TANZANIA – Journey Era

Kidhege Waterfall Hike In Shagayu, Usambara

Jackson — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 17:33:00 +0000

The trail is pretty wild and requires a guide for most hikers although I managed to find this waterfall on a solo adventure.

BEST TOUR COMPANY FOR TANZANIA

Are you interested in traveling to Tanzania or trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro?

I did all of my tours, treks and trips in Tanzania with Altezza Travel and you can too! Use code ‘JACKSON5’ when booking for a 5% discount.

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VISITORS GUIDE TO KIDHEGE WATERFALL

In this blog post I will share with you all the details you need to know about Kidhege Falls such as where it is, how to get there, how to book a guide, entrance fees and what to expect.

WHERE IS KIDHEGE WATERFALL

Kidhege Waterfall is found within Shagayu Forest Reserve, which is near the town of Mtae and Mambo in Usambara. It’s so far off-the-beaten-path that it isn’t even pinned on Google Maps. However, it is available on the Maps.me app and I found the trail that leads all the way to the falls is correct according to that mobile app.

From Mtae or Mambo the walk/hike is about five or so kilometers depending on your exact starting location. I began at Mambo View Point Eco Lodge and made it to Kidhege Falls before leaving in the opposite direction to finish up at the town of Mtae to complete my Lushoto to Mtae trek.

GUIDES & ENTRANCE FEES FOR KIDHEGE WATERFALL/SHAGAYU FOREST RESERVE

The staff at Mambo View Point Eco Lodge were pretty strong about needing a guide for this hike and I’ll be the first to say, you should probably take a guide. I’m pretty experienced with maps, getting lost, jungle trails, and doing things independently. I made it but even with the map things weren’t always very clear. I think 99% of people who visit these falls, should do so with a guide.

Your guide will lead you all the way from Mambo or Mtae into Shagayu Forest Reserve and then find the narrow, wild, jungle path to take you to Kidhege Falls. The guide from the lodge is $30 USD per person as of 2021. There is also a $10 USD entry fee into Shagayu Forest Reserve although no office at the entry or exit so you pay the lodge and they hand that over to the office for you.

MY EXPERIENCE HIKING TO KIDHEGE FALLS IN SHAGAYU FOREST RESERVE

My journey to Kidhege Falls began at Mambo View Point Eco Lodge where I had stayed on my third night of the Lushoto to Mtae trek. I decided to add a fourth, long day to the journey by carrying my entire pack to Kidhege Falls and then exiting out the other side of Shagayu Forest Reserve to finish my trek in Mtae. It turned out to be a pretty good route and in total it took 6.5 kilometers to reach Kidhege from Mambo View Point and then another five to reach Mtae from the waterfall.

After an epic sunrise at Mambo Viewpoint, I had a quick breakfast and headed off down the hill out of Mambo. Here’s a look at Mtae and Mambo View Point during my sunrise session.

The route to Kidhege takes you through Mambo and down to Kwemtindi, where you will be passing through local neighborhoods, villages and then onto the forest plantations. There wasn’t much cover from the sun in these first few kilometers so I was happy to make it to the tree cover of the forest.

The turn off into the forest wasn’t very clear but I followed the path on the maps.me app and it led me up a dirt ramp and into the perfectly lined trees. I had a lot of trust in that map that day. Once inside the pine forest, you will stay amongst the trees for a couple of kilometers until the path really enters the more natural, wild forest and becomes a single-track route.

There is then a turn-off into the wall of ferns and trees that would surely be missed if not for the map or a local guide. It was literally a hole in a green wall.

This hole in the wall led me along a dense forest trail that would not relent for the next hour as I squeezed through the narrow gaps, holes, and tunnels created by the thick bushes and ferns.

I started to realize why no regular tourist would come in here without a guide. I kept a very close eye on my GPS location in relation to the trail so that I never got far off the path.

Every now and again I would reach a small clearing and come across a huge tree, so high I couldn’t see the top. This truly was a forest rich in diversity and unique species. I was loving every minute of it.

No matter which direction you come from, you have to do a small section of trail to reach the waterfall out and back and then re-join the loop. This section is just a few hundred meters and ends by following alongside the river upstream.

