11 days Kilimanjaro hike and Bwindi safari is a tour which will start in Tanzania for a hike on Africa’s highest mountain and during the safari, you will also engage in a hike on Mount Kilimanjaro along the Machame route.
You will also take part in a gorilla trek in Bwindi national park during the safari and enjoy seeing gorillas in Bwindi forest, the safari will start in Moshi or Arusha town in Tanzania and end in Entebbe in Uganda.
DAY 1; Machame Gate to Machame Camp
Elevation (ft): 5,400ft to 9,400ft
• Distance: 11 km
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest
The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Camp.
DAY 2; Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira campsite
DAY 3; Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
• Habitat: Semi Desert
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.” Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
DAY 4; Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
DAY 5; Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft
• Distance: 4 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
DAY 6; Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
• Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
• Habitat: Arctic
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
DAY 7; Mweka Camp to Moshi
Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.
Accommodation; Bristol cottages
Day 8; drive to Kilimanjaro airport and flight to Entebbe airport
After having breakfast at your hotel in Moshi, you will be driven to Kilimanjaro international airport for your flight to Entebbe airport in Uganda. You will be welcomed by your guide and you will proceed to the hotel for check in.
You will have dinner and overnight stay at Best western hotel Entebbe.
Day 9; drive to Bwindi national park
On the 9th day of your 11 days Kilimanjaro hike and Bwindi safari, Our driver guide will pick you up from your hotel, brief you about the safari and then start the journey to Bwindi impenetrable national park which takes about 8 hours drive.
On the way you will have a stopover at the Equator to take photos, buy souvenirs and then proceed with another stopover in Mbarara town for lunch.
After lunch you will continue the journey which will be filled with spectacular views of the countryside, beautiful landscapes, Kigezi hills, terraced farmlands, plantations among others. Upon arrival in Bwindi impenetrable national park you will check in at the lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Buhoma haven lodge.
Day 10; gorilla trekking
After an early breakfast at your lodge, you will be driven by your guide to the park headquarters for a briefing of the gorilla trek in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. After briefing, you will continue into the forest in groups of 8 to look out for the gorillas in their natural habitat.
When you find the gorillas in the forest, you will spend 1 hour with them, enjoy taking photos and observing the gorillas before returning to the briefing point to meet your guide. You will be driven back to your lodge for dinner and to spend the night at Buhoma haven lodge
Day 11; departure
On the 11th day of your 11 days Kilimanjaro hike and Bwindi safari,, After breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to Entebbe. On the way you will have en-route lunch in Mbarara town and then proceed to Entebbe. Upon arrival your driver guide will drop you off at the airport or your hotel in Entebbe which will bring the safari to an end.
Price includes
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Full-time English speaking driver guide
- Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
- All meals at the lodge (breakfast-lunch-dinner)
- park entrance fees
- Kilimanjaro hiking fees
- transportation during the safari
- Bottled drinking water
- camping fees on Kilimanjaro
- guide fee, porter fees and cook fees
- rescuer fees
- cooking equipment
- oxygen cylinder and oxy meter
- sleeping tent
Price excludes
- Flights
- visas
- Tips and gratuities
- some equipment is available for rent
- Items of personal nature
- anything else not included in the itinerary
