Kilimanjaro via Machame: adventure and safaris

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your guide who will take you to your lodge. You will then enjoy a moment of relaxation and preparation for the upcoming climb.

In the afternoon, around 4 pm , your guide will hold a detailed briefing to inform you about the ascent and assist you in preparing your bag, which is limited to 15 kg per person . You will spend the night at the lodge, and meals are not included .

Departure at 8:00 AM in a 4x4 vehicle towards Machame Gate (1800 m). On a clear day, you can admire Mount Meru and catch a glimpse of majestic Kilimanjaro . The journey passes through the Chaga region , rich in history and traditions, before arriving at Machame Gate, the starting point of your climb. The trek begins with a crossing of the dense and lush rainforest . You will walk among podocarpus , rubber trees , wild mango trees , giant ferns , begonias , and strangler figs , all testaments to this exceptional biodiversity. With a bit of luck, you might spot the Guereza colobus monkey , recognizable by its black and white fur. As you ascend, the high-altitude rainforest gradually gives way to a mystical moorland of tree heaths , dotted with tall grasses. The ascent is steady and moderate, but the stage remains quite long. You will spend the night at Machame Camp , located at 3000 m. In good weather, the camp offers an unobstructed view of Kibo , the main summit of Kilimanjaro, as well as Shira , one of the three sub-massifs of Kilimanjaro alongside Mawenzi.

Wake up in your tent to a hot cup of tea or coffee , accompanied by a splendid view of Mount Kibo . Enjoy breakfast while taking in this unique morning panorama.

The day begins with a climb up a steep path , winding through magnificent tree heaths adorned with their lichen "beards." As you progress, you enter the high-altitude moorland , a spectacular landscape where the iconic groundsel , lobelia , and immortelle flowers grow—plants characteristic of Kilimanjaro. During the ascent, you may catch a glimpse of the famous West Gap , a legendary passage leading to the summit of Kibo, reserved for more technical routes.

Upon reaching the Shira Plateau , you'll discover a vast, sloping plain. To the west, the remains of the Shira Crater , with their basalt formations resembling needles and cathedrals, rise majestically. Beyond them, Mount Meru looms on the horizon. The afternoon is dedicated to rest and/or a short walk around the camp , ideal for improving your acclimatization to the altitude. You will spend the night at Shira Camp , located at 3840 m .

The day begins with a climb towards the alpine desert, where vegetation becomes sparser but still exists in a few sheltered spots. The ascent is steady and leads you to the Lava Tower pass, at 4600 m , where imposing basalt towers stand as reminders of past volcanic activity.

After a break at the pass, you begin your descent towards Barranco , passing through a small gap. This remarkable place is one of the volcano's few valleys formed by a geological collapse. Giant groundsels thrive here, nourished by numerous small waterfalls and sheltered from the wind, creating unique landscapes where they stand like totems. The overnight campsite, Barranco Camp , is a spectacular site , perched on a promontory at 3,950 meters , at the foot of a massive cliff. It offers breathtaking views of the savannah below, creating an atmosphere that is truly awe-inspiring.

Departure towards the Karanga Valley , an essential step to perfect your acclimatization to the altitude .

The day begins with the ascent of the Barranco Wall , an impressive climb but without major technical difficulties. In some places, you will need to use your hands to progress, but your team of guides will be there to support and assist you. Once past the wall, you continue with a long traverse along the southern slopes of the Kilimanjaro massif, alternating between ascents and descents. To your left, the imposing glaciers of Kibo dominate the landscape, while in front of you, the majestic Mawenzi sub-massoon rises against the African sky. Upon arrival at the Karanga camp , a hot lunch awaits you. The afternoon is free: you can choose to relax or explore the surrounding area of ​​the southern circuit with your guide, for a further immersion in this spectacular environment.

A steady climb along the trail to Kilimanjaro Base Camp. As you ascend, temperatures drop and vegetation becomes even sparser, giving way to a stark, mineral landscape. You follow the trail to a ridge leading to Barafu Camp , at 4,600 meters . This camp offers spectacular views: to the east, the majestic Mawenzi looms, and directly above you lies your ultimate goal, the Kibo crater . The camp has no natural water source, so it is carried by porters. It is essential to use it sparingly. Thanks to this 7-day trek instead of 6 , you arrive at camp earlier, allowing you to enjoy a hot lunch and some rest before dinner. These moments are precious for hydration, fuel, and physical and mental preparation . In the evening, you will go to bed early in order to be in good shape for the big departure towards the summit in the night.

Wake-up call at 11 p.m. for an energizing "breakfast" before the big departure, scheduled for midnight. Equipped with your headlamps, you begin a winding ascent , progressing slowly but steadily through the night.