If you are coming from the Kwemtindi side and see this strange camp with flags, you have gone too far and are on the Mtae side of the loop. But it’s only a hundred meters back so no worries. If you are coming from the Mtae side and you find this camp/flag, you are just 100m away from the turn-off the the waterfall. You’ll understand when you study the route on maps.me, it’s not too complicated.

After the warnings of needing a guide and the intense nature of the trail, I was both stoked and relieved to make it to Kidhege Falls without getting lost. I was the only one there and sat down upon a big rock to take in the entirety of this peaceful spot. What makes it so magical is the lush surroundings and how dense the forest is throughout the journey to the falls. I had lunch, basked in the sun took a few photos and moved on to the exit part of my journey.

The route out on the Mtae side was much less intense and I imagine this might be the side a tour guide takes those wanting to reach the waterfall in the simplest manner possible. I highly recommend the Kwemtindi side if you are up for the adventure. I made a few wrong turns on the way out to Mtae but managed to re-join the road and wound my way up the hill to reach the small ridge village of Mtae and complete my 82-kilometer trek from Lushoto to Mtae (with a few detours) in four days.

I hope you enjoyed this guide to Kidhege Falls and Shagayu Forest Reserve in Usambara, Tanzania.

TANZANIA TOUR COMPANY I TREKKED WITH

I did almost every single one of my treks, tours, safaris, and transfers with Altezza Travel. The guides and drivers were always well trained and on time with high-quality gear. They offer a wide range of tours, treks, and activities including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. If you book any safari, tour, or trek with Altezza Travel and use my code JACKSON5, they will give you a 5% discount on the entire tour price.

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN ARUSHA

Most Luxurious: Gran Melia Arusha – Incredible view of Mount Meru and premium 5-star luxury.
Where I stayed on a budget: Wakawaka Hostel– Cheap, great location and chill vibes
Best value place to stay: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa – very cheap price but has pool and high quality facilities and rooms.

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12 Awesome Waterfalls In Tanzania: Ultimate Guide

Jackson — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 15:43:00 +0000

Tanzania is known for its trekking and incredible mountain ranges as well as being one of the top safari destinations in the world. However, if you are a waterfall chaser like me, there are so many amazing waterfalls in Tanzania to explore. In this blog post, I am going to share with you seven of the top waterfalls in Tanzania I personally visited and five more that should be on your bucket list.

BEST TOUR COMPANY FOR TANZANIA

Are you interested in traveling to Tanzania or trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro?

I did all of my tours, treks and trips in Tanzania with Altezza Travel and you can too! Use code ‘JACKSON5’ when booking for a 5% discount.

Book now with Altezza

12 BEST WATERFALLS IN TANZANIA

In this blog post, I’ll share the top 12 waterfalls in Tanzania. Feel free to click on the link at the bottom of any section for my detailed blog post about that specific waterfall.

MOUNT MERU WATERFALL HIKE

Mount Meru is home to many incredible waterfalls, which pour down from the volcanic slopes. After a night of heavy rain, I made a day trip to explore one of the largest waterfalls at the base of Mount Meru, aptly named Mount Meru Waterfall. This adventure involves a steep motorbike drive up a rocky road followed by a jungle stairway that leads you down into a gorge.

Once inside, you wade through the river, clambering over rocks until you meet the intense falls that spray with incredible force at its base. A remarkable sight and only a few kilometers from the town, the Mount Meru waterfall is one of the top things to do in Arusha and one of the best waterfalls in Tanzania.

MOUNT MERU WATERFALL HIKE DETAILS

Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike is roughly 4-5km out and back (return trip)
Hike Duration: Heading from the ticket office down to the waterfall and directly back should take about 1.5-2 hours.
Hike Difficulty: This trail is moderately difficult due to slippery conditions and wading through the river. Most people with average fitness and a sense of adventure will be okay as it is nothing technical. Be prepared to get wet.
Hike Incline: 200 meters.

