Kilimanjaro Ascent (19,340') and African Game Safari
 Tanzania & Kenya

Trip Overview

Jambu Rafiki (Hello friend)!

Our Kilimanjaro and Africa Safari expeditions continue to be one of our most requested adventures. Lots of great exercise, mountain views, friendly locals, and new friendships will be found during our Kilimanjaro treks. Top that off with a super safari in some of Africa’s finest game viewing areas, and you’ve got an awesome experience. We hope that you’re able to join us on this diverse and exciting journey!

Please note: We now fly Europe to Arusha, and bypass Nairobi.

Africa offers a fine combination of high altitude trekking, game viewing and third world travel. Our journey will first take us through Europe, and then on a long flight to Arusha, Tanzania, where our real adventure begins. We’ll travel from there to Moshi, where we will gear up for our 7 day ascent up the seldom climbed Machame route on Kilimanjaro. This is a scenic approach to the summit, versus the long pumice slopes of the regular track. Fewer people will be encountered on this approach, which will increase our enjoyment of the mountain. The route is marginally more strenuous than the standard trek up the populated Marangu, but it is not technically difficult. Some steeper hiking is encountered our summit day, which adds some appeal from a basic mountaineering standpoint. Experienced climbers, novice hikers, trekkers, and backpackers will enjoy this ascent!

We’ll travel through several vegetative zones using tent camps, and porters will carry the bulk of our group and personal gear, leaving us to enjoy the fine vistas and friends. A trekker’s dream—imagine trekking along with a light pack and enjoying the awesome views! Plenty of time for photography and great tasting group lunches.

Starting in a rain forest at 6,400’, four camps will be placed enroute to the summit. This will allow for proper acclimatization and the best chance for individual success. With our 7 days to climb Kili (as compared to 5 days of standard trips ), most folks should feel fit on the ascent. We’ll place camps at 10,000’, 12,000’, 13,000’ and 15,000’. Our travels will take us across the Shira Plateau, where lava flows cross the trail. Enroute to our camps we’re also likely to see eland, monkeys, forest hogs, buffalo, beautiful hummingbirds, and with luck, a leopard. Typical high African flora extends to 14,000’—including groundsel and giant lobelias, over 25 feet high! Tasty meals, prepared by our local expert cooks, consist of fresh vegetables, meats, pastas, eggs, cereals and breads. A real treat on any extended mountain trip.

From our high camp at 15,500’, the summit ascent is an  interesting hike. Crampons and ice will be taken just in case we come across an occasional patch of hard snow or ice, but are rarely needed. Better to have these tools, than to turn around just short of our goal. We’ll depart by headlight early on summit morning, and plan to hit Kili’s main crater by daybreak with a view of the rising sun. Our efforts will be rewarded in about 2 hours of hiking along the rim by reaching Kili’s true summit, standing at 19,340’. A pleasant forest camp will be made on the descent to help us relax and recover following our "upper mountain" experience. The optional summit day will be long, so trekkers are advised to be in good shape if their goal is go reach the highest point. Climbing the "Snows of Kilimanjaro" will certainly leave fond memories of Africa for years to come for everyone!

Over the years, our Kilimanjaro adventures have been comprised of people aged 18-69, with the average age between 25-55. All age ranges have been successful with Mountain Experience! This trip is appropriate for both couples and singles, and is a great way to meet new people from a variety of backgrounds.

A couple testimonials from our Kilimanjaro trips:

Thanks again for everything! This trip far exceeded anything we could've imagined--it was magnificent! Cory has now assumed the role of "armchair adventurer," as she figures nothing will ever top the Kili trip. Meanwhile, look for us on one of our upcoming expeditions!

Dave K., & Cory M., Florida

Jason, what a wonderful trip!! I had a terrific time. Mountain Experience did and excellent job of organizing every detail and keeping things running smoothly. Thanks! And Jeff was great! You are a good team together. I look forward to our next adventure.

--Jim G., California

Thanks for a really memorable trip in Africa--we had a great time and climb!

Mark U., John & Terri O.

To date, our Kilimanjaro treks have been successful in placing over 98% of our trekkers on the true summit of the 19,000' mountain. While we do not compromise safety to accomplish our goal of guiding trekkers to the summit, we work very hard to "set our participants up" for success through appropriate training suggestions and helpful tips throughout the adventure.

After our climb of Kili, we’re off for several days to the game parks for our safari. We will first visit Tarangire National Park, where we enjoy a game drive in search of elephants, baboons, lions and giraffes. Our next area of exploration will take us for a tour of the famous Ngoronogoro Crater, where we will find Africa’s most dense concentration of wildlife—thousands of animals living on the 105 square mile caldera floor—complete with its own ecosystem. This is one of the best places to see the near extinct black rhino.

We will travel in well-maintained vehicles and utilize fine local help for this portion of our adventure. Our drivers are great interpreters for identifying the many different kinds of wildlife we’ll see along the way. Last trip we  viewed more than 45 different mammals, countless birds, and other interesting sights. A photographer’s paradise! Searching for wild game and catching it on film in its natural habitat, is like searching for gold—it’s hard to contain one’s enthusiasm!

Following our safari, we’ll return to Arusha for a day shopping and a traditional African meal with one of our friends in Arusha. A great way to finish a super experience!

Please note:  This is one of our most popular trips, as we've run this trip several times and have a strong referral business. Noting this, the trips often fill up early. We usually add new trips when this happens, but not always. Be sure to book early if this trip interests you.

References available upon request.

Reservation& Sign Up Information

Trip Details

Fitness Requirement: Most of our trek days in Africa typically require around 4-8 hours of walking and trekking, but some days can be as long as 10-12 hours at high altitude (on our summit day attempt). Because of this, we recommend all participants be in an aerobic training program for several months prior to trip departure. Check our Training Ideas for more information and tips.

Experience: Participants will benefit from day hiking and backpacking experiences, but this is not required. High altitude trekking experience is not required, but may be beneficial.

Page update on May 04, 2004