Tanzania · Locally owned · Book direct
Tanzania, with the people who call it home.
Kilimanjaro climbs, Serengeti and Ngorongoro safaris, and Zanzibar stays, planned and led by a local team based at the foot of the mountain. You deal with us directly, every trip is built around your dates and pace, and the price comes with no hidden costs.
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Led by local guides
Licensed Tanzanian guides and a 100% local crew
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Direct booking, fair pricing
No hidden costs and no inflated tourist markups
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100% tailor-made trips
Built around your dates, pace and budget
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Permits and logistics handled
Park permits, transfers and details arranged for you
Why Intrepid
Three things you get when you book with a local team.
Most Tanzania trips are sold by an agent overseas and handed to an operator you never meet. We are that operator. You plan with us, travel with us, and pay us directly.
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01Guides
A mountain guide runs this company.
Our founder, Wenceslaus Tarimo, was born and raised at the foot of Kilimanjaro and has guided climbers across its major routes. Trips are planned by people who know the trail and the parks firsthand, not by a sales desk.
Licensed local guides and a 100% local crew on every trip
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02Pricing
A fair price with nothing hidden.
You book with the operator, so there is no agency layer added on top. Your quote sets out what is included before you commit, and you pay for real experiences, not inflated tourist markups.
Free quote, no obligation to book
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03Trip design
Built around your pace, not a template.
Every climb, safari and beach stay is tailor-made. Tell us your dates, fitness and budget, and we shape the route, the number of days and the stays to fit. We handle the permits and logistics.
Kilimanjaro, safari and Zanzibar in one itinerary if you want it
Not sure which route or park suits you? Tell us roughly what you have in mind and we will suggest an itinerary.
Ask for a free itineraryMeet the founder
I grew up at the foot of Kilimanjaro. Now I take people up it.
I am a Tanzanian tour operator and mountain guide, born and raised in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. I have spent years guiding climbers across the mountain's major routes and designing tailor-made safaris across Tanzania. For me this is not just a business. It is a way of life.
I am also a long-distance runner, and the marathons I have run taught me discipline, endurance and attention to detail. I bring the same to every trip. On the summit trail or across the savannah, I lead with safety, integrity and deep local knowledge.
Marathons run
- Boston
- Berlin
- New York City
- Chicago
Wenceslaus Tarimo
Founder and mountain guide, Intrepid Treks and Safaris
Signature trips
Five safaris worth starting from.
Each one is a complete itinerary you can book as it is, or a starting point we reshape around your dates, group and budget.
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Great Migration 5Days
5 Days Great Serengeti Migration Safari
Built around the Great Wildebeest Migration. Two full days in the Northern Serengeti where the herds gather, a day in the Central Serengeti, then down into the Ngorongoro Crater before you head home.
From$1,520per person
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Classic first safari 7Days
Tanzania Safari Adventure
The classic introduction to the northern circuit, with two days in the Serengeti and a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater.
From$1,358pp
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Mara River crossing 9Days
Great Migration and Mara River Crossing
Timed for the river crossings, with two days at the Mara River in the far north of the Serengeti.
From$2,059pp
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Safari + Zanzibar 12Days
Safari and Beach Escape
Six days on safari including the Mara River, then a flight to Zanzibar for four days by the Indian Ocean.
From$2,784pp
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Remote south 11Days
Southern Tanzania Safari
Six days in Ruaha and three in Nyerere. Vast wilderness, far fewer vehicles, and more than standard game drives.
From$9,650pp
Prices are per person in USD and change with season, group size and accommodation level. International flights, visas and tips are not included.
Get an exact quote for your dates
Climb Kilimanjaro
Africa's highest summit, with a crew that grew up beneath it.
Seven routes lead to Uhuru Peak, and the right one depends on your fitness, your dates and how much time you can give the mountain. We handle the permits, the crew and the planning. You do the walking.
- 5,895mUhuru Peak elevation
- 7Routes we guide
- 7 to 9Days we recommend for the climb
- 100%Local crew, permits handled by us
Choose your route
Longer routes give your body more time to adapt to altitude, which is the single biggest factor in reaching the summit.
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015 to 6 days
Marangu
The Coca-Cola Route
The only route with permanent mountain huts instead of tents. You go up and come down the same trail.
- Sleeping
- Mountain huts
- Scenery
- Moderate
- Crowds
- High
Best for: climbers who would rather not camp.
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026 to 7 days
Machame
The Whiskey Route
Rainforest, heath and moorland in one climb. You walk high by day and sleep lower at night, which helps you adapt.
- Sleeping
- Tents
- Scenery
- Excellent
- Crowds
- High
Best for: strong scenery and a proven summit record.
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037 to 8 days
Lemosho
Western approach
Widely regarded as one of the most scenic and best-balanced routes, with very high summit success.
- Sleeping
- Tents
- Scenery
- Excellent
- Crowds
- Low to medium
Best for: first-time climbers who can spare 7 or 8 days.
