The beauty of climbing Kilimanjaro is that there are many ways to reach the summit. Although it is common for people to opt for the six traditional routes, and even some of the less popular ones, choosing a unique itinerary is a truly special way to climb mount Kilimanjaro.
Our 3 signature itineraries make it possible for you to venture off the beaten track and experience some of the best scenery that you’re ever likely to see.
You can find more information about some of our more common Kilimanjaro routes and itineraries on our Climb Kilimanjaro Experience page.
Below, we outline our 3 most exclusive Kilimanjaro tour itineraries that are not offered anywhere else.
Option 1:Â 10-day Nairobi, Amboseli & Kilimanjaro (6D Rongai Route)
This itinerary allows you to go off-the-beaten track and visit 2 different countries on a truly unique safari and Kilimanjaro climbing tour.
On this itinerary, you’ll not only get to explore Nairobi and climb mount Kilimanjaro, you will also be able to enjoy the kind of wildlife views which most Kilimanjaro climbers don’t get to see.
You will then travel onwards to Amboseli National Park, where elephants, giraffes, buffalos, lions and cheetahs roam free.
Amboseli is renowned for its herd of wild African elephants. More than 900 of these magnificent creatures inhabit the park, while other animals such as antelope, monkeys and hyenas can also be spotted roaming around the landscape, with Kilimanjaro in the background.
Although most tour operators do not offer this, we’re now making it possible for climbers to enjoy these amazing wildlife views prior to their Kilimanjaro climb.
In Amboseli, you can also meet the Maasai people and enjoy the striking landscape, which includes: open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush country, swamps and marshland. More than 300 bird species can be found in the park, which covers a distance of 392 kilometres.
This itinerary allows you to enjoy an early morning game drive as you exit Amboseli National Park and transfer to the Tanzanian border. Rongai Gate is then just a short drive from the border crossing.
At the gate, you will be registering with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities. Expect to linger around for some time while all the equipment and supplies get distributed among your porters and weighed to ensure fair porter treatment practices.
Once formalities are taken care of, it’s time to start your exciting Kilimanjaro climb along the less visited Rongai Route, which is the only route on Kilimanjaro that starts in the north near to the border of Kenya. It is the furthest away from an airport of all Kilimanjaro National Park gates, which makes it much less visited than other routes. This provides for a true wilderness experience during your summit approach.
The Rongai descends along the Marangu Route in the south-east, providing for a cross-over experience with views of the north, east and south of Mount Kilimanjaro and its surroundings.
You will then proceed to descend on the southern slopes for a complete 360° experience, before transferring to Kilimanjaro International from Moshi.
This itinerary is suitable for anyone particularly those who are short on time or on a lower budget who is interested in joining a group tour. Please note that a safari tour in Kenya en-route to Kilimanjaro is much cheaper and quicker than a safari tour in Tanzania.
Multi-segment flights are included in this itinerary, and this makes it easy and convenient for you to fly to your destinations for the same price as flying in and out of the same airport.
Our 3 signature itineraries, will give you the kind of unique adventure that we offer exclusively at Fair Voyage. So be sure to check out our itinerary to get the best views of Nairobi, Amboseli and Kilimanjaro.
Option 2: Mount Kenya, Amboseli & Kilimanjaro tour
This itinerary gives you the unique privilege climbing two of Africa’s highest mountains and enjoy the stunning wildlife views with Kilimanjaro in the backdrop, when you get to Tanzania.
Mount Kenya offers a great introduction to the challenging altitudes of Kilimanjaro and helps you to acclimatize to the high elevation.
It is known for its stunning vegetation such as the eerie Dendrosenecio forest on Mount Kenya which is equally as stunning, if not prettier than the Kilimanjaro southern slopes – but without the crowds.
After making your way up Mount Kenya, you will then make your way to Tanzania where you will once again get the exclusive opportunity to spot the elephants at Amboseli National Park, before scaling Kilimanjaro.
You’ll also get a special opportunity to enjoy a scenic game drive through the park where you will spot elephants, giraffes, Zebras and more African creatures.