READ MY FULL BLOG POST: MOUNT MERU WATERFALL HIKE

NGARE SERO WATERFALLS HIKE

However, hidden in the depths of the Ngare Sero Gorge is the hidden gem of the region with a series of stunning waterfalls. It might be hard to believe in the heat of the plains but this refreshing micro-adventure was one of my favorite activities in the Lake Natron region. This one was probably my favorite waterfall in Tanzania as it was just so unexpected!

The trek is short but very interesting from the first moment as you spend the entire route inside the gorge. Wading through hip-high water at times is quite a fun adventure although still very moderate and easy for most to handle. The waterfalls at the end of the gorge are the perfect spot to cool down after your Ol Doinyo Lengai hike.

NGARE SERO WATERFALLS HIKE DETAILS

Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike is 5km out and back (return trip)
Hike Duration: The hike can be completed in about two hours depending on how long you enjoy the waterfall.
Hike Difficulty: This trail is quite basic as it is only five kilometers in distance. However, the trail crosses the river a number of times. I highly suggest water shoes or even using hiking boots and getting them wet. My friend went in flip-flops and regretted it due to how much of the trail was on slippery rocks.
Hike Incline: 333 meters.
My Strava Map Upload: Ngare Sero Waterfall Hike

READ MY FULL BLOG POST: NGARE SERO WATERFALLS HIKE

BEST KILIMANJARO TREKKING COMPANY

Are you interested in traveling to Tanzania or trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro?

I did all of my tours, treks and trips in Tanzania with Altezza Travel and you can too! Use code ‘JACKSON5’ when booking for a 5% discount.

Book now with Altezza

KIDHEGE FALLS HIKE

The Kidhege Waterfall is impressive but the hike to reach the falls is the highlight of this adventure amidst the incredibly diverse nature of the Shagayu Forest in Usambara, Tanzania. Hidden deep in the forest, determined hikers can find the peaceful oasis of the Kidhege Waterfall. The Shagayu Forest Reserve is one of 34 biodiversity hotspots in the world with a wide array of endemic plants. The trail is pretty wild and requires a guide for most hikers although I managed to find this waterfall on a solo adventure. It’s definitely one of the more hidden waterfalls in Tanzania but not impossible to find.

KIDHEGE FALLS HIKE DETAILS

Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike is about 15km out and back (return trip) if you begin and end at Mambo View Point Eco Lodge. I started at Mambo and finished at Mtae and my entire trek was 13km. There is a way to get close to the entrance and hike in and out for less than an 8-km hike.
Hike Duration: The hike to and from Mambo should take about 4-5 hours in total although the forest section is thick and will slow many down as they avoid trying to slip.
Hike Difficulty: This trail is quite difficult within the forest due to the narrow tracks, dense forestation, and slippery surface. However, there is nothing dangerous on the hike other than getting lost or slipping and your guide should mitigate those risks.
Hike Incline: 800 meters (return trip)

READ MY FULL BLOG POST: KIDHEGE WATERFALL HIKE IN SHAGAYU FOREST

MARANGU WATERFALLS HIKE

You may have heard of the Marangu Route, which takes hikers up to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. However, I doubt you have heard of the Marangu Waterfalls, which are a great attraction in the area before or after your Mount Kilimanjaro trek. Combine the short waterfall hike with a coffee tour or an exploration of the local Chagga cave system and you are set for a full day of adventures before your more serious trekking.

The two waterfalls I visited on my hike were Ndoro and Monjo, and these are the most popular two although there are others to explore in the area also. For a day trip from Moshi these Tanzania waterfalls will definitely be a refreshing adventure.

MARANGU WATERFALL HIKE DETAILS

Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike is 5.5km out and back (return trip).
Hike Duration: The hike to and from the waterfall should take about 1.5 -2 hours.
Hike Difficulty: This trail is quite manageable. Even in the rain, it was okay when we walked slowly. It’s a muddy road, which converts into a single-track trail and towards the end of the hike. The hardest part of the hike is the 100m or so of incline up the stairs when returning from the waterfall.
Hike Incline: 212 meters (return trip).
My Strava Map Upload: Marangu Waterfall Hike

READ MY FULL BLOG POST: MARANGU WATERFALLS HIKE

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN ARUSHA

Most Luxurious: Gran Melia Arusha – Incredible view of Mount Meru and premium 5-star luxury.
Where I stayed on a budget: Wakawaka Hostel– Cheap, great location and chill vibes
Best value place to stay: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa – very cheap price but has pool and high quality facilities and rooms.

