Tanzania is a renowned hiking destination in Africa, crowned with the highest free-standing volcano in the world and almost bisected by chains of ancient mountain ranges, hiking in Tanzania takes on a high profile. With stunning scenery, a rugged terrain combined with fascinating vegetation to create several challenging and adventurous routes.
Here are some suggestions for the best places to go hiking in Tanzania.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro, a path to Conquer the seven summits. Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest point it is, therefore, a path and quite an adventurous one for you to conquer the seven summits. it can be climbed without technical skills or climbing equipment. In other words, a beginner without any experience on big mountains can safely and successfully make it to the top. This mountain draws over 40000 hikers’ yearly, taking a minimum of 5 days to successfully summit, however, an extra day for acclimatization is one you should consider
Mount Meru
At a height of 4,562.13 meters (14,968 ft.) Mount Meru is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania after Mount Kilimanjaro and the fifth-highest mountain in Africa. Mount Meru is the topographic centerpiece of Arusha National Park. often lost on the shadows of the Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru offers a highly scenic trek to the top. It takes a minimum of 3 days to successfully hike to the summit
Ngorongoro conservation area
Although most famed for its wildlife-filled centerpiece, Ngorongoro Crater, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) in Tanzania’s north is a wonderful destination in its own right, with rugged, scenic trekking and terrain varying from steep escarpments and grassy ridges to dense forests and volcanic peaks. There are no set routes, which makes for many possibilities. These include an overnight hike taking in the grassy summit and shallow crater of Olmoti peak and the breathtakingly beautiful crater lake of Empakaai; a day-hike up Makarot peak (3130m), complete with grasslands and wide views; and, a five-day walk from the northern edge of Ngorongoro Crater via lake-filled Empakaai Crater to the summit of the still-active Ol Doinyo Lengai, just outside the NCA’s boundaries. Mostly hiked as an extension after a safari to Ngorongoro crater and the Serengeti.
Mount Ol doinyo lengai
South of Lake Natron in the eastern rift valley of North Tanzania, lies Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai (locally regarded as the sacred Mountain of God in the Maasai Language), an active volcano. At 2878meters this mountain offers stunning views in the north from its summit crater lies the hot barren salt flats of Lake Natron stretch into the distance, beyond lies the Kenyan border. The view on the east is dominated by Mt Kilimanjaro and to the west the forested escarpments and hills comprising the western slopes of the Great African Rift Valley
The usambara mountains
situated in the northeastern part of Tanzania are known for their cool lovely climate, stunning viewpoints, wide panoramas, winding pathways, attractive vegetation and productive slopes favored in the colonial era, the area is rich of history making it one of Tanzania’s highlights. These range mountains are part of the ancient eastern Arc chain which stretches in a broken curve from the Taita hill in south Kenya to the southern highlands in Tanzania. These mountain ranges are one of the most favored hike locations in Tanzania with their beauty and a relatively lower budget in comparison to Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru & mount oldonyo lengai, it is a moderate hike and suitable for visitors of wide fitness levels.
The uluguru mountains
found in the southeast of the Morogoro Region (bordering Mikumi National Park). The main Uluguru Mountains is a ridge running approximately north-south and rising to 2,630 m altitude at their highest point. Uluguru can show you some of the world’s richest and most species-diverse rainforests, containing more than ten endemic reptilian and amphibian species and over a hundred endemic plants.
Udzungwa mountain national park
located in western Tanzania. The area covers the size of 1,990 km2 (770 miles2). The biodiversity of this park is by far one of Tanzania’s most special features making it an intriguingly offbeat destination for anyone botanically inclined. Habitats include mountain forests, tropical rainforests, Miombo woodlands, grasslands and steppe.
The park is known as the bird’s paradise as it hosts more than 400 bird species some of them are endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains and four of them are found only in Udzungwa. There is a vertical height range of 250–2,576 meters (the peak of Lohomero), with numerous forest trails, waterfalls offering different kinds of activities, the park is a true hikers paradise.
Leave a Reply