Hiking and trekking are the best ways to explore the stunning landscapes and volcanic residues of Tanzania. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro has to be the highlight of your tour while traversing the game reserves and checking out the Maasai lifestyle can be an engrossing experience.
Whether you prefer climbing to the peaks of Tanzania’s mountains, or just walking through the forests on the lower terrain for a couple of hours, trekking in Tanzania is great.
Without a doubt, Mount Kilimanjaro is the best known and a favourite of many visitors. No visitor trip is complete without a visit to this “Roof of Africa.”
It has six climbing routes and the trekking times can vary from 4 to 10 days. The popular routes are Machame, Marangu, Rongai, and Lemosho.
Mount Meru is not as famous as Mount Kilimanjaro, but it has its trekking attractions. It is located at Arusha national park, the height of Mount Meru is around 4,500 meters, and it is located at a distance of around 80 kilometres from Mount Kilimanjaro. The slopes of Mount Meru offer sanctuary to abundant wildlife including elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, and monkeys.
Usambara Mountains are located on the Tanga district of Lushoto. They cover an area 90 km long and border the sea. Trekking is popular in their tropical rainforests and volcanic outcroppings.
You can enjoy the stunning landscape of the Usambaras by hiking for between 3 to 8 days. You can also participate in cultural programs. You can also stay in clean homesteads and guesthouses and hotels. Local people are also very friendly, and you can have the time of your life if you let them accompany you to the peaks. You can plan your tour of the Usambaras according to your capacities and preferences.
Mount Hanang, which is located in the Lake Manyara region offers rewarding mountain treks and is also one of the least known trekking and hiking destinations. This volcanic mountain, which is Tanzania’s fourth tallest, is 3400 meters high. It rises majestically around the surrounding plains between the towns of Singida and Babati. And at times you can be the lone climber on the satisfying trek to the mountain. It is a good option for those climbers on a budget. The fact it is not located inside a national park also means you can save on fees.
The Uluguru Mountains is a hiker’s paradise. Located on the southeast of Morogoro, one of Tanzania’s most productive agricultural zones, and bordering Mikumi National Park, and Selous Game reserve, the fantastic Uluguru mountains attract you to its rainforest, bird sanctuary and peak after peak of greenery.
A favoured destination for hikers, and with stunning views from the top, they form part of the Eastern Arc Chain of Mountains.
Morningside is its chief attraction and is about 1000 feet above sea level.
If you’re young and healthy, going out on a hike and a trek is a good option to complement other attractions on your itinerary. Not every visitor can be an expert swimmer, diver and snorkeler but everybody can trek and hence trekking is a favourite pastime of all.
Also have a look at Must Try Things in Tanzania for more information.
KENYA, Mombasa: A photograph taken by the Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism (MEAACT), shows a general view of the Mombasa skyline opposite EnglishPoint Marina in Mombasa, 02 June 2015. The 4-acre ocean view EnglishPoint Marina represents an iconic landmark that overlooks the Mombasa skyline in a natural marina basin with a modern design and contemporary feel. The multi-million dollar marina resort features a 26-room hotel, conferencing facility, a roof-top restaurant, a casino, swimming pool, 96 serviced apartments including 8 penthouses seafront restaurant, gym and spa, as well as a boardwalk with retail outlets, water-sports centre and fully-serviced, 88-berth marina. MANDATORY CREDIT: MEAACT PHOTO / STUART PRICE.