Tanzania is Calling

Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 m) is the highest mountain in Africa and one of Tanzania’s most popular attractions. Tourists travel from around the world to climb “Kili”. Mt. Kilimanjaro has three volcanic cones, “Kibo” or “Uhuru Peak” (5895 m), “Mawenzi” (5149 m), and “Shira” (4005 m).

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is a truly rewarding experience and an activity that can be done before going on a safari or a relaxing trip to Zanzibar. You can climb the mountain all year round, however, we recommend avoiding the rainy season (April – May and November – Mid-December). Some of the best months to climb the mountain are January, March, and October. It is highly recommended to have a full medical examination before attempting to climb the mountain.

There are 7 official routes to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro to reach Uhuru Peak. The routes vary by starting location, difficulty, the number of climbing days, scenery, and congestion with other climbers. There is a lot to consider in choosing a route so please review the route descriptions below and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Northern Circuit Route

  • Starting location: West
  • Difficulty: High
  • Duration of Climb: 9 days (longest climbing route which is good for acclimatization)
  • Accommodations: Full catered camping
  • Scenery: Excellent - beautiful scenery from the west with variation through the north
  • Congestion: Not crowded as it is the longest and newest route

Lemosho/Shira Route

  • Starting location: Londorossi Gate on the western side of the mountain; Shira route starts higher than Lemosho which can make acclimatization more difficult
  • Difficulty: High
  • Duration of Climb: 6-8 days
  • Accommodations: Full catered camping
  • Scenery: Excellent - most beautiful route with panoramic views
  • Congestion: Not very crowded until trail connects with Machame route

Rongai Route

  • Nickname: Nalemeru Route
  • Starting location: North
  • Difficulty: Medium - flatter trails (though the final summit can be difficult)
  • Duration of Climb: 6-7 days
  • Scenery: Very good - less scenic than other routes but passes through true wilderness areas
  • Congestion: Not very crowded until trail connects with Marangu route

Machame Route

  • Nickname: "Whiskey Route" since it is somewhat difficult and more expensive than the Marangu route
  • Starting location: Machame gate in the south
  • Difficulty: High - due to longer days and steeper walks
  • Duration of Climb: 6-7 days
  • Accommodations: Full-catered camping
  • Scenery: Excellent and varied
  • Congestion: Can be crowded due to popularity of trail

Marangu Route

  • Nickname: "Coca-Cola" since it is perceived as being easier and less expensive
  • Starting Location: Southeast
  • Difficulty: Medium - more gradual slopes for a less difficult climb
  • Duration of Climb: 5-6 days (though it is difficult to reach the peak in 5 days without an extra day to acclimatize)
  • Accommodations: Dormitory style in huts
  • Scenery: Good, but  the ascent and descent routes are the same so you will get less variation
  • Congestion: Most crowded route due to popularity among less experienced hikers

Umbwe Route

  • Starting location: South
  • Difficulty: Very high - short and steep route (difficult for acclimatization due to short climb)
  • Duration of Climb: 5-7 days
  • Accommodations: Full catered camping
  • Scenery: Excellent - one of the most scenic routes
  • Congestion: Remote and quiet with low traffic

Meru

The dormant volcano of Mt. Meru (4565m) is located in Arusha National Park and is the second largest mountain in Tanzania (fifth largest in Africa). Often overlooked due to its proximity to its famous neighbor Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Meru offers a stunning view of Arusha and an unforgettable trek through beautiful scenery. Its lower slopes are covered in dense highland forest with diverse wildlife. As you climb the volcano’s base, you will reach a perfectly formed crater, an additional internal crater with sharp, sheer cliffs, and an ash cone that has formed a subsidiary peak. The Momela Lakes and Ngurudoto Crater are visible from the slopes of the mountain.

The Momela Route located on the eastern side of the mountain is used to climb Mt. Meru. You will be accompanied by an expert tour guide to assist your climb. Although there can be some steep cliffs, no technical equipment is required to climb Mt Meru. Treks typically take 3 days/2 nights, but climbers can choose to extend the climb to 4 days/3 nights if the last descend stretch of 7 hours on the third day might be too challenging. A typically itinerary includes:

Day 1:Morning drive to Momela Gate (1500m) to start the climb. Begin with a 3-hour walk to reach Mariakamba Hut, where you will spend the night. Take the afternoon to explore the Meru Crater.

Day 2:Climb for 3 hours along the steep Saddle walls to reach Saddle Hut, where you will spend the night. Explore Little Meru (3820m) via a 1.5-hour climb in the afternoon.

Day 3:Ascend to the summit of Mt Meru (4565m) in the early morning, which will take up to 5 hours. Return to Mariakamba Hut to spend the night OR descend to Momela Gate (7 hours).

Hanang

The volcanic Mt Hanang (3417m) overlooks the plains of the small town of Katesh, between Babati and Singida. A lesser-known mountain to climb in Tanzania, Mt. Hanang is Tanzania’s fourth highest mountain. The trek is great for hikers who are on a budget or would like a shorter trek. A climb up Mt. Hanang also fits nicely within our cultural safari packages.

With your lunch box, start to follow the narrow footpath of the Jorodom route through dense natural forest for three hours to reach a resting site and viewpoint. After another two to three hour climb, you will reach the top of Mt. Hanang where you can enjoy the fantastic views of the beautiful valleys below, the great Barbaig plains, and the famous Gidewari and Balan’gda lalu salt lakes.

If you would like to camp overnight on top of the mountain, you can arrange a two-day trek. You will reach the top of Mt. Hanang on the first day, spend the night, and then descend on the second day. The hike will be more relaxed and the pace of walking will be slower giving you more opportunities to enjoy the views.

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