildlife especially in the Seronera River area. Animals in Serengeti to look out for include lion prides, buffalos, elephants, leopards, wildebeests, and more.
Chase the sunset as you drive to your camp of stay. Check in, relax as you wait for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Serengeti Tanzania Bush Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5 & 6: Serengeti Great Migration Game Drives
Spend these 2 full days following the migration herds. Look out for the predator action, chance to witness the iconic Mara River crossing, and so much more. Lunch is enjoyed over a picnic lunch in the wilderness, before embarking on more game viewing expeditions in northern Serengeti. Chase the sunsets as you drive back to your camp in Serengeti. Have dinner, campfire experience and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Mara River Tanzania Bush Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Early Morning Game Drive, Scenic Flight to ARK.
Wake up to an early breakfast, and head out for an early morning game drive in the Serengeti. Look out for the migrating herds and chance to witness the river crossing. Look out for the different wildlife in the Serengeti, including the Big Five and so much more.
Drive to Kogatende Airstrip, arriving in time for your flight to ARK. This ends your thrilling 7 Days Kilimanjaro Hike and Serengeti Migration Safari with us.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Tanzania Safari Price Includes:
- Airport transfers as indicated
- Kilimanjaro hiking fees
- All park entrance fees and activities mentioned
- Professional English speaking safari guide
- Transportation during the safari in a safari land cruiser
- Concession fees
- All meals during the safari
- Accommodation during the safari
- Kogatende to ARK flight
- Bottled drinking water while on safari
- Tanzania and Uganda tourism VAT
Tanzania Safari Price Excludes:
- Other Flights and Visa fees
- Personal expenses such as telephone calls, email, laundry, beverages or meals not indicated in the itinerary,
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuity
- Anything else not included in the itinerary
Seasonal Movement: Timing Your Safari
The Serengeti changes completely throughout the year, meaning your experience will depend heavily on the timing of your visit.
[Jan – Mar] [Apr – May] [Jun – Oct] [Nov – Dec]
Calving Season Heavy Rains Dry Season Short Rains
Southern Plains Lush & Quiet River Crossings Green Plains
- The Dry Season (June to October): This is the ideal time to see the dramatic river crossings in the northern Serengeti. The weather is dry, the grasses are low, and wildlife gathers predictably around major water sources.
- The Calving Season (January to March): The herds move south to the nutrient-rich volcanic soils near the southern plains. Hundreds of thousands of calves are born within a short window, triggering intense predator activity from lions, cheetahs, and hyenas.
- The Grumeti River Crossing (May to June): The herds move to the west. The Grumeti River crossing, not sought after much, happens then. A good time to visit to stay away from crowds.
- The Green Season (November to May): The landscapes turn lush and emerald green after the rains. The air is completely clear of dust, offering perfect conditions for photography, and the parks are wonderfully quiet with fewer safari vehicles.
Practical Checklist for Mountain and Safari
Packing for a trip that combines a high-altitude mountain trek with hot, dusty days on the open savannah requires two completely distinct sets of gear.
⚠️ BAGGAGE LIMIT: 15 kg (33 lbs) strictly enforced on bush flights
BAG TYPE REQUIRED: Soft-sided canvas duffels (No rigid frames)
- Mountain Layers: Pack heavy thermal underwear, a warm fleece layer, a waterproof jacket, and broken-in hiking boots to handle the variable conditions on the mountain.
- Savannah Clothing: Bring lightweight, breathable clothes in soft, neutral tones like khaki, tan, and olive green. Avoid dark blue and black, as they naturally attract biting tsetse flies.
- Sun Protection: High-SPF sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed sun hat are essential for protection against the intense equatorial sun.
- Safari Gear: High-quality binoculars ($8\times42$ or $10\times42$) are crucial for spotting distant wildlife, along with a camera equipped with a telephoto zoom lens.
Conservation Efforts?
Your park fees pay directly for anti-poaching units, wildlife corridor management, and ecological research. Additionally, your stay employs local guides, camp staff, and mountain porters, offering sustainable jobs that protect these wild spaces for generations to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of luggage should I bring for this combined tour?
You must pack your gear in a soft-sided canvas duffel bag. The domestic bush flights that connect the Serengeti back to international hubs use small aircraft with strict weight limits of 15 kilograms (33 pounds) per person, and hard-shell suitcases will not fit in their small cargo holds.
Do I need walking shoes or heavy boots for the Kilimanjaro day hike?
For the day hike along the lower Marangu trail, a pair of supportive, water-resistant hiking shoes or light boots with good tread is highly recommended, as the rain-forested tracks can become slick and muddy.
What are the bathroom facilities like on the mountain and safari?
The Marangu route features permanent wooden huts equipped with simple, shared dry-combustion toilets. While out on safari, your luxury mobile camps provide private, en-suite flush toilets and hot bucket showers inside your tent.
Is it safe to view wildlife from an open-roof safari vehicle?
Yes. African wildlife is fully accustomed to the shape and sound of safari land cruisers, viewing them as single, non-threatening objects. As long as you follow your guide’s instructions and stay inside the vehicle, game viewing is completely safe.
How do we travel from Kilimanjaro down to the Serengeti?
You will travel in a private 4×4 safari land cruiser with a pop-up roof, driving through the diverse landscapes of the northern circuit. The trip concludes with a scenic flight from the Kogatende airstrip back to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
What kind of food is served at the safari camps?
The kitchens at these tented camps serve excellent multi-course meals using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. You can expect a mix of classic international dishes and traditional Swahili choices, with full accommodations for any dietary needs.
Are tips for the guides and porters included in the tour price?
No, tipping is customary in East African tourism and is excluded from the base price. Gratuities are always distributed directly to your hard-working safari drivers, mountain guides, and camp staff at the end of your trip.
Can I charge my camera batteries and phone while out on safari?
Yes. Your safari land cruisers come equipped with integrated charging panels, and the central mess tents at your camps provide reliable solar power stations to keep all your electronics charged.
Planning Your Tanzanian Journey
[Inquire Online] ➔ [Expert Trip Customization] ➔ [Confirm Package]
Every successful expedition depends on careful planning, local expertise, and an itinerary paced perfectly to your travel preferences. Whether you want to focus on high-altitude trekking or time your trip around the peak of the migration herds, the key is working with a team that knows the land intimately.
The team at Rowin Africa Safaris spend their lives working along these tracks, watching wildlife movements, and managing the logistics of remote travel. Contact Rowin Africa Safaris today to begin designing your custom East African Safari.
