Safaris

Marangu route 7 Days

Overview

Affordability: The Marangu route is the least expensive option for climbing Kilimanjaro.
Perceived Ease: It’s considered one of the least strenuous routes.
Hut Style Accommodation: Offers basic huts for overnight stays.
Acclimatization Challenge: Requires an extra day due to poor acclimatization.
Success Rate: Has a lower success rate due to being chosen by inexperienced trekkers.
Popular but Crowded: It’s one of the most popular routes, leading to higher crowding.
Same Path Both Ways: Uses the same trail for ascent and descent, adding to the traffic.
Gradual Slope: Features a steady, gradual slope for comfortable walking.
Limited Scenic Variety: Offers less diverse scenery compared to other routes.
Budget-Friendly: Ideal for budget-conscious trekkers seeking hut-style accommodation.

Marangu Route 7 Days Itinerary Highlights

Marangu route 7 Days Itinerary Pricing:

This is a private trekking, run exclusively for you and each vehicle holds a maximum of 7 clients. If an accommodation is fully booked we’ll suggest a comparable alternative where possible. All prices quoted are per person in USD (US Dollars) and are subject to availability and expire on the 31st December 2019. Please contact us for a quote for travel in 2020 and beyond.

Trekking Price

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha

Today is an acclimatization day of your Marangu route 7 Days and you will continue along a steep ridge passing the Great Barranco Wall passing below the Heim Glacier and through the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley where you will have views of the summit from many different angles.

Day 2: Marangu Gate 1,860m → Mandara Hut 2,715m

After breakfast you will depart Arusha and drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park, home to the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Standing at 5,895m high, it is known as the Roof of Africa. Upon arrival at the Marangu Gate you will sign in, complete your registration and other formalities before beginning your trek with your team of Guides, Chefs and Porters.

You will ascend through the rainforest on a cleared ridge where many of Kilimanjaro’s wildlife is found. An alternative and more scenic parallel trail follows a stream through the undergrowth and offers the option to re-join the main trail after 1.5 hours of Marangu route 7 Days hiking or just before you arrive at Mandara Hut.

You will spend the night at Mandara Hut consisting of A-framed huts offering 6-8 bunk beds with solar power and flush toilets. The total capacity here is 60 climbers and water is piped into the camp from springs.

Day 3: Mandara Hut 2,715m → Horombo Hut 3,720m

Today you will continue your Marangu route 7 Days along a steep ascent through the forest which later opens into high moorland where you will see some of Kilimanjaro’s spectacular flora and fauna. You will have the opportunity to walk to Maundi Crater which offers views of Northern Tanzania and Kenya and, weather permitting, you may get your first glimpse of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks which are two of the three volcanic peaks that make up the summit of Kilimanjaro

In the early afternoon you will arrive at Horombo Hut where you will rest while your Chef prepares dinner.

Day 4: Horombo Hut 3,720m → Kibo Hut 4,703m

For clients trekking Mount Kilimanjaro in 6 days today is an acclimatisation day. Horombo is usually bustling with hikers, guides, chefs and porters with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement and we highly recommend this additional acclimatisation day and night to give you a greater chance of summiting Mount Kilimanjaro. Today you will have the opportunity to hike towards to Mawenzi Hut passing the Zebra Rocks which is a 4-5 hour round trip approx. Today you will continue your ascent into alpine desert and to the Saddle before continuing to Kibo Hut where the summit is only 1,195m above you. Tonight you will enjoy an early dinner and retire to your tent where you will prepare for your hike to the summit later tonight. At 11:30pm you will be woken with tea or coffee and a snack before making your way into the night.

Day 5: Kibo Hut 4,703m → Uhuru Point 5,895m → Horombo Hut 3,720m

You will continue your trek into the early hours of the morning and the first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave at 5,510m where you will have the opportunity to have a short rest if required. You will continue along a steep path to Gilman’s Point at 5,681m which is located on the Crater rim and this is the most demanding section of the Marangu route.

From Gilman’s Point it is common to encounter snow all the way to Uhuru Peak, the summit of the world’s tallest free-standing mountain at 5,895m high. Here you will watch the sun rise from the Roof of Africa, a once in a lifetime experience. After time to enjoy the view you will begin your descent to Kibo Hut where you will have breakfast and some well-deserved rest before continuing your descent to Horombo Hut where you will spend your final night on the mountain.

