Mt. Kilimanjaro & African Safari IVS
Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world and join us on a spectacular African wildlife safari in Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
African adventure travel at its best!
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Trip Length
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Trip Highlights
Along the way, Dr. Kristin Coleman will present a practical discussion on managing the surgical patient in your practice.
Seminar registration fee for 12 CE hrs: $895.00 (optional)
All are welcome including spouses and friends – only the veterinarian attending needs to register for the CE.
Seminar Topics:
As you enjoy the hike and safari, Dr Kristin Coleman from Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists will present 12 CE hours on practical soft tissue surgery. Topics will include practical respiratory, gastro-intestinal and urinary surgery topics.
About this trip
Mt. Kilimanjaro & African Safari IVS
This International Veterinary Seminars (IVS) adventure kicks off by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak and one of the iconic Seven Summits, a bucket-list achievement that never gets old. Pole-pole, you’ll climb higher every day, guided by some of the best porters and guides on the mountain. Each night will bring you to a different camp, higher on the mountain with more breathtaking views and amazing sunsets each evening. Enjoy the camaraderie, and beyond amazing food, for each meal in the geodesic dining dome.
After the summit, the adventure shifts gears into full safari mode by exploring the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park. Expect unforgettable wildlife encounters: lions, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles, massive herds, and extraordinary birdlife, all guided by expert local naturalists who know these landscapes inside and out.
You’ll also spend time with the Maasai people, whose deep connection to the land adds a powerful cultural perspective to the journey.
With 25 years of successful trips, this expedition is a true winner by seamlessly blending world-class adventure, International Veterinary Seminars (IVS), and unforgettable African landscapes. Evening IVS sessions take place in beautiful safari lodges, where the day’s experiences come alive through practical, real-world medical discussions.
Itinerary
What to expect
Days 1–2: Arrival & Safari Warm-Up
You arrive in Arusha, settle into a beautiful lodge, and shake off travel with optional exploration or a warm-up safari in nearby Arusha National Park, a lush introduction to Tanzania with giraffes, buffalo, monkeys, and big views of Kilimanjaro. This is your chance to rest, prep, and get your head (and body) ready for the climb.
Days 3–9: Climb Kilimanjaro – Pole-Pole to the Summit!
The real adventure begins as you start your ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro, hiking through rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and glacial zones. Each day is paced for smart acclimatization as you circle the mountain, cross high passes, and camp beneath massive glaciers.
Summit night is unforgettable: climbing by headlamp to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, just in time for sunrise. After celebrating at the top, you descend through changing ecosystems back to comfort, hot showers, and a well-earned feast in Arusha.
Days 10–15: Safari, Wildlife & IVS in the Field
Now it’s time to switch boots for safari vehicles and head deep into Tanzania’s greatest wildlife parks: Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and the legendary Serengeti.
Expect lions, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, massive herds, incredible birdlife, and nonstop “wow” moments, all guided by expert local naturalists. All IVS sessions are delivered during the safari portion of the trip, typically in the evenings at beautiful lodges, using the day’s real-world experiences as a living classroom.
Your journey wraps up with a scenic flight back to Arusha, optional visits to a local hospital or markets, and time to rest before heading home, or extending your adventure to Zanzibar or other national parks.
Lodging
Where you'll stay
ARUSHA
Arusha Serena Hotel is a tranquil safari-style hotel set on the shores of Lake Duluti beneath Mount Meru in northern Tanzania. Originally built on a colonial-era coffee farm, the property blends historic charm with lush gardens, stone cottages, and lakeview dining. Guests can enjoy activities like canoeing, mountain biking, nature walks, cultural experiences, and sundowner cocktails by the lake, alongside spa treatments and cozy country-manor-style accommodations.
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Tarangire Safari Lodge is a classic family-run safari lodge perched on a bluff inside Tarangire National Park, offering sweeping views over the Tarangire River and surrounding wildlife-rich plains. Known for its authentic safari atmosphere since 1985, the lodge features traditional canvas tents and stone bungalows, with elephants, giraffes, and other animals often visible directly from the terrace or private verandas. Guests can enjoy game drives, walking safaris, sundowner cocktails, and open-air dining while immersed in one of Tanzania’s most scenic safari landscapes.
NGORONGORO CRATER
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is a dramatic safari lodge perched directly on the rim of the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Crater, with every room featuring uninterrupted views into the vast volcanic caldera below. Built from river stone and covered in native vines, the lodge blends into the landscape with cave-inspired décor, torch-lit walkways, and a cozy safari atmosphere that feels both rustic and luxurious. Guests can enjoy crater game drives, sundowners overlooking the crater, guided walks, and spa treatments while staying in one of Tanzania’s most iconic safari settings.
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge is an award-winning safari lodge set high on an acacia-covered ridge in the heart of Serengeti National Park, with sweeping views across the endless plains and the Great Migration route. Designed as a collection of traditional stone-built rondavel huts, the lodge blends rustic African character with modern comforts, including an infinity pool, private balconies, and panoramic wildlife viewing right from the property.
*Note: depending on availability we may choose a different hotel of similar type and equal quality.
Dates & Pricing
Plan your trip
Dates
2026
October 6-20.
2028
September 16-30
Pricing
2026
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari: $8,750*
Safari only: $5,750*
*per person, based on double occupancy. Park fees not included – $850 Kilimanjaro & Safari; $420 Safari Only
Seminar registration fee for 12 CE hrs: $895.00 (optional)
All are welcome including spouses and friends – only the veterinarian attending needs to register for the CE.
Along the way, Dr. Kristin Coleman will present a practical discussion on managing the surgical patient in your practice.
2028
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari: TBD
Safari only: TBD
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Available Extensions
Extend your adventure with an add-on trip
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My wife and I are both veterinarians and we went on this trip with our oldest daughter. We had a fantastic time and thank god my wife set the pace. If I led I don’t think I would have made it. The key is to walk at a pace that you can still talk. This way you really get to enjoy the scenery and who you are with and not just trying to breath. The hike around the mountain was spectacular and the safaris afterwards were fantastic. The support staff was beyond expectations. They really took care of you all the time on the mountain. The food they prepared on the mountain was very plentiful with good flavor. The lodging was great afterwards with some stunning locations. We did the Zanzibar extension which I would highly recommend. The only regret is maybe one or two more nights on Zanzibar would have been perfect but it does make it a long trip.