This 12-day Masai Mara & Kilimanjaro Safari offers guests a chance to explore two of Africa’s best travel destinations. Your time in the Maasai Mara will show you why Kenya is often called Magical Kenya. You will see many animal species that roam the wide Savannah plains, including the famous wildebeest. You will also have the chance to encounter all the Big Five animals — leopard, elephant, lion, buffalo, and rhino — along with antelopes, jackals, and mongoose.
After your time in Kenya, the adventure continues to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro up to Stella Point, one of the highest points in Africa. This climb is not easy, but it is one of the most rewarding experiences on the continent. From the top, you will enjoy an unforgettable view of Mount Kilimanjaro, the surrounding game parks, and nearby towns. This trip will leave lasting memories.
Masai Mara & Kilimanjaro Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival and pick-up at Nairobi Airport
- Day 2: Nairobi – Masai Mara National Reserve
- Day 3: Full-day game drive
- Day 4: Morning game drive and community visit
- Day 5: Departure to Moshi via Amboseli
- Day 6: Briefing and preparation for the hike
- Day 7: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
- Day 8: Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
- Day 9: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
- Day 10: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
- Day 11: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
- Day 12: Descent – Mweka Camp to Moshi
Detailed Masai Mara & Kilimanjaro Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Pick-Up at Nairobi Airport
On arrival at Nairobi International Airport, your safari guide will meet you. You can enjoy a short city tour or relax at your hotel with a refreshing drink as you prepare for tomorrow’s journey to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Take some time to learn about the park and its wildlife. You are about to discover why Kenya is known for its natural beauty.
Day 2: Nairobi – Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, meet your safari driver-guide for a short briefing about your 12-day Masai Mara & Kilimanjaro Safari. You will then drive along the Great Rift Valley, stopping briefly to take photos of the beautiful escarpment before continuing to the Maasai Mara via Narok town. Lunch will be en route to save time for an evening game drive.
During the game drive, expect to see zebras, giraffes, gazelles, antelopes such as oribi and klipspringer, and the Big Five. You may also spot bird species like African fish eagles, grey-headed kingfishers, hornbills, herons, hamerkops, and hadada ibises. After the game drive, head to your camp to check in, refresh, have dinner, and rest.
Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive
After an early breakfast, head out for a morning game drive to see predators hunting or returning to their dens. You may spot the Big Five again along with zebras, gazelles, and many antelope species. Bird lovers will also enjoy sightings of African fish eagles, hornbills, herons, and kingfishers.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the open savannah, then continue exploring until evening. On your way back to the camp, you may witness big cats hunting at dusk.
Day 4: Morning Game Drive and Community Visit
Start your day with breakfast followed by a morning game drive in areas not yet explored. If your visit is between July and August, you might witness the famous wildebeest migration. After lunch and a short rest, visit a local Maasai village.
You will see how the Maasai build their houses using mud and cow dung and learn about their traditional beadwork and crafts. This is a great chance to buy souvenirs. Later, return to your lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 5: Departure to Moshi via Amboseli
Wake up early and prepare for your transfer to Moshi, Tanzania, via Amboseli. You will be dropped off in Moshi, where your Kilimanjaro adventure begins. Spend the afternoon resting and preparing for the climb. Along the way, enjoy the last views of Maasai Mara’s wildlife and take your final photos.
Day 6: Briefing and Preparation for the Hike
Have breakfast and check your hiking gear. In the evening, meet your mountain guide for a briefing about the climb. This will take place at the base of Kilimanjaro in Moshi, a small, friendly town known for coffee farming and tourism. After the briefing, enjoy dinner and rest before the big climb.
Day 7: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
After breakfast, begin your first day of hiking. The trail passes through the rainforest slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, where it often rains. Carry rain gear and warm clothes. You may see black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and other animals. The ascent is gradual. Spend the night at Machame Camp, just above the rainforest.
Day 8: Machame Camp to Shira 2 Camp
After breakfast, hike through the lower alpine moorland, known for its unique flowers and giant lobelias. On clear days, you can see Mount Kibo, the final summit. After lunch, continue to the Shira Plateau and camp overnight.
Day 9: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
After breakfast, the hike continues eastward on rocky terrain. Few plants grow at this altitude. Have lunch before climbing to the Lava Tower at 4,300 meters. The steep ascent will test your strength and determination. After reaching the Lava Tower, descend for about two hours into the Great Barranco Valley and camp for the night.
Day 10: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
After breakfast, trek through Karanga Valley and join the Mweka route. Temperatures drop as you climb higher. Continue hiking through the rocky trail to Barafu Camp. From here, you can see the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Have dinner and rest early in preparation for the summit climb.
Day 11: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Wake up early, have a quick breakfast, and begin the final and toughest stretch to the summit. The trail passes between the Tarzel and Rebmann glaciers and takes about six hours of slow climbing. You will finally reach Stella Point at 5,685 meters above sea level. Take photos and celebrate your achievement before descending to Mweka Camp for the night.
Day 12: Descent – Mweka Camp to Moshi
After breakfast, start your descent to Mweka Gate while enjoying the scenic landscape. You may spot monkeys, antelopes, and birds such as hornbills and kingfishers.
At Mweka Gate, you will receive your hiking certificate — gold for reaching Uhuru Peak or green for Stella Point. Then proceed to Mweka village for lunch before driving back to Moshi. Check in at your hotel, enjoy a refreshing shower, and relax with a congratulatory drink. This marks the end of your 12-day Maasai Mara & Kilimanjaro Safari.
