Tanzania Mountain Trekking

Mount Kilimanjaro Trek

Mount Kilimanjaro is a symbol of the compelling beauty of East Africa. Not only is Kilimanjaro the highest peak on the African continent; it is also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, rising in breathtaking isolation from the surrounding coastal scrubland to an imperious 5,895 metres (19,340ft).

Kilimanjaro is one of the world’s most accessible high summits, a beacon for trekkers from around the world. Most climbers reach the crater rim with little more than a walking stick, proper clothing and determination. Those who reach Uhuru Peak, the actual summit, or Gillman’s Point on the lip of the crater, will have earned their climbing certificates.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

There is so much more to Kilimanjaro than her summit. The ascent of the slopes is a virtual climatic world tour, from the tropics to the Arctic.

Even before you cross the national park boundary (at the 2,700m contour), the cultivated foot slopes give way to lush montane forest, inhabited by elusive elephant, buffalo, the endangered Abbot’s duiker, and other small antelope and primates. Higher still lies the moorland zone, where a cover of giant heather is studded with otherworldly giant lobelias.

Above 4,000m, a surreal alpine desert supports little life other than a few hardy mosses and lichen. Then, finally, the last vestigial vegetation gives way to a winter wonderland of ice and snow – and the magnificent beauty of the roof of the continent.

Mount Kilimanjaro Quick Facts

• Height: 5,895 m
• Size: 100 km x 65 km
• Location: Tanzania, near Kenyan boarder in East Africa
• Volcanoes: Kibo, Mawenzi, Shira
• Eco Systems: Bushland, Forest, Heath, Alpine, Arctic
• Nearby Cities: Moshi, Arusha
• Nearby Airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport

Contact World Air Travel & Tours now to book your Mount Kilimanjaro trek.

Click the route of your choice in the map for more details about Kilimanjaro climbing routes.

 

Mount Meru Trek

Mount Meru is one of Africa ‘s highest and most beautiful volcanoes.

The route to the summit passes through parkland, montane forest, a giant heather zone and moorland. Finally, the summit is reached by a narrow, barren ridge which provides stunning views of the ash cone lying several thousand feet below in the crater and Kilimanjaro in the background.

Over 400 species of birds, rhino, elephant, buffalo, baboon, warthog, black and white Colobus monkey and duiker are all found in this delightful “gem amongst parks”. The visit to the Ngurdoto Crater and Momella Lakes, with their superb scenery, flamingoes and other wildlife, is an unforgettable experience.

Mount Meru 3 Day Trek

The group will be accompanied on Mount Meru by a park guide and porters.  On the mountain we use dormitory style huts. A sleeping bag and mat are required for the huts.

A game drive in the Arusha National Park can be included on the last day of the trek.

Safari Itinerary

Day 1

After breakfast we drive to the start point from Momella Gate (1,500 m).

The track soon passes through open grassland and we enjoy game viewing. You can see buffalo, warthog, elephants and more and we then continue at a steady climb through montane forest. You can have your lunch at the famous “Fig tree”.

After lunch the trek continues through less dense forest, where there are a lot of birds and monkeys including the black and white colobus. By mid afternoon, you will see the first close views of the towering cliffs and the ash cone.

Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m), situated in idyllic grassy glade, is reached in time to enjoy the last of the afternoon sun and beautiful views over the surrounding plains towards Kilimanjaro. It takes about 4 to 6 hours walking. Ascent is 1,014 m.

Day 2

The walk from Miriakamba Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a short day but a steep sustained climbing all the way.

Starting through attractive, open and lush montane forest, the path continues beyond the halfway point of Elephant Ridge and carries on uphill through the giant heather and other moorland vegetation to reach Saddle Hut (3,570 m) and lunch.

The afternoon is free to rest and enjoy the views. The ridge is now very obvious and it can be seen curving away and up to the summit, although it is still a long way. There are good views down into the crater, with the ash cone rising in the centre. The path is a little exposed as it traverses the rocky ridge, with fine views across into Kenya and the Maasai Hills.

The summit is reached after 5–6 hours. The descent follows the way up (it is tempting to go down the other ridge to make a traverse, but this is strictly forbidden).

For those energetic ones, you can make the short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru (3,820 m) for superb views just before sunset. It takes about 3 – 5 hours walking. The ascent is 1,056 m.