Day 6: Horombo Hut 4,703m → Marangu Gate 1,860m

After a leisurely breakfast you will continue your descent to the Marangu Gate where successful climbers receive their summit certificate. Your vehicle will be waiting for you and will drive you to Arusha where the remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 7: Arusha

After a leisurely breakfast you will continue your descent to the Mweka Gate where successful climbers receive their summit certificate. Your vehicle will be waiting for you and will drive you to Arusha where the remainder of the day is at leisure.

This Package Includes

Arrival transfer from Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport to hotel
Pre trek accommodation at the Ilboru Safari Lodge in Arusha
Return transport from Arusha to Mount Kilimanjaro
Guide, Assistant Guide, Chef and Porters
Non participation, full service camping on Mount Kilimanjaro
Meals as specified and drinking water
All national park entry and climbing fees
Rescue fee
Post trek accommodation at the Ilboru Safari Lodge in Arusha
Departure transfer from hotel to Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport
All current Government taxes and surcharges

This Package Includes

– Arrival transfer from Zanzibar Airport to your hotel
– 3 nights accommodation in Stone Town with breakfast daily
– Stone Town Walking Tour
– Transfer from your Stone Town to Nungwi accommodation
– Spice Farm Tour with Lunch
– 3 nights accommodation in Nungwi with breakfast daily
– Departure transfer from your resort to Zanzibar Airport
– All current Government fees and taxes

Help Us Craft Your Dream Safari!

We’re excited to help you create the ultimate safari experience! Please take a moment to share some details with us about what you envision, and let us know your preferences. We can’t wait to make your dream adventure a reality!

Client Insights: Improving Our Service Experience

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 141 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Faris K 
 23 September 2026
 
 
 Verified Amazing Kilimanjaro climb with this team
My wife and I went on the Kilimanjaro climb, through the Machame route, and the Benson Safaris team, including the guides and the rest of the crew, were amazing people. We have traveled a lot and have been to many countries, but this team were the best. We felt very welcomed and supported throughout the multi-day hike. We had a great summit experience and a great celebration from the team after that. We will definitely go on the safari adventure with them. Genuinely great people.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   River H 
 22 September 2026
 
 
 Verified responsible, responsive
will remember our safari forever! Carlos was such a nice, responsible, and experienced guide. We had a pleasant 7 days with him. Fortune was very responsive and helpful when we were first looking into the itenerary. Overall good experience.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Martha A. 
 17 September 2026
 
 
 Verified Once in a lifetime safari
We had a great time during our safari with Benson Safaris. From the very beginning Fortune was helpful and attentive, helping us to design our itinerary and adjust it to our budget and preferences. We did a cross country safari and had two guides, Edmund in Kenya and Carlos in Tanzania. They both were kind, knowledgeable and always willing to go the extra mile to make our trip memorable. They have different personalities, naturally, but share the same sense of commitment and love for their work. I will always remember this experience and will be grateful to them for it.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   tom w 
 29 August 2026
 
 
 Verified four day safari across the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater
As a trip of a lifetime for the family, this safari had to be extra special and Benson Safaris ensured that every step of the way we were given one of the most amazing experiences we will ever have. From shaping the right trip for us, to pre-planning check lists to the most wonderfully warm and experienced staff, I cannot speak highly enough of the service we had. We deliberately chose a local operator, not only to support local businesses but to also have a more personal touch. Dolphine was always on hand to answer any queries while our guide Liberatus was so friendly and immensely experienced (he's been driving safaris for more than 15 years) - giving us confidence that we would have the best wildlife sightings timed to avoid the larger crowds. He even managed to find us two sightings of leopards, which are notoriously hard to spot! The children gave up the count of the number of different species we saw at 30 plus but the incredible images and memories of four days on the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater will stay with us forever.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   ashrique F 
 21 August 2026
 
