12 Days Hiking and Wildlife Safari in Tanzania
Machame Camp, Tanzania
Wildlife Safari Tanzania
This tour is a combination of mountain climbing and wildlife safari. The tour gives you a chance to make the top of Mount Kilimanjaro through Machame route, which is referred to as the “Whiskey Route”, which suited to more adventurous hikers, and it also rewards you with better views than the Marangu Route, and thereafter you will experience the Tanzania Wildlife Safari on five days, four nights safari. The itinerary starts with seven days of mountain climbing followed by five wildlife safaris. Starting with Tarangire National Park, Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater.
Key information
- Private or group safari possible, rates will vary depending on this
- Minimum 2 and maximum 6 persons
- Children age below 3 years sharing with parents are free while children age above 3 years to 11 years sharing with parents should pay 75% of adult’s rates
- Starting point and ending point: Arusha
- Languages: English speaking guide. Guiding in other languages available at request with extra cost
- Park entrance fees and crater fees are included
Highlights
- 9 game drives in total
- Intense hikes in various mountains
- 1 game drive in Ngorongoro Crater Rim
- Game drives in the famous national parks of Tanzania
- 1 game viewing en-route to Ngorongoro Crater Rim
- Transport on a 4WD vehicle with the pop-up roof
- Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- 11 nights accommodation
Styles
12 activity days in English
The organizer also speaks: French, Spanish
Group size: 2-6 participants
Accommodation
During this trip, you will be staying at various campsites and lodges. The first few nights will be spent at camps: Machame camp, Shira camp, Barranco camp, Karanga Valley camp, Barafu camp, and Mweka camp.
Arusha Outpost Lodge (1 night)
Outpost Lodge has 28 clean and comfortable rooms, all with bathrooms en-suite, satellite television, safes, fans, mosquito nets, soap, shower gel, shampoo, kettles with coffee and tea. The rooms are a mixture of singles, doubles, twins, triples, and one quadruple. All the rooms are in a garden setting and have outdoor seating areas. The accommodation is rustic, with an emphasis on clean, comfortable, and affordable lodging, and a special ambiance of its own.
Cleanliness is of prime concern. Water is a concern countrywide and while they do have plenty of storage, the municipal water supply is extremely erratic and can sometimes cause unforeseen shortages. They try hard to cope with the system but are caught out occasionally. Due to this countrywide water shortage, electricity can also be erratic due to the poor hydropower stoppages. They offer daily laundry services for a minimal fee. Due to water shortages, the washing of clothing in the rooms is not possible. They also welcome disabled travelers and have a room that is completely accessible.
- Accommodation level: Mid-range
Twiga Lodge (2 nights)
Twiga Lodge and Campsite are located at Mto wa Mbu, one-and-a-half-hour drive from Arusha town. Its extensive facilities and beautiful setting have made Twiga a very popular stopover along the route to many Northern Circuit tourist attractions. Walkers and cyclists might be pleased to note that the excellent site and provides fresh air and good views of the wonderful surroundings. If you would like to sleep under the stars, they have a few extremely affordable options for you: You can choose to pitch your own tent, bring a camper van, or hire one of their budget tents.
They also have excellent rooms complete with air-conditioning, bathroom, and Wi-Fi for those that prefer to cuddle up in a cozy room. Twiga also offers supplies to overland travelers and their vehicles as well as equipment and solution for their many traveling needs. Whether you are setting out on your great Tanzanian adventure or returning from a safari, make sure that Twiga Lodge and Campsite figures prominently on your itinerary.
- Accommodation level: Mid-range
Facilities
- Swimming pool
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Conference room
Serengeti Acacia Tented Camp (1 night)
There is nothing more exotic than staying in the wild and being one with nature yet not compromising comfort and relaxation. This intimate migration camp, conveniently nestled in the Kogatende area, is a semi-permanent mobile tented camp perfect for anticipating movements of the great migration. It offers splendid views with a fresh breeze and it features first-class amenities that guarantee luxury accommodation even in the midst of the wild. Listen to the sounds of nature and simply take in this once-in-a-lifetime experience of being in the wildlife setting of Africa.