Saddle Hut is similar to Miriakamba but water is collected from a stream about 10 minutes away.

Day 3

An early start at around 0200 hrs to climb steeply to Rhino Point (3,800 m).

The path continues along an undulating ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point (4,350 m) at around sunrise. The views are stunning: the cliffs of the crater rim, the ash cone rising from the crater floor, Kilimanjaro floating on the morning clouds, and the Rift Valley if the weather is clear.

The summit of Socialist Peak (4,566 m) is an hour more on a superb but often steep path. The route back to Rhino Point in the sharp morning light along a narrow ridge between the sloping outer wall of the crater and the sheer cliffs of the inner wall is one of the most dramatic and exhilarating walks in Africa.

A fast descent through open grassland and mixed forest, with good chances of seeing wildlife. This trail has excellent views back towards the crater and over the plains of the National Park. Momella Gate is reached by late morning. It takes about 2 to 3 hours walking. Descent 1’014 m.

You will then be picked up and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Please Contact World Air Travel & Tours to book your Mount Meru Trekking Safari.

Ol Doinyo Lengai Trek

Ol Doinyo Lengai is an active volcano in northern Tanzania, lying just south of Lake Natron. It is located in the Rift Valley, in the heart of Masaai country, and locally regarded as a sacred mountain.

Looking north from its summit crater, the hot barren salt flats of Lake Natron stretch into the distance. To the south stretch the Crater Highlands and the Ngorongoro Game Reserve. The eastern horizon is dominated by Kilimanjaro and to the west the forested escarpments and hills comprising the western slopes of the Rift Valley.

About every seven years Lengai erupts and plumes of smoke billow out of the crater. It is usually possible to walk across the crater floor, often to the edge of the molten lavas.

The ascent of Lengai is demanding on account of the heat during the day, lack of water, steep and unstable slopes of ash and crumbly rocks and the considerable height gain (1,600).

Starting at midnight from Lake Natron it is just possible to reach the summit by dawn at a gentle pace. Although shorts and a warm jacket are suitable for the ascent, long trousers might be more pleasant as the summit just before dawn can be cold. Our access route from the north-west allows an early descent to be made from the summit in the morning shadow.

We offer a fully guided climb, the trip is suitable for a fit mountain walker with some scrambling experience.

In the early morning (6:00 AM) we drive to the base of the Ol Doinyo Lengai mountain to start the climb. We reach the summit during sunrise and spend sometime there before coming down to the base of the mountain. From there clients will be transferred by jeep to your camp/lodge for a shower and rest.

The Ol Donyo Lengai trek can be included in your Northern Tanzania Safari.

Contact World Air Travel & Tours to book your safari climbing Ol Donyo Lengai.

Mount Makarot Trek

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers many opportunities for walking, but we believe that Mount Makarot is the best in terms of scenic beauty. Mount Makarot is shown on some maps as Mt. Lemagarut.

We will depart after breakfast with a drive down the road to Endulen and a village known as Misigiyo where the walk will commence.

The trek starts through the densely packed acacia trees valley, from where you will unexpectedly emerge into a scrubby and grassland. It is a stiff climb of about 2 hours to the peak which, once on it, offers you good views of Lake Eyasi and Endulen.

From there you will continue for another half an hour through some beautiful, high altitude forests. You may see signs of animals such as buffalo and baboons. Eventually you have to scramble up another 200 metres to the peak of Makarot itself.

From there you will be rewarded with an outstanding view and the feeling that you are standing on the roof of the world. In front of you the ground falls away to the Lake Eyasi, the western wall of the Rift Valley, Lake Ndutu, Olduvai Gorge and the plains of the Serengeti. In the distance you can see the Gol Mountains. To your left you can see Mt. Oldeani, and to your right the western part of the Ngorongoro Crater.

Depending on the time of year, the beauty and variety of wild flowers is remarkable. You can enjoy your picnic lunch while admiring the view. Then you descend either by the way you came through or down the northern slopes of Makarot towards the Serengeti plains and rendezvous with your car on the road to the Serengeti.

The total walk lasts 5-6 hours.

Contact World Air Travel & Tours to book your Mount Makarot trekking safari.

Please note:

• This walk requires a reasonable level of fitness and bear in mind that you will be at altitudes in excess of 2,500 metres.
• In some areas there are stinging nettles. It is advisable to wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts.