Kilimanjaro and safari: how the two fit together
Kilimanjaro is a hiking destination. The protected area around the mountain is home to elephants, buffalo and antelope, but sightings are not guaranteed and the trek is not a game drive. For classic wildlife viewing you add a safari in another park, usually after the climb.
Private safaris of 1 to 7 days can be added on top of the climb. A climb is counted in walking days, and an 8-day Lemosho programme takes 10 calendar days from arrival to departure. The safari days come on top of that. There is no joint ticket for Kilimanjaro and the safari parks, and each park has its own fees. Ask your operator how the programme handles transfer and rest days.
Our picks: climb and safari
Our take: the 13-day trip combines the Lemosho climb with a safari; the 2-day trip pairs a day hike with the Ngorongoro Crater.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Kilimanjaro climb and Tanzania safari in 13 days
- Lemosho climb and safari
- Full board
- 4x4 safari vehicle
Seven days on the Lemosho route, then a safari by 4x4, with full board, guides, porters and camping gear. Park fees and taxes of USD 1,140 plus camping and rescue fees of USD 475 are extra.
Check availability →
Kilimanjaro day hike and Ngorongoro Crater
- Kilimanjaro and safari guide
- Crater game drive
- 4x4 vehicle
A day on Kilimanjaro with a guide, then a game drive in the crater by 4x4. Ask before booking whether the Kilimanjaro fee of USD 87 and the crater fee of USD 180 are in the price.
Check availability →Kilimanjaro treks and safari-ready trips
Multi-day climbs and trips from Moshi that you can combine with a safari, with live prices and availability.
Drive times from Arusha
Typical figures from Arusha, not from a Kilimanjaro gate. Do not add them up.
| Destination | Distance from Arusha | Drive time | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moshi | 85 to 100 km | 1.5 to 2.5 hours | This site |
| Tarangire | About 110 km | About 2 hours | – |
| Ngorongoro Crater | About 190 km | About 3.5 hours | Ngorongoro guide |
| Serengeti | About 340 km | About 5.5 hours | Serengeti from Arusha |
Figures vary and depend on where in the park you end. For most climbers who add only a few days, Tarangire or the Ngorongoro Crater is the shortest add-on, while the Serengeti needs the most driving. Ask your operator for the transfer plan from Moshi to your chosen park.
Planning the combination
What to settle before you book.
Count calendar days
Add the arrival day, the walking days, the departure day and the safari days. Ask which hotel nights are included. Some 2026 group offers include two nights in Moshi.
Climbing Kilimanjaro →Park fees stay separate
Kilimanjaro fees and safari park fees are different charges. Ask the operator which park fees a safari price includes.
Cost and park fees →Safari parks have their own guides
For the Serengeti, see the Serengeti safari guide. For the crater and the highlands, see the Ngorongoro guide.
Zanzibar after the trip
Direct flights between Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) and Zanzibar take 1 hour 20 minutes. Check the current timetable before you plan around it. One entry insurance policy is enough for a trip that covers both the mainland and Zanzibar.
Getting there →From the airport to the start
Where most combined trips begin.
Most visitors land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which operates around the clock. Moshi is about 45 km away, a drive of 45 to 60 minutes. Arusha is about 50 km away, a drive of 60 to 75 minutes. A shared airport shuttle in front of the terminal serves Moshi and Arusha and costs TZS 10,000. Taxis wait at the terminal stand, so agree the fare first. Operators usually arrange the transfer for you.
This matters for a combination because the safari often starts in Arusha and the climb starts from Moshi or from a hotel near a park gate. Ask where your first night is, where you sleep after the descent and where the safari vehicle picks you up. The where to stay page compares Moshi and Marangu as bases.
Before and after the climb
Pages that fit the combination.
Kilimanjaro and safari: frequently asked questions
Can I combine Kilimanjaro with a safari?
Yes. Private safaris of 1 to 7 days can be added on top of the climb. The two are separate parts of the trip with their own fees.
Can I see wildlife on Kilimanjaro?
The protected area includes elephants, buffalo and antelope, but sightings are not guaranteed. For game drives, add a safari in another park.
How far is it from Moshi to the Serengeti?
From Arusha the Serengeti is about 340 km and 5.5 hours by road, and Arusha to Moshi is 85 to 100 km. The figures use different starting points, so ask your operator for the real transfer time.
Is there a joint ticket for Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti?
No. Each park charges its own fees, and a combined price from an operator is a package, not a joint park ticket.
Can I fly from Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar?
Direct flights between JRO and Zanzibar take about 1 hour 20 minutes. Check the current timetable and prices before you book.
Is this the website of a safari operator?
No. This is an independent travel guide and not the website of the national park, of Tanzania National Parks or of any operator.