Serengeti Migration Camp has ten canvas tents, all furnished with en-suite bathrooms, flush toilets, and other essential amenities. There is a separate tented camp for the dining area and next to it is the lounge and bar area. All these are accessible in a few steps under a soaring canopy of acacias, in the front of the camp. Your camp is safe and secure with 24/7 staff.
Facilities
- Ensuite bathrooms
- Flush toilets
- Dining area
- Lounge
- Bar
- 24/7 staff
Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge (1 night)
Ideally located on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater rim, Rhino Lodge offers a perfect base from which to explore the Ngorongoro Crater and its surroundings. With 24 comfortable en-suite rooms, a cozy living space, friendly local staff, and generous African-inspired meals, Rhino Lodge welcome guests to Africa's most remarkable game park. There are 24 guest rooms, all with a veranda overlooking a stretch of the high mountain forest. Each room has its own shower, toilet, and hand basin. To keep away the cold, each room has a wood-burning stove, and hot water bottles can be filled if you want one. In the bar/dining room, there are two large fires which are a natural focus where the guests like to meet and exchange stories of the day.
- Accommodation level: Mid-range
Program
Day 1: Arusha - Machame Village - Machame
You will drive from Arusha/Moshi to Machame Village and then walk to Machame Camp. 2 hours’ drive, 5-7 hours hike (10 kilometers). 1200 meters ascent to an altitude of 3000 meters.
Then, you will have dinner and stay overnight at Machame Camp.
Day 2: Machame - Shira
Today, you will have a 6-kilometer hike for 5 to 7 hours. You will have an 840 meters ascent and reach the 3840 meters of altitude. Then, you will have dinner and stay overnight at Shira Camp.
Day 3: Shira - Barranco
Today, you will have a long hike of 10 kilometers (5 to 7 hours) but with a small ascent of just 110 meters. By night, you will be sleeping at 3950 meters. Then, you will have dinner and stay overnight at Barranco Camp.
Day 4: Barranco Hut - Karanga Valley
4.5 kilometers hike for just 3 hours. You will finally be sleeping above 4000 meters, at 4200 meters above sea level (250 meters ascent). Then, you will have dinner and stay overnight at Karanga Valley Camp.
Day 5: Karanga - Barafu
Again, 4.5 kilometers hike for just 3 hours. Today, you will reach an altitude of 4700 meters (500 meters ascent) for the highest night of your journey. Then, you will have dinner and stay overnight at Barafu Camp.
Day 6: Barafu - Uhuru Peak - Mweka
This will be the toughest but also the most rewarding day. You will wake up very early, during the night, in order to arrive at the peak at sunrise. This will just be a 5-kilometer hike but due to the altitude and steepness (1186 meters ascent), it will take 6 to 7 hours to do. When you reach the summit, you will be at 5986 meters and have the best views of your entire life.
You will never in your life forget this moment and it will make you a better person. After some time at the summit, you will start your descent to Mweka. Again, you will walk for five to seven hours, for a total of 12 kilometers, in order to sleep at a much more comfortable altitude of 3096 meters. Then, you will have dinner and stay overnight at Mweka Camp.
Day 7: Mweka - Mweka Village - Arusha
On your last day, you will have a 3- or 4-hours hike of 10 kilometers (to an altitude of 1600 meters) before transfer to Arusha for your overnight at Arusha Outpost Lodge or something similar. Breakfast and lunch will be provided today.
Day 8: Arusha - Tarangire National Park
At 8:30 a.m., after your breakfast; depart from Arusha to Tarangire National Park for a game drive. At 1 p.m., stop at the picnic site for a picnic lunch. At 2 p.m., continue for evening game drive to return in the evening for dinner and stay overnight at Twiga Lodge. Lunch and dinner will be provided today.
Day 9: Lake Manyara National Park
At 8:30 a.m., after your breakfast, depart from your camp to Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive. At 1 p.m., stop at the picnic site for a picnic lunch. At 2 p.m., continue for evening game drive to return in the evening for dinner and overnight at Twiga Lodge. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided today.
