Big things come in small packages: The compact safari marathon to Tanzania, from Serengeti plains to Ngorongoro Crater to running the Kilimanjaro Marathon 2025!
7 days, 6 nights
Min 6-Max 12
18+
Kilimanjaro/Seronera Airport
MAHO on Earth is taking you to Tanzania coinciding with two annual events: Kilimanjaro Marathon and Calving Migration!
This is our shorter itinerary around the same events, yet it is nothing short of amazing! We will take you on a journey where you’ll witness a spectacular landscape of diversity and nature at its finest.
We’ll go on Big 5 game drives in the incredible Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater coinciding with calving season, visit the visually stunning Lake Manyara National Park with its tropical forests of giant figs, large population of hippos, zebras, elephants, giraffes, many bird species and even the tree climbing lions, and of course run the Kilimanjaro 5K, Half Marathon or Marathon!
This is your chance to tick off that bucket list trip, one that you’ll never forget! The wonders of Tanzania await!
Do you feel daunted? Fear not.
This trip is not all about fitness, nor it’s a training camp to run away from chasing lions (!), we promise! With a generous cut-off time of 6 hours, it’s the perfect opportunity to partake in a race. And we will be doing this to fundraise for an NGO caring for children with cancer in Tanzania. What better way to motivate yourself to exercise regularly and get to know Tanzania’s enthusiasm for sports?
JOIN US IN TANZANIA!
So we’ve built this unique itinerary around THE annual sports event in East Africa, which is open for all who dare and care. After the event, we’ll go from one world famous spot to the next and have a blast (see Itinerary tab for details).
Let’s do something good together!
Secure your spot now!
* Update April 2024: Kilimanjaro Marathon 2025 race will take place on 23 February 2025.
Optional extensions:
Remember, you can extend your adventure by joining our “Best of Zanzibar” tour at the end of your safari holiday, which is planned to run smoothly with our mainland program. You can also opt for the first 2 nights/3 days of this unique Zanzibar itinerary.
If you are up for a challenge, you can optionally book the Mount Meru 4D/3N hiking package prior to start of this safari package (will take place if minimum of 4 pax opt-in).
Karibu Tanzania!
You'll be picked up from Arusha (ARK/JRO) or Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) and transferred to the town of Moshi, where your fantastic African running and Big Five safari adventure starts. Moshi is situated on the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, and the views of the mighty 'Kili' on a clear day are simply stunning.
Depending on your arrival time, we might have time for a bit of sightseeing to explore this colorful, bustling town filled with coffee houses and a lively buzz, or you may want to relax by the pool, enjoy a cocktail at the bar and get to know your fellow travellers before we meet for a welcome dinner.
Note: Should you wish to arrive earlier and extend your stay, please get in touch with us.
Today is dedicated to relaxation and preparation for the Kilimanjaro Marathon at your leisure. Relax by poolside or head into Moshi to grab some souvenirs, or join us for a swim in the green Oasis of Chemka Hot Springs.
After a leisurely breakfast, with those who prefer, we'll spend a relaxing day in Chemka Hot Springs surrounded by a beautiful forest. It's about a +- 1.5 hours drive from Moshi, where the last 30 minutes or so is along winding dirt roads past local villages lined with baobab and sugarcane trees.
Contrary to its name, the spring is not warm, as it's sourced by the fresh water straight from Mount Kilimanjaro. In some places, the pond can be up to 10 meters deep, but the water is so clear you can see right to the bottom. Little fish enjoy nibbling the dead skin off your feet –bonus spa treatment included!
Once done with swimming and playing Tarzan and Jane, swinging on the rope before plunging into the waters below, we'll enjoy local lunch and head back to our hotel in Moshi in the late afternoon. Time and road conditions permitting, we'll drive along the marathon route.
Many places in town serve carb-loading dinner to fuel up along with usual dishes, and we'll reserve a table for our group. After dinner, we will return to our rooms to have a good night's rest before the big day tomorrow.
Today is a special day, as we'll be joining the action under the watchful eyes of Mount Kilimanjaro! Following a quick pre-dawn breakfast, we depart for the start of the Kili Marathon!
