Mountain Hiking
We offer two options of hiking for people who want to do some hiking in Tanzania's mountains but do not necessarily care about attaining a summit. Enjoy the unique flora and fauna of the Montane forest and spectacular views of Africa. Mountain hiking
Mt Meru hiking and Arusha National Park
This is a nice hiking if you want to get a feel for tropical montane forests, an entirely different habitat from the typical safari, and do a bit of walking. In the forest you will see new species of birds and groups of Colobus and Sykes monkeys.
Kilimanjaro non-summit bound hiking
Many people want to enjoy being on Kilimanjaro without going to the summit. This three day hiking itinerary takes you through the montane forest, across the Shira Plateau and high enough on the mountain to enjoy stunning views. The trip is supported in the style of our mountain climbs guides with porters to carry your gear and cooks a guide. You will be staying in the normal mountain camp with mountain dome tents.
Day 00: Arrival Day:
Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport, meet and greet, and then transferred to your Hotel for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Meru mbega Camp.
Day 1: Arusha National Park
Full day game drive in Arusha National Park including a visit to Ngurdoto Crater, reaching Buffalo Viewpoint before midday. From here we have an excellent view over and into Ngurdoto Crater and behind us the sunlit volcanic walls of Mt. Meru. We search for Colobus and Sykes monkeys waking up on their favorite night resting branches.
The Ngurdoto crater floor, home to herds of buffalo, giraffe, warthog as well as elephant is a reserve within a reserve. To nature’s advantage, humans are not allowed on the floor however due to the walls not being as steep as Ngorongoro you can easily look into the crater and watch all the animal movements with your naked eye. Binoculars of course are recommended.
We’ll walk along the crater rim to the northern side, with great views on Kilimanjaro. Here a picnic lunch is served. We return via Little Serengeti with zebras and bushbuck Meru mbega camp for your dinner and overnight.
Meals: FB
Accommodation: Meru mbega Camp.
Day 2 - Hike Mount Meru.
With park rangers as escorts, hike through the forests of Mount Meru to its beautiful crater at 8,500 feet. Meru has a history similar to that of Mount St. Helens in Washington, in that half the mountain was blown away by a violent volcanic explosion. Meru’s eruption occurred some 250,000 years ago, though, and great forests of African cedar and podocarpus have since grown up to cover its crater and slopes. The crater is an enchantingly beautiful place: a 12,000-foot ash cone rises menacingly from the crater floor, surrounded on three sides by the vertical walls of the old volcano. On the hike, you’ll have the chance to see colobus monkeys, bushbuck and duiker, buffalo, giraffe, and perhaps elephant or occasionally leopard. The forest bird life is excellent and includes touracos, hornbills, and parrots. In the evening, return to camp for dinner and overnight.
Meals: FB
Accommodation: Meru Mbega Camp.
Day 3 - Begin trek Kilmanjaro.
In the morning, drive to the starting point of the Shira Route on the southeast side of Kilimanjaro (the trailhead varies from season to season with weather conditions). Begin hiking at about 6,400 feet and follow a winding trail up through montane cloud forest . The forest can be wet at any time of the year, so you can expect a real tropical experience as you climb over roots and through giant fern forests with tangled vines and creepers.
Meals: FB
Accommodation: Camp.
Day 4 - Shira Camp.
Today you climb above the Shira Plateau to 13,000 feet. A steep trail leads out of the giant heather and onto a ridge that commands wide vistas of both the Shira Plateau and the plains to the west. From our exclusive camp you are treated to your first breathtaking views of the Western Breach of Kilimanjaro's summit.
Meals: FB
Accommodation: Camp.
Day 5 - Shira Camp II.
Continue to trek on the Shira Plateau this World Heritage site. Small trails meander among the giant heather leading across the many small mountain streams that cross this vast bowl. Arrive at the road head for a sumptuous picnic lunch. After lunch drive back to Arusha/Airport.
Price Includes:
- Transport to and from mountain gates.
- All parks entry fees.
- All camping fees.
- Rescue fees.
- Guide and porters fees.
- Guide and porters salaries.
- All accommodations on the mountain based on three meals a day.
- Cook and all kitchen utensils.
Price Excludes:
- International flights (we can arrange on request)
- Accommodation on the first night upon your arrival before climb and on the last day after climb (book with us)
- Airport transfers (book with us)
- Drinks and all items of personal nature
- Hard and soft drinks and tips
- Sleeping bags but we can provide for hire on request.
- All Mountain Gears (we can arrange hire of this)