Day 10: Serengeti National Park
At 8 a.m., transfer from Manyara to Serengeti National Park for a game drive. At 1 p.m., break for lunch which will be served at the picnic area. At 2 p.m., you will go for an afternoon game drive in the park to return in the evening for dinner and overnight at Serengeti Acacia Tented Camp. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided today.
Day 11: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Wake up at 6 a.m. for early morning game drives in Serengeti and be back to the lodge at 8:45 a.m. Then, check out and drive with lunch and game viewing en-route to Ngorongoro Crater Rim. It is your option whether you will pass via Olduvai Gorge, the archaeological site. Then, you will have dinner and stay overnight at Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided today.
Day 12: Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha
At 7:30 a.m., after breakfast, drive and descend into the crater floor with your lunch box for game viewing. The famous Ngorongoro Crater is rich in wildlife, each species has its own territories. At 1 p.m., stop at the picnic site for picnic lunch, which will be served on the crater floor at the picnic site near the Lerai forest or hippo pool. At 2 p.m., ascend the crater and drive back to Arusha for your onwards arrangement. Accommodation and airport transfer will be on your account, but Backpackers Safaris can arrange them on request. Breakfast and lunch will be provided today.
Location
This safari trip will take place in Machame Village, Shira, Barranco, Karanga Valley, Barafu, Uhuru Peak, Mweka, Arusha, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater Rim.
Food
During this safari trip, your daily meals will be prepared by Backpackers Safaris. Mineral water 1.5 liters per person per day will also be provided. On your safari, you would be surprisingly provided the most qualitative food with enormous varieties. Most of the lodges here serve their food in buffet- style, hence you would have the opportunity to choose the food of your liking. The blending flavor of the local cuisine with the western taste would provide you a delicious pleasure. If you are on a camping safari, you would have fresh meat and fresh fruits which would be prepared by the expert chefs with the highest sanitary standard.
It is amazing to state that most of the guests returning to the camps only for the delicious food. Special dietary requirements such as vegetarian or diabetic meals can easily be arranged with advanced notice. If you are vegetarian or vegan you may wish to bring along some alternative protein sources. If you have multiple food allergies, you’ll definitely want to bring along supplementary snacks. It is important Backpackers Safaris know of any possible dietary restrictions as soon as possible.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Other dietary requirements on request
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
- Ride the Serengeti balloon
- Visit Olduvai Gorge, the archaeological site
What's included
- 2 game drives in Tarangire National Park
- 2 game drives in Lake Manyara National Park
- 3 game drives in Serengeti National Park
- 1 game viewing en-route to Ngorongoro Crater Rim
- 1 game drive in Ngorongoro Crater Rim
- 11 nights accommodation
- All accommodations on the mountain based on three meals a day
- 3 meals a day on safari
- Transport on a 4WD vehicle with the pop-up roof, which enables you to spot wildlife easier
- All park entrance fees
- Driver’s allowances
- Service of an English-speaking professional guide/driver
- Crater fees
- Mineral water 1.5 liters per person per day
- Transport to and from mountain gates
- All camping fees
- Rescue fees
- Guide and porters’ fees
- Guide and porters’ salaries
- Activities as per itinerary above
What's not included
- International flights to/from your home
- Tips and gratitudes
- The first night on your arrival and last night after safari (book with Backpackers Safaris)
- Airport transfers (book with Backpackers Safaris)
- Personal insurance
- Olduvai Gorge fees
- Alcoholic drinks
- Serengeti balloon (can book with Backpackers Safaris)
- All-mountain gears (Backpackers Safaris can arrange hire of this)
- Flying doctor’s insurance, Backpackers Safaris can arrange for the request
- Tips to the driver/guide and all items of personal nature/use
- All not mentioned in the itinerary above
How to get there
Recommended Airports
ARK
Arusha Airport
77 km
Transfer not provided
JRO
Kilimanjaro International Airport
42 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK). Transfer from the airport is not included.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 21 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookAllSafaris.com. All major credit cards supported.
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