Kilimanjaro Marathon and Safari Pack - 8 Day Tour

Join world class runners from around the globe in the annual road race in the shadows of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Participants can choose the full marathon, half marathon, or 5K fun run for the race of a lifetime. The course is on paved roads past rural villages, through bucolic Moshi town and its market, and up into a mountainside coffee plantation, all with inspiring views of Kilimanjaro. Along the route are boisterous crowds providing enthusiastic support.

Once your run is complete, you'll have a rest day before heading out on safari.

DAY 1: Arrival Transfer from point of arrival to Arusha/Moshi.

A Shadows of Africa driver will pick you up from the airport or shuttle and take you to your Arusha or Moshi accommodations for the evening.

DAY 2: Rest Day

Enjoy breakfast at your lodge before meeting up with your Shadows of Africa driver for a day exploring the 'Geneva of Africa'. Arusha is not only the safari capital of Tanzania, but has long been a place where nations can meet to discuss political issues.

Your city tour will include a lunch of traditional Tanzanian food as well as visits to the town's street markets, museums, craft shops, and workshops.

You'll then be returned to your hotel in the evening for dinner and a good night's rest ahead of the race.

DAY 3: Kilimanjaro Marathon 2016

Run under the watchful eye of Mount Kilimanjaro, the Kilimanjaro Marathon is one of the world's most picturesque races. With the altitude gain being quite manageable and with the entire race being completed between 830–1150m asl, on good tarred roads, the marathon is a popular race for locals and international visitors alike. As a fully registered IAAF race, the marathon has official marshalling, time-keeping and refreshment points.

Now entering its 13th year, the Kilimanjaro Marathon is the perfect event to couple with an extended visit to Tanzania.

DAY 4: Rest day

You'll have today to recover in your Arusha or Moshi lodge.

Your Shadows of Africa driver can be made available to take you out to explore the town and its surrounds, or you can simply relax in your lodge.

DAY 5: Lake Manyara National Park

After breakfast, you'll depart from your hotel for Lake Manyara National Park. The park is truly a photographer's playground and offers some of the best game viewing in the world. You can expect to see all of Africa's most well-known animals, with the tree-climbing lions a particular treat. These proud predators lounge in acacia trees practically begging to be photographed. 

Bird-watchers will find Lake Manyara is an absolute delight, with a huge variety of birds on display in the park. Even the novice can expect to be amazed by large flamingo flocks, circling birds of prey, and the brightly coloured lilac breasted roller.

You'll then retire to your chosen accommodation for dinner and a good night's rest.

DAY 6: Serengeti National Park

We'll take an early breakfast, as we've got a big day of exploration and adventure ahead of us! We'll begin the day with the scenic drive towards the Serengeti. Along the way we'll pass through the mist-shrouded rainforests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where you might be lucky enough to glimpse cape buffalo, baboons, or even elephants and leopards in the dense undergrowth.

Our first stop of the day will be at the Oldupai Gorge (also known as the Cradle of Mankind). Here you can see some of the oldest fossil evidence in the world of human habitation, visit the Oldupai Gorge Museum to learn more about the human journey, and take in the stunning views of this stark gorge country.

We'll then continue on to one of the famous Masai bomas, where you'll have the opportunity to witness traditional Masai dance, visit an authentic Masai village, and even do a little souvenir shopping at the local market.

After a delicious lunch at the Serengeti National Park picnic area, it’s time to explore the Serengeti itself. Witness Africa’s iconic savannah landscape and be amazed by the sheer number of animals that roam these grassy plains.

Dinner and overnight in the heart of the Serengeti National Park according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.

DAY 7: Serengeti National Park

At 06.00h we will start the sunrise game drive. You will be accompanied by the melodic singing of the birds while searching for leopards and lions hunting for their morning meal and contrastingly calm hippos, returning to their watery homes with their family.

We will return to the campsite or lodge, where we will enjoy a late breakfast at 9:00. We will continue our game drive at 10.30 and stay in the wilderness for the rest of the day.

Our safari drive will continue according according to the time of year and we will follow the animals on their trail. Dinner and overnight in the heart of the Serengeti National Park according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.

DAY 8: Ngorongoro Conservation Aarea

After breakfast, we will start with a morning game drive thru the Serengeti National Park and then head towards Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

The highlight of the expedition will be a game drive in the Serengeti. As far as the eye can see, thousands upon thousands of animals in herds, wildebeests and zebras migrating together, tall and graceful giraffes, jumping antelopes and gazelles, the powerful African elephant and the most respected group of animals: the predators. You will be able to spot lean cheetahs and shy leopards, foraging hyenas, and last but not least, the king himself; the lion.

While game viewing, we will proceed with picnic lunches. Dinner and overnight on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.

DAY 9: Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha Town

You'll descend into the world famous Ngorongoro Conservation Area today for a remarkable game drive experience. Set against the backdrop of the caldera's towering walls, your game drive will give you an excellent opportunity to see the endangered black rhinoceros as well as lions, hyenas, elephants, cape buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, and more.

A highlight of your day will be the chance to enjoy a scenic picnic lunch by an active hippo pool, after which you'll return to Arusha to overnight.

DAY 10: Transfer

After breakfast, a Shadows of Africa driver will collect you from your hotel and take you to the airport for your onward travel.