Join us as we start our African adventure with and ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro via the Modified Shira Route, a route specially chosen by Bio Bio Expeditions that combines the best of the Shira Route with the most scenic section of the Machame route. We consider this the best route up the mountain!
We allow seven days for our climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro to ensure everyone can acclimatize to the altitude. Our approach to the Kilimanjaro trek is just as much about getting to know the mountain’s many sides and moods as getting to the top. Everyone will reach a summit – whether it be the Uhuru Peak, one’s own personal highest point, or just the satisfaction of spending seven days on one of the most spectacular mountains of the world.
We celebrate our climb as we visit some of the most famous parks in Eastern Africa and enjoy the comforts of very tasteful, authentic, high-end safari lodges. We begin our African safari at Tarangire National Park, a wildlife retreat during dry season, graced by the unique beauty of its baobab woodlands and the fantastic concentrations of game. Then we drive to Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and a natural sanctuary for some of Africa’s densest animal populations.
Experience the rush of standing on the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro, towering 19,324 feet above the African plains. Explore the wildlife, sounds and special magic that defines Africa is an unforgettable lifetime adventure.
Itinerary Snapshot
Day 1
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, (JRO) , you transfer to Arusha for dinner and overnight at Arusha Serena Hotel. (D)
Day 2
A day to recover from your long flight. You can enjoy the 40 acres of walking trails through the coffee plantations of the Arusha Serena Hotel or do some souvenir shopping in town. (B,D)
Day 3
Day 1 of trekking – the gate to Shire 1 Camp
We drive to the town of Londorossi where the porters are waiting. We then enter the gates of Kilimanjaro National Park and begin hiking through the lush rainforest. 4-5 hours hiking. (B,L,D)
Day 4
Day 2 of trekking – Shira 1 Camp to Shira Camp
The day’s trek begins with a steep hike out of camp through a new type of vegetation and volcanic rock. 5-6 hours hiking. (B,L,D)
Day 5
Day 3 of trekking
Shira Camp to Barranco Camp: We ascend out of Shira Camp and Kili will be right in front of us throughout the hike. 6-7 hours hiking. (B,L,D)
Day 6
Day 4 of trekking
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp: Wake up to hot tea and breakfast and immediately make our assault on the steep Barranco Wall, fondly called “The Breakfast Climb”. 4-6 hours hiking. (B,L,D)
Day 7
Day 5 of trekking
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp: After climbing out of the Karanga Valley, the trail ascends a ridge to the Barafu Camp, our highest camp yet, at 15500 feet. 3-4 hours hiking. (B,L,D)
Day 8
Day 6 of trekking
Barafu Camp to summit and back down to Mweka Camp: Rise and shine at 11:30 pm! We begin climbing by starlight, the porters always reminding us to go “polee-polee” (slowly, slowly!), until we reach Uhuru Peak, (Freedom Peak) at 5895 meters / 19,340 feet, the highest point on the continent of Africa. 11-15 hours hiking. (B,L,D)
Day 9
Day 7 of trekking
Millennium Camp to Mweka Village: Now we hike down the Mweka Trail through the rainforest and arrive in the village of Mweka where there are plenty of wood curios, batiks, T-shirts, and souvenirs for sale. 4-5 hours hiking. Overnight at Moivaro Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 10
After breakfast, we leave for Tarangire National Park – a famous park for its high concentration of elephant herds and tree climbing pythons. Overnight at Tarangire Safari Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 11
A day to explore Tarangire National Park. Overnight at Tarangire Safari Lodge. (B,L,D).
Day 12
After breakfast, we leave for Ngorongoro Crater passing Lake Manyara on the way. Have your camera ready for fantastic panoramic views across the volcano-studded floor of the Great Rift Valley. Overnight at Serena Ngorongoro Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 13
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater and enjoy a full day game drive. Overnight Serena Ngorongoro Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 14
After breakfast we start our drive back to Arusha, stopping to take photos of Massai villages and a visit to the Reptile Farm. We arrive in time for you to wash up before your flight back home or to Zanzibar. (B,L,D)
BJ Coopes –
I had a terrific trip to Tanzania- made it up the mountain (I was the oldest in our group)- thanks to your terrific guides- and our drivers for safaris were impeccable! We learned so much- and I felt safe always. They deserve a raise. (Especially Said).
BJ COOPES / Kili 2023
Melissa Hien –
The trip was amazing! We had such a great time with experiencing all of their culture, truly a great country! The extension was perfect! There was only a few people at the camp and we were treated like royalty! We had a butler for goodness sake that took such good care of us! He really personalized our experience and we even had dinner by a campfire made just for us and was surrounded by hippo and water Buffalo that were within flashlight range. It felt like a picture out of Teddy Roosevelt’s Era. One morning they woke us at 6 am to see 6 female lions walk 250ft away from our tent 2 large males that sat there for an hour!!! Our personal guide led us to see the most that we had seen in all the safaris. He really went above and beyond! I highly recommend this experience, it was so relaxing from the large group for 2 weeks…even though I really enjoyed our group. Thank you again for all your help, we are looking at booking Mt. Blanc for next year, we really love your company and always feel so well taken care of!
Melissa Hien – Kilimanjaro and Safari 2021
Tony Gower –
Amazing trip! I highly recommend this experience and suggest the Zanzibar extension as well
L. Chapman –
We had the most amazing safari and climb up Kilimanjaro one could imagine! My sister and I age 60and 61 went with my daughter age 15 on a trip with mostly doctors in their 30’s and 40’s and 50’s. We had an amazing adventure because of the people on the trip and especially the leaders on the trip. The Bio Bio Team was absolutely spot on!
Brenda Larson 2018 –
Upon arrival at the airport the friendly staff transferred us to the beautiful Serena Arusha Lodge. Check-in and check-out was easy and efficient. We enjoyed wildlife viewing, including up-close walking safari at nearby Arusha National Park. Climbing Kilimanjaro, the highest peak on the continent, is a reasonable goal for an active person. My husband (68) and myself (59) have hiked the Appalachian Trial which is harder. The high altitude is difficult so listen to the guides, they are excellent. Bio Bio Expeditions takes care of everything. Kili was beautiful, an otherworldly landscape. The safaris included the best parks of East Africa, Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater, with high-end safari lodges, exotic and everyday foods, and great guides in uncrowded land rovers. We saw the Big Five and thousands more abundant wildlife. Truly a bird-lovers paradise. The guides were kind, thoughtful, friendly and knowledgeable. Bio Bio is the BEST!!!
JS London 2018 –
Words can not express the amazing trip we had! One week of safari (starting in Arusha) followed by a week of Kili climb was a trip of a life time for me. The parks we visited on the safari were spectacular, including Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti. The lodges we stayed at were first class with great views and terrific food (Kilimanjaro Beer was good too!). Bio Bio guides were extremely knowledgeable and fun (go Team Cheetah – Simbo Jeep). The Kili climb, headed by Festo (an amazing leader and person), was such an incredible experience. Parts of it were tough (we had a lot of rain and summit night is no picnic!) but it was one of the most amazing and rewarding adventures of my life, made possible by the group of people we were with and the Bio Bio team who made it so special. I always felt that we were in good hands and that the Bio Bio team knew exactly what they were doing at all times. Particularly on summit night. I would not have made it to the top without the support of all of the guides (thanks especially to Modest). Bio Bio was top notch every step of the way, with Stan taking care of things in the background, making sure everything went smoothly. We did not have to worry about anything other than making sure we were ready to go on time! I highly recommend Bio Bio and look forward to my next adventure with them! JS London, Canada 2018