Distance: 120 km from Arusha | 95 km from JRO + 80 km within park

Meals: Lunch & Dinner Overnight: Tarangire area

Depart Arusha or JRO at 6:30 AM and drive southwest toward Tarangire National Park for a full day game drive through the iconic baobab-studded savannah and along the life-giving Tarangire River.

Spend the day searching for massive elephant herds, lion prides, leopard, wild dog, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, and over 550 bird species in one of Tanzania's most rewarding national parks. Bush picnic lunch served in the field. Dinner and overnight at Tarangire camp or lodge.

Distance: ~335 km including game drives

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Overnight: Serengeti National Park

After breakfast depart westward toward the Serengeti National Park — passing through the dramatic Ngorongoro Conservation Area highlands and descending onto the vast golden Serengeti plains through Naabi Hill Gate.

Afternoon game drive through the central Seronera Valley — searching for leopard in acacia trees, lion prides on kopjes, cheetah on the open plains, hippo pools along the Seronera River, and vast wildebeest and zebra herds. Bush picnic lunch served en route. Dinner and overnight under the brilliant Serengeti stars.

Distance: ~235 km Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Overnight: Karatu area

Early 5:30 AM departure for a magical dawn game drive in the Serengeti — the very best time for predator activity and extraordinary wildlife photography. After breakfast at camp depart eastward — stopping for a dramatic descent into the legendary Ngorongoro Crater for an afternoon game drive searching for black rhino, lion, elephant bulls, massive buffalo herds, hippo pods, and flamingos on Lake Magadi. Crater floor picnic lunch served before ascending the walls and continuing to Karatu for dinner and overnight.

Distance: ~145 km Karatu to Moshi + hiking Hiking Distance: 8 to 10 km round trip Altitude: 1,830 m (Marangu Gate) to ~2,700 m Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Dinner Overnight: Moshi area

Today's adventure takes a thrilling and completely different turn as you trade the safari vehicle for hiking boots and head toward the slopes of Africa's highest peak — Mount Kilimanjaro.

Morning Drive to Moshi: After breakfast in Karatu depart eastward toward Moshi town — the gateway to Kilimanjaro — driving through the beautiful highland landscapes of northern Tanzania with increasingly dramatic views of Kilimanjaro's snow-capped summit rising above the clouds on the eastern horizon.

Marangu Foothills Hike: Arriving at the famous Marangu Gate (1,830 metres) — the starting point of the legendary Marangu Route and one of the most iconic gateway points on all of Kilimanjaro — you register for your guided day hike and begin your ascent into the extraordinary montane rainforest of Kilimanjaro National Park.

Your experienced Kilimanjaro foothill guide leads you upward through one of the most beautiful and most biodiverse rainforests in East Africa — a lush, cool, and misty world of ancient trees, hanging mosses, exotic ferns, and extraordinary forest wildlife:

Distance: ~80 km Moshi to Arusha | ~45 km Moshi to JRO Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Overnight: N/A — return to Arusha or JRO

Your final morning begins with a relaxed breakfast in Moshi with magnificent views of Mount Kilimanjaro — the snow-capped summit of Africa rising dramatically above the surrounding plains in the clear morning light — one of the most beautiful and most memorable views in all of Tanzania.

Morning Kilimanjaro Views Walk: A leisurely guided morning walk through the beautiful Moshi area — visiting the best local viewpoints for close-up photographs of Kilimanjaro's magnificent summit in the crystal-clear morning air. Your guide shares fascinating stories about the mountain's history, geology, and the extraordinary human adventure of climbing Africa's highest peak.

Optional Materuni Waterfall Extension: For guests with energy and appetite for one more adventure — an optional morning hike to the spectacular Materuni Waterfall on Kilimanjaro's lower slopes — a beautiful 70-metre cascade through the lush rainforest with excellent colobus monkey sightings and a refreshing swimming pool at the base (additional USD $25 per person).

Return to Arusha or JRO: After lunch in Moshi your Mercy Travel guide transfers you comfortably to Arusha city or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) — arriving in plenty of time for afternoon or evening departure flights — concluding one of Tanzania's most unique and most extraordinary five-day adventure itineraries.