Marathon start time: 6:30 a.m
Half marathon: 7:00 a.m
5 km fun run: 7:30 a.m
Marathon Route
The course takes you through stunning landscapes, many small farms, villages, parts of town, banana and coffee plantations and patches of forest.
For the 2024 Kilimanjaro International Marathon, the uphill section was done first to profit from cooler morning hours and fresh legs. The altitude gain is manageable, it's a gradual climb and a fast descent after at about 10KM where you head back down the same route. The route is similar to the half marathon, until approximately 19km mark, where the full marathon breaks away and does a loop down through Moshi town. The entire race held between 830m and 1150m altitude on good, tarred roads for the most part.
The 5KM Fun Run takes place through the shady streets of Moshi. The start is from the stadium, but the route differs to the full and half marathons.
A total of 12 water stations will be available along the route and there is usually a large crowd of cheerers.
The fun
The race will be over by 12:30 latest (cut off time for full/half marathon runners) but this event is more than a race, it's a festival with around 11,000 participants in total. As the cut-off for the marathon is a generous 6 hours (5.5 hours for half), there will be ample time to enjoy the atmosphere, and maybe a celebratory beer or two after receiving your finisher's medal. With local bands playing, huge crowds of local cheerers, plenty of food and drink stalls, there is no end to partying in town today, but around 1pm we'll transfer to our next accommodation in Arusha for some down time (80km +- 2hrs drive from Moshi). The rest of the day is free at your leisure to relax by the pool or in the beautiful garden of our lodge until we get together for dinner to celebrate an unforgettable race day.
Today after an early breakfast, we will head toward Ngorongoro Conservation Area. But before getting there, we will go on our first game drive in one of the smaller yet stunning parks in Tanzania.
At the base of the Rift Valley Escarpment is a small park, Lake Manyara National Park, roughly 2 hours drive away from Arusha. Unlike the savanna dominated parks, its ground water forests boasts a superior change of the scenery and a large variety of habitats. We will have the chance to move out of our vehicle and stretch our legs on boardwalks for a close encounter with animals dotting the lake shore.
We will have a picnic lunch in the park, where we will spend the most of the day before heading to our lodge in the late afternoon.
We'll spend the night in a lodge only a few hundred meters away from the Ngorongoro crater rim in a great location facing the dense forest. Wildlife frequently visit the lodge. Last time we were lucky to see elephants next to our room's private deck! Dinner will be taken at the lodge, buffet style.
A safari in African bush means waking up by sunrise, and today is no exception. We'll raise with the sun and right after breakfast, we will set off to drive down into Ngorongoro Crater floor for a game drive like no other.
A visit to Tanzania is not complete without experiencing the incredible beauty of the Ngorongoro Crater. The volcanic landscape is rich and fertile and attracts thousands of grazing animals and their predators. We'll visit the crater floor in search of Big 5 and abundant wildlife for 4-5 hours. We'll have a picnic lunch at an appropriate spot inside the crater before proceeding further to Serengeti National Park in search of the calving wildebeest migration in central or southern Serengeti, where the game viewing begins long before entering this world class reserve!
Overnight in a permanent tented camp with proper beds in Serengeti (ensuite).
Today is all about animals. We'll spend full day from sunrise to sunset on game drives in Serengeti to see the enormous herds of the Great Migration.
January to March is calving season in Serengeti, so we’ll make sure to see baby animals. There's also lots of predator action to be observed around these herds.
For those who wish, there is the option of taking a dawn Hot Air Balloon Ride (approx.. 600$ USD pp, can be booked at the venue) over the endless plains. It's an expensive activity but we think well worth it. What better way to start your game viewing day!
We'll either check in to our new tented camp before sunset or return to the same camp for overnight. The camps will be selected based on the migration route which has become unpredictable due to climate change, but all accommodation will come with proper beds and ensuite bathroom.
After breakfast, we will do one last sunrise game drive on our way to Seronera airstrip. Those continuing to Zanzibar will board the flight departing at 11:30 am.
If you have to bid farewell today though, you’ll be taking home joyful memories, one-of-a-kind tales and new friendships.
