Fourteen days in Tanzania allows you to combine the country’s three defining experiences: an East African safari in the northern circuit, a summit attempt on Kilimanjaro (5,895 m, Africa’s highest peak), and a wind-down on Zanzibar’s Indian Ocean coast. Each region is distinct, each requires a different pace, and together they make this one of the most varied two-week trips on Earth.
Route Overview
Days 1–4: Arusha → Tarangire → Ngorongoro → Serengeti (compressed safari)
Day 5: Serengeti → Moshi (gateway to Kilimanjaro)
Days 5–10: Mount Kilimanjaro (6-day Marangu route) or Days 5–11 (7-day Machame route)
Day 10/11: Moshi → Zanzibar (by air)
Days 10–14 / 11–14: Zanzibar
Day 14: Depart
Note: if you choose the 7-day Machame route, the safari shrinks to 3 days or the total trip extends to 15 days. The itinerary below uses the 6-day Marangu route.
Budget Tiers (per person, per day)
| Tier | Safari | Kilimanjaro trek | Zanzibar | Daily average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Shared vehicle, tented camps | Marangu huts, group | Guesthouse | USD 160–220 |
| Mid-range | Private vehicle, lodge | Machame with quality operator | Boutique hotel | USD 450–700 |
| Luxury | Private camp, fly-in | Private guide, Lemosho route | 5-star resort | USD 1,200–2,500+ |
Kilimanjaro operator fees as of 2026 range from USD 1,200 (budget, Marangu huts) to USD 4,000+ (luxury, private Machame or Lemosho). Park fees of approximately USD 800–900 per person for a 6-day climb are included in most packages.
Days 1–4: Northern Circuit Safari
A condensed version of the 7-day northern circuit, hitting the three essential parks.
Day 1: Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport, transfer to Arusha
Day 2: Drive to Tarangire (2 hours). Afternoon game drive among elephant herds
Day 3: Drive to Ngorongoro (3 hours). Crater descent same day for a half-day floor game drive (saves a day vs. the 7-day version)
Day 4: Drive to Serengeti (3.5 hours from rim). Full afternoon game drive in Seronera
Recommended lodges for a 4-day safari:
- Budget: Tarangire River Camp → Simba Campsite (Ngorongoro) → Seronera Campsite - approx. USD 80–130 per person per night
- Mid-range: Tarangire Sopa → Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge → Serengeti Sopa - approx. USD 250–350 per person
- Luxury: Swala Camp → Ngorongoro Serena → Four Seasons Serengeti - approx. USD 700–1,200 per person
Day 5: Serengeti → Moshi
Morning game drive from 06:00 to 09:30. Drive from Serengeti to Moshi (approximately 5–6 hours; 360 km). Alternatively, take the light aircraft from Seronera to Kilimanjaro Airport (approx. USD 220–300), then transfer to Moshi (45 minutes, approx. USD 20).
Moshi is a pleasant, small city at the foot of Kilimanjaro. Prepare kit, meet your guide, and rest before the trek starts.
Where to stay in Moshi:
- Budget: Kindoroko Hotel (from approx. USD 35 per night) - central, clean, mountain views from the rooftop
- Mid-range: Ameg Lodge (from approx. USD 100 per night) - well-run, good food and trekking briefings
- Luxury: Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel (from approx. USD 200 per night) - gardens, pool, and Kili views
Days 5–10: Mount Kilimanjaro (Marangu Route, 6 Days)
The Marangu route (“Coca-Cola route”) is the only trail with hut accommodation - practical for keeping weight down and suitable for first-time high-altitude trekkers. Summit success rates on Marangu are approximately 65–70% for 6-day climbs vs. 45–50% for 5-day versions. The extra acclimatisation day at Horombo Huts makes a real difference.
