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16-Day Kilimanjaro Hiking & Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari
Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 16-Day Kilimanjaro Hiking & Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari. This incredible journey offers breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and an opportunity to witness Africa’s most iconic natural wonders.
Day 0: Arrival in Tanzania
Your adventure begins with your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Our friendly driver-guide will welcome you and transfer you to Mvuli Hotel in Arusha. After check-in, our tour coordinator will provide a briefing about your upcoming adventure. Enjoy a relaxing evening and dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Bed & Breakfast
Accommodation: Mvuli Hotel, Arusha
Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
- Depart Arusha at 08:00 AM for Marangu Gate to complete your climb registration.
- Begin your Kilimanjaro trek through lush rainforests, stopping for a picnic lunch at Kisambioni.
- Continue hiking to Mandara Hut, where you can relax or take a short walk to Mahundi Crater for stunning views.
Elevation: 1,800m (5,905ft) to 2,743m (9,000ft)
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mandara Hut
Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
- After breakfast, continue your ascent, leaving the rainforest behind and entering Kilimanjaro’s moorland zone.
- Stop for lunch at Kambi ya Taabu before arriving at Horombo Hut in the afternoon.
- Enjoy breathtaking views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.
Elevation: 2,743m (9,000ft) to 3,720m (12,200ft)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Day 3: Acclimatization Day at Horombo Hut
- Take a day to acclimatize with a recommended hike to Mawenzi Hut via Zebra Rocks.
- This helps your body adjust to the altitude, increasing your chances of summit success.
Elevation: 3,720m (12,200ft) to 4,600m (15,100ft) and back
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
- Continue your trek towards Kibo Hut, passing the last water point at 4,130m.
- Prepare for the final ascent to the summit by resting early.
Elevation: 3,720m (12,200ft) to 4,750m (15,580ft)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Kibo Hut
Day 5: Summit Day – Uhuru Peak & Descent to Horombo Hut
- Begin your summit trek at midnight, reaching Gillman’s Point before continuing to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa.
- After celebrating your achievement, descend back to Kibo Hut for a short rest before continuing to Horombo Hut.
Elevation: 4,750m (15,580ft) to 5,895m (19,340ft) and back to 3,720m (12,200ft)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Day 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate – Return to Arusha
- Complete your descent through Kilimanjaro’s beautiful cloud forests.
- At Marangu Gate, receive your summit certificate before returning to Arusha.
Meals: Bed & Breakfast
Accommodation: Mvuli Hotel, Arusha
Day 7: Tarangire National Park Safari
- Depart Arusha for a full-day game drive in Tarangire National Park, famous for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees.
- Enjoy a picnic lunch while spotting wildlife such as lions, zebras, and wildebeests.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner & Breakfast
Accommodation: Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Day 8: Serengeti National Park
- Drive through the scenic landscapes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to reach the world-famous Serengeti National Park.
- Enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Seronera region, known for its incredible wildlife density.
Meals: Dinner & Breakfast
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Lodge
Day 9: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti
- Explore the Serengeti’s vast plains in search of the Big Five and witness the Great Migration (seasonal).
- Morning and afternoon game drives offer spectacular wildlife viewing.
Meals: Dinner & Breakfast
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Lodge
Day 10: Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater
Start your day with an early morning game drive in the Serengeti, giving you one last chance to witness its incredible wildlife. Afterward, we set off for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with a stop at the historic Olduvai Gorge. This site is famous for the discoveries of Drs. Louis and Mary Leakey, who unearthed significant fossils, including the remains of ‘Nutcracker Man’ and ‘Handy Man,’ key figures in human evolution. In the late afternoon, we arrive at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meals: Dinner | Overnight HB
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Day 11: Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha
After an early breakfast, descend over 600 meters into the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, a haven for diverse wildlife. The rich ecosystem, supported by year-round water sources, is home to wildebeests, zebras, buffaloes, elands, warthogs, hippos, and the majestic African elephant. The crater is also famous for its dense predator population, including lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, and the elusive leopard.
