30 November 2023
Mountains are everywhere in Tanzania; you could even say they are among the treasures the country is known for. For anyone keen on hiking or mountaineering, choosing which of Tanzania’s mountains appeals most can be a tough call.
Below we look at some of the highest mountains in Tanzania and the hikes you can do on them.
Tanzania’s main mountains ranked by height
With so many mountains in Tanzania, it can be difficult to keep track of them all. Of course, everyone is familiar with Mount Kilimanjaro.
However, in Tanzania, there are mountains that don’t enjoy anywhere near as much notoriety. That doesn’t mean that they’re not noteworthy or don’t have anything to offer the intrepid hiker.
Here is a closer look at the ten highest mountains in Tanzania:
- Number one: Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro, 5,895 metres (19,340 feet)
- Number two: Mawenzi Peak, 5,148 metres (16,890 feet)
- Number three: Mount Meru, 4,566 metres (14,980 feet)
- Number four: Klute Peak, 3,953 metres (12,970 feet)
- Number five: Mount Hanang, 3,420 metres (11,220 feet)
- Number six: Mount Luhombero, 2,576 metres (8,450 feet)
- Number seven: Mount Sisaba, 2,462 metres (8,080 feet)
- Number eight: Mount Selegu, 2,456 metres (8,060 feet)
- Number nine: Mount Sibindi, 2,371 metres (7,780 feet)
Not every one of these peaks presents the same challenge to climbers and mountaineers, but each of them has something of its own to give. Here is a closer look at what some of these mountains hold in store.
Mount Kilimanjaro: Africa’s highest mountain
By a wide margin, Mount Kilimanjaro is Tanzania’s best-known mountain. It is the highest peak not only in Tanzania but in the whole of Africa, and at 5,895 metres (19,340 feet) it is also the highest freestanding mountain above sea level anywhere in the world.
All of this makes Mount Kilimanjaro a popular destination, and it is climbed regularly. But the mountain offers more than just a summit attempt. Other things you can do on and around this majestic peak include:
- Rundugai Hotsprings – Looking for nothing more than a pause and some relaxation? Then the Rundugai Hotsprings are perfect. Wade into the crystal clear water and let the natural warmth ease every bit of tension from your muscles.
- Walk to the Kilimanjaro Waterfall – This lovely cascade makes a fine day trip when you hike there and back. The path climbs less steeply than the trail to Mount Meru’s waterfall, so even beginners can manage it comfortably.
- A hike on Kilimanjaro – Keen to take in the beauty and grandeur of the peak without going all the way to the top? Then a hike on the mountain is a good alternative. Choose a one-day walk, or opt for a two-day hike with a night on the mountain, and enjoy the scenery and calm without the effort of a full ascent.
There is far more to this mountain than most people realise, and the possibilities go on and on.
Others mountains you should not miss
Mount Mawenzi
Mount Mawenzi is one of Kilimanjaro’s peaks and, after Uhuru Peak, the second-highest in Tanzania. The area around it offers plenty to do, and the mountain itself has three different hiking routes of varying difficulty:
- The Marangu Route
- The Rongai Route
On the whole, this is a fairly easy mountain to hike, and you can expect to stand on the summit the same day you set off. That leaves you with a great chance to take pictures and soak up the view before you head down again.
Mount Meru
As the third-highest mountain in Tanzania, Mount Meru enjoys some popularity among tourists. Hiking or climbing it is much less demanding than taking on Kilimanjaro itself and still gives you the opportunity to enjoy stunning vistas and a wonderful hike.
Another plus of Mount Meru is its very own waterfall. Take the trek to the Mount Meru Waterfall and a relatively short walk brings you to stunning views. You get to enjoy the beauty and quiet of the falls without the exertion that some other waterfalls demand.
Klute Peak
Klute Peak is one of the peaks belonging to Shira Mountain and, thus, to Mount Kilimanjaro. Generally, it is not used as a stand-alone hike or climb. Instead, it forms part of some routes leading to Kilimanjaro’s summit.
Mount Hanang
Mount Hanang is the fifth-highest of Tanzania’s mountain peaks. It may not be the most recognizable among the mountains of Tanzania, but it’s still beautiful. As with Mount Mawenzi, there are three main established hiking trails to get to the summit.
You can choose between the Giting Route, the Ngendabi Route, and the Katesh Route.
The Katesh Route has an ascension time of around six hours and a decent time of around five. The Giting and Ngendabi Routes should take similar amounts of time. However, the details of each route may vary significantly.
Mount Luhombero
You can hike Luhombero Peak from the park’s outskirts and turn it into a full expedition. Walking safaris are an option and will allow you to experience more of the scenery and local wildlife. However, this will also turn a one or two-day hike into a five or six-day hike.
You can choose between several routes that have drastically different travel times. For instance, you can decide to take a circular route that will have you hiking around the mountain. You can also pick a more direct route and shorten the time spent significantly.
Whatever route you settle on, the mountain repays the effort with a variety of intriguing experiences and stunning views.
Other Notable Mountains in Tanzania
In total, 2,395 notable peaks and hills in Tanzania have been given names. That does not mean there are only that many; plenty of smaller or less remarkable peaks have simply never been named. As you would expect, many other Tanzanian mountains deserve a mention, so here are a few of them.
Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai
To the local Maasai, Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai is ‘The Mountain of God.’ According to their belief, the god Engai settled there after a hunter managed to strike him with an arrow.
It is an active volcano whose last explosive eruption was in 1993. There are two craters: one is usually active, the other holds water.
If you’re fit and looking for a challenge, then this mountain in Tanzania is well worth considering. It’s often considered one of the most challenging nighttime mountain hikes. Located in Ngorongoro Conservation area, it’s quite a journey to get there because it’s far from basically everything, but it’s an amazing hike you would want to go for.
Olmoti Crater
The Olmoti Crater is considered one of the better hikes for beginners. It offers a less strenuous hike than some other options without decreasing the value of the hike.
The walk up the Olmoti Crater takes just around 40 minutes and leads through an ancient caldera. Along the way you get beautiful panoramic views and the splendour of the Munge waterfall.
Olmoti means cooking pot in the language of the Masai and refers to the large, pot-like shape of the caldera.
The route is only about 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) long, but keep in mind that it gains about 304 metres (1,000 feet), so the altitude can make it hard going.
Kilimanjaro from the Air
If you want to explore the glory and majesty of Kilimanjaro but don’t necessarily want to climb the whole peak or spend a few days hiking, there is an alternative option.
What’s a better way to experience Africa’s highest mountain than from a plane? This 45-minute flight allows you to see Kilimanjaro as you never have before.
Enjoy the sight of the crater and all the cascading glaciers as you swoop overhead and view aspects of the mountain you’d never see from the ground.
A minimum number of participants is needed before any flight can depart: at least four passengers must be on board for the tour to go ahead.
Which Tanzanian mountain will you climb?
Tanzania is a beautiful country with many natural wonders, beautiful sites, and lovely hiking trails. It also has an array of mountains and hills.
The mountains of Tanzania are wondrous, majestic, and full of hidden jewels. From climbing to the summit of Kilimanjaro to trekking the lower slopes of Mount Sisaba, there’s always something new to find and do.
Your Kilimanjaro climb can be booked directly with us, as can a trip to the Mount Meru Waterfall. And if you prefer a tailor-made journey that combines a hike on Mount Kilimanjaro with chimpanzees and waterfalls, we can arrange that as well.
From gentle slopes with walks suited to beginners to punishing night-time hikes for only the fittest, Tanzania’s mountains hold something for every kind of adventurer. Get in touch and let us put together the custom safari you have been dreaming of.
