Tanzania is one of Africa’s top hiking destination for its unmatched selections from long mountain ranges to a number of active, extinct and dormant volcanoes. The country also boasts some of the Eastern Africa arc mountains, which are classified as important biological zone for their high concentration of endemic plants and mammal species. Mt. Kilimanjaro, which is in the northern region of the country, is the world’s highest freestanding mountain. The Ngorongoro crater, also in the northern region, is the world’s widest crater that remains uneroded. In this guide, we shall cover some of the hiking trail available for trekkers in Tanzania.
1. Mt. Kilimanjaro- A trek to the rooftop of Africa
With an elevation of 5895 M a.s.l, Kilimanjaro Uhuru peak is the highest point in Africa. The mountain is one of the world’s most hiked trails, with over 35,000 climbers attempting to summit annually. This is mainly due to its picturesque sights found along the trail and that the mountain is not a technical climb. Hikers climbing Kilimanjaro have an option of following one of the 7 routes leading to the peak. However, most climbers prefer approaching the peak from the southern slopes, which is more accessible from Arusha, the commercial capital of the northern Tanzania region. It takes 7–11 days to successfully summit the mountain depending on the route you pick. Along the way you will enjoy sights of the different alphine habitat, including rainforest, bamboo forest, moorland, arctic desert and glacier. You will also come across a number of natural formations like the 300 foot tall lava towers, Barranco wall and shira plateau. To increase your success rate for summiting pick a route that offers ample time for acclimatization.
2. Mt Meru – Kili little sister
Mt Meru with an elevation of 4566 m a.s.l is the second highest peak in Tanzania. The stratovolcano that lastly erupted in 1910 is today dormant with an enormous crater at the center and several parasitic cones. The mountain is part of Arusha national park which is one of the most rewarding game sanctuaries in Tanzania. In the trail where you are escorted by an armed ranger, you will come across scenes of wildlife like giraffes and elephants grazing in the relatively open forest on the lower reaches of the mountain. The hike starts at an elevation of 1500 m and takes 2- 3 days to reach the summit, the socialist peak. Though the mountain is always overshadowed by the nearby Kilimanjaro Mt Meru features equally attractive alpine flora and natural features.
3. Ngorongoro highlands – crater walk and a bird paradise
The Ngorongoro highlands are ranges of dormant volcanoes on the periphery of the eastern branch of the great rift valley in northern Tanzania. Most people visit Ngorongoro for game drives on the floor of the main crater and ignore the adventurous hiking trails in the surrounding areas. The most sought after trail in Ngorongoro is the empakaai crater walk which leads to a small uneroded crater on the eastern highlands . The floor of the crater is mainly occupied by a soda lake that host a large flock of flamingo. Ol moti crater, also in the eastern highlands, is another popular trail featuring the munge waterfalls and ol moti marshlands. Hikers also embark on a crater walk round the main crater, where they enjoy the panoramic view of the floor of the crater featuring crater lakes and expanses of savannah grasslands; as well as the lush rainforest on the steep walls of the caldera. From different viewpoints in the highlands, you are able to sight other exciting features on the great rift valley like Ol Doinyo Lengai, Lake Natron and lake Eyasi.
4. Ol doinyo lengai – the only active volcano hike in Tanzania
Straddling the Ngorongoro highlands and Lake Natron is an active volcano rising to an elevation of 2960 m a.s.l. Despite being dwarfed by higher mountains like Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru, Ol Doinyo lengai is quite a challenging trail to pick. The trail is extremely steep, and the area gets harshly hot. To beat the noon sun, hikers at Ol doinyo lengai have to start the hike after mid night. This gives hikers enough time to cover the 5 km trail to the summit and descend before 1130 hrs. The Ol Doinyo lengai trail offer hikers an opportunity to have a view of a crater that is still perfectly shaped. There is evidence of ongoing volcanic activities in the crater, with the smell of Sulphur being felt as you approach the peak. From the peak of Ol Doinyo lengai you will enjoy an unbroken view of some of Tanzania’s most outstanding natural formation, including Kilimanjaro.