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KISASA WATERFALL HIKE

The Kisasa Waterfall, also known as Izasa or Kizasa (depending on who you ask), is an epic spot in amongst the Usambara Mountain Range. While it is possible to drive to the entrance and do a short walk down to the base of the falls, I suggest combining the falls with a hike throughout the village region. I walked from Irente Farm Lodge, passing through the village of Yogoi and was able to observe lots of local scenes on the route to the waterfall.

KISASA WATERFALL HIKE DETAILS

Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike is 7km one-way from Irente Farm Lodge although you can start from wherever you are staying.
Hike Duration: The hike can be completed in about 2 hours or 4-5 hours if you make the return trip like I did.
Hike Difficulty: This trail is quite basic as it follows the village roads all the way until you reach the falls and then you must do a sort descent on the dirt path.
Hike Incline: This really depends on where you begin. I did a massive loop from Irente, through Yogoi and returned so my incline for the day was almost 1000m but it really doesn’t have to be that dramatic. I explain this in the full blog post linked above.
My Strava Map Upload: Kisasa Waterall Hike

READ MY FULL BLOG POST: KISASA WATERFALL HIKE IN USAMBARA

MATERUNI WATERFALL HIKE

Materuni Waterfall is a booming waterfall just 15-kilometers from Moshi Town. When combined with a coffee tour in the village, it makes for a perfect day trip before or after your Mount Kilimanjaro climb. With about eight kilometers of walking throughout the day and 300 meters of incline, this adventure is a great warm-up for the legs while also getting to immerse yourself in the local culture.

he tour begins by observing the entire process of making a cup of coffee, from seed to mug. After a locally produced lunch, you head off to explore the massive Materuni Waterfall.

BOOK YOUR MATERUNI WATERFALL HIKE: I did my Materuni Waterfall Hike & Coffee Tour with Altezza Travel and can’t recommend it enough. If you want to book with Altezza, they offer a 5% discount to my readers when you use the code JACKSON5 to book your waterfall hike.

MATERUNI WATERFALL HIKE DETAILS

Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike is 8km out and back (return trip) including the walk up to the coffee farm.
Hike Duration: The hike to and from the waterfall should take about 1.5 -2 hours but including the coffee farm tour, you can expect the entire activity to last for 3-4 hours.
Hike Difficulty: This trail is quite manageable. Even in the rain, it was okay when we walked slowly. It’s a muddy road, which converts into a single-track trail towards the end of the hike. As long as you are comfortable with uneven surfaces and some slight incline, this will be a walk in the park.
Hike Incline: 321 meters (return trip) including the coffee farm.
My Strava Map Upload: Materuni Waterfalls Hike

READ MY FULL BLOG POST: MATERUNI WATERFALL HIKE

TULULUSIA WATERFALL

On the descent from our Mount Meru climb, we stopped off at Tululusia Waterfall, which is at the base of Mount Meru. Hidden away by a secret path, this waterfall is tucked between the rock wall and is a reward for hikers coming down from the summit of Mount Meru.

In the rainy season, it pours ferociously and can be heard from outside of the ravine. In the drier months, you can go and dip your feet at the base of the falls. It is possible to reach this waterfall on a day trip but most visitors to this waterfall are on the descent from Mount Meru as it is quite far from Arusha just for a day trip to see the waterfall.

* MORE WATERFALLS TO EXPLORE *

The next few on this list of the top Tanzania Waterfalls are spots I didn’t quite make it to but had on my own bucket list. I thought it would be valuable to share those with you in case you are able to explore them on your own. I’ll definitely try and visit these waterfalls in Tanzania if I make a return trip.

SANJE FALLS

Sanje Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Tanzania. Hidden in the forest of Udzungwa, a steep cirucit hike takes about four hours to complete from Sanje village. At 170m, Sanje Falls is an incredible sight and one of many amazing natural formations in the Udzungwa area.

