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8-Day Big Time Safari: Wildlife Encounters & Mountain Adventures

8 days

Tented & Lodge Accommodation • Guided Private Safari • Wi-Fi Available • All Meals Included

  • Thrilling drives through iconic parks
  • Spot elephants under ancient baobabs
  • Observe lions in the sun
  • Witness zebras roaming vast plains
  • Explore Serengeti’s endless golden savannahs
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Safari Overview

Embark on an 8-day Tanzanian adventure combining world-class wildlife encounters with the thrill of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Begin with game drives in Tanzania’s iconic national parks, spotting elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and more, before tackling Africa’s highest peak via the scenic Marangu Route. This expertly guided safari blends adventure, nature, and culture, with comfortable accommodations and immersive experiences every step of the way.

Safari Highlights

  • Thrilling drives through iconic parks
  • Spot elephants under ancient baobabs
  • Observe lions in the sun
  • Witness zebras roaming vast plains
  • Explore Serengeti’s endless golden savannahs

Tour Itinerary

  • Day 1. Arrival - Checklist & Briefing

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Arrive in Arusha, where a Big Time Adventures representative will meet you and transfer you to your lodge. The day is dedicated to rest, gear preparation, and a comprehensive safari and Kilimanjaro briefing, ensuring you are fully ready for the thrilling wildlife and mountain adventure ahead.

Accommodation:

    Outpost Lodge
    • Meal Plan
      Lunch and Dinner
    • Day 2. Arusha to Tarangire National Park

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    After breakfast, drive 2–3 hours to Tarangire National Park, renowned for its giant elephant herds and ancient baobabs. Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives, spotting lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and diverse birdlife. A picnic lunch is served in the park before transferring to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

    Accommodation:

      Eileen’s Trees Inn
      • Meal Plan
        Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
      • Day 3. Ngorongoro Crater Tour & Back to Arusha

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      After breakfast, drive to Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Descend for a game drive to spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, flamingos, and occasionally black rhino. Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the crater before ascending and returning to Arusha for final Kilimanjaro climb preparations.

      Accommodation:

        Outpost Lodge
        • Meal Plan
          Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
        • Day 4. Marangu Gate (1,800m) – Mandara Hut (2,743m)

        Kilimanjaro Day Hike & Kikuletwa Hot Springs

        After breakfast, depart Arusha around 08:00 hrs for Marangu Gate to complete registration formalities. Begin the trek through Kilimanjaro’s lush rainforest, stopping for a picnic lunch at Kisambioni. Continue to Mandara Hut, and in the afternoon, enjoy a short acclimatization walk to Mahundi Crater for panoramic views of Mawenzi Peak on clear days.

        Accommodation:

          Mandara Hut
          • Meal Plan
            Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
          • Day 5. Mandara Hut (2,743m) – Horombo Hut (3,720m)

          Kilimanjaro Trekking

          After breakfast, leave the rainforest behind and ascend into Kilimanjaro’s moorland zone. Trek through rocky terrain adorned with unique alpine vegetation, stopping for lunch at Kambi ya Taabu. Continue to Horombo Hut, arriving by mid-afternoon. Weather permitting, enjoy breathtaking views of both Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks.

          Accommodation:

            Horombo Hut
            • Meal Plan
              Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
            • Day 6. Horombo Hut (3,720m) – Kibo Hut (4,750m)

            After breakfast, continue your ascent into Kilimanjaro’s alpine desert zone. Stop at the last water point at 4,130m to refill for the summit attempt. Arrive at Kibo Hut in the afternoon, where you’ll have time to rest. After an early dinner, prepare for the midnight push to the summit.

            Accommodation:

              Kibo Hut
              • Meal Plan
                Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
              • Day 7. Summit Day – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Horombo Hut

              Around 23:30 hrs, begin your summit climb under the stars. Trek steadily to Hans Meyer Point, continue through scree to Gillman’s Point on the crater rim, and finally reach Uhuru Peak, Africa’s highest point. After taking summit photos, descend to Kibo Hut for a short rest before continuing down to Horombo Hut for an overnight stay. Celebrate your achievement with a hearty mountain dinner.