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048 to 9 days
Northern Circuit
The longest route
Circles the rarely visited northern slopes. The strongest acclimatisation profile and the highest summit success on the mountain.
- Sleeping
- Tents
- Scenery
- Excellent
- Crowds
- Low
Best for: the best odds of reaching the top.
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056 to 7 days
Rongai
Northern approach
The only route that starts on the north side, near the Kenyan border. Gentler gradients and drier conditions.
- Sleeping
- Tents
- Scenery
- Very good
- Crowds
- Low
Best for: the wetter months and quieter trails.
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067 to 8 days
Shira
High western start
Closely related to Lemosho but begins at a much higher altitude, with quiet trails in the early stages.
- Sleeping
- Tents
- Scenery
- Excellent
- Crowds
- Low to medium
Best for: climbers already used to altitude.
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076 to 7 days
Umbwe
Steepest and most direct
Rapid altitude gain along narrow ridges with very limited time to acclimatise. The most demanding route.
- Sleeping
- Tents
- Scenery
- Very good
- Crowds
- Very low
Best for: experienced, well-acclimatised trekkers only.
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Not sure which route?
Tell us your fitness, your dates and whether you have been at altitude before. We will recommend a route and the number of days, and explain why.
Special climbs and other peaks
Prepare for your climb
Where we go
Nine places, nine very different days.
Tap a pin to see what each place is known for, when to go and how far it is from our base in Moshi. Most trips combine three or four of them.
Simplified map. Travel times are from Moshi.
Northern Tanzania
Serengeti National Park
Open plains to the horizon and the stage for the Great Wildebeest Migration. Lions, leopards and cheetahs are here all year, and from July to October the herds cross the Mara River in the far north.
- Best months
- June to October, January to February
- From Moshi
- About 7 to 8 hours by road, or a short flight
- Known for
- The Great Migration and big cats
Beach and day trips
Finish on the coast, or see more of our home.
A few days in Zanzibar is the classic way to end a safari or a climb. And if you have a free day in Moshi before or after your trip, there is plenty to do close to town.
White sand after the dust.
Walk the carved-door lanes of Stone Town, meet the giant tortoises on Prison Island, look for red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest and snorkel off Mnemba. Then do nothing at all for a day or two.
- Stone Town
- Prison Island
- Jozani Forest
- Mnemba snorkelling
- Spice farm
3-day stay from$690per person
See Zanzibar packages
One free day? Use it well.
Hike to Materuni waterfall and learn how coffee is grown and prepared in a Chagga village, swim in the Chemka hot springs, or spend the day at Lake Chala. Every outing starts and ends in Moshi.
- Materuni waterfall and coffee
- Chemka hot springs
- Lake Chala
- Kilimanjaro day hike
- Maasai village
- Marangu cultural tour
- Moshi bike tour
- Polish war refugees cemetery
Day trip pricingOn request
See all day tripsWant all three? We can build Kilimanjaro, a safari and Zanzibar into one itinerary, with the transfers and flights between them arranged.
Plan a combined tripBy the numbers
Numbers we can stand behind.
No inflated claims. Each figure here is one you can check for yourself before you book.
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4
Major marathons run by our founder
Boston, Berlin, New York City and Chicago. The same discipline goes into pacing your climb.
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17
Safari itineraries, from 4 to 18 days
Plus 7 Kilimanjaro routes and Zanzibar stays. Every one can be reshaped around you.
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Hidden costs or agency markups
You book with the operator. Your quote shows what is included before you commit.
We would rather show four numbers we can prove than ten we cannot.
The Intrepid standard
What every safari includes.
The cheapest quote is often the one with the most left out. Ours spells out what you get, and what you will still need to pay for yourself.
Climbing Kilimanjaro? Park permits and a fully local mountain crew are handled by our team. Ask for the full climb inclusions.
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Your own certified guide
A certified, English-speaking guide dedicated to your group for the whole safari. Not a shared vehicle with a driver you met that morning.
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Private 4x4 Land Cruiser
Pop-up roof for game viewing, with a fridge, power outlets and Wi-Fi on board.
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Park fees already in the price
National park entry and concession fees are part of your quote, so there is nothing to pay at the gate.
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Flying Doctors cover and 24/7 support
AMREF Flying Doctors emergency evacuation cover, a medical kit in the vehicle and a phone line that is answered around the clock.
Also included
- All transfers in your itinerary
- Accommodation as specified
- Meals as specified
- Bottled water and drinks on game drives
- Binoculars in the vehicle
- Medical kit in the vehicle
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips for your guideAround $30 to $50 per vehicle per day is customary
We list these so there are no surprises when you arrive.
From the field
Our trips, our guests, our photos.
Everything in this gallery was taken on an Intrepid trip, by our guides, our crew or the guests who travelled with us. No stock images and nothing borrowed from anyone else.
Your photos could be next. Tell us what you want to see and we will plan the trip around it.
Plan my tripGuest words
What travellers said after they got home.