KALAMBO FALLS

This one is a bit interesting as it is literally on the border between Tanzania and Zambia. Kalambo Falls are the tallest uninterrupted falls in Africa at 235 meters. This means the water doesn’t cascade down it just free falls the entire way for 235m. Downstream of the falls you will find the Kalambo Gorge, which is 1-km wide and a depth of up to 300 m, running for about 5-km before opening up into the Lake Tanganyika rift valley.

KINUKAMORI WATERFALL

Kinukamori Waterfall is actually very close to the Marangu Waterfalls tour I did, which I showed above. Kinukamori is found in Chagga Land amidst the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. The crystal clear of the waterfall originates in the natural springs of volcanic rocks on Kilimanjaro.

On the tour, you will visit Kinukamori on top and bottom. This picturesque spot is great for swimming or just relaxing and enjoying the refreshing breeze from the waterfall. The trek itself to the waterfall is just 20 minutes so it is a short adventure.

KAKOMBE WATERFALL

Kakombe Waterfall is a secluded treasure in the heart of Gombe, a popular place for trekking and sighting chimpanzees. Within the national park the waterfall is often part of trek itineraries where tourists are walking in hope of coming across chimpanzees in the wild.

I hope you enjoyed this guide about the top waterfalls in Tanzania and found some inspiration for your next trip.

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN ARUSHA

Most Luxurious: Gran Melia Arusha – Incredible view of Mount Meru and premium 5-star luxury.
Where I stayed on a budget: Wakawaka Hostel– Cheap, great location and chill vibes
Best value place to stay: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa – very cheap price but has pool and high quality facilities and rooms.

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The Western Breach Route: Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m)

Jackson — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 15:33:00 +0000

Kilelema means ‘that which is difficult or impossible’ and the translation of Njaro means ‘bird’. History tells us when local tribes looked up at the mountain we know now as Kilimanjaro, they saw it as a perilous peak too difficult to reach, even for birds.

After settling in the town of Arusha for a few days, our journey up the ‘impossible mountain’ would be a nine-day expedition on the Western Breach route. There are many paths to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro. However, the Western Breach is known to be the most scenic route of all. The Western Breach is also the most technical and physically demanding path to the summit, which is coined ‘The Roof of Africa’ as it’s the highest peak on the continent.

After two intense years of trekking, hiking, and multi-day expeditions I held no doubts about my physical ability to summit. However, with an altitude of 5,895m, Uhuru Peak is often a battle against the altitude more so than a test of one’s physical endurance.

Our journey to the summit is with the Kiliwarriors. A strong name for a brave group of men who carry 20kg loads, tents, and supplies along the journey. Kiliwarrior Expeditions offer a premium Kili experience with all of the extra trimmings that made this trip one of the most luxurious camping experiences of my life.

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN ARUSHA

Most Luxurious: Gran Melia Arusha – Incredible view of Mount Meru and premium 5-star luxury.
Where I stayed on a budget: Wakawaka Hostel– Cheap, great location and chill vibes
Best value place to stay: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa – very cheap price but has pool and high quality facilities and rooms.

View on Booking.com

A GUIDE TO THE WESTERN BREACH ROUTE: KILIMANJARO

In this guide to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via the Western Breach, it will be split into two sections. First I will share with you my photos and journal from each day of the trek. In the second section, I will brief you on everything you need to know about Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro including what to pack, costs, alternate routes, the best time of year to climb, and where to stay in Arusha before your climb.

MOUNT KILIMANJARO TREK DETAILS (WESTERN BREACH)

Distance: 64 km
Days required: 9 days.
Total Incline: (Undulation) – 5,434m/17828ft
The highest point on the trek: Uhuru peak is 5,895meters above sea-level.
Difficulty: It’s hard for an average hiker but the altitude is definitely more difficult to manage than the distance with several rest days and acclimatization days. It is achievable for those with decent fitness even without climbing or trekking experience.
Cost per trek: The costs range from $1600 to $6000 depending on the size of your group and your support crew including rangers, guides, porters and a chef.
Accommodation: The entire Western Breach/Lemosho route is camping. The tents will be carried by your porters in most cases.
Who did I trek with: I booked my trek with Kiliwarriors and I can honestly say they were awesome. Our guides were the most organized, our food was incredible (other hikers looked jealous) and we were looked after from start to finish.
My Mount Kilimanjaro Strava Map: Western Breach Route

CLIMBING MOUNT KILIMANJARO: THE WESTERN BREACH ROUTE

Day One: Rainforest Zone

The day before our trek we had lunch with our guides for an expedition briefing and to do a gear-check. With everything in order, we left the next morning at 9 am from Kibo Palace Hotel en route to the Lemosho Gate entrance.

The three-hour drive from Arusha takes you through local villages, small towns, and farming fields. With some luck, you will catch a glimpse of Mount Kilimanjaro poking above the clouds in the distance. The adventure comes to life when you actually lay eyes on the mountain you are setting out to climb.

There are a few stops you need to make on the way to sign registration forms and sort out the logistics with the porters but it’s all handled by the team and you can just enjoy your last few moments before the trek begins. The porters need to weigh their bags as they have a 20kg limit, part of the rules to ensure good working conditions and that more locals are employed in the tourist trade. It’s a pretty interesting setup to see the porters lined up like school students, weighing their bags one-by-one on a retro scale.

Our final drive to the Lemosho Gate entrance wound us through some off-beat back roads. Our Land Rover cruised along without an issue but the bus with the gear and porters had a more exciting journey through the muddy forest roads.

Arriving at the Lemosho Gate entrance, we were greeted by a family of shy Colobos monkeys. After our first brush with wildlife, it was a quick gourmet lunch, mandatory trailhead photo, final check of the gear and that was it, off we went. Nine days later we would emerge on the eastern side having summited Uhuru Peak, well that’s the plan anyway.

Day one on the trail reminded me of the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea. A lush forest split by a narrow dirt path, guiding us deeper and deeper within the canopy.

This first day is basically a warm-up. The six-kilometer trek has just over six hundred meters of incline. It’s a mild day with just 2-3 hours of slow-paced walking. We had plenty of time to observe the local monkeys engaging in turf wars and swinging throughout the treetops.

As the sun began to creep towards the horizon, the light filtered through the gaps in the canopy to paint the lush greenery with flickers of gold. It was a stunning first day of trekking beneath the lush canopy before we reached Forest Camp, also known as Big Tree Camp.

Our guides had already set up the tents, toilet, mess tent (dining room), their kitchen, water filter and all sorts of facilities you shouldn’t expect in the jungle. A bowl of hot water and soap was a nice touch and had us feeling refreshed. A tea and popcorn snack had us wondering how we were so lucky to be enjoying such hospitality.

Dinner was an incredible three-course spread with chicken, salads, soup, peanut curry, and dessert. So far, the trek has felt like a holiday but we know things only get tougher as the trip continues and the elevation increases. Tonight we sleep easy at 2,650m to the sounds of the wind blowing through the canopy of trees.

Day Two: Heather/Moorland Zone

Throughout the night, rainfall spattered our tent but we woke to a beautifully still morning amongst the trees. At 2,650m there was a chill in the air but a warm cup of coffee was the perfect antidote.

A breakfast of (very lucky) champions was served with bacon, eggs, tomato, toast, and fruit to start out the second day. Today would be one of the steepest parts of the route so we would need to be energized.

At 830am we set off into the forest, with stunning morning light seeping through the canopy. Following the narrow dirt path, we would enjoy the lush scenery throughout the repetitive undulations for the first hour of the day. The trail then emerged from the forest to reach the Heather Zone, where bushes replace the forest. We started to catch views of Mount Meru and Ol Doinyo Lebgai, two neighboring volcanoes.

Our trek continued above the clouds, stopping only for a lunch break at a small plateau. This would be the last flat area we encountered for some time as we continued to elevate up the winding, muddy track towards Shira Ridge. There’s no rush here and trekkers are encouraged to move at a slow pace to negate the effects of altitude. After all, you are now at 3,300 meters above sea level.

Almost reaching Shira Ridge, we deviated around the ridge and then crossed over on the left side to reveal our first views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Covered in snow and jagged peaks, the scale of our adventure begins to sink in.