After a scenic game drive at Amboseli National Park, you will then prepare to climb the Rooftop of Africa, along the Rongai route.
The less-visited Rongai route is perfect for anyone wanting to get a true wilderness experience on Kilimanjaro. Its proximity to the Kenyan border means it easy and convenient to transfer to Kilimanjaro after a climb up Mount Kenya.
On this itinerary, you will soak up the scenery of both mountains and bear witness to the diversity of East Africa’s breathtaking landscapes.
This tour also includes a multi-segment arrangement which makes it easy to travel between Kenya and Tanzania.
It is the perfect itinerary for outdoor enthusiasts with an extremely good level of fitness.
So if this describes you, be sure to check out this itinerary.
Final option: Mt Meru (4D) & Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit With Crater Camp (7D)
Get your trip off to an exciting start with a pre-acclimatization climb on Mt Meru with the 4-day Mt Meru & 7-day Kilimanjaro Northern With Crater Camp itinerary.
Mount Meru is fondly dubbed ‘Kilimanjaro’s little brother’ and it is the second highest mountain in Tanzania. Based in the Arusha National Park, the mountain offers opportunities to warm up and get accustomed to the high altitude before you climb mount Kilimanjaro.
At a height of 4,566 metres, the mountain is a truly worthwhile and impressive climb in its own right.
During your climb, you will quickly experience the changing vegetation, which includes dense montane rainforest, heather, moorland and finally alpine desert.
From the top of Mount Meru, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views. You will not only get spectacular views of the mountain and the inner crater, but you will also bear witness to what is arguably the most impressive sunrise views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Mount Meru is often climbed in a minimum of 3 days, which involves a long summit all the way back down on the third day. However, on this itinerary, you will spend 4 days on Mount Meru and split the descent over 2 days to ease the burden on your knees.
You’ll also have the opportunity to spot wildlife at Arusha National Park while you’re climbing Mount Meru.
Arusha is a popular hiking destination for tourists. It is also home to the black and white Colobus monkeys, that thrive in its tropical habitats.
Grazing giraffes, Zebras and colourful turaco birds can easily be seen on the striking landscape as you tackle this majestic mountain before you attempt to climb mount Kilimanjaro.
After an exhilarating 4-day climb on Mount Meru, you will traverse the Northern slopes of Kilimanjaro along the Grand Traverse on a 7-day hike. There, you will enjoy 360° views of the surrounding landscape, away from the crowds.
You’ll also enjoy a thrilling overnight stay at Crater Camp next to one of Kilimanjaro’s last remaining glaciers. In addition, you will have the option to explore the Reusch Crater and ash pit.
This itinerary is for the truly adventurous. It is only suitable for very fit and experienced climbers. If you are fighting fit with a taste for adventure, be sure to check out this itinerary.
However, if you are not accustomed to high altitude climbing, then we strongly recommend the longer 4-day Mt Meru and 9-day Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit With Crater Camp itinerary.
Conclusion
One of the challenges associated with climbing Kilimanjaro is choosing the right tour itinerary.
Knowing which itinerary to choose really depends upon your fitness levels and what you want to get out of the experience.
If you’re a strong climber, with a taste for exclusive adventures, the 4-day Mt Meru & 7-day Kilimanjaro Northern With Crater Camp, may be ideal for you. Alternatively, you may prefer to climb Africa’s 2 highest mountains on the Mt Kenya–Amboseli–Kilimanjaro itinerary.
On the other hand, if you want the best views but you don’t want something too challenging and you have a limited budget, then the Nairobi–Amboseli–Kilimanjaro Rongai–Moshi Crossover tour is probably your safest bet.
Regardless of which option you choose, there is one thing you can be sure of. Our 3 signature itineraries, will give you the kind of unique adventure that we offer exclusively at Fair Voyage.
These tours will take you off-the-beaten-track and allow you to experience some of the best scenery that East Africa has to offer.
For information about other tours, itineraries, and frequently asked questions, please visit our Climb Kilimanjaro Experience page.
All of these exclusive itineraries, will give you a unique and unforgettable adventure that we offer exclusively at Fair Voyage.
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