TREKKING
TANZANIA SAFARIS | ISLAND | KENYA | TREKKING
Kilimanjaro routes
General Kilimanjaro Information
6-day Machame route
5-day Marangu route
6-day Rongai route
5-day Umbwe route
7-day Shira route
Kilimanjaro mountain is the highest point of Africa standing at three peaks,Kibo which is 5895 metres, Mawenzi 5749 meters, Shira 4160 meters, the mountain is awesome spectacle,but climbing it is achievable by anyone who is determined and reasonably fit.
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR TREKS ON MOUNT KILIMANJARO AND MOUNT MERU
Seasons and weather conditions
The best time to visit Tanzania is during the dry season, especially
just after the rains have finished and the vegetation is lush and green.
East Africa has two rainy seasons, the long rains which normally start
at the end of March and last until June, and the short rains which
normally occur in October and November. The rainy seasons are the months
when rain can be expected as opposed to the dry seasons where it will be
unlikely, but it does not mean that it rains all the time. Naturally
conditions on the mountains can became very slippery in the rains and
snow can became a problem on some of the routes to the summit. Dry
season months of June to September and December to February can usually
be counted as the best months for trekking. But if somebody request for
a trip on this rainy time we can arrange it by using proper mountain
equipment to fulfill the travelers needs
Temperatures
Being only three degrees South of the equator, it is the altitude,
which affects the temperature as the trek progresses. Daytime
temperatures o the lower parts of the mountain are often pleasantly
warm, even ht, although a brief rain shower in the afternoon is always
possible. As soon as the sun goes down the air temperature becomes cold
and as the trek progresses, on the higher parts of the mountain the
temperatures often drop to below freezing. Warm clothes and warm
sleeping bag are essential.
Altitude
Although many thousands of trekkers successfully reach Gilmas point
or Uhuru peak every year without any real difficulty, many others do not
make it to the top because the suffer from altitude sickness, which is
caused by a combination of the decrease in atmospheric pressure and the
decreased oxygen content of the air. To avoid this it is very important
to acclimatize by ascending slowly and steadily, even if you are fit,
you should not try to rush up mount Kilimanjaro
Maps and guidebooks
The ordnance survey World maps series map of Kilimanjaro (1:10,000)
and the Kilimanjaro map (1:50,000) published by mark savage (published
by west col) are both recommended. For comprehensive background
information and specific route details, Trekking in East Africa
(Published by lonely planet) is recommended. The Guide to mount Kenya
and Kilimanjaro (published by the mountain club of Kenya) is mainly for
technical mountaineer, but also has information of glacial, geology,
wildlife etc.
EQUIPMENT PAGE
|
Recommended Mountain clothing |
Recommended
Mountain equipment |
| Warm, wind proof jacket with hood | Good warm sleeping bag |
| Waterproof jacket and over-trousers | Water bottle (1-2 liters) |
| Walking trousers shirts pullover | Water purification tablets and filter |
| Warm underwear | Wash kit, towel, paper |
| Walking socks | First aid kit (including blister plasters, lip slave, headache pills, sun cream personal medication) |
| Good comfortable walking boots | Torch with extra batteries |
| Trainers (for evenings) | Sunglasses |
| Gaiters | Walking pole (s) glasses |
| Warm cloves | Rucksack or duffel bag |
RONGAI ROUTE
This game is fast gaining popularity and is considered to be one of
the easiest routes up the mountain. It is the only route starting from
the north side of the mountain at Rongai small village close to the
Kenya border. The climbing conditions are drier on the northern part of
the mountain and there are spectacular sweeping views over the broad
flat Maasai land. Overnights are spent in camping tents. The summit is
reached via the east side of Kibo and descent is via the Marangu route.
Mount Meru is approximately 4615
meters above sea level. It does provide a climb that is spectacular.
Actually this mountain is steeper than most of Kilimanjaro.
Meru was at one time, taller than Kilimanjaro until it blew it's top
some 250 thousand years ago. This huge explosion left behind a huge
caldera with a jagged rim. The walks are through forest and woodlands
that offer an immense variety of wildlife such as monkeys, elephants,
buffalo, giraffe and warthog.
Ngorongoro Highlands
Ndutu Woodlands: Acacia trees, resident giraffes, impalas and
elephants in the dry season
Mount Oldeani: Forested crater
Lake Natron: Engaresero river gorge, breeding flamingos in the
soda lake and rift cliffs.
Empakaai Crater: No roads and no human inhabitants, a crater
which contains forests and a deep lake, where flocks of flamingos can be
spotted. The cardera is six kilometers wide and the lake occupies nearly
half of its floor. The scenery is spectacular at every point. From the
northern and eastern side you can look out to the dramatic cone of
Oldonyo Lengai, the Great Rift Valley and Lake Natron. On the valleys
eastern side you might see the snow capped peak of Kilimanjaro. It is
possible to camp on the rim and hike into the crater with an armed
ranger.
Olmoti crater: This shallow grassy crater is the source of the
Munge river, which pours through a north in the rim in a spectacular
waterfall on its way to Ngorongoro crater. Participate in a pleasant
walk from Nainokanoka ranger post, through the forest up to the top of
the waterfall.
Oldoinyo Lengai: An active volcano, with the possibility of
climbing to the very top of the crater. Adventurous visitors sometimes
struggle up its steep slopes to visit the steaming, bubbling crater, but
most prefer to view its symmetrical cone from a distance. Oldoinyo
Lengai is the Maasai language for "Mountain of God".
Lerai Forest: "Lerai" is a Maasai word for yellow barked acacia
or fever tree. The small forest patches on the crater floor, are homes
to monkeys, baboons, bushbucks, waterbucks, elephants and rhinos. A
picnic site with ablution facilities is located in this forest.
Lake Makat: This soda lake is filled by the Munge river. It is a
great attraction for flamingoes and other water birds which come to feed
here. Predators hide in the marsh to ambush the large animals that come
to drink from the pools and river. In the severe dry season the lake
often dries up completely.
Olkarien Gorge: The dramatic cliffs of this narrow gorge in the
Gol mountains are the breeding site for hundreds of Ruppell's Griffon
Vulture during the rains. In the dry season, the Maasai bring their
cattle into the gorge to drink.
Discounts for groups, students, NGO’s, and seniors, contact us for
details.
MACHAME
ROUTE
6 DAYS / 5 NIGHTS
Day I: Pick up client from the Hotel transfer to the gate and
start walking through mountain forest to Machame hut 3000m for Dinner
and overnight.
Day 2: After breakfast slowly trekking the path leads up through
steep rocky enjoy superb views of Shira Plateau and land below also you
will see Mt. Meru another exiting volcano on the South western direction
dinner and overnight Shira Hut (3840m).
Day 3: Depart Shira in the morning taking the path which rises up
gradually towards the Kibo dome, after reaching the wedge Buttress point
the path drop down to the Baranco Hut dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Leave slowly crossing the floor of the great Baranco
Valley and up to the Baranco Valley and up to the Baranco wall, continue
the trek on the South Circuit path through the Karanga Valley. (Last
water point – Karanga river) then slowly trek to Barafu Hut (4600m).
From Barafu you will have excellent views of Kibo dome and Mawenzi peak
dinner and overnight Barafu hut.
Day 5: Early mid night start to conquer the highest point in
Africa. This section of the route is very steep and is considered the
steepest on the non-technical path on this mountain between 4 – 7 hours
to the peak (5896m) whereby is one hours from stella point (5700m). Then
descend down to Mweka hut for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: This easy day walking to Mweka gate where you the car
transfer you to your hotel.
Discounts for groups, students, NGO’s, and seniors, contact us for
details.
MARANGU
ROUTE
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
Day 1: 8.00 a.m pick clients from the hotel and drive to Marangu
gate then start walk through a thick rain forest which takes four hours
to Mandara Hut 2750 m for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: After breakfast proceed walk slowly following a trek
through the forest and then through the savanna bush to Horombo Hut
(3,489m) for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: A hard days climb to Kibo Hut 4703 m 6 – 7 hours crossing
the barren sub-Alpine terrain of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo
peaks. Needed to relax on arrival as the next stage begins shortly after
midnight, this fall on day 5.
Day 4: Making a very early start to around 1.00a.m, follow the
zig zag path up the screen stopping frequently to catch your breath in
this starlit air. This is the steepest and most demanding section of the
climb, five hours to Gillmans point 5681m to and most to see sunrise
behind Mawenzi, Illuminating plain. Then walk further 45 minutes around
the crater and up to the highest point UHURU peak the summit of Africa.
Day 5: It is much easier day as we have luxury of walking
downhill on the way to the waiting vehicle at Marangu gate for transfer
to your Hotel(Arusha / Moshi.)
Discounts for groups, students, NGO’s, and seniors, contact us for
details.
RONGAI ROUTE
6 DAYS / 5 NIGHTS
Day 1: An early start with a drive to Rombo gate. Trek for 3-4
hours to the first cave for dinner and overnight. First cave (2700 m)
Day 2: Trek to the second cave for lunch and onwards to Kikelewa
cave on the Mawenzi trail for overnight. This takes about 6-7 hours.
Kikelewa cave (3600 m)
Day 3: The day is spent trekking to Mawenzi Tarn hut for
overnight. Mawenzi Tarn (4330 m)
Day 4: A day of trekking across the saddle to School Camp. This
takes about 4-5 hours. School Camp (4750 m)
Day 5: Just after midnight start for the summit via Gillman's
point (5700m) for 6-7 hours to Uhuru peak (5895m) - the highest point in
Africa! The descent takes about 5-6 hours to Horombo hut campsite for
overnight.Horombo Camp (3807 m)
Day 6: The day is spent descending to Marangu gate, this takes 6
hours or so, where you will be met and transferred to Arusha.
Discounts for groups, students, NGO’s, and seniors, contact us for
details.
UMBWE ROUTE
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
Day 1: After a pre departure briefing, depart for Umbwe gate.
Begin the trek through the rain forest to the Forest caves for dinner
and overnight. (13km for about 5 hours) Forest Caves (2850 m)
Day 2: After breakfast, continue your trek past the glacier
streams to the Barranco Camp, this is about 5km in 4 hours. An extra day
here is recommended for acclimatization. Barranco Camp (3950 m)
Day 3: Trek to the Arrow Glacier hut for a distance of 5km in 6
hours. Dinner and overnight. Arrow Glacier (5100 m)
Day 4: After midnight, begin the final ascent (3km, 6-7 hours) to
Uhuru peak (5895m) - the highest point in Africa!. After a short rest
descend to Mweka Camp for overnight. This will be a distance of 12km at
around 6-7 hours. Mweka Camp (3100 m)
Day 5: After a good nights rest and breakfast, descend to the
Mweka gate (10km, 4 hours) where you will be met and transferred to
Arusha.
Discounts for groups, students, NGO’s, and seniors, contact us for
details.
SHIRA ROUTE
A longer, challenging and scenic route on Kilimanjaro. This is a
less popular as the trach leading to Shira hut is a longer one and not
in every good condition. On the acclimatization day at Shira ,one can
either stay at Shira Hut taking short walks in the area or depending on
the weather condition,
Trek along the edge of the Shira Plateau to the Shira cathedral & Shira
needle. This takes about 7-8hrs return
2.ASCENT VIA ARROW GLACIER 6NIGHTS 7 DAYS
|
Day |
Trek Time |
Distance In km. |
Destination |
Accommodation |
Altitude above sea level |
Notes |
|
1. |
2-3hrs |
6km. |
Londoros |
Camping |
2250m |
|
|
2. |
4-5hrs |
8km. |
Wilderness |
Camping |
3800m |
|
|
3. |
2hrs |
3km. |
Shira Hut |
Camping |
3840m |
|
|
4. |
Shira Hut |
Camping |
3840m |
Aclimatizati on day at Shira Hut |
||
|
5. |
5-6hrs |
8km. |
Lava Tower |
Camping |
4620m |
|
|
6. |
5-7hrs |
6km. |
Uhuru Peak |
Camping At Mweka hut 3100m |
5895m |
Start 1:00am. for Uhuru descend to Mweka hut 3100m 6-7hrs 12km. |
|
7. |
4-6hrs |
15km. |
Mweka Gate |
overnight hotel Town |
END |
3.ASCENT ARROW GLACIER 5 NIGHTS 6 DAYS
|
4. |
5-6hrs |
8km. |
Lava Towers |
Camping |
4620m |
|
|
5. |
5-7hrs |
6km. |
Uhuru Peak |
Camping |
5895m. |
|
|
6. |
3-4hrs |
10km. |
Mweka Gate 1980m. |
Start 1:00am then descend to Mweka Gate |
Finish- Mweka Gate 1980m.
Discounts for groups, students, NGO’s, and seniors, contact us for
details.
Meru routes
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS
Day I: 9:00 leave Arusha for Momella gate where trek starts. On the way
stop over for gate watching at Serengeti Ndogo. From Momella gate
(altitude 1500m) ascend to Miriakamba hut (altitude 2500m) takes 3hours.
Day 2: From Miriakamba hut ascend to Saddle hut takes 4hours (3500m).
Afternoon trek to the summit of little Meru (3820m) takes 45minutes.
Then down to the rhino point. Dinner and overnight Saddle hut.
Day 3: 3:00 a.m from Saddle hut ascend to the summit of Mt. Meru (4565m)
and walk around the rim of Meru Crater. Then return to Saddle hut for
breakfast across alpine desert. Lunch on the way down you find car at
Momella gate wait and drive back to Arusha.
Ngorongoro Highlands to
Lake Natron
7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS
DAY 1: Depart Arusha for Ngorongoro - Hike to Nainokanoka village
( 28kms, 5 hours) Descend into the Olmoti crater for a morning tour,
with lunch inside the crater. In the afternoon, walk the rim of the
Olmoti crater and visit the Munge waterfalls before returning to the
camp for dinner and overnight
DAY 2: Olmoti crater - Kamnana village (20kms, 6 hours). Depart
for Kamnana village, walking through the Embulimbuli Depression
following the cattle trails which pass through forests and grasslands.
Your overnight camp is set in the bush some distance from the village.
DAY 3: Damnana village - Empakaai crater (8 kms, 4-5 hours) Early
departure. Start walking following the path which leads trough open
grassland area, bushland area and forests, gradually gaining height to
the rim of the Empakaai crater. Camp is set on the rim, before
descending into the crater floor covered with dense equatorial forests,
grass and volcanic lake. Animals like buffaloes, redbucks, waterbucks
and different species of birds can be seen at close range during the
walk around the lake. Overnight camp at the crater rim.
DAY 4: Empakaai crater - Naiyobi Maasai village (5 kms, 7 hours)
Depart for Naiyobi village circling the crater rim, descend on the
northwestern side.
DAY 5: Nayiobi village - Mounwongoni village (11kms, 6-8 hours) Depart
in the morning following the dusty paths downhill and off the crater
highlands to Muowongoni Maasai village. Overnight camp at the edge of
the village.
DAY 6: Mounwongoni village - Ngarasero village (7-9 hours) Leave
in the morning before the sun is hot to follow the winding path across
bare volcanic rocks and dusty lava soil. The path rounding the
north-western floor of the active Mt. Lengai crosses river Ngarasero to
the nearby village. Camp is set near the river and a bath here is very
refreshing. Early morning between 1200.am and 01.00 am your transfer
vehicle drives you to the foot of Mt. Lengai to start the trek to the
peak at 2878 (4-6 hours difficult hiking up, additional 2-3 hours down)
DAY 7: Lake Natron - Arusha (375 kms, 5-6 hours drive) Descend
from the mountain at about 9.00am or 10.00am. Relax until lunch, then
tour Lake Natron by vehicle. Return to Arusha.
Discounts for groups, students, NGO’s, and seniors, contact us for
details.
ADD-ON ROUTE
Ol’ Doinyo Lengai / Lake Natron
2 DAYS / 1 NIGHTS
*Note: This route is usually combined with a safari or Ngorongoro
Highland trek, but can be done on its own also. Please contact us for
further details.
DAY 1: Depart Arusha for Ol’ Doinyo base camp ( 5 or 6 hour drive
- mainly on rough roads). Camp will be setup and after lunch you have
the option of visiting a waterfall nearby. Relaxation and preparation
for the climb ahead will follow. After dinner you can rest >>
DAY 2: At 12.00am or 1.00am you will be transferred to the base
of the mountain and begin your ascent (4-6 hours). After exploring the
volcanic crater and enyoying the sunrise you will descent (2-3 hours).
After breakfast at camp you may rest. When you are ready we depart for
Lake Natron for a driving and walking tour. Drive back to Arusha will
follow.
Discounts for groups, students, NGO’s, and seniors, contact us for
details.