1 July 2024
Keen hikers come to Tanzania for views you won’t find elsewhere and untouched landscapes, home to indigenous tribes and wildlife. This is where you can take in the boundless beauty of nature and climb mountains whose summits reward you with remarkable panoramas. Read on to see which five hikes in Tanzania are beautiful enough to justify aching legs.
Hiking to Uhuru Peak, Mount Kilimanjaro
| Days required | min. 5 days |
| Distance | ~67.5 kilometres/42 miles |
| Highest point | 5,895 m |
| Difficulty | Hard |
Mention hiking in Tanzania and most people immediately think of Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest mountain, after all. However tempting it sounds, this climb is not one for the faint-hearted, and it takes serious preparation. Several trails lead to the summit, and the ascent alone lasts at least five days. That is why it matters to weigh up your fitness and trekking experience when you pick the route that suits you. Adding an extra day or two to the trek will also improve your odds of reaching the Roof of Africa.
See every route up to Uhuru Peak
Day hike on Mount Meru to the first camp (Miriakamba)
| Days required | 1 day |
| Distance | ~14.5 kilometres/9 miles |
| Highest point | 2,541 m |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Is Mount Kilimanjaro on your wish list, but would you rather begin with something smaller? Then why not take on a section of Mount Meru? The trail to the Miriakamba Huts leads you through rainforest, with a good chance of seeing wildlife such as zebras, monkeys, antelopes, elephants and giraffes – so keep your camera within reach.
Empakaai Crater Hike
| Days required | Half-day |
| Distance | ~6.5 kilometres/4 miles |
| Highest point | 2,700 m to 3,200 m |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Did Ngorongoro Crater feel too busy for you? Then head to an alternative that is just as impressive yet far quieter: the Empakaai Crater. A word of warning, though: looking down at the lake from the crater rim will leave you breathless! Not for long, mind you. You’ll have your breath back in time for the walk down to the lake, where countless colourful flamingos await. On a clear day you can even make out Lake Natron and Ol Doinyo Lengai, the mountain of the Maasai gods.
Climbing the Mountain of God: Ol Doinyo Lengai
| Days required | 1 day |
| Distance | ~11.3 kilometres/7 miles |
| Highest point | 2,878 m |
| Difficulty | Difficult |
An active volcano you really should visit, Ol Doinyo Lengai offers one of the most fascinating hikes in Tanzania. It has the coolest lava on Earth, and on top of that a unique lava composition that looks like black oil. Ol Doinyo Lengai is in fact the only volcano with natrocarbonatite lava, which turns white the moment it touches water.
Climbing higher, you will understand why the local tribe named it the Mountain of Gods – above all once you walk on the volcanic ash and see the spectacular views below you. Wear shoes with a good grip, because coming down is every bit as demanding as going up.
A walking safari in Arusha National Park
| Days required | Half-day |
| Distance | ~3-8 kilometres/2-5 miles |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Spending half a day on foot in the scenic Arusha National Park is an ideal way to unwind and reconnect with nature. If you would rather not exert yourself too much, coming face to face with wild safari animals is the ultimate hiking experience in Tanzania. You can take close-up photos of giraffes, zebras, warthogs and other local wildlife, admire Lake Momella, take a dip in the waterfall and even catch a distant view of the Ngurdoto Crater.
Can’t wait to put on your hiking boots? Then plan your trip for a time when it isn’t scorching hot. You’ll be able to walk for longer, with a cool breeze to refresh you along the way. Because the weather is drier, June to October or January to February are ideal months for trekking in Tanzania. The off-season from January to February also lets you take in the scenery without the bustle of crowds.
Our Tanzania experts will shape your trip around your fitness level, so you get the most out of every adventure. Travelling with children? We’ll find child-friendly destinations the whole family can enjoy. Just send us a message and we’ll put together the adventure of your life with you.
