Category: Mount Kilimanjaro

You want to take part in a hot air balloon safari during your trip to Tanzania, and you are wondering where to start. Well, we have prepared everything you need to know about our balloon safari flights in Tanzania. A balloon safari in the Serengeti is quite similar to a hot-air balloon safari in the Masai Mara, Kenya. The main difference is the colour of the balloons; even the different balloon operators have their own distinctive designs, some even come in deep red love shapes, while others are draped in the colours of the Tanzanian flag. As in Cappadocia, hot air balloon rides offer a premier, year-round sunrise experience over stunning "fairy chimney" landscapes in the endless savannah plains. See the stunning beauty of Serengeti National Park from a hot air balloon. When the sun rises, you’ll float wherever the morning wind takes you. Your pilot can guide the balloon close to the treetops or lower, offering you a unique view and great opportunities to photograph the wildlife below. Sometimes, you’ll soar high above the plains to take in the wide, breathtaking views of the Serengeti. The pilot adds heat to the balloon with quiet burners. Between these times, you’ll enjoy calm silence, disturbed only by the sounds of nature below. A balloon safari over the Serengeti gives you a rare chance to see the wide plains from above. At first, animals look like tiny dots moving across the land. As you get closer, you’ll spot zebras with their distinctive stripes, large elephants making their way to a waterhole, warthogs searching for food in the grass, and the mild movement of lions’ tails as they rest under the trees. As you float gently through the air, you can look in every direction and take in all the beauty below. From

For a long time, Arusha Airport has held a pivotal role in connecting safari goers across Tanzania, moving from park to park and travellers moving in between towns and cities within the country and over the borders of Tanzania. Located in Olasiti, just past the TANAPA headquarters along the Dodoma Road (A104) highway.  This is the same road that takes you to Karatu Town, the nearest major town to all the parks and safari destinations isolated in the northern circuit of Tanzania. Ofcourse there is mto wa Mbu and Mwanza towns, but Karatu is more central and accessible. Most people confuse Arusha Airport and the Kilimanjaro International Airport; no, they are not the same, and they are some distance apart. Kilimanjaro International Airport is located on your way to Moshi from Arusha, midway between the towns. If you’ve ever flown into northern Tanzania for a safari, you know the drill: land at Kilimanjaro International (JRO), then endure a bumpy transfer to Arusha before finally heading out to the parks. That extra leg has always been the slightly annoying reality check after a long-haul flight. But as of mid-2025, everything changed. Arusha Airport (ARK/HTAR) officially became an international airport — complete with immigration, customs, and the infrastructure to handle global arrivals. It’s not just a technical upgrade; it’s a genuine game-changer for anyone dreaming of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, or Mount Meru. I’ve been flying in and out of Arusha for years, and watching this transformation, both utilising this airport and driving by towards Kisongo on my way to Tarangire, Serengeti, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro for safari, has been exciting. What was once a sleepy domestic hub just 7 km from the city centre is now positioned as the true “safari capital” airport — slashing transfer times, cutting costs, and putting

The longer the route and the more the number of days you spend on Mount Kilimanjaro, the better your chances of summiting due to your body getting accustomed and acclimatising better. We usually emphasise, especially with elderly/senior climbers, children and first timers in the mountaineering world, to go for the longer routes for obvious reasons. With these long routes, hiking days are evenly distributed, you trek at a slower pace without rushing, and you get yourself just enough time to deal with high altitude sickness-related symptoms. While the "fastest" route might sound like a badge of honour, the true magic of the Roof of Africa is found in the slow burn. Opting for an 8- or 9-day itinerary isn’t just about playing it safe with altitude—it’s about trading the frantic, crowded "express" paths for a 360-degree immersion into one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems. From the quiet solitude of the Shira Plateau to the near-guaranteed success of a well-acclimatised summit night, taking the long way isn't just a strategy; it's the ultimate way to actually experience the mountain rather than just surviving it. While shorter treks (5–7 days) are popular for their speed and lower cost, the longer routes of 8 days and 9 days stand out for those prioritising safety, enjoyment, and summit success. These extended itineraries allow better acclimatisation to the thin air, reducing the risk of altitude sickness and boosting your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak. If you want to strike a balance between costs, success and time, maybe the 7-day Kilimanjaro treks are for you and worth checking out. Why Choose the Longer Routes? Opting for an 8-day or 9-day trek gives your body more time to adjust to increasing altitude. Kilimanjaro's main challenge isn't technical difficulty—it's acute mountain sickness (AMS), which affects many climbers

Choosing the best 7 day Kilimanjaro treks should not be a challenge. Most climbers love to spare a week for tackling this mountain in Tanzania, but sometimes struggle to get the most appropriate route and itinerary for their liking and purpose. We usually advise our clients to choose a route that offers ample time for acclimatisation, and the day-to-day trekking hours are evenly spread out. The 7 day Lemosho Route is not the same as the 7 day Machame Route. The determining factors that we usually ask are what is your age, what fitness level are you in? Do you have any previous climbing experience in high-altitude mountaineering? Are you comfortable scaling over high walls and rocks? If we take two routes here, for example, the 7 day Machame Route and the 7 day Rongai Route, you realise that they are both within the recommended timeframe for offering ample acclimatisation, they both last seven days, they are both scenic, but what is the main difference?  Now, here we have to take into consideration a few factors. If you love soaking in the scenery and you are up for a challenging climb, we can recommend the popular Machame Route. But if you prefer a less challenging trek and you want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro when the weather is unpredictable, like around May, nearing April during the rains or October nearing November, we would recommend the Rongai Route 7 days, which takes its course in the northern leeward slopes with receive minimal to no precipitation all year round. While treks can vary in length, 7-day itineraries strike a popular balance, offering enough time for acclimatisation while fitting into a standard vacation schedule. This article explores the ins and outs of these one-week adventures, from route options to essential tips. Why Choose One