We will visit Lake Magadi, a picturesque alkaline lake that attracts large flocks of flamingos, hippos, and a variety of water birds. After the game drive, we proceed to Kilimanjaro International Airport, either with a packed lunch or for a hot meal in Arusha, depending on time constraints. From here, you will take a flight to Uganda for an overnight stay in Entebbe.
Day 12: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park via the Equator
After breakfast, meet your guide and embark on a scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Along the way, we will stop at the Uganda Equator for a brief experience and lunch. Arriving in Bwindi in the late afternoon, you will check in at the lodge, relax, and soak in the stunning views of the forest before dinner and an overnight stay at Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge.
Meals: Full Board
Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Overview
Located in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, Bwindi National Park is one of the most biologically diverse forests in Africa. It is home to over 120 mammal species, 345 bird species, 200 butterfly species, and 160 tree species. Most notably, nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas reside here, making it a prime destination for gorilla trekking. The park also supports endangered bird species and plays a crucial role in regional water conservation.
Day 13: Gorilla Trekking and Optional Batwa Community Visit
After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking rules and etiquette. Led by expert guides, you will embark on a trek through the dense forest, searching for one of the habituated mountain gorilla families. Once found, you will spend an unforgettable hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat.
After the trek, return to the lodge for relaxation. For those interested, an optional visit to the Batwa pygmies offers a cultural experience showcasing their traditional way of life.
Meals: Full Board
Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
Day 14: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park with a Stop at Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today, we travel to Kibale Forest National Park, stopping en route at Queen Elizabeth National Park for a scenic boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This waterway is famous for its high concentration of hippos, crocodiles, and diverse birdlife.
Meals: Full Board
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
Kibale National Park Overview
Kibale National Park is a unique ecosystem combining both lowland and montane forest, offering a sanctuary for an array of wildlife. Gazetted in 1932 and officially established in 1993, it forms a continuous wildlife corridor with Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kibale is particularly famous for its chimpanzees, along with 12 other primate species, making it one of the best places in the world for primate tracking.
Day 15: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Walk
Begin your day with an exciting chimpanzee trekking experience. Accompanied by expert trackers, you will explore the forest in search of our closest relatives. Spending time with the chimps offers a rare glimpse into their social behaviors and daily activities.
Afterward, enjoy a guided walk through Bigodi Wetland, a community-driven conservation project teeming with bird species, primates, and other wildlife.
Meals: Full Board
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
Day 16: Return to Entebbe for Departure
After breakfast, bid farewell to the lodge and begin the journey back to Entebbe. The drive takes approximately five hours. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for last-minute shopping or a meal before heading to Entebbe International Airport for your departure.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
16-Day Kilimanjaro Hike & Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari – What’s Included
- Accommodation before the Kilimanjaro trek
- Professional and experienced mountain guides
- All park fees and rescue fees
- All meals during the hike and safari
- Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
- Salaries and park fees for guides, porters, and cooks
- Large portions of fresh, nutritious meals
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Ethical treatment of porters
- 4×4 safari vehicle for game drives
- Gorilla trekking permit ($700 per person)
- Chimpanzee trekking permit ($200 per person)
What’s Not Included
- Tanzania Visa ($50 per person on arrival)
- Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed above
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional tours (such as additional safaris after the climb)
Why Book with Excursia Adventures?
Excursia Adventures is a trusted local tour operator which prides its self in creating tailor-made gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and wildlife adventures in Tanzania. We take pride in providing personalized services, with expert tour consultants responding to inquiries within 20 minutes. Our dedicated team ensures all bookings are handled efficiently, and our highly knowledgeable guides offer enriching safari experiences tailored to your language preferences.
Contact us today to book your 16-Day Kilimanjaro & Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari and embark on the adventure of a lifetime!
