Trekking in Tanzania

1 Kilimanjaro

2 Routes on Kilimanjaro

3 Mount Meru

4 Crater Highlands Trek

5 Ol Donyo Lengai Trek

Kilimanjaro

Lying only three degrees south of the Equator and over five thousand metres above sea level, the snow-capped Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest and the world’s  highest fee-standing mountain. Kilimanjaro is notable for its dramatic geographical features as well as beautiful mountain vegetation, abundant bird life, and plentiful game. The mountain can be climbed at almost any time of the year although it is often wet in the rain forest zone during the rainy season in mid-March to May. The summit of Kilimanjaro can be conquered in a matter of 3 days climbing and 2 days descent by any reasonably fit person with the assistance of a guide and porters. The youngest person to have won this honour was an 11 years old, and the oldest to make the summit was 74.

ALTUTUDE HAZARDS/CHANGES:

As you are ascending up the mountain, the oxygen in the air is decreasing, due to this, the shortage of oxygen in the blood result to difficulty in breathing hence you are advice to acclimatize to adapt to the altitude by ascending slowly and maintaining the pace , avoid exertion, breath regularly and deeply.

Altitude/Acute Mountain Sickness: Result as inability of  human body to adjust to a rapid gain in altitude. Symptoms: loss of appetite, headache, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, lassitude, weakness, a rapid pulse even at rest, insomnia, swelling of hands, face and reduced urine output. When symptoms exist stop ascending and descending to a lower altitude, drug DIAMOX help reduce the severity

Pneumonia: This is coused by the inflammation of the lungs. Symptoms: rise in temperature, pain in chest, shivering, rapid breath and dry cough sometimes with red mucus. Cure involves keeping the patient warm, getting him to lower altitudes, provide warm drinks and antibiotics, and by beating chest to encourage coughing.

NOTE: Avoid environmental pollution.

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Routes on Kilimanjaro

Marangu route

Very popular. Gentle gradients and long sections up to 4700m. Beautiful forests and moorlands, comfortable but basic huts. The 6 day variant provides good time for acclimatisation.

Marangu Itinerary

Day 1: The route begins at the National park Marangu gate at a 1800m. It is a 3-4 hours walk through the fascinating rain forest to the Mandara hut at 2750m. Mandara is about 9km from the starting point.

Day 2: Leave the gently ascending path through the open alpine moor land. After 5-6 hours (about 12 km) Horombo Hut at 3750m is reached.

Day 3: After a good night rest one continues past the cactus-like groundsel and the “last water” stream and moves into the Lunar landscape of thsaddle between Kibo and Mawenzi. The Masoned Kibo Hut at 4700m is reached in 5-6hours after a gruelling 12km from Horombo.

Day 4: In the morning hours the start of the summit is made in order to reach the Uhuru peak. Enjoy the most spectacular and unforgettable sunrise. The descent is less and the night is spent at Horombo Hut.

 Day 5: Another half day leisurely walk and one is back at the park entrance again and be driven back to the office in Arusha.

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Machame Route:

Second most popular route nickname Whisky route . Beautiful forest, sometimes wild game can be sported along the trek, it offers best chances for acclimatization, advised to good trekers.

Machame Itinerary

Day 1: Drive from  Arusha to Machame gate. Begin trekking through the rainforest on a winding trail past the first uniport hut. The trek takes 5-7 hours overnight at Machame campsite (3100m)

Day 2: Morning breakfast and then leave the glades of the rainforest and continue trekking crossing a little valley and along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather and turn to the river Gorge at 3658m. Overnight at Shira campsite 3800m. 5-7hours trek.

Day 3: From Shira plateau continue trekking 5-7hours to lava tower called “The Sharks tooth” continue to the junction leading to arrow glacier. Overnight Barranco campsite 3950m

Day 4: Leave Barranco walk on a steep ridge passing the Barranco wall the karanga valley to Barafu camp. From Barafu one can have a good view of Kibo and Mawenzi peak. It is 8-9hours trek overnight at Barafu campsite 4600m

Day 5: Just after midnight trek to Stella point (5745m) on the way to the summit “Uhuru Peak” (5895m) trek takes 7-8hours and then descent for 5 hours for overnight at Mweka campsite (3100m)

Day 6: An easy trek down from 3-4hours to Mweka gate for your transfer to Arusha

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Rongai route.

Long drive to the gate, remote beautiful scenery and not frequently in use, wild game might be sported, high-altitude but easy to go through, good for acclimatization

Rongai Itinerary

Day 1:Drive to Kilimanjaro Rongai Gate (2100m). The walk start through the rain forest to Camp 1 (2800m) its 4hrs walk

Day 2:Trek through giant heathers and moorlands to Camp 2. a visit to Kikelewa Cave from the camp(3600m) 6hrs..

Day 3: Trek along the pinnacles of Mawenzi partly steep and camp by the Mawenzi Tarn camp, scenario view of Mawenzi peak and Uhuru peak on clear day(4330m)5hrs trek

Day 4: Proceed across the saddle desert of Mawenzi. Its is a tough short walk to Kibo hut(4730m)4hrs.

Day 5: Very early start for the summit via Gillman's Point(5681m) on the crater rim. Continue around the rim to Uhuru Peak(5895m). Descend to the camp for lunch/short rest and then walk down to Horombo Hut.12hrs walk.

Day 6: Slowly descend to Marangu gate for your certificate, hence drive back to Arusha END.

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Umbwe route

This is the Shortest toughest and steepest route of all but with beautiful forest and spectacular ridge, good for acclimatisation,

Umbwe Itinerary

Day 1: Drive to the Umbwe Gate at 1800m. trek leads through steep natural rain forested ridge first campsite Umbwe cave(2940m)6hrs walk.

Day 2: Shortly cross the forest to a spectacular ridge with superb views of the icy Breach Wall up leaving the Great Barranco gorge below. Overnight at  Barranco camp(3940m)4hrs trek..

Day 3: Ascend easily to the top of Great Barranco and cross the ridges to  Karanga Valley campsite( 4000m)3hrs.

Day 4: The trail ascends leaving the beautiful vegetation of Karanga Valley to Barafu camp(4600m.)3hrs walk,

Day 5: Starting just after midnight for the SUMMIT ascent via Stella Point(5725m.) continue with ascend to Uhuru Peak for sunrise. Descend to the Barafu camp for a short rest/hot lunch before continuing down to  Mweka camp(3100m), 14hrs.

Day 6: A lovely 4 hour descent through beautiful forest brings you to the Park Gate for your certificate. Drive back to Arusha END.

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Lemosho route (2100m)

Long drive to the starting point, longest trekking remote route, not commonly in use, beautiful forests with wild animals, offering superb views of the Southern Ice-fields. Excellent for acclimatization.

Lemosho Itinerary

Day 1: Drive from hotel to Londorossi park gate, the trek starts on glades of Lemosho  Walk along thick canopy forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite for overnight, (2750m) trek takes 3 hrs.

Day 2: The trail is steepy and crosses several streams in the giant heather zone to Shira Plateau, camp along Shira stream. (3500m) it takes5hrs.

Day 3: It’s a very  gentle (pole pole) walk across the plateau to Shira Hut camp on moorland meadows by a stream (3840m). A beautiful scenario view and short walks along the plateau making excellent acclimatization day.

Day 4: It is the only a short rocky path part leading east-wards to Lava Tower. a short descend like to Barranco campsite (3950m) trek takes 5hrs.

Day 5: Ascend easily to the top of the Barranco wall and then a traverse over the ridges to Karanga Valley campsite (4000m.) its 3hrs trek

Day 6: The trail continue ascending along the valley to Barafu campsite with little vegetation (4600m) 3hrs

Day 7:This is the CLIMAX. Just after midnight start the ascent of the SUMMIT via Stella Point (5725m)5hrs. From here to Uhuru Peak is 40min walk. After sunrise Descend to Barafu camp for a rest and hot lunch before continuing down to Mweka camp (3100m)the whole trek take 14hrs.

Day 8: A lovely easy 4hrs descent through beautiful forest brings you to the Mweka Park Gate. Collect your certificate then drive back to Arusha. END

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Mount Meru

Mount Meru itinerary

 Day 1:Start from Momella Gate to hike to Miriakamba camp. Enjoy an afternoon of leisure and a nice dinner in the evening.

 Day 2: After breakfast proceed to Saddle camp and towards little Meru, which will take about 5 hours. You will have lunch on the way and dinner in the evening at the campsite.

Day 3: Ascend to the summit of Meru and then descent all the way to the Momella Gate. Have lunch enroute and enjoy your dinner in the evening in Arusha.

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Crater Highlands Trek

We offer several energetic treks which takes us through some of Africa's most magnificent game country from the cool and partly forested Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the dry heat land of Lake Natron in the Rift Valley. There are several itinerary which combines the highland treks with Ngorongoro crater, As well as other parks you may wish to visit. The trek in the highland is definitely camping. During the trek, you will be accompanied by armed ranger, You will have a Massai warrior who will be guiding the Donkeys which will be carrying all your luggage and camping gears. Program can be tailored to suit your time and interest, bellow is just a sample

Crater Highland trek itinerary sample

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Ol Donyo Lengai Trek 2878m (9650ft),

This 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, It is regarded as a sacred mountain. North side view from Mt Lengai peak, the hot barren salt flats of Lake Natron stretch into the distance. Southern view stretch the Crater Highlands in Ngorongoro Area. The eastern view Kilimanjaro can be seen on clear days and to the west, forested escarpments and hills of Rift Valley dominates. About every seven years Lengai. It is possible to walk across the crater floor to the edge of the molten lavas.

L.Natron & Mt Oldonyo Lengai Visit

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