              Accommodation:

                Horombo Hut
                • Meal Plan
                  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
                • Day 8. Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate – Arusha

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                After breakfast, descend through the cloud forest to Marangu Gate. Complete the formalities and receive your summit certificate: Silver for reaching Gillman’s Point or Gold for reaching Uhuru Peak. From Marangu Gate, transfer back to Arusha for an overnight stay, celebrating the successful Kilimanjaro climb and reflecting on your incredible adventure.

                Accommodation:

                  Outpost Lodge
                  • Meal Plan
                    Breakfast and Lunch

                  What’s to See?

                  Common Sightings:

                  lions

                  Found in all major parks, often seen hunting or resting in shade

                  Elephant

                  Tarangire’s vast herds and Ngorongoro’s crater floor

                  Zebras & Wildebeest

                  Great herds roaming Serengeti’s plains

                  Buffalo & Hippos

                  Common near rivers and crater pools

                  Giraffes

                  Graceful silhouettes across every landscape

                  Leopards & Cheetahs

                  Best seen in Serengeti’s open grasslands

                  Flamingos & Birds

                  400+ species across lakes and woodlands

                  Black Rhino

                  Rare, but occasionally spotted in
                  Ngorongoro

                  White necked raven

                  Intelligent birds with a white patch on the neck, common in rocky and mountainous areas.

                  Plant species Senecio & Lobelia

                  Prehistoric-looking plants found in high-altitude moorlands, unique to East African mountains.

                  Seasonal Highlights:

                  Apr–May
                  Green season — lush scenery, fewer crowds, excellent birding
                  June to October
                  Excellent time to visit
                  Dec To Jan
                  Favourable time to visit
                  Jun–Oct
                  Dry season — wildlife congregates at rivers and waterholes

                  Cost Includes

                  • Hot drinks and Snacks during Trekking
                  • All activities, unless indicated as Optional
                  • First Aid
                  • Mt Certificates awards
                  • Meals and Mineral water
                  • Camping Equipment (Sleeping tents, Dining tents, Sleeping mattress, Utensils, Tables and Chairs)
                  • Mountain Team (Mt Guide, Chef and Porter)
                  • Medical evacuation services
                  • All Accommodation (lodges and tented camps)
                  • Private 4×4 Land Cruiser with professional driver-guide

                  Cost Excludes

                  • Tips (Guides, porters and cook)
                  • All optional activities (balloon flight, Zanzibar add-on)
                  • Personal items & Gears
                  • Laundry Services
                  • Fishing Excursions
                  • Negligence
                  • Any changes done by you during safari or before safari
                  • All kind of soft drinks and hard drinks at the lodges & camps
                  • Drones
                  • International flights

                  Optional Upgrades

                  • Local Food Experience
                  • Maasai Boma Experience
                  • Walking safari
                  • Coffee Tour

                  Your Guides

                  Paul Stanley Godless

                  Paul guides Kilimanjaro and Meru climbs with calm encouragement, careful pacing, and strong safety awareness. Guests trust him for his patience and supportive energy, especially on challenging sections of the climb. When he’s not guiding, Paul enjoys football, music, and reading.
                  ''“I focus on each guest’s pace. A safe, successful summit is the real goal.”''

                  Benjamin Solomon

                  Benjamin brings humour, patience, and strong guiding skills to every safari. He grew up around Tanzania’s wilderness and loves helping guests experience the parks through local stories, animal behaviour, and hidden viewing spots. Guests often describe him as friendly, attentive, and someone who makes them feel safe and relaxed from start to finish. Outside guiding, Benjamin enjoys football, reading, and movies.
                  ''“I listen first. When I understand what guests want, the safari becomes their story.”''

                  Kelvin Damian

                  Kelvin is calm, knowledgeable, and excellent at spotting wildlife. He creates a relaxed atmosphere in the vehicle and explains animal behaviour in a way that brings each sighting to life. Guests value his safe driving, patience, and the warm, personal touch he brings to every trip. Outside safari, Kelvin enjoys reading, football, movies, and sings in a choir.
                  ''“Every safari is different. I shape each day around what guests enjoy most.”''

                  What Our Client Says

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