Day-by-Day Marangu Route
| Day | Start | End | Altitude | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marangu Gate (1,830 m) | Mandara Huts (2,720 m) | +890 m | 8 km | Forest zone; rainforest |
| 2 | Mandara Huts | Horombo Huts (3,720 m) | +1,000 m | 12 km | Moorland and giant heathers |
| 3 | Horombo Huts (acclimatisation day) | Horombo Huts | - | Optional | Rest and hike to Zebra Rocks |
| 4 | Horombo Huts | Kibo Huts (4,720 m) | +1,000 m | 15 km | Alpine desert |
| 5 | Kibo Huts (midnight start) | Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) → Horombo Huts | +1,175 m / -2,175 m | 21 km | Summit night; very cold |
| 6 | Horombo Huts | Marangu Gate | -1,890 m | 20 km | Descent and certificate |
What the trek costs:
- Group climb with a licensed operator: from approx. USD 1,200–1,500 per person (Marangu huts, 6 days, all-inclusive)
- Private guide with premium operator (e.g., Thomson Treks, Altezza Travel, Ultimate Kilimanjaro): from approx. USD 2,500 per person
- Park fees included in above (approx. USD 800 per person for 6-day permit as of 2026)
Essential gear not provided: sleeping bag rated to -10°C, trekking poles, gaiters, headtorch, and layers. Most Moshi operators rent sleeping bags and poles for approx. USD 5–10 per day.
Day 10: Moshi → Zanzibar
Fly from Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) to Zanzibar (ZNZ). Precision Air and Air Tanzania operate the route with a Dar es Salaam connection. Total journey: 2–3 hours. Cost: approximately USD 120–200 per person one-way as of 2026.
After the summit attempt, expect some fatigue and sore quads. The beach is the right medicine.
Search hotels in Arusha on Booking.com
Days 10–14: Zanzibar Recovery and Exploration
Four days on the island. Priorities after Kilimanjaro: horizontal time, warm water, and good food. Nungwi (north) offers the calmest swimming year-round.
Zanzibar must-dos on this itinerary:
- Stone Town: half a day; spice market, the old slave memorial, Forodhani seafood stalls (budget USD 5–10)
- Snorkelling: Mnemba Atoll day trip (approx. USD 30–60 per person)
- Sunset dhow cruise: from Stone Town, approx. USD 25–40
- Rest: the other 1.5 days
Where to stay in Zanzibar:
- Budget: Matemwe Annex Beach Bungalows (from approx. USD 50 per night) - simple and right on the water
- Mid-range: Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas (from approx. USD 250 per night) - boutique, north coast
- Luxury: The Residence Zanzibar (from approx. USD 600+ per night) - private villas, spa, Indian Ocean views
Day 14: Departure
Fly from Zanzibar to your connection (Nairobi NBO, Doha DOH, Dubai DXB, or Istanbul IST are the most common international connections). Note that Zanzibar has limited late-night departures - check routing carefully. Some travellers fly to Dar es Salaam first for better scheduling options.
Transport Summary
| Leg | Mode | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|
| JRO → Arusha | Taxi | USD 25–35 |
| Safari circuit (4 days) | 4WD safari vehicle | Included in package |
| Serengeti → Moshi (flight) | Charter aircraft | USD 220–300 |
| Moshi → Kili Gate | Minibus/taxi | USD 10–20 |
| Kilimanjaro trek (6 days) | Walking | USD 1,200–2,500+ all-in |
| JRO → ZNZ | Commercial flight | USD 120–200 |
| ZNZ airport → resort | Taxi | USD 20–40 |
Key Booking Tips
- Book Kilimanjaro 3–6 months ahead. Gate permits are unlimited in theory but quality operators fill up fast in peak season (June–October, January–February).
- Choose a 6 or 7-day route. The Tanzania National Parks authority recommends a minimum of 6 days for Marangu; 7 days for Machame or Lemosho. Ignore operators selling 5-day climbs.
- Sleep low, climb high. The Horombo acclimatisation day is not optional for safety - insist on it.
- Safari → Kilimanjaro → Zanzibar is the correct order. You want your legs fresh for the trek, and the beach for recovery afterwards.
- Altitude medication: Diamox (acetazolamide) is available in Moshi pharmacies. Consult a doctor before the trip about whether it suits you.
Browse Kilimanjaro treks and tours to compare operators by route and budget tier. For the safari leg, Tanzania safari tours lists northern circuit operators. Travel insurance for Tanzania is critical for this itinerary - it must cover high-altitude trekking, medical evacuation from the summit, and charter flight cover. Get your eSIM for Tanzania before arrival so you have data connectivity for logistics in Arusha and Moshi.
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- Flights - Find the best fares to Tanzania
- Travel Insurance - Get covered before you go
- eSIM - Stay connected from landing
- Airport Transfers - Pre-book your transfer from Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam
- Car Rental - Compare prices across providers
- Tours & Activities - Browse Tanzania tours on GetYourGuide