Please note: We recommend taking a domestic flight from Seronera airstrip for your onward travel, as otherwise it would be a very long and bumpy drive back to Arusha (8+ hours instead of a 1h flight). Please get in touch with us to discuss the best option for you.
Trip destinations: Moshi, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti ,Arusha
In the following sections, you'll find the essential information for Tanzania Kilimanjaro Marathon Safari Tour 2025:
The accommodation on this trip is a mixture of standard safari tented camps and lodges with proper beds (3 nights) in national parks and good quality, lovely establishments (3 nights) in towns specially chosen for their location, uniqueness, value for money, or excellent facilities. All tents/rooms have private ensuite bathroom.
All rooms and tents on all trips are shared with two people in each room/tent. You'll have the option of a double bed or two single beds. Rooms may vary slightly by layout and view and will be assigned based on booking order.
Solo travelers will be paired up with another participant. If you explicitly wish to have your own room/tent, or if we cannot find another participant to share that room/tent, there will be an extra surcharge as noted on the booking form.
We will be staying inside the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area not to waste time traveling between places so that we can maximize the safari experience. You should not miss the experience of hearing the hyenas or lions roaring in the distance in the night, and being woken up in the morning by the unique African sunrise.
Please note that this is Africa and one cannot expect the western standards in the places visited. Especially with respect to service, expect a lovely "laid back, unhurried" environment. In the bush, one should not expect Wi-Fi at all. Safari tented camps will run on solar powered lights and bucket showers providing a decent level of comfort yet maximum bush adventure.
On safari days, breakfasts and dinners will be taken at the dining facilities of the accommodation. Lunch will be packed and provided at check out, so that we can maximize the time spent on safari. While staying in towns, we'll have the freedom of trying out different restaurants, hence 1 dinner and 1 lunch are not included to diversify the options. Our guides will be happy to recommend good restaurants on the days when lunch or/and dinner are not included.
Vegetarians can be catered for if you inform us upon booking, however, note that the options can be extremely limited. For other dietary requirements (vegan, gluten-free, allergies, etc.), please contact us to discuss the best course of action for you.
We'll use 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and guaranteed window seat with 6 or less travellers per vehicle. Our group size is limited to 2 safari vehicles (12 pax at most).
Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date you arrive in Tanzania and have at least three blank pages, two facing each other.
Holders of ordinary passports issued by most nations, including EU nationalities (except Malta, Cyprus), the US, the UK, Turkey, need a visa to enter Tanzania. Please check the up to date list of visa-free countries here: https://visa.immigration.go.tz/guidelines
Tanzania has introduced an e-visa system through which applications can be submitted and approved online prior to travel (allow 2-3 weeks for processing). Please check the progress of the visa yourself on the visa.immigration.go.tz website using your application number. The visa is usually NOT sent by e-mail.
Alternatively, It's also possible to obtain a tourist visa on arrival for a single entry at the main ports of entry to Tanzania. You may be required to provide a proof of return ticket. Visas currently cost $50 USD for a single entry, with the exception of US citizens for whom a single-entry visa cost $100 USD.
Please consult the Tanzanian Embassy/Consulate (e.g. Berlin https://www.de.tzembassy.go.tz) in your country of origin for further information about visas, or visit the Tanzanian immigration website: https://www.immigration.go.tz
You must ensure that passports and visas are valid for the countries visited. If your passport is in its final year, you should check with the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
Disclaimer: The following information is intended as a guide only and is not intended to replace professional advice. We, at MAHO on Earth, cannot guarantee that the following information is complete, up-to-date, accurate, or error-free.
As of the publishing date, there are no mandatory vaccinations to enter Tanzania, however, since the information may change quickly, we advise you to follow up on the latest travel updates and/or contact your local embassy.
If you are entering Tanzania from a yellow-fewer region or have a transit time of more than 12 hours in these countries, you may need to present proof of yellow-fewer vaccination. If it is the case and you do not have the vaccination, you may be given it at the airport or refused entry. Please consult with your local authorities. Yellow fever vaccination is officially required for onward travel to Zanzibar.
The places visited on this trip pose a risk of Malaria. We do highly recommend that you obtain professional travel health advice at your doctor or an institute of tropical medicine with respect to your individual needs and your intended travel, including advice on vaccinations, anti-malarial and other medications based on your past vaccination history, your present medical condition, and your intended itinerary.