Excellent
56 reviews on Tripadvisor
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Bucket list
I want to start with a huge thank you to Wence and his incredible team. This visit was truly special...
Read the full reviewChristina R
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Mount Kilimanjaro climb
Our experience with Intrepid Travel on our Mount Kilimanjaro hike was truly exceptional. From start to finish, they took great care of our needs...
Read the full reviewSabah S
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Great from start to end!
The 7 days Machame tour with Intrepid Explorer was a great experience and we can definitely recommend booking...
Read the full reviewTraveler608700
Do not take three quotes as proof. Read every review, including the critical ones, on Tripadvisor before you decide.
Read all 56 reviewsTravel guides
Planning notes from people who live here.
The questions we are asked most before a trip, answered properly. Read them before you book with anyone, including us.
Start here
Kilimanjaro · Safety
Mount Kilimanjaro climbing safety
Altitude is the real risk on Kilimanjaro, not the terrain. This guide explains how climbers are monitored, why pace and hydration matter, and what happens if someone needs to come down.
- Altitude monitoring
- Pace and acclimatisation
- Cold protection
- Rescue and evacuation
- 01 Planning Best time to visit Tanzania When to come for the migration, for the summit and for the beach.
- 02 Kilimanjaro Kilimanjaro packing list Layers, boots, sleeping gear and the small things people forget.
- 03 Kilimanjaro Kilimanjaro training program How to get your legs and lungs ready in the months before the climb.
- 04 Kilimanjaro Meals on the mountain What you will eat at altitude and how dietary requirements are handled.
- 05 Entry requirements Tanzania visa Who needs one and how to apply before you fly.
Free to read
The Kilimanjaro prep kit.
A good summit day starts months before you fly. These three guides cover what to pack and how to train, plus what it costs to rent gear in Moshi if you would rather not buy it. No email, no sign-up.
- Guide 1 Kilimanjaro packing list Layers, footwear, sleeping gear, health items and documents.
- Guide 2 Kilimanjaro training program How to build up in the months before you fly.
- Guide 3 Gear rental prices What you can rent from us and what each item costs.
Check us out
Everything here can be verified.
- TripadvisorRated Excellent56 traveller reviews
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Guest protectionAMREF Flying DoctorsCover included on safaris
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Locally ownedBased in KilimanjaroTanzanian founder and crew
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PaymentMajor cards acceptedVisa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover
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Licensed operatorTALA licenceNo. ADD NUMBER
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AssociationTATO memberMembership no. ADD NUMBER
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Porter welfareKPAP partnerFair treatment of porters
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OtherADD CREDENTIALName and number
Want to see a licence or certificate before you book? Ask us and we will send a copy.
Talk to us
Ask a mountain guide, not a call centre.
Tell us roughly what you have in mind. We will come back with an honest recommendation, a draft itinerary and a price. It costs nothing and you are under no obligation to book.
- WhatsApp+255 767 686 905
- Call+255 767 686 905
- Emailinfo@intrepidtrekssafaris.com
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Based inKilimanjaro, Tanzania
Wenceslaus Tarimo
Founder and mountain guide
On WhatsApp
Answers
Straight answers to the questions people ask first.
Six of the most common, answered the way we would on a call.
No. Kilimanjaro needs no ropes and no technical climbing skills. What it does need is good physical fitness, mental preparation and proper acclimatisation.
The main challenge is altitude, not strength. Success depends more on pacing and adapting to altitude than on strength.
It depends on your fitness, how much time you have and what you prefer. Lemosho and the Northern Circuit give better acclimatisation. Marangu is shorter and uses huts instead of tents.
Longer routes with gradual altitude gain significantly improve your chances of reaching the summit safely. Tell us about yourself and we will help you choose the route that fits.
Safaris run all year. What changes is what you see:
- June to October is the dry season and the best for wildlife viewing.
- January to February is wildebeest calving season in the southern Serengeti.
- July to September brings the Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti.
- Kilimanjaro is best in January to February and June to October, when skies are clearer.
- March to May is the main rainy season, with fewer visitors and green landscapes.
Private, unless a trip says otherwise. You travel with your own vehicle, your own guide and your own schedule, so you can stay longer at a sighting or leave earlier in the morning without asking anyone else.
Yes. Every itinerary can be adjusted to your dates, budget, interests and pace. Customising is how we work, not an extra you pay for.
Any safari can also be extended with a stay in Zanzibar, Mafia or Pemba.
Included: transfers in your itinerary, accommodation and meals as specified, a certified English-speaking guide, a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, national park entry and concession fees, bottled water and drinks on game drives, and AMREF Flying Doctors cover.
Not included: international and domestic flights, visa fees, travel insurance and tips for your guide.
Ready when you are
Tell us how you want your Tanzania to feel.
A summit at sunrise, a week among the herds, a few slow days by the ocean, or all three. Send us a note and we will reply with a real itinerary and a real price.
- Free quote
- No obligation to book
- Every trip tailor-made
Wenceslaus and the Intrepid crew Kilimanjaro, Tanzania