Self-Launched Kilimanjaro, Safari & Zanzibar – Tanzania in 16 Days

Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Take a shared shuttle or pre-booked taxi transfer to Moshi town (~45 mins, ~£8–12 by shared shuttle). Check into a budget guesthouse in Moshi — a great base to sort last-minute kit hire, stock up on snacks and get a full briefing from your licensed Kilimanjaro operator. Spend the evening relaxing and preparing your gear.

🚌Shared airport shuttle from JRO to Moshi (~£8–12)

🛏Kilimanjaro Backpackers or Buffalo Hotel, Moshi (~£15–22/night)

• →Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
• →Shared shuttle transfer from JRO to Moshi (~£8–12 via Riverside Shuttle or similar)
• →Check in and rest — pre-climb briefing with your licensed Kilimanjaro operator
• →Gear check and last-minute kit hire from Moshi town shops (~£5–15/day for poles, gaiters etc.)

Transfer to Machame Gate (1,800m) for registration. Note: all Kilimanjaro climbs legally require a licensed guide and porters through a KINAPA-registered operator. Book a reputable budget operator in Moshi such as Zara Tours, Shah Tours or Nature Discovery — 7-day Machame Route packages start from ~£900–1,100 per person all-in (guide, porters, park fees, meals on mountain, hut/tent fees). Today's hike takes you through lush rainforest to Machame Camp (~3hrs 30mins, 11km).

🚌Transfer from Moshi to Machame Gate included in climb package

🛏Machame Camp (tents provided by your climb operator — included in package)

• →Transfer to Machame Gate (1,800m)
• →Register and begin climb through montane rainforest
• →Hike to Machame Camp (2,835m) — ~11km, 3–4 hours
• →All meals included in your climb package

A challenging uphill day through heather and moorland as the vegetation thins. Stunning views open up across the Shira Plateau. Hike from Machame Camp (2,835m) to Shira Camp (3,840m) — ~8km, 4–5 hours. Acclimatisation rest at camp. All meals and accommodation included in your climb package.

🚌On foot

🛏Shira Camp (tents provided by climb operator — included in package)

• →Hike from Machame Camp to Shira Camp (~8km, 4–5 hours)
• →Pass through heather and moorland zones
• →Explore views across the Shira Plateau

A crucial acclimatisation day: hike high, sleep low. The route climbs steeply past the iconic Lava Tower (4,630m), Shark's Tooth and Arrow Glacier before descending to Barranco Camp (3,976m). This 'climb high, sleep low' profile is key to acclimatisation — ~14km, 7–8 hours. All meals and tents included in climb package.

🚌On foot

🛏Barranco Camp (tents provided by climb operator — included in package)

• →Hike up to Lava Tower (4,630m) for acclimatisation
• →Pass Shark's Tooth rock formation and Arrow Glacier viewpoint
• →Descend to Barranco Camp (3,976m) — ~14km, 7–8 hours

The famous Barranco Wall scramble is today's highlight — an exhilarating hands-and-feet climb up a near-vertical 250m cliff face that sounds scarier than it is. Guides help you at every step. After the wall, traverse across to Karanga Valley Camp (~6km, 4–5 hours). Rest well — summit push is getting closer.

🚌On foot

🛏Karanga Camp (tents provided by climb operator — included in package)

• →Climb the Barranco Wall scramble (250m — hands and feet, guides assist)
• →Traverse to Karanga Valley (4,035m) — ~6km, 4–5 hours
• →Rest and hydrate at Karanga Camp

A shorter but altitude-heavy day as you climb from Karanga to Barafu Base Camp (4,673m) — ~5km, 3–4 hours. The alpine desert landscape is stark and dramatic. Arrive early, eat well and sleep as much as possible — midnight wake-up call for summit night. Prepare all layers and headtorch. All meals and tents included in climb package.

🚌On foot

🛏Barafu Camp (tents provided by climb operator — included in package)

• →Hike from Karanga to Barafu Camp (4,673m) — ~5km, 3–4 hours
• →Afternoon rest — altitude management and gear prep for summit push
• →Early dinner and lights out by 7pm

The defining day. Wake at midnight and begin the slow, cold summit push in darkness (poles essential, layers critical — temperature can reach -20°C). Pass Stella Point (5,756m) — crater rim — then push on to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the Roof of Africa, arriving around sunrise. Celebrate and descend all the way to Mweka Camp (3,100m) — a long but euphoric day (~21km total, 12–15 hours). All meals and tents included.

🚌On foot

🛏Mweka Camp (tents provided by climb operator — included in package)

• →Midnight summit push from Barafu Camp
• →Reach Stella Point (5,756m) on the crater rim
• →Push to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) — Roof of Africa — at sunrise
• →Descend via Mweka Route to Mweka Camp (3,100m)

Final descent through rainforest to Mweka Gate (1,640m) — ~10km, 3–4 hours. Collect your summit certificate at the park gate. Transfer back to Moshi or directly to Arusha (~1.5 hours). Porter tips (customary and important — ~£60–80 total for the crew is standard) are paid today. Check into a hostel in Arusha, shower, eat a massive meal and celebrate.

🚌Transfer Mweka Gate to Arusha included in climb package; or shared taxi ~£8

🛏Arusha Backpackers or Masa Hostel, Arusha (~£12–18/night)

• →Descend from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate through rainforest (~10km, 3–4 hours)
• →Collect your official summit certificate at the gate
• →Tip your guide and porter crew (standard ~£60–80 total per climber)
• →Transfer to Arusha — relax, eat and recover

Join a shared group safari departing Arusha. Book via a reputable Arusha-based budget safari operator — try Afro-Mkuki Safaris, Shidolya Tours or compare on SafariBookings.com. A 4-day shared safari (Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro) typically costs £380–500 per person including 4WD transport, park fees, accommodation and meals. Today: drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its enormous elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. Full game drive through the park.

🚌Shared 4WD safari vehicle from Arusha — included in safari package

🛏Tarangire Ndovu Camp or similar budget tented camp (~included in safari package)

• →Depart Arusha in a shared 4WD safari vehicle (book via SafariBookings.com or local operator)
• →Full game drive in Tarangire National Park — elephants, lions, giraffes and 550+ bird species
• →Tarangire River viewpoint — superb wildlife concentration in dry season

Drive north through the Ngorongoro Highlands toward the Serengeti — one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth. Afternoon game drive in the Serengeti. Depending on season (July–October), you may witness the Great Wildebeest Migration crossing. Camp in the Serengeti under a sky blazing with stars. All meals and accommodation included in safari package.

🚌4WD safari vehicle — included in safari package

🛏Serengeti budget tented camp (included in safari package)

• →Morning drive through Ngorongoro Highlands en route to Serengeti
• →Afternoon game drive in Serengeti National Park — Big Five possible
• →Wildebeest Migration river crossings (July–October season)

A full day of game drives in the Serengeti. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for big cat sightings — lions, leopards and cheetahs are all present. The Serengeti is simply unmissable and a full day here does it justice. Picnic lunch in the bush, sundowner at camp. All meals and accommodation included in safari package.

🚌4WD safari vehicle — included in safari package

🛏Serengeti budget tented camp (included in safari package)

• →Morning game drive — prime time for lion and cheetah sightings
• →Picnic lunch in the Serengeti
• →Afternoon game drive — seek leopards in acacia trees
• →Sundowner drinks at tented camp

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater — the world's largest intact volcanic caldera and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The crater floor is home to ~30,000 animals including the highest density of lions in Africa, resident black rhino (rare!), hippos, flamingos and vast wildebeest herds. Game drive through the crater floor before ascending and driving back to Arusha by afternoon. Farewell dinner in Arusha.

🚌4WD safari vehicle return to Arusha — included in safari package

🛏Arusha Backpackers or Masa Hostel (~£12–18/night)

• →Descend into Ngorongoro Crater (2,000m deep, 20km wide) for a full game drive
• →Spot black rhino, lions, hippos and flamingos on the crater floor
• →Ascend the crater rim and drive back to Arusha (3–4 hours)

Fly from Arusha (ARK) or Kilimanjaro (JRO) to Zanzibar (ZNZ). Auric Air, Coastal Aviation and Precision Air all operate this route — book direct for ~£80–120 one-way. Alternatively, fly Dar es Salaam and connect (longer but sometimes cheaper). Arrive in Zanzibar, transfer to Stone Town and check into a guesthouse in the historic old city. Explore the winding alleyways and rooftop bars of Stone Town this evening.

🚌Domestic flight Arusha/JRO to ZNZ (~£80–120 booked direct)

🛏Stone Town Café & Guesthouse or Tembo House Hotel (~£20–30/night)

• →Transfer to Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport for morning flight
• →Fly Arusha/JRO to Zanzibar ZNZ (~£80–120 — book via Coastal Aviation, Auric Air or Precision Air)
• →Arrive Zanzibar, transfer to Stone Town guesthouse
• →Evening wander through Stone Town alleyways and rooftop sundowners at Africa House Hotel

Pack a full day of Zanzibar's iconic highlights. Start with a guided walking tour of Stone Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site) — the old slave market, House of Wonders and carved Zanzibar doors. Take a boat to Prison Island (Changuu Island) to snorkel and meet the famous giant Aldabra tortoises. In the afternoon, join a spice farm tour — Zanzibar was once the world's top clove producer and the tours are fascinating. Book all three via GetYourGuide or direct with local guides for best prices.

🚌Walking and local boat trips — all bookable on GetYourGuide or direct

🛏Stone Town Café & Guesthouse or Tembo House Hotel (~£20–30/night)

• →Guided Stone Town walking tour — slave market, House of Wonders, Forodhani Gardens (~£8–12 via GetYourGuide or local guide)
• →Boat trip to Prison Island (Changuu Island) with snorkelling and giant tortoises (~£15–20 including boat and entry)
• →Afternoon spice farm tour with lunch (~£12–18 including transport and guide)
• →Evening street food at Forodhani Night Market (~£3–5)

Join a shared island tour of southern and eastern Zanzibar — the stunning palm-lined beaches of Jambiani and Paje, the Kuza Cave (a sacred freshwater cave pool), and the dramatic rock formations of the east coast. In the afternoon, relax on the turquoise shores of the east coast — some of the finest beaches in the Indian Ocean. Book a shared day tour (~£20–30 all-in) or hire a dala-dala (local minibus, ~£2) and explore independently.

🚌Shared dala-dala or booked shared day tour (~£2–30 depending on option)

🛏Paje by Night or similar east coast guesthouse (~£18–28/night) or return to Stone Town

• →Shared island tour: southern and eastern Zanzibar beaches, rock formations and cave sightseeing (~£20–30 shared)
• →Visit Kuza Cave — sacred freshwater cave pool and snorkelling
• →Afternoon beach time at Paje or Jambiani — swimming, kitesurfing or simply relaxing
• →Fresh seafood dinner at a beach grill (~£6–10)

Final morning in Zanzibar — sunrise swim, last coffee and fresh fruit at a beachside café. Book a local taxi or bajaj (auto-rickshaw) to Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) for your departure flight. Taxis from Stone Town to the airport cost ~£5–8 and take about 10 minutes. Allow 2 hours for international check-in. What a trip — Kilimanjaro, the Big Five and the Indian Ocean all in 16 days.

🚌Local taxi or bajaj to Zanzibar Airport ZNZ (~£5–8)

🛏Check out

• →Final morning swim and breakfast
• →Local taxi or bajaj transfer to Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) (~£5–8)
• →Check in and depart