Group Size: 6-10 participants

km = kilometer & am = altitude meter

Day 1              Welcome to Tanzania

Arrive at Kilimanjaro and drive to Chanya Lodge Moshi on the southern side of the volcano. Here you can enjoy the pool surrounded by a tropical garden with a view to the glaciers of the 5895m high Kilimanjaro. In the afternoon, visit the colourful Moshi Market and experience a coffee tasting. The city is the starting point for mountaineers and trekkers who want to climb the volcano. Accommodation in Moshi.

Day 2              Moshi and the Materuni waterfall

In off-road vehicles you can drive through the Kilimanjaro rainforest up to the small villages of the Chagga people. At an altitude of almost 2000 meters you will find fantastic waterfalls that are fed by the glaciers of the mountain. In a one-hour hike you can reach the highest waterfall in Materuni, where you can have a swim. With the friendly residents of the settlement you have the opportunity to taste their home-brewed banana beer.

Day 3              Into the Jungle

From Moshi we cycle through the jungle to Marangu. The route leads through banana plantations and past coffee plants uphill into an increasingly pleasant climate. Marangu is surrounded by incredibly lush vegetation that resembles a huge botanical garden. Accommodation at Marangu Lodge.

Distance by bike 35 km, 1380 am
Difficulty level: high

Day 4              From Marangu to Lake Chala

Along the eastern craters and lava fields of Kilimanjaro, today’s route from Marangu passes through a few small villages. At first we go downhill again through dense forests with giant trees and accompanied by the singing of countless African bird species. At the end of the day, a trail leads to the largest crater lake on Kilimanjaro, Lake Chala. The landscape opens up and reveals a distant view of the savannah all the way to Kenya. In the afternoon you can swim in the crystal-clear water of the lake or explore the circular lake with a diameter of 3 kilometers in a canoe. Accommodation at Lake Chala.

Distance by bike 45 km, 520 am
Difficulty level: high

Day 5              From Lake Chala to Rongai

Always within sight of Kenya, the day begins in the direction of Tarakea. We pass small villages and experience the typical rural life of this region. In the afternoon we reach Rongai, the highest point of our Kilimanjaro circumnavigation. The place is the starting point of the rarely climbed Rongai route. In the middle of the rainforest lies Snowcap Cottages, where you stay for the night. After sunset we sit around the open campfire, which provides welcome warmth at this altitude.

Distance by bike 59 km, 1155 am
Difficulty level: high

Day 6              From the highest point of the journey back to the savannah

After a short drive through one of the most impressive forest areas of Kilimanjaro, the very beautiful route through breathtaking landscape begins. The view stretches from the sunburnt savannah of Amboseli up to the snow fields of the side volcano Mawensi – a great contrast! The route leads through constantly changing nature at about 1600 meters above sea level. Here there is hardly any traffic or influences of civilization and you can get an impression of an pristine Africa. In the afternoon we drive downhill from the pleasant climate zone to the savannahs of Kilimanjaro West, where it gradually becomes significantly warmer and drier. From the luxurious Kambi ya Tembo Tented Lodge you can enjoy incredible views of the vastness of Amboseli and encounter the world of wild animals. Buffalos, mighty elephants and gazelles roam this region far away from civilization. In the evening, listen to the voices of the wilderness around the campfire.

Distance by bike 69 km, 820 am
Difficulty level: high

Day 7              Between Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru

From Kabiya Tembo the route continues along Mount Kilimanjaro across farmland. From noon on you have a good view of the 4566m high Mount Meru, the second highest mountain in Tanzania. Later, the journey goes over tarmac and you can enjoy an even better view of the landscape. Towards the end of the day, it’s another 200 meters uphill to Simba Farm, where you’ll spend the night with the local family. The old farmhouse was founded in 1907 in the German colonial style. From the terrace you can enjoy the sunset over the volcanic cone of Mount Meru.

Distance by bike 34 km, 34 am
Difficulty level: demanding

Day 8              Through the savannah

Today we go down a sporty trail into the savannah of Kilimanjaro West. This dry savannah is a migratory area for wild animals. Depending on the season, they migrate between the Amboseli Conservation Area and Arusha National Park in search of grass and water. In this uninhabited area you will occasionally meet some Maasai herdsmen who are out and about with their herds of cattle and goats. Herds of wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, antelope and often elephant will cross your path. The slope requires concentration and technique but is easy to manage. Today’s destination is the Maasai Lodge, which is located on a prominent hill in the middle of the savannah. A beautiful sunset with a view of Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru awaits you as well as the interesting encounter with the Maasai who run the lodge. In the evenings around the campfire, Chief Clemens tells exciting stories about the life of the nomadic people.

Distance by bike 54 km, 390 am
Difficulty level: high

Day 9              Walking safari with Maasai in Kilimanjaro West

Early morning trek for about 2 hours with Maasai through Kilimanjaro West savannah to spot wildlife.
Alternatively, there is the possibility to visit the nearby Arusha National Park with its Flamingo colonies and numerous primates.
At the foot of Mount Meru, the second highest volcano in Tanzania, lies a landscape rich in lakes with Hardy Krüger’s former farm, which invites you to visit.
The many Maasai giraffes with the ice-crowned Kilimanjaro in the background offer unforgettable sights. Hardy Krüger described this area as paradise on earth in his book A Farm in Africa. This safari day can be booked optionally.

Day 10            From Kilimanjaro West to Kibosho, the land of the Chagga

In the morning we cycle from the Maasai Lodge through open savannah landscapes towards Weru Weru on the south side of Kilimanjaro. In view are the dominant Kilimanjaro on the left of the path and the mighty volcano Mount Meru on the right with one of the highest lava walls in the world. In between there are only a few Maasai Bomas and grazing herds of sheep and cattle.
Without paved roads, our route leads through this impressive landscape to Sanya Juu. After a few kilometers on asphalt, the route leads back to historical paths in the very fertile area around Kibosho. The lodge, where we spend the last evening, is surrounded by jacaranda forests, banana fields and lush flowers.

Day 11             Flight back home

Alternatively, you can extend your holiday on the dream island of Zanzibar with its white coral sand beaches, or with a safari in the Serengeti.
We recommend the subsequent ascent of Kilimanjaro for sporty and well-trained people.

Accommodation subject to availability

Despite its height (850 m – 2100 m) the area around Kilimanjaro is still a malaria risk area. A prophylaxis is recommended. The tours are in the months of the dry season. The cool temperatures of the night (15 °C) can rise up to 30 – 35 °C during the afternoon.