5. Usambara mountains – meet the people as you hike
The Usambara are mountain ranges in the lushoto region to the northeast of Tanzania. The mountains are part of the Eastern arc mountains, that are globally important for endemism and that extended from southern central Tanzania to southern Kenya region. The mountain range is one of the few destinations in Tanzania that can be accessed by road from both the coastal capital of Dar es Salaam and Arusha in the North. The ranges are classified into two sub ranges separated by a wide valley- East and west Usambara. Most of the hiking trails in Usambara starts in Lushoto town and lead to scenic places like waterfall, caves and viewpoints. Atop East Usambara is lake Magoroto, which is a picturesque azure water pond tucked in an extremely lush tropical forest. What set apart Usambara from other hiking trail in Tanzania is that hikers pass through traditional village where they have an opportunity to meet local communities along the trails.
6. Udzungwa mountains – most scenic montane vegetation
Also part of the Eastern arc mountains, Udzungwa mountain range boasts the most diverse habitat zones in Tanzania. The mountain in Southern-central Tanzania spread out from the low altitude coastal zone to high altitude alpine forest. The park is a popular hiking destination for trekkers yearning to discover some of the hidden sights of waterfalls, river valleys and extremely lush tropical forest. The montane forest is also a dwelling for wildlife like duikers, buffaloes, elephants, bush pigs, the senjo Mangebey, sykes monkey and Iringa colobus monkey. The udzungwa highlands have a wider range of hikes selection from day treks to multiple days hiking.
7. Mt Hanang climb – a hard climb to prepare for Kili hike
Mt Hanang is an extinct volcano in the Manyara region near Katesh Township and 240 km from Arusha. With an elevation of 3417 m a.s.l Mount Hanang is the fourth highest peak in Tanzania when counting all the three peaks in Kilimanjaro as one mountain. The mountain is part of the Mount Hanang nature forest reserve that spread out over 5000 Ha area in the Manyara region. Even though the volcano is not hiked as Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru, Mt Hanang is a perfect challenge for those seeking to attempt a tough climb. The mountain is actually the best day hike challenge you can take before climbing Kilimanjaro. Mt Hanang has 5 routes leading to the summit: Katesh route, Gendabi route, gitingi route and Jordom trail. It takes roughly 4- 6 hrs to ascent to the summit of the mountain. The hike is extremely steep uphill with the route to ascent being averagely 8 km long trail for an elevation gain pf over 1600 m a.s.l. During the hike, trekkers enjoy incredible sights of the extensive forest covering the lower reaches, a series of ridges as you go uphills, and beautiful granite rocks that majorly cover the western region.
8. Mahale mountain ranges trek- Meet the chimps
Mahale national park is on the far western region of Tanzania along its border with Congo and on the eastern shores of lake Tanganyika. The forest is nestled in a series of mountain ranges that are a dwelling for one of the world’s largest chimpanzee population. The mahale trek is not an easy trek and the difficulty will depend on the location of the chimpanzee you are trekking. Besides, the mountain range is a dwelling for a wide variety of endemic avian species. Hikers who would like to experience this incredible bird life have the 18 km trail to Nkungwe peak( 2520 m a.s.l). The Nkungwe range is isolated at the center of the extensive forest and is the most important birding spot in the region.
9. Mount Rungwe hike- View the scenic features in Tanzania and Malawi across
Mount Rungwe in Southern Tanzania is situated at the point where the eastern branch of the great rift valley intersects the western branch. With the mountain soaring at 2981 m a.s.l, Rungwe peak is the second highest point in the southern region after Mbeya peak. The trek to the Rungwe peak takes approximately 10 hrs to complete ascent and descent. The hike takes you through a wide range of flora from the miombo woodlands, grasslands, and montane rainforest. Lake lusiba a crater lake at the 2400 m elevation, is the most outstanding natural formation in the trail. At the peak you will enjoy the view of Mbeya peak, and a range of hills in malawi across.
10. Mt Longido – the rocky climb
Mt longido is a volcanic mountain in the Arusha region, just outside Longido town. The mountain has an elevation of 2637 m a.s.l. Though the mountain is often dwarfed by Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru, also in the Arusha region, a hike to the summit of Mt Longido is a whole new experience for its picturesque rocky sights. The name ‘Longido’ is a Masai term for ‘ place of the stones used in sharpening knife’. The trail covers about 13 km for the return trail, which is extremely steep for a hike inclination of about 1300 m altitude gain. Importantly, only a few people hike Mt Longido and the route is overgrown. There is a campsite on the top of the mountain where hikers can spend a night and enjoy the unending view of sceneries in Tanzania and Kenya across.
