Kilimanjaro Walking Safari

Day 1: Kilimanjaro, Arrival day
Day 2: Simba Farm in West Kilimanjaro (Rest day) 
Day 3: Simba Farm to Shira Plateau to Simba Farm, 10 mi. (16 km)
Day 4: Simba Farm to Ndarakwai, 9 mi. (15 km)
Day 5: Ndarakwai to Olpopongi Maasai Village, 6 mi. (10 km)
Day 6: Olpopongi to Ngabobo Village, 11 mi. (18 km)
Day 7: Ngabobo to Mt. Meru to Arusha National Park, 9 mi. (15 km)
Day 8: Departure 

Day 1: Kilimanjaro, Arrival day
You will be met at Kilimanjaro International Airport by our local representative and transferred to Simba Farm located in West Kilimanjaro. The transfer will cover 65 km and will take approximately one hour. On arrival, you will meet your guide(s) for a short briefing, followed by the opportunity to rest and recover from your long travels.

If time allows (and if arriving with an early flight) a farm tour and stroll starts around 5 pm followed by dinner at the lodge. After your tour around Simba Farm Lodge, you will stop for a sundowner amongst the rolling fields of grain, with Mt. Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. Sundowner snacks and a beverage of your choice are also available whilst you soak in a melting sunset overlooking the Maasai steps and Mt. Meru. We recommend good footwear and warm clothes because when the sun goes down, it can get fairly chilly. This tour will take just around 1-2 hours. 

Accommodation: Simba Farm Lodge (D)
A selection of rooms is available from cozy, rustic rooms in the Old Guest House, to the Jacaranda Cottages surrounded by lush flower gardens.

Day 2: Simba Farm (Rest day)
Today it is all about the farm. Simba Farm is a working farm, lodge, and historic sanctuary situated on 7,000 acres of rolling hills in West Kilimanjaro with breathtaking views of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Maasai steps, and Mt. Meru You can enjoy the pool and flower garden or bird watching around the farm. If you did not have the opportunity to enjoy the farm tour yesterday, you can do so today!

Accommodation: Simba Farm Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 3: Simba Farm to Shira Plateau to Simba Farm, 10 mi. (16 km) | Elevation: +3745 m
The walk today is by far one of the most challenging due to the continuous ascent and high altitude. First, you will drive through the forest zone to Londros Gate before entering the Kilimanjaro National Park. Then, you will walk through the forest zone followed by the heather and moorland zone as you head towards the helipad on the Shira Plateau. This is approximately 7km. You will then take a relaxing lunch break and water stop, before you then turn back and enjoy a downhill walk, via the Cathedral trail to Morum, back to Simba Farm Lodge (around 9 km). 

Accommodation: Simba Farm Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 4: Simba Farm to Ndarakwai, 9 mi. (15 km)
Your trek starts from Simba Farm campsite all the way to Ndarakwai via Ndarakwai Ranch! You will walk through scattered bushes and through the Enduimet Wildlife Management Area, encountering animals and Maasai herdsmen rearing their livestock. There is also a large population of other tribes in this area, including the Chagga, Meru, and Pare people.

Enduimet borders Amboseli National Park and serves as an important migratory route for wildlife including the African elephant. You arrive at Ndarakwai campsite around lunchtime. After enjoying the midday meal, you can rest in your tents before leaving for the late afternoon walk exploring the surrounding area! Dinner and overnight at Ndarakwai Ranch.

Accommodation: Ndarakwai Tented Camp (B, L, D)
15 huge, thatched roof, self-contained canvas tents with integral modern bathroom facilities and solar hot water, affording surprising comfort and convenience in this remote location, once fought over by German and Allied forces. There are canvas-covered verandahs from which to watch the wild animals that wander freely about the ranch, amongst which reedbuck, gerenuk, lesser kudu, gazelle, and zebra are frequent visitors, whilst loftier eland, mighty elephants, and graceful giraffes can often be seen. Even lions and cheetahs are occasionally spotted.

Day 5: Ndarakwai to Olpopongi Maasai Village, 6 mi. (10 km)
You leave the camp early in the morning (just after breakfast) before the sun becomes hot! You walk heading to Olpopongi Maasai Village via Tinga Tinga Primary School, where you will stop for a short visit. Your journey will proceed for another 2.5 km leading to an authentic Maasai Village, Olpopongi. You will be welcomed by traditional Maasai dance and spend the rest of the day and night ‘living and sleeping the Maasai style’ to experience their culture. In the evening you will enjoy a great barbeque prepared by Maasai warriors around a Maasai bonfire!

Accommodation: Olpopongi Maasai Lodge (B, L, D)
The Olpopongi Maasai-Village was planned and built by a multi-cultural construction team, dominated by more than 50 Maasai women and men from the nearby Tinga-Tinga Maasai-Village. All houses are built the traditional way with local and natural materials only, similar to those of the nearby Maasai people. Only some additions, such as exterior washrooms and the kitchen, are different from the Maasai culture but built for your hygienic comfort and full satisfaction. Your visit does also supports local Maasai families with water, food, employment, personal income, medical treatments, and education.

Day 6: Olpopongi to Ngabobo Village, 11 mi. (18 km)
You will walk through authentic Maasai land heading to Ngabobo Village. Your route leads through open grassland with a few scattered short acacias as well as euphorbia trees (‘Olpopo’ in Maasai language)! On the way, you will see local tomato farms and may see wildlife such as zebra and elephants during the dry season. You will arrive at your camp located at Africa Amini Alama Maasai Lodge where you will rest and explore the area. There are lots of local activities that clients can be engaged in at an extra cost - these activities include Maasai spear throwing, a lesson on Maasai healing plants, and Maasai dance.

Accommodation: Osiligilai Maasai Lodge (B, L, D)
Osiligilai Maasai Lodge is a spectacular, scenic eco-lodge that offers exclusive luxury coupled with an unparalleled touch of Culture in the midst of Mount Kilimanjaro & Mount Meru where Guests enjoy the Serene and vastness of the Maasai steppe and experience peaceful moments, extraordinary Rock Trees, awe-inspiring Sunsets and unsurpassed customized service by our Maasai staff.

Day 7: Ngabobo to Mt. Meru to Arusha National Park, 9 mi. (15 km)
Your day starts very early with a short trek of only 2 km before entering Arusha National Park. You then proceed with your magnificent walk inside the park exploring Momella Lake, waterfalls, and other iconic features heading to the base of Mt. Meru. You will be accompanied by an armed ranger throughout your walk. After a lunch break at one of the park's nicest picnic campsites. you will go on a game drive in the park where you will see various wild animals such as giraffe, buffalo, zebra, warthog, the black-and-white colobus monkey, the blue monkey, flamingos, and more. You then jump into a vehicle for your transfer back to Weru Weru River Lodge for a good shower and celebration dinner, while contemplating your achievement. 

Accommodation: Weru Weru River Lodge (B, L, D)
Surrounded by coffee plantations, this eco-friendly lodge near Kilimanjaro provides an authentic African experience with 32 spacious rooms with air-conditioning, a balcony, refrigerator, seating area, tea-and-coffee-making facilities, and a private bathroom with a shower, hairdryer, and free toiletries. All our rooms have a touch of recycled dhowwood that gives them a rustic African feel.

Day 8: Departure
In the morning, you can enjoy shopping before your transfer to JRO Airport or onward arrangements. (B)

If walking in Tanzania isn't your flavor, check out our full list of walking & hiking tours or view all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news.

You will still stay in a variety of accommodation types which include a working agricultural farm, a tented camp, a traditional Masaai village, and lodges. Please take a look at the day-to-day itinerary for a more detailed description of each.