3 days - Kilimanjaro foothills, Tarangire and Ngorongoro
Three days from the foothills of Kilimanjaro, through a night at a Maasai lodge and a Tarangire safari, to a half-day in the Ngorongoro Crater before the flight to Zanzibar.
The journey
Warm, mostly dry and green. The forest trail to Mandara Hut is at its best and Kilimanjaro is often clear in the morning. Tarangire’s elephants spread out through the park, and the crater is excellent.
A flight to Kilimanjaro Airport, a forest walk to Mandara Hut and an evening at a Maasai lodge.
Fly from ZNZ to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), with a departure time that depends on availability. An English-speaking guide meets you on arrival and welcomes you with champagne and fresh fruit.
Your first stop is Kilimanjaro National Park, and a walk to the first stage of the mountain: Mandara Hut at 2,720 m. The hike takes three to four hours through lush tropical forest, with an altitude gain of 853 m. You have lunch at the hut before descending to Materuni Village.
If time allows, you visit the Materuni Waterfalls and explore local coffee plantations.
In the evening you stay at Africa Amini Life Maasai Lodge. Here you can learn to throw a spear, take part in traditional Maasai dances and discover the culture of the Maasai.
A day among the elephants and baobabs.
After breakfast and a walk in the savannah, you set off on safari in Tarangire National Park. On the way you pass settlements of indigenous peoples and see everyday life in rural Tanzania.
Tarangire is one of the most picturesque parks in the country, famous for its large population of elephants and its baobab trees. The Tarangire River draws animals from across the park, and you drive along it in search of predators at the watering holes.
At the end of the safari you are taken to your hotel.
A half-day safari in the crater, then the flight from Arusha to Zanzibar.
After breakfast you drive to the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day safari. This natural wonder, often called the Eighth Wonder of the World, is home to a wide variety of wildlife.
Midway through the safari you stop for lunch by a lake where hippos live.
After lunch you transfer to Arusha Airport for the flight back to Zanzibar, 16:45 – 18:00, subject to availability.
The detail
A short trip that packs in a lot: a forest walk on the foothills of Kilimanjaro, a night at a Maasai lodge, a day among the elephants of Tarangire and half a day in the Ngorongoro Crater.
You fly in from Zanzibar to Kilimanjaro Airport and fly back from Arusha on the third afternoon. Along the way you meet the Maasai at their lodge, with spear-throwing and traditional dances, and take in Kilimanjaro views at a walker’s pace.
Good to know
Photographs from the route, not stock library scenery.
Work down the list. Each step depends on the one above it.
The practical detail that decides whether a trip runs smoothly.
Mandara Hut sits at 2,720 m, about 850 m above the start. Walk steadily, drink water and expect cooler air and damp forest. Altitude can affect some people even at this height.
Kilimanjaro is often in cloud, particularly in the rainy months, and early morning gives the clearest views. Your guide will tell you where to look.
In the evening at the Maasai lodge you can try spear throwing and join traditional dances. Ask before photographing individuals, and follow your hosts’ lead.
You land, hike, visit Materuni and reach the lodge in one day. Keep layers, water and a small snack in your daypack, and wear shoes that can handle mud.
The Arusha flight leaves in the afternoon, so the crater is a half-day safari. Ask your guide to head down early, when the light is best and the crater is quieter.
Tipping is customary for guides and lodge staff. Ask us for current guidance before you travel, and carry small notes.
Plan this journey
Every journey is planned around your dates and your party. Tell us who is travelling and when, and a specialist will come back with a tailored itinerary and a quote. Payment is by invoice.