We can spot Shira Camp One down in the plateau in between our trail and the base of the mountain. This was our last effort of the day as we descended down from the ridge to our camp for the night. All the while, Mount Kilimanjaro looked over us.

With the mountain as our backdrop, it was a healthy reminder to take it slowly during these early days for the true challenge lay in the final moments of our expedition on the snowy slopes to reach Uhuru Peak.

Clouds danced around Kili as we made it to Shira Camp One in the late afternoon. Believe it or not, a hot camp shower set up by Kiliwarriors had us refreshed and the only thing that could top off the day was a hot tea.

Dinner was of course fantastic with soup, fish, potatoes, salad, and a dessert to cap off a memorable second day on the trail. Dinner had to be paused as Kili received a golden glow from the final moments of sunshine. We rushed outside to bask in its glory.

We rest tonight at Shira Camp One, which is 3,400 meters above sea level. There’s no rain or wind outside as I write this journal from within my tent. Perfectly still. So far the mountain gods have blessed us with impeccable conditions, but tomorrow is a new day with new challenges and surely new blessings.

Day Three: Heather/Moorland Zone

A quiet hum of activity woke me from a deep sleep inside the tent. Breakfast was being prepared and the camp was in the process of getting dismantled. I poked my head out of the tent and saw a sky of red, wispy clouds hovering above Mount Kilimanjaro. We quickly gathered our jackets and cameras to capture one of the most beautiful sunrises over Shira Camp One.

Our route today would take us from Shira Camp One to Scott Fischer Camp for lunch and then on to Moir Camp to spend the night.

It’s now our third day on the Western Breach Route with Kiliwarriors. It always fascinated me how quickly you can become comfortable with a certain lifestyle. Walk, camp, sleep, repeat. This is a luxurious style of camping with a huge support crew but I’ve felt the same on independent trips.

You start to find a rhythm after a few days and your mind is triggered. You begin to delve a little deeper into your thoughts.

The beauty of the trail from Shira Camp One is the backdrop. For the first few hours of the day, we walked directly towards Kili. We were blessed with clear skies, which meant we could look up at our final destination.

As we neared Mount Kilimanjaro, we could begin to see the details on the mountain. Small ridges, peaks, and even the Western Breach became visible.

The scenery left behind the lowland shrubs and moss forest as we entered a rocky terrain, clambering up towards Scott Fischer Camp. Turning around we could take in the vast scale of the Shira Plateau.

Our lucky streak with the weather continued as we lay out in the hot sunshine while digesting another beautiful lunch. Our journey to Moir Camp was just a short incline up and over the rock wall. The total incline for the day was 800 meters with about 11 kilometers of distance covered.

As always, our camp had been set up by the hard-working Kiliwarriors. We enjoyed the last warmth of the sun, played cards, drank ginger tea, and then tucked into another amazing dinner while we winds blew a gale outside. Our meal was interrupted by a sky on fire as sunset produced some amazing colors amidst the fast-moving clouds.

Tonight we sleep at 4,150 meters and thankfully the body is managing well so far. The wind is threatening to blow our tents over but I’m sure it will subside during the night. It’s been another day to remember on our journey to Uhuru Peak. Tomorrow is a new day and we take nothing for granted.

Day Four: Lava Tower

A chaotic night of extreme winds carried through till late morning. One of the tents had blown over and several others had threatened to follow. Despite the hostile weather, we had a good night’s sleep at Moir Camp.

Shortly after wake-up, the sun shone over our camp and blue skies signaled another lucky day of dry weather. By the end of today, if it hasn’t rained, it won’t. We will simply be too high and any rain will actually be snow.

Our trek today was a short one. From Moir Camp we hiked 5 kilometers with 500m of elevation to reach Lava Tower Camp.

The terrain becomes quite otherworldly today with no trees in sight. Dry, rocky, dusty, and vast ridges were the landscape in this region. Kili seemed to be getting closer and closer as our necks began to hurt looking up at Uhuru Peak.

Although it was a short distance, the elevation is starting to play a part as we are now camping at 4,600 meters above sea level. I’ve had very mild light-headedness but otherwise am feeling fresh.

