The 10 Days Masai Mara & Kilimanjaro Safari is designed to give visitors the best of both worlds — a classic wildlife experience in Kenya and a hiking adventure to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Travelers will have a chance to see the wild animals that live in Masai Mara National Reserve and later climb Africa’s highest mountain, enjoying beautiful views and the wildlife that inhabits its slopes. This journey offers both adventure and a healthy outdoor experience surrounded by nature.
Trip Highlights
- Hike to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro through the Machame Route
- Camp overnight at Machame, Shira, Barranco, and Barafu camps
- Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5,895 meters
- Descend through Mweka Camp and return to Arusha
- Fly to Nairobi and transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve
- Enjoy morning and evening game drives in search of the Big Five
- Experience a hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara plains
- Visit Masai cultural villages and learn about their way of life
- Witness Africa’s most scenic landscapes between Kenya and Tanzania
Masai Mara & Kilimanjaro Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Start the hike from Machame Gate to Machame Camp
- Day 2: Hike to Shira Camp
- Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower
- Day 4: Hike to Barafu Camp
- Day 5: Summit attempt
- Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and fly to Nairobi
- Day 7: Transfer to Masai Mara, evening game drive
- Day 8: Full day game drives
- Day 9: Hot air balloon safari and Masai cultural tour
- Day 10: Masai Mara to Nairobi
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Start the Hike from Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Arrive at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro and meet your guide at Machame Gate. After a short briefing, begin your hike up the mountain. Stop for lunch along the way, then continue the climb to Machame Camp at 2,980 meters above sea level.
On arrival, relax and enjoy your first night on the mountain.
Day 2: Hike to Shira Camp
After breakfast, continue your ascent through the moorlands. Look out for animals such as aardvarks, white-tailed mongooses, and duikers.
After lunch, continue hiking to Shira Camp, located at 3,840 meters above sea level. From here, you will start to see beautiful views of the surrounding areas. Spend the night at Shira Camp.
Day 3: Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Have an early breakfast and begin your hike from Shira Camp to Lava Tower, located at 4,630 meters above sea level.
After lunch, descend to Barranco Camp at 3,950 meters. This route helps with acclimatization. On arrival, set up camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Hike to Barafu Camp
After breakfast at sunrise, continue your climb toward Barafu Camp at 4,550 meters above sea level.
Take a lunch break along the way before arriving at Barafu Camp in the afternoon. Spend time relaxing, have dinner, and enjoy the mountain views before resting for the night.
Day 5: Summit Attempt
Wake up early and start your hike to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895 meters above sea level.
Celebrate your success at the top, take photos, and enjoy the views from Africa’s roof. Afterward, descend to Mweka Camp at 3,100 meters for the night.
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and Fly to Nairobi
After breakfast, descend through the forest to Mweka Gate at the mountain base. Have lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight to Nairobi.
On arrival, check in at your hotel and relax for the evening.
Day 7: Transfer to Masai Mara, Evening Game Drive
After breakfast at your hotel, drive to Masai Mara National Reserve, a journey of about five and a half hours.
Lunch will be served on arrival, followed by some relaxation time at the lodge. In the evening, go for a game drive to spot animals like lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, and wildebeests.
Day 8: Full Day Game Drives
Have breakfast at the lodge and set out for a full day of adventure in Masai Mara.
Enjoy a morning game drive in the Mara Triangle, where you may spot the Big Five and many bird species. After lunch, continue with an afternoon drive in Lemek Conservancy to look for big cats such as lions, leopards, and servals.
Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 9: Hot Air Balloon Safari and Masai Cultural Tour
After breakfast, take part in a hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara plains. This gives you a chance to see the wildlife from above and capture amazing photos.
Return to the lodge for lunch, then visit a Masai village in the afternoon. Learn about their traditions, daily life, and enjoy their dances and songs. Join in and share the fun with the locals before returning to your lodge.
Day 10: Masai Mara to Nairobi
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and drive back to Nairobi, a journey of about five and a half hours.
This marks the end of your 10 Days Masai Mara & Kilimanjaro Safari.
