TOP TWELVE MOUNTAINS, CLIMBING & HIKING IN TANZANIA
Be one of you to smash the record
Hiking on the roof top of Africa’ is the adventure of a lifetime, and anyone from a seasoned trekker to a reasonably fit first-time enthusiast can scale the snowy peak.
Although Mt Kilimanjaro tops the list as Africa’s most famous and highest mountain;Tanzania boasts many other mountain ranges and attractive peaks most of the country’s mountains and volcanoes are located in the north and east of the country. They vary from the dramatic crater of Mt. Meru and the active volcano of OI Donyo Lengai to tamer options like the Usambara Mountains and the comparatively gentle slopes of the crater highlands.
Hiking trips and mountain climbing in Tanzania are becoming popular options for visitors not content merely observing the country from the back of a game viewing vehicle. Instead, adventurous types are taking advantage of the many trails and peaks Tanzania has to offer
Mount Kilimanjaro
Above the gently rolling hills and plateau of northern Tanzania rise the snowy peaks of Mt. Kilimanjaro, its slopes and glaciers shimmering above the rising clouds. Kilimanjaro is located near the rising clouds. Kilimanjaro is located near the town of Moshi and is a protected area, carefully regulated for climbers to enjoy without leaving a trace of their presence. The mountain’s ecosystems are as strikingly beautiful as they are varied and diverse. On the lowland slopes, much of the mountains farmland, with coffee, banana, cassava, and maize crops grown for subsistence and cash sale.
Mount Meru
The dramatic crater of Mt Meru is often neglected in favor of its famous neighbor to the east (Kilimanjaro), but a visit to this spectacular mountain, located within Arusha National Park, is an unforgettable experience its lower slopes are covered in dense highland forest, where colobus monkeys play and buffalo graze concealed beneath the thick foliage. The extinct volcano’s extensive base gives way to a perfectly formed crate (Ngurdoto), and another internal crater with sharp, sheer cliffs. An ash cone forms subsidiary peak and the Momela lakes, Ngurdoto Crater are visible from the slopes of the mountain
Crater Highlands
Rising up from the floors of the Rift Valley, the crater Highlands form a lush chain of mountains and volcanoes that includes the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the surrounding Maasai tribal lands. Hiking safaris take visitors from Ngorongoro Creter to the foot of Ol Donyo Lengai and offer a chance to see some of the most spectacular and stunning scenery in Tanzania Exploring this little-visited wilderness is the hiking adventure of a lifetime.
Eastern Arc Mountain Range
Stretching from the Taita Hills of southern Kenya to the southern highlands of Tanzania, the Eastern Arc Mountain Range has some of the oldest geological activity on the continent. Estimated to be at least 100 million years old with some formations up to 600 million years old.The relative stability of their climate means that the area hosts a surprising array of biodiversity, from plant and insect life, to spectacular bird species.
Livingstone Mountains
The Livingstone Mountains area a low-altitude chain that border lake Nyasa. Remote and difficult to reach, climbing is largely uncharted and for most part the area remains unexplored by trekkers and Guides.
Monduli Mountains
Just a few hours drive from Arusha, the Monduli Mountains make a lovely day trip or can be part of a longer hiking itinerary.
Maasai pastoralistsherdtheir cattle along the slopes and cultural tourism programmes give visitors the opportunity to learn about traditional medicines and local Maasai culture. The surrounding views of the Rift Valley, Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro are incredible.
Mount Hanang
Remotely located on somewhat bumpy tracks 200 km south-west of Arusha, Mt. Hannang’s extinct volcanic crater makes for a stunning feature above the undulating plains. The two day climb takes trekkers through numerous tribal areas,including the land of the semi-nomadic Barabaig, recognizable by their goatskin garments.
Ol Donyo Lengai
Overlooking Lake Natron and the bush land of Kenya to the north, Ol Donyo Lengai, which means ‘the home of God’ in Maasai, is an active volcano and one of Tanzania’s most spectacular and undiscovered climbs. The volcano erupts sporadically, sending streams of grey lava down the crater rim and spitting hot ash high into the air. The climb, undertaken over night, so hikers can experience sunrise over the Rift Valley escarpment, is highly challenging.
Pare Mountains
Part of the eastern Arc range in north-eastern Tanzania, the remote pare mountains are extremely rewarding to the avid trekker searching for hiking trails off the beaten path. Home to the pare tribe, agriculturalists and pastoralists who have largely retained their traditional way of life, a hike through the Pare Mountains take visitors through local villages and beautiful forests and offers the chance to see a little-visited part of the country.
Udzungwa Mountains
Located west of Dar es salaam, the Udzungwa Mountains rise up from the western edge of the selous game Reserve. Vervet monkeys play high in the forest canopy, and small forest antelope can be viewed at the right time of day. Botanical diversity is exceptional, and the park is host to a large number of endangered bird species. Views from the peaks of the mountins, towards the selous Game Reserve and the distant indian ocean coast, are incredible and well worth the effort. Better yet, there are no roads through the Udzungwa Mountains National park, so hikers have the area all to themselves.
Uluguru Mountains
Overlooking the agricultural area around Morogoro, the Uluguru Mountains are part of the Eastern Arc range and are named after the Luguru tribe, a matrilineal group that farms on its verdant slopes. The area has some of the oldest forest in Africa. Hiking in the area is particularly rewarding a plethora of endemic bird and insect species are found here.
Usambara Mountains
The Usambara Mountains are part of the Eastern Arc chain in the north-eastern part of the country. Their western and eastern ranges are divided by a 4 km wide valley of small villages and farms, and large peaks. Day walks and overnight treks take visitors through some of the most concentrated area of biodiversity in Africa. Bird watching is especially rewarding, and the views from the mountaintops stretch over the Maasai Steppe and, on a clear day, as far as the Indian Ocean.