Along the way, you'll wind your way between the Ratzel and Rebman glaciers , reaching Stella Point (5,700 m), located on the crater rim, at sunrise. After a short break to catch your breath, you'll continue for an hour along the gentle ridge of the volcano . Finally, you'll reach the long-awaited summit, Uhuru Peak , at 5,895 m , the highest point of Kilimanjaro and the roof of Africa. After savoring this victory, you'll descend to Barafu Camp in about three hours, where you'll find your tent and sleeping bag ready for a well-deserved rest.

In the afternoon, you resume your walk for a long descent of 1500 m (approximately 4 hours), reaching the Mweka Camp at 3100 m , where you will spend the night.

Depending on the group's progress and flight schedules, you may stop at Millennium Camp (3800 m) rather than Mweka, to better balance the stages. This decision will be made by your guide based on the conditions.

A steady descent along the Mweka trail. Behind us, a landscape reminiscent of the maquis shrubland. We quickly enter the rainforest and continue until we reach the park exit. After lunch, we receive our climbing certificates, if applicable, before saying goodbye to our team. A four-wheel-drive vehicle takes us through coffee and banana plantations towards Moshi. We are dropped off at our lodge to relax before dinner (at your leisure).

After a briefing, you'll depart for Tarangire National Park . This first day is dedicated to an introduction to safaris and observing the local flora and fauna . This park, which covers nearly 2,600 km² , boasts rich biodiversity and the highest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania after the Serengeti. Less frequented by traditional tours, it is particularly renowned for its herds of elephants , its vast savannas , and its majestic baobab trees . At the end of the day, you'll reach your camp , located near the park, to enjoy a night immersed in nature.

Early in the morning, you head towards the Serengeti , the oldest and most iconic of Tanzania's national parks. Along the way, you climb the winding roads that lead to the top of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area's crater rim . From this vantage point, you can observe the crater, the natural habitat of numerous animals such as elephants, wildebeest, eland, gazelles, and a wide variety of birds. You also pass through Maasai villages, immersing yourself in their culture and way of life.

Your itinerary then takes you to Olduvai Gorge , a major archaeological site considered one of the cradles of humankind. During the visit, your guide will reveal fascinating discoveries of hominid remains dating from 1.8 to 3.7 million years ago , making this region one of the oldest inhabited areas in the world. At the end of the day, you'll travel to the vast grassy plains of the Serengeti , a unique place where lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, ostriches, birds of prey, and scavengers coexist. You'll settle into your camp in the heart of the park , where you'll spend two nights immersed in this spectacular natural environment.

You'll spend the day exploring the 15,000 km² of protected nature in the Serengeti , an area home to an incredible diversity of ecosystems and exceptional wildlife, with nearly 4 million mammals . Meaning "endless plains" in the Maasai language, the Serengeti is also famous for the Great Migration of wildebeest , a unique natural spectacle where millions of animals cross these vast plains from south to north.

Your journey unfolds at the pace of wildlife sightings , offering the chance to spot numerous iconic species in their natural habitat. You'll enjoy lunch in the heart of the savanna, an unforgettable experience immersed in this wild environment. At the end of the day, you'll return to your camp for a peaceful evening, surrounded by this magnificent natural setting.

You leave the southern Serengeti and head to the Ngorongoro Crater , a natural wonder often compared to a veritable Noah's Ark. This day takes you to the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a designation since 1979. The crater, over 20 km in diameter, was formed by the collapse of a volcano millions of years ago. At 326 km² , it is the largest intact, unsubmerged caldera in the world. You descend into the crater, home to one of the highest concentrations of lions and other predators in Africa . This sanctuary also shelters rhinos, reintroduced to this exceptional environment, as well as a remarkable diversity of other wildlife. The duration of the caldera safari is limited to 6 hours to preserve this unique ecosystem. In the late afternoon, you leave the crater to reach the top of the rim and enjoy a spectacular view of this natural wonder. You then continue your journey to Karatu , located at the foot of the ancient volcano, for a restful night before your final safari in Tarangire National Park .

Your morning is dedicated to a safari in Manyara National Park , which takes its name from a local variety of euphorbia. From the entrance, you'll traverse a diverse landscape ranging from rainforest to grasslands and marshes. You'll travel along a narrow strip of land bordering an alkaline lake at the foot of the Rift Valley cliffs.

This park is renowned for its diverse wildlife : you'll see monkeys such as baboons and grivet monkeys , whose concentration is among the highest in the world. You'll also encounter giraffes , elephants , and hippos , and perhaps you'll even be lucky enough to spot the legendary tree-climbing lions . The birdlife is spectacular, with species like white pelicans , flamingos , bee-eaters , and rollers . As for flora, the majestic baobabs add a unique touch to the landscape.

After this last safari, you head to the airport to catch your international flight home , with unforgettable memories of Tanzania in your mind!

You arrive in France in the morning.

If the return flight is during the day, a supplement will be applied to cover the hotel night and necessary transfers.