Moshi/Arusha Day Trips
Shimboni Africa offers various daytrips departing from Moshi or Arusha to round out your Tanzanian holiday. Listed are the most commonly
requested trips, but not the only options. Contact us for further ideas or to book your excursion.
Mt Kilimanjaro Day Treks
Shimboni Africa offers two different route options for a Kilimanjaro Day Trek. One is using Marangu Route, the route located furthest to the east on Mt Kilimanjaro. The other is using Shira Route, the route furthest to the west of the mountain.
Marangu Route
We will pick you up in the morning from your hotel and drive you to Marangu Gate. From there you would walk through the rain-forest to Mandara Hut where you will stop to enjoy lunch. From there you can continue to Maundi Crater to enjoy the view before returning back to the Marangu gate where our vehicle will be waiting to return you back to Moshi. Included is private transportation to and from the mountain, all park entry fees and taxes, box lunch, drinking water, and an English speaking mountain guide. Not included is guide tip.
Shira Route
A short ramble over the Shira Plateau with a picnic lunch in the shadow of Kibo. For those that want just a taste of high altitude and Kilimanjaro, this is the itinerary for you.
DESCRIPTION
Starting on the Western side of Kilimanjaro National Park, this hike explores the Shira Plateau – the oldest of the 3 volcanoes on Kilimanjaro.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Shira Plateau with stunning views of Kibo, walking across the Shira plateau, Shira Cathedral.
ITINERARY
Early in the morning, normally around 6am, you are collected from your hotel with a packed lunch and transferred to Kilimanjaro National Park. Formalities are completed at Londorosi Gate before getting back in the car and transiting past Morum Barrier, right on to the edge of the Shira Plateau.
Instant views of Kibo dominate the skyline as you meander around the plateau, exploring the lesser travelled parts before making your way back to Morum Barrier Gate, where your vehicle will be waiting for you to transfer you back to your hotel.
Prices: (quoted in USD)
1 person participating: $220, 2 people: $180/person, 3 people: $172/person, 4 people: $166/person, 5+ people: $150/person
Safari Day Trips
Moshi is blessed with not only being the closest sizable town to Mt Kilimanjaro, but also being close enough for one day wildlife viewing. Arusha National Park, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Mkomazi National Park and Ngorongoro Crater are all possible to visit without an overnight stay. The day trips listed can start from Moshi or Arusha.
Arusha National Park is good in that it is so close - just a one hour drive from Moshi. But it is not a busy park, there are no lions, nor cheetah, and few elephants here. Plenty of antelope and giraffe. The good thing is it is possible to spend part of the day as a walking safari (with an armed park ranger). It is also a beautiful park and Tanzania's second highest mountain, Mt Meru is located there.
Tarangire National Park offers some very nice game viewing. There are a high number of elephant and giraffe. You most likely will see many lions as well. This is a exceptional choice during dry months since the only water source in the area is the Tarangire River which winds its way through the park. The landscape is dotted with the very unusual looking baobab trees. This park is located approximately 3.5 - 4 hours drive from Moshi.
Lake Manyara National Park is a very good park if you are an avid bird watcher, with over 300 species present. The park is known for its lions that like to sleep high up in the trees. You should see elephant and giraffe also. The lake itself is often having many flamingos feeding on the algae in the water. During drier months, Tarangire is a better destination. This park is also a 3.5 - 4 hours drive from Moshi.
Ngorongoro Crater has a very high concentration of animals. The crater itself is not very large, in half day all will be seen. It is one of the few places where it is possible still to see rhino. The only safari animals not present are giraffe and topi (a large antelope). This location is along with the Serengeti (which is too far away) the best safari destination in the world. The negative---it is very expensive and far. In addition to the park fee ($71) there is a fee of $295 to bring the safari vehicle into the crater. Also there is a total of 10 hours travel time from Moshi, 7 hours from Arusha. Entry and exit into the conservation area is restricted to 6am - 6pm so in order to return the same day we would have to exit the crater no later than 5pm to insure getting out of the conservation area in time .
Mkomazi National Park - this is a less visited park, located to the east of Moshi where the other parks are to the west. That does not make it convenient if visiting several parks in one itinerary, but its location is good for a day trip safari. It does not have a great infrastructure yet but is nice in that the park is not at all crowded, giving the feel of an old style safari. It is located approximately 2 hours from Moshi.
The prices include private transportation, all park fees & taxes, guide salary, boxed lunch and drinking water. Suggested tip for guide is $25 - $35 total from the group.
Prices (quoted in USD):
Arusha National Park Day Trip (includes a portion of the day as a walking safari)
1 person- $344
2 people - $223/person
3 people - $204/person
4 people - $170/person
5 people - $156/person
Mkomazi National Park Day Trip
1 person- $360
2 people - $232/person
3 people - $218/person
4 people - $183/person
5 people - $170/person
Tarangire or Lake Manyara Day Trip
1 person - $396
2 people - $251/person
3 people - $234/person
4 people - $205/person
5 people - $192/person
Ngorongoro Crater Day Trip
1 person - $742
2 people - $495/person
3 people - $328/person
4 people - $287/person
5 people - $251/person
Popular Trips
Mt Kilimanjaro
Non-Summit Treks
Get a taste of the mountain. Hike through the rain-forest and enjoy nature. See the beauty and take in the crisp mountain air.
Safari
Safari Day Trips
Moshi is blessed by being close enough for one day wildlife viewing. Several choices are possible without an overnight stay.
Coffee Farm & Waterfall Hike
Chagga Culture and Nature Hike
We offer a very popular half day cultural/ acclimatization tour. This tour visits a small village just outside of Kilimanjaro National Park boundary.
Coffee Tour/Waterfalls Hike
We offer a very popular half day cultural/ acclimatization tour. This tour visits a small village just outside of Kilimanjaro National Park boundary. We will tour a small coffee farm and you will learn from a local guide about the cultivation and processing of coffee. You will also learn about the history and customs of the local Chagga tribe. There will be hiking at a waterfalls and even a chance for a swim if you like. The local women will prepare a lunch consisting of traditional Chagga foods. Included in this tour is private transportation, local fees and taxes, English speaking guide, lunch and drinking water. Good shoes for hiking are needed since to get to the waterfalls involves some steep terrain. Athletic shoes are ok, sandals are not. There will be a chance for a short swim so a swimsuit underneath your clothes and a towel would be good items to bring. This trip offers some exercise after your long flight but not so much as to tire you out for the climb.
Prices (quoted in USD) 1 person participating: $120, 2 people: $81/person, 3 people: $69/person, 4+ people: $50/person
Kikuletwa Hot Springs
Relaxing cultural experience
Relax and enjoy the culture and a refreshing day swimming in the comfortably warm spring fed water.
Kikuletwa Hot Springs
A popular daytrip, especially following a strenuous Mt Kilimanjaro trek. The warm spring water relaxes those tired muscles. The beautiful surroundings and inviting water along with a picnic lunch lead to an enjoyable addition to your holiday itinerary. Included is private transportation from your hotel, local fees, lunch, and drinking water. Be sure to bring your swimsuit, towel, sandals, sunscreen, and hat.
Lake Chala
Enjoyment at the lake
A relaxing location for hiking, swimming, or canoeing in the deep Lake Chala, straddling the Kenyan border.
Lake Chala
Lake Chala is a beautiful and quite deep lake located approximately one hour from Moshi, on the Kenyan border. A canoe can be rented for exploring the lake, or you can swim, or just relax and enjoy nature. Included in this trip is private transportation from your hotel, entry fees, lunch, and drinking water. Be sure to bring a swimsuit, towel, and shoes suitable for negotiating steep slopes.