Kilimanjaro via the Machame route and safaris, staying in lodges

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your guide , who will escort you to your lodge . You will have some time to relax and prepare before the start of the climb. In the late afternoon, around 4 pm , your guide will hold a detailed briefing on the trek and assist you in packing your bag, which is limited to 15 kg per person . The evening is spent at your leisure at the lodge, with meals at your leisure , before beginning your adventure the following day.

Departure at 8:00 AM in a four-wheel-drive vehicle towards Machame Gate (1800 m), the starting point of the climb. Along the way, if the weather is clear, you'll see Mount Meru and, already, Kilimanjaro will appear on the horizon. You'll cross the agricultural lands of the Chaga people , rich in diverse crops, before reaching the park gate.

Your trek begins in a dense, humid equatorial forest , where podocarpus , rubber trees , wild mango trees , giant ferns , begonias , and strangler figs grow side by side. If you're lucky, you might spot the Guereza colobus monkey , recognizable by its contrasting fur.

As you ascend, the forest gives way to tall grasses and the mystical moorland of tree heather , characteristic of Kilimanjaro's high-altitude landscapes. The climb is steady, with a gentle slope, but the day remains long and demanding.

You finally reach Machame Camp (3000 m), where you spend the night. If the sky is clear, you can enjoy a view of Kibo , the main summit of Kilimanjaro, as well as Shira , one of the three sub-massifs of the massif along with Mawenzi.

Your day begins with waking up in your tent , enjoying a hot cup of tea or coffee and a breathtaking view of Kibo , before having breakfast. You then follow a steep path through tree heaths , adorned with hanging lichens, to reach the high-altitude moorland . This unique Kilimanjaro landscape is dotted with giant groundsels , lobelias , and everlasting flowers, characteristic of the region.

As you ascend, you sometimes catch glimpses of the Western Gap , a famous passage for more technical climbs leading to the summit of Kibo. Gradually, you reach the Shira Plateau , a vast, sloping expanse that opens up before you. To the west, the remnants of the ancient Shira crater form basalt spires and cathedrals, while in the background, Mount Meru looms.

The afternoon is free for a well-deserved rest or a short walk around the camp, ideal for acclimatizing. You will spend the night at Shira Camp , located at 3840m , in a peaceful and magnificent setting.

You leave the high-altitude moorland and gradually enter the alpine desert , where the landscape becomes more arid but where a few pockets of resilient flora persist. You climb steadily to the Lava Tower pass (4600 m), dominated by its impressive basalt towers , imposing remnants of volcanic activity.

After a break at the pass, you begin the descent towards Barranco , crossing a small gap. This valley, one of the few on Kilimanjaro, was formed by a landslide. Here you discover a profusion of giant groundsels , standing like totems, nourished by numerous small waterfalls and sheltered from the wind.

You end this beautiful stage at the Barranco campsite (3950 m), situated on a spectacular promontory at the foot of a massive cliff. From here, you enjoy breathtaking views of the Tanzanian savannah . Overnight at the campsite, under the starry mountain sky.

You begin this crucial day for acclimatization by climbing the Barranco wall , an impressive passage but without any real technical difficulty. At certain points, it is necessary to use your hands to progress, but your guides are there to supervise and assist you.

Once at the summit, you continue a long traverse along the southern flanks of the massif, alternating between ascents and descents. To the left, the imposing glaciers of Kibo tower above you, while in front of you, Mawenzi , another Kilimanjaro peak, rises majestically against the African sky.

You arrive at the Karanga camp around midday, where a hot lunch awaits you. The afternoon is free: you can choose to rest to conserve your energy or explore the surrounding area of ​​the southern circuit with your guide. Overnight at the camp, at an ideal altitude to continue your acclimatization.

You begin a steady climb on the trail leading to Kilimanjaro Base Camp . Temperatures drop and vegetation becomes almost nonexistent, giving way to a stark, mineral landscape. You progress until you reach a ridge that leads you to Barafu Camp , located at 4600 m .

To the east, Mount Mawenzi dominates the landscape, while above you, the Kibo crater , the ultimate goal of your adventure, towers over the scenery. Water, lacking in Barafu, is carried by porters. It is therefore important to use it sparingly .