 
 Verified Ashrique & Krishna
We travelled with Benson Safaris for our Kenya and Tanzania trip, and honestly, it was one of the best travel experiences we’ve had. From the start, the whole trip was very well planned. We crossed the Kenya–Tanzania border and then came back into Kenya, and all the immigration and border formalities were surprisingly smooth. The team was always there to guide us and help whenever needed, which made a big difference. The accommodations were another highlight. We stayed at some really beautiful places, but Olerai Lodge, Friends Camp and Khumbu Khumbu Luxury Resorts deserve a special mention. Each one had its own charm, and the food throughout the trip was genuinely excellent. After spending hours out on safari, coming back to a good meal and a comfortable place to stay was something we really appreciated. Our guides, Martin and Zab, were a huge part of what made the trip special. Martin was very knowledgeable and patient, and you could tell that he genuinely enjoyed what he was doing. And then there was Zab — the Mayor of Serengeti! Honestly, I’m not sure how the trip would have been without him. He talked constantly, cracked jokes, knew everyone we came across, and somehow always seemed to know where the animals were. But beyond being a great guide, he became a friend during the trip. Some of our best memories are simply from sitting in the jeep listening to Zab talk about life, the Serengeti and pretty much everything else. He has this wonderful way of looking at life — simple, positive and full of humour. By the end, it felt less like we had hired a guide and more like we were travelling around with a friend who happened to know the Serengeti incredibly well. The actual safari experience was unbelievable. The Great Migration, the river crossings, lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, zebras, wildebeests, hippos and all the smaller animals in between — there was something new every single day. What I really liked was that the guides didn’t just point out animals; they helped us understand what was happening around us and how the whole ecosystem fits together. We did this trip to celebrate our first wedding anniversary, so it was already going to be a special trip for us. But Benson Safaris and the team made it much more memorable than we expected. A big thank you to everyone at Benson Safaris, to Martin, and especially to Zab, the Mayor of Serengeti, for making this such an incredible experience. We would happily travel with Benson Safaris again. And if we do make it back to the Serengeti someday, I really hope the Mayor is still around to show us around.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Mobile732604 
 16 August 2026
 
 
 Verified Absolute Dream Safari! Flawless Logistics, Upgrades and the Best Guide
Wow, what an absolutely mind-blowing experience with Benson’s Safari! From the very first email to our final goodbye, they were spectacular every single step of the way. Fortune was our superstar booking agent. She custom-crafted multiple incredible options for us and pulled off absolute magic by scoring us last-minute upgrades at three of our hotels! Our guide, Zablone, was a true legend. He drove us from Arusha all the way to the Northern Serengeti with so much pride and enthusiasm. He went completely above and beyond, working tirelessly to ensure we witnessed a breathtaking river crossing. It was unforgettable! We felt completely taken care of because Benson's had a dedicated representative with us at every single transition. We never had to stress about a single logistical detail. Do not hesitate for a second to book with them—they are the absolute best!
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Kane 
 9 August 2026
 
 
 Verified GREAT!!! HAKUNA MATATA!
We had an extraordinarily valuable experience on this trip. Grace was highly responsible and responded promptly to all our inquiries. Mr. Benson was humorous and engaging, and our guide, Carlos, was a true professional with exceptional expertise. On top of that, their quote was completely transparent with no hidden fees. I highly recommend them!
  
 
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   Suzanne D 
 4 August 2026
 
 
 Verified The Safari of a Lifetime - thanks to Benson
We would highly recommend Benson! At first, we were a little hesitant about booking locally and paying the full amount in advance. However, from the very first moment, all our concerns disappeared. The communication was excellent, friendly, and professional. Our itinerary was completely tailored to our wishes and exceeded our expectations. Our first meeting with our guide, Zablon, immediately gave us confidence. He is incredibly experienced, knowledgeable, and passionate about wildlife and nature. Thanks to him, we enjoyed an unforgettable 9-day safari. The picnic lunches were perfectly arranged every day, and all of the accommodations were excellent. Everything was well organized and taken care of down to the smallest detail. Thanks to Benson and Zablon, we had the trip of a lifetime. If you're looking for a reliable company that creates a personalized safari experience with outstanding service, we can wholeheartedly recommend Benson.
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Christine K 
 3 August 2026
 
 
 Verified Tanzania Safari
Wonderful Safari. Guides were amazing. Knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. Sites were just beautiful. We were able to get to see all the animals and stayed at many wonderful lodges
  
 
     Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   DN 
 31 July 2026
 
 
 Verified Fijne en betrouwbare reisadviseur
Benson is een serieuze en betrouwbare adviseur. Zeer goede ervaring met reisadviseur Fortune Hyasinti (Tour Consultant /Planner). Flexibel, meedenkend, prettig contact, reageert snel, professioneel. Aanrader!

Safaris

Marangu route 7 Days

Overview

Marangu Route 7 Days Itinerary Highlights

Marangu route 7 Days Itinerary Pricing:​

Trekking Price

Day by Day Itinerary

This Package Includes

This Package Includes

Help Us Craft Your Dream Safari!

Client Insights: Improving Our Service Experience

Marangu route 7 Days Itinerary Pricing: