Hiking and trekking in Tanzania
Hiking and trekking in Tanzania : Every year, thousands of trekkers take on the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, which garners most of the attention. Tanzania offers amazing, lesser-known climbing and trekking opportunities that are all well worth putting on your boots for, even if you don’t want to hike that famous peak.
Tanzania offers hikers of all skill levels a wide range of hiking and trekking opportunities, from the peak of a volcano to the bottom of a crater. We’ve picked a few of the greatest here. Remember that all of the hikes in Tanzania require a strong degree of fitness before embarking on your journey, and bring enough of water to stay hydrated in the hot, dry weather. Every walk and trip should be done with an armed ranger and guide. Mount Meru ,Udzungwa Mountains, Olmoti Crater, Empakai Crater, Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano, Empakai to Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano.
Olmoti Crater
One of the greatest locations on Earth to witness the ‘Big 5’ wildlife encounters—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo—is just an hour’s drive away from Olmoti Crater, which is home to an abundance of species. However, very few of the tourists that come to the crater explore the other volcanic vistas by going further into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Olmoti is a nice, short walk that leads into an old caldera. A view of the colourful river valley below can be obtained after around forty minutes of steady hiking on a path that reaches an elevation of 9,800 feet (2,987 metres). While there isn’t as much wildlife as in the Ngorongoro Crater, you may probably still make out distant zebra and wildebeest grazing. Above the Olmoti waterfall, the route ends, but you can continue walking across the caldera’s grassy plains with your armed ranger, making noises like singing or talking to alert any sleeping buffaloes or lions to your approach.
Empakai Crater
The adventure of hiking down into the Empakai Crater, which is even more into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, is half the fun. You’ll witness an abundance of zebra, antelope, wildebeest, and wildlife throughout the two-hour journey from Ngorongoro Crater. Locals will also be leading animals over secluded, untamed landscapes. Although clouds occasionally obscure the view from Empakai’s 9,000 feet (2,743 metres) high rim, it is nevertheless a striking sight on clear days, with Empakai Lake situated far below and framed by the crater walls. About twenty-five minutes pass as you quickly descend down to the lake through a forest filled with the soothing sound of songbirds. The footsteps of some of the local large cats may occasionally be visible on the sandy trail.
You can probably see blacksmith lapwings, flamingos, and other species about the salt-crusted lake’s margins. It can take up to an hour to make the climb back up to the crater rim, which is more difficult during the hottest parts of the day.
Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano
Climbing the Lengai Volcano is not a task for the timid. The still-active volcano, which is accessible from campgrounds along Lake Natron’s perimeter, is known as the “Mountain of God” because the locals mistook internal rumbling for the voice of God. Make sure there’s a strong likelihood of clear sky in the morning by checking the weather and cloud conditions with your guide the night before. With the goal of using headlamps to guide the ascent and reaching the summit in time to witness a breathtaking sunrise, the journey typically begins at midnight. It’s a strenuous five- to six-hour walk that climbs nearly entirely uphill on a trail that is occasionally covered in rough rock and occasionally deep in sand.
Mount Meru
Mount Meru, at 14,980 feet (4566 metres), is Tanzania’s second-highest summit. In addition to being a fantastic hiking experience in and of itself, it’s a great method to acclimatise before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Situated in the Arusha National Park, approximately 50 miles (80 km) to the west of Kili, Mount Meru is an arduous climb that is optimally accomplished in three to four days. Giraffes, elephants, buffalo, and warthogs can often be seen lower down on the surrounding slopes; as you travel higher, the volcanic sceneries are more striking. Along the trail are mountain cabins that provide lodging. Achieving the top by dawn affords breathtaking vistas of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Mount Meru Crater.
Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Udzungwa Mountains National Park, also called “the Galapagos of Africa,” is located in southern Tanzania and is home to a diverse range of tropical vegetation and protected species, such as African wild dogs, elephants, lions, leopards, and primates, including the endangered Iringa red colobus monkey. With paths strewn across the expansive national park, it’s also a popular hiking destination. The routes range in length from leisurely strolls to strenuous ascents up Mwanihana Peak. The longest track, the 40-mile (64-kilometer) Lumemo track, takes around five days to complete. Another option is a 23-mile (37-kilometer) one- or two-night hike. The two to three-hour trek to Sanje Waterfall, with its breathtaking 600-foot (183-meter) cascade, is the most well-liked trip.
Hikers can expect to observe squirrels, red duiker, and the endemic Sanje Crested Mangabey monkeys in addition to the waterfalls and refreshing pools at the end of their journey.
Mahale Mountains
The lush Mahale Mountains in Tanzania’s far west tumble down to the heavenly Lake Tanganyika, which boasts turquoise waters and fine sand beaches that provide for fantastic snorkelling. This is among the greatest locations to encounter chimpanzees, our nearest relatives. Observing these acclimatised chimpanzees up close in their natural habitat is, in my opinion, the greatest wildlife encounter on Earth. Indeed, it surpasses the experience of viewing mountain gorillas. The chimps travel great distances, so a strenuous walk is probably necessary to keep up with them.
Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater, home to an abundance of animals, is the focal point of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Due to the possibility of becoming lion food, hiking is not allowed inside the crater itself. However, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which is surrounded by expansive grasslands and rugged volcanic peaks with scattered Maasai homesteads, provides exceptional hiking terrain.