To join this trip, you'll need to have a reasonable level of fitness. While not too strenuous, the tour involves somewhat long journeys on gravel roads (this is Africa), a fair amount of walking, early-morning wake-up calls, being in the sun in potentially hot temperatures, cold nights/mornings, and other similar scenarios.
Requirements to participate to Kilimanjaro Marathon, Half Marathon, or 5K Run are as follows:
Full 42km Marathon 21 yrs and older, male and female
Half 21km Marathon 18 yrs and older male and female
5km FUN RUN – No official results will be produced, ages 10 years and older if unaccompanied by an adult. No age limit under adult supervision.
*Note: We require a copy of your valid passport and your written permission to collect the race entry number on your behalf. It's part of our service to you, however if you wish to collect your bib number yourself, you may do so on Friday 10am – 6pm (10h00 – 18h00) in Moshi. Theoretically, Saturday would be the last chance to collect your bib number, but this is not practical due to waiting in line for potentially several hours.
Can you skip the race?
Yes you can sign up for the trip and skip the race, though we think everyone should experience the 5K Fun Run at least, but equally we want everyone to have a good time.
This trip may not be suitable for people with special needs such as reduced mobility due to local conditions and activities. If in doubt, please contact us.
Please do not send sensitive information (such as health, accident or other highly personal information) through our contact form. You may want to get in touch with us directly via phone instead.
We do strongly recommend you take out travel insurance as soon as you make your deposit to ensure the most coverage. Your travel insurance policy should at least cover medical expenses, trip cancellations, activities you intend to do, and repatriation in the event of an accident or illness. We will reach out and collect your travel insurance and emergency contact details shortly before the departure date. Your trip price with us does not include any travel insurance. Travel insurance policies are generally speaking more economical when taken out locally in your country of origin.
On this trip, you are covered by Flying Doctors Services Insurance in Tanzania in case of emergencies. Please note, this service does not replace a proper travel insurance. The policy covers a speedy first-aid and air-transport from the bush to the nearest hospital. Medical care beyond this is not covered.
While your trip with us cover most of the expenses, things such as alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, snacks, laundry, visa fee, and tips for local guides/driver are examples of a few additional costs that might arise during your safari. Any optional activity is mentioned clearly so that you don't have to worry about hidden costs.
Tanzania accepts the USD or EUR for tourism. While credit cards are accepted, there is usually an additional fee up to 10%. ATMs are scarce outside of bigger towns. We recommend carrying some cash and budgeting around $20 – $50 USD/EUR per day for incidental expenses and tips.
Please note: Our tour prices do not include tips/gratuities for the local guides, as tipping is discretionary and should be based on your satisfaction with the service provided. It is however customary to express your appreciation for a job well done, and guidelines will be given on tipping local guides.
Further details and recommendations on what to pack will be provided prior to departure.
We care about getting to know our fellow travellers, hence we keep our groups small and intimate. Our tours usually run with 12 or fewer participants and require a minimum of 6 participants to take place. It will be an international group and the main language will be English. We also speak German and Turkish.
People from all walks of life and nationalities, singles, couples, friends, and families with a sense of adventure, an open mind, and an open heart can join our tours. We consider each trip as an opportunity to cultivate our travel persona with humility, curiosity, and respect, what we call a "Mindful Adventure".
Designing a trip is engineering work, and this is not a cookie-cutter tour. Maho and Tom, founders and owners of MAHO on Earth, curated this itinerary to make the best use of your hard-earned bucks and vacation days with lots of wonderful handpicked activities and locations included!
We want you to have the most rewarding experience possible. We take care of all the hassle of planning, and you can enjoy your vacation with peace of mind, not least because we support social projects and NGOs, and partner with the best local enterprises.
Join us on this Mindful Adventure, Highlands to Oceans!
To reserve your spot, please use our booking form!
Please note, the minimum age to participate in this tour is 18.
Should you need any support with your pre or post-tour travel arrangements, we are here to help.
Have we missed anything?
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or if you’re ready to make your Tanzania dream a reality.
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