Thanks to the extended 7-day itinerary instead of 6 , you arrive at camp earlier. This allows you to enjoy a hot lunch and valuable time to rest in the afternoon. In the evening, after a hearty dinner, you go to bed early to be in good shape for the final ascent, which begins in the dark.

Wake up at 11 p.m. for a quick "breakfast" before setting off around midnight with headlamps. You begin the ascent, a series of switchbacks, progressing slowly and steadily in the darkness. You cross the Ratzel and Rebman glaciers, then continue until you reach Stella Point (5700 m), located on the crater rim, at dawn.

One more hour of effort along the gentle ridge of the volcano, and you reach Uhuru Peak (5895 m), the roof of Africa . This unforgettable moment rewards your determination throughout the climb.

After a well-deserved break at the summit, you begin the descent. In about 3 hours , you reach Barafu Camp , where your tent and sleeping bag await you for a restful sleep. Once rested, you resume your trek for a 1500m descent to Mweka Camp (3100m), which takes approximately 4 hours .

If conditions require it, your guide may opt for a stop at Millennium Camp (3800 m) to better balance the stages. This decision will be made based on the group's condition and the schedule.

You begin a steady descent on the Mweka trail, passing through landscapes reminiscent of the African bush . Gradually, you re-enter the rainforest , marking the approach to the park exit.

Upon arrival, you share a well-deserved lunch and, if you have reached the summit, you receive your climbing certificate , a symbol of your achievement. It's also the time to say goodbye to your team of guides, porters, and cooks who accompanied you throughout this adventure.

An all-terrain vehicle then takes you through coffee and banana plantations towards Arusha , where you are dropped off at your lodge . Enjoy this last evening relaxing and savoring the comforts of the lodge. Dinner is at your leisure.

The day begins with an early breakfast , followed by a 7 a.m. departure for Manyara National Park for an immersion in wildlife. This park, which takes its name from a local variety of euphorbia, boasts exceptional ecological richness.

From the moment you enter, you'll discover a diverse landscape: rainforest , grasslands , and marshes bordering an alkaline lake at the foot of the majestic Rift Valley cliffs . You'll encounter grivet monkeys and baboons , whose concentration in this park is among the highest in the world. You'll also see giraffes , elephants , and hippos , and try to spot the famous tree-climbing lions , the park's emblem.

The birdlife is also spectacular, with white pelicans , pink flamingos , bee-eaters, and rollers . The flora is equally impressive, with the presence of imposing baobab trees completing this natural scene.

At the end of the day, you return to your lodge in Karatu , where you can enjoy a good meal and, if you wish, take a dip in the pool to relax before the night.

You set off towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area , a true natural gem. The road winds its way through the switchbacks leading to the top of the ancient volcano's ramparts , offering a spectacular view of the crater , a vast natural habitat for many animals.

You then descend into the crater for a memorable safari . Surrounded by natural walls 600 meters high , the animals here are largely sedentary, except for the elephants which sometimes migrate. You will be able to observe a rich fauna including large predators such as lions, hyenas, and leopards, as well as their usual prey. However, giraffes , absent from Ngorongoro, are easily seen in Manyara.

You enjoy a picnic in this unique setting, in the heart of an extraordinary ecosystem, before climbing back up the slopes of the crater and returning to your lodge in Karatu at the end of the day, where you spend a relaxing evening.

To conclude your adventure, you'll explore Tarangire National Park , an unmissable reserve spanning nearly 2,600 km² . Still relatively untouched by crowds, this park is famous for its high concentration of elephants , its vast savannas , and its majestic baobab trees that create a breathtaking landscape.

During your safari, you will have the opportunity to observe a rich and varied wildlife, in an authentic and wild setting, offering a beautiful end to your trip.

At the end of the day, you take the road back to Arusha or Moshi , marking the end of this magnificent adventure in Tanzania.

You'll enjoy a relaxing moment at the lodge , ideal for resting and reliving the highlights of your adventure. Depending on your flight schedule, you'll then be taken to the airport for your overnight flight home, bringing this enriching and exciting stay to a close.

End of the trip: your Tanzanian adventure comes to an end, filled with unforgettable memories of safaris, magnificent landscapes and exceptional encounters.