21 Days Mountain and Wildlife Safari

Day 0: International Airport – Arusha
You will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Arusha, where you can recover from the rigors of your flight and prepare for the eventful days ahead.

Day 1: Arusha – Moshi / Materuni Waterfall
After a hearty breakfast, we set off. We travel toward Moshi, drawing ever closer to Mount Kilimanjaro—which, weather permitting, reveals itself in increasingly majestic fashion as we approach. Following the 2–3 hour drive, a bit of physical activity is welcome: a pleasant hike leads us to the Materuni Waterfall, where water cascades 70–90 meters down into a cool, crystal-clear pool. A dip here is incredibly refreshing (don’t forget your swimwear!). Afterward, a delicious dinner awaits you at your hotel in Moshi, where you will also meet your guide, who will provide further details regarding your Kilimanjaro ascent.

Days 2–7: Ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro
You will climb the “Roof of Africa” ​​via the Marangu Route—the only route that offers overnight stays in mountain huts. You will truly grasp the uniqueness of this journey on Day 6, when, at daybreak, you reach Uhuru Peak—the highest point on Kibo (5,985 meters above sea level). The descent follows, and on Day 7, you will exit Kilimanjaro National Park at the Marangu Gate, filled with a sense of pride and shared joy alongside the entire mountain crew, celebrating the achievements of everyone involved over the past few days. (For details on the mountain ascent, see the Marangu Route on this website)

Day 8: Moshi–Arusha / Chemkwa Hot Springs
After a restful night, we head toward Arusha at a relaxed pace. Along the way, we’ll unwind at the Chemkwa Hot Springs—your muscles will thank you! Afterward, we continue to our hotel in Arusha.

Day 9: Arusha Town Tour
On a guided walking tour, you will gain insight into local urban life—a fascinating experience that differs significantly from cities in the Western world. The markets offer fresh, delicious fruits and vegetables, and the infectious joy of the market women is sure to rub off on you. Prepare to be pleasantly surprised! You will spend another night at your hotel in Arusha, giving you time to relax and process your new impressions.

Day 10: Arusha National Park
After breakfast, we set off for Arusha National Park. Spanning just over 500 square kilometers (approx. 200 square miles), the park is home to a high density of wildlife—including the world’s largest population of giraffes. You may also encounter colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, red duikers, hippos, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and bushbucks. Following an exciting day amidst diverse, stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife, you will spend the night at a hotel in Arusha.

Day 11: Arusha – Makuyuni Park
After breakfast, we head west and soon reach the Makuyuni area. This park is special because it is the corridor connecting Tarangire and Manyara. This area is great for a private game drive to observe the habitation of all grass eating animals sometimes surprised by predators. After the gamedrive, you will settle into comfortable accommodation near Tarangire National Park.

Days 12 & 13: Tarangire National Park
Full-day wildlife safaris in Tarangire National Park. Tarangire National Park boasts one of the highest concentrations of elephants in Tanzania, and its landscape—dotted with baobab and acacia trees—makes it a truly beautiful national park. Surrounded by these majestic grey giants, you will enjoy a peaceful night in comfortable accommodation nestled within the natural wilderness of Tarangire.

Day 14: Lake Manyara National Park
Next, another highlight awaits: Lake Manyara National Park. In addition to a diverse range of landscapes, flora, and fauna packed into a relatively small area, you might even be lucky enough to spot tree-climbing lions—a truly unique spectacle. Tonight’s stay is planned in either Mto wa Mbu or Karatu.

Day 15: Lake Manyara National Park – Serengeti
Off to the Serengeti! After breakfast, we travel through the beautiful, high-altitude farmland of Karatu and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, heading toward Serengeti National Park. Leaving the highlands behind, we descend into the heart of wild Africa—Serengeti National Park—with its endless plains stretching as far as the eye can see. We enter the Central Serengeti, known as the Seronera area, one of the park’s richest wildlife habitats. The Seronera River flows through here, providing a vital water source that attracts a wide variety of the wildlife species found in the Serengeti. We arrive in time for a picnic lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive. This eventful day concludes with a hearty dinner and a restful night’s sleep at your accommodation.

Days 16, 17⁽⁺⁾: Northern or Western Serengeti National Park
Enjoy a full-day safari in the northern or western part of Serengeti National Park, depending on the wildlife migration. The Western Corridor is defined by the Grumeti River and features more woodland and dense bushland. The northern region—the Lobo area—borders Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve and is the least-visited part of the park. The Serengeti is particularly famous for its animal migrations; every October and November, more than a million wildebeest and approximately 200,000 zebras move from the northern hills to the southern plains, drawn by the “short rains.” Following the “long rains” in April, May, and June, they make their return journey, heading back toward the west and north. The ancient migratory instinct is so powerful that neither periods of drought, deep ravines, nor rivers teeming with crocodiles can stop these animals.

The Serengeti is home to the world’s highest concentration of large mammals; it is particularly renowned for its 2,500 lions—the largest population in existence. Furthermore, more than 518 bird species have been recorded in the park, including migratory birds from Eurasia that can be found there during the European winter months—from October to April.

Day 18 Central Serengeti – Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Karatu
After breakfast, you will explore the Central Serengeti National Park on a morning game drive. This legendary national park is the most renowned safari destination, thanks to its incredible populations of lions and leopards. The Central Serengeti—known as the Seronera area—is one of the park’s richest wildlife habitats. The Seronera River, which flows through this region, serves as a vital water source, attracting a wide variety of the Serengeti’s iconic wildlife. Outside of the migration season, keep a close eye out for the many lion prides that inhabit this region; their interactions and survival strategies offer an exceptional wildlife-viewing experience all year round.
Afterward, you will travel toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, enjoying a picnic lunch along the way. The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest collapsed volcanic crater, encompassing 14 kilometers of secluded natural beauty. Surrounded by a ring of extinct volcanoes, its floor—dotted with waterholes—provides a sanctuary for approximately 30,000 animals. This eventful day concludes with a hearty dinner and a restful night’s sleep at your accommodation in Karatu.

Day 19 Ngorongoro Crater – Karatu
Following an early breakfast, you will descend to the crater floor for a 5-hour game drive. Here, you may encounter lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, flamingos, jackals, rhinos, antelopes, and a diverse array of bird species. The birds to be seen here include eagles, vultures, and flamingos in the crater lake, as well as storks, bats, lappet-faced vultures, sacred ibises, kori bustards, blacksmith lapwings, herons, and cattle egrets. After a picnic at the beautiful Hippo Pool, the steep ascent to the crater’s upper exit begins. The day concludes with a two-hour drive to your accommodation in Karatu, where a freshly prepared, delicious dinner awaits you.

Day 20^(*) Karatu – Lake Eyasi (Hadzabe) – Karatu
Today, we experience another cultural highlight—one in which you can actively participate. We depart from Karatu for Lake Eyasi, home to the Hadzabe people—an indigenous, nomadic ethnic group of hunter-gatherers who will be happy to show you their hunting skills, including the use of bows and arrows or spears. Following this adventure, we will return to your accommodation in Karatu.

Day 21 Karatu – Arusha / International Airport
The days have flown by; each one, in its own way, was hopefully special and aligned with your wishes. We travel back from Karatu to Arusha or to the international airport. Now, it is time to say goodbye. „Karibuni tena“ (Come back again).