A heavy and chilly fog rolled through the camp, which led to a subdued afternoon of ginger tea, cards, and chatting with the cooking team. Looming over the camp is a huge lava tower. It’s possible to climb the tower but we will wait for better weather tomorrow.

We will spend two nights here at Lava Tower Camp to properly acclimatize. It’s funny how just staying at a campsite for two nights in a row can make it feel at home.

The air is getting thinner and cooler. Layers upon layers have been adorned but inside our sleeping bags at night we are toasty.

Tomorrow will be the halfway point of our journey to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. I’m nervously looking forward to the challenges that lat ahead on the snow-capped ridges of Kili.

Day Five: Lava Tower Acclimatization Hike

The mornings are only getting colder. Despite a beautiful pastel sunrise, it was hard to leave the warmth of my sleeping bag this morning. As I unzipped the tent door at 6:30 am, the moon was setting over the ridges in the distance.

Mount Kilimanjaro was casting its shadow, painting a dark pyramid over the view. I will have to wake up earlier tomorrow to capture what is hopefully a similar scene.

We stay two nights at Lava Tower Camp, which allows us to settle in but also plans some nice photos based on what we’ve seen the previous day. Our second day at Lava Tower Camp will be an earlier and colder start but hopefully produces some beautiful images.

This morning we made the short climb up the lava tower that looks over our camp. It’s a short scramble with a few rock walls to clamber over.

At the summit, we had an unbroken view of Kili. Basking in the warm sun on top of Lava Tower was exactly what my frozen toes needed. Our guides were able to point out the Western Breach and also Arrow Glacier Camp, which would be our second adventure of the day.

Before lunch, we headed out with small daypacks, which were basically just full of cameras. Our mission was to reach Arrow Glacier Camp, which sits at 4,900 meters. This is where we would stay the next night but today we would just trek up and back down to Lava Tower Camp as an acclimatization hike.

To reach Arrow Glacier Camp, we pass through the alpine desert region. This area looks like another planet and is very dry with a gravel path winding up switchbacks in between the boulders. Only a few determined spiders and flowers can sustain the conditions.

We reached Arrow Glacier Camp to find it mostly covered in snow except for small patches, big enough to pitch our tents. After hanging out and soaking in the altitude, we headed back down the slippery slope to Lava Tower Camp.

Back at camp we took a nap, played cards, ate too much food, and relaxed until sunset gave us some very moody, cloudy conditions up on Kili. We’ve been blessed with great weather and photography conditions so far and the ever-changing and fast-moving clouds have created many dramatic scenes.

With no cloud cover tonight, it’s well below freezing and feels like it. I’ll stay warm inside my sleeping bag, looking forward to reaching Arrow Glacier Camp tomorrow at 4,900 meters. The journey continues.

Day Six: Arrow Glacier Camp

It was a rough night. I woke too many times to count and my head seemed to be pounding. I woke early and sat outside in the freezing cold to let my body relax and could hear a ringing in my ears. This may all sound alarming but these are common effects of camping at high altitudes. Not everyone is impacted but attitude sickness chooses its victims at will.

Despite the heavy pressure and ringing in my ears, I woke early to shoot the sunrise and the setting moon but it was a dull, grey morning. I often enjoy those mornings with freezing cold conditions where I put in a lot of effort and planning but don’t even bother to touch my camera. I love being reminded of how hard you need to work for certain photographs and outcomes. Hard work I’m always willing to put in regardless of how many dull, grey mornings I witness before a spectacular sunrise.

Luckily our trek for the day was just 1.5km up to Arrow Glacier Camp. It’s the same trek we had done the day before as an acclimatization hike. I was left wondering why it hadn’t worked for me. After a slow pack-up, we began the trek up to our new camp at 4900 meters.

I was worried about this short hike. My headache wasn’t getting any better and we were going higher. Would it get worse? Would I be able to summit? Why was this happening to me? Needless to say, it was a stressful trek up the hills for me as thoughts buzzed about in my head, as did the constant ringing.

Arriving before midday at Arrow Glacier Camp meant we had the whole day to relax and enjoy the close proximity to Mount Kilimanjaro. This campsite really sits under the mountain and is the gateway to the Western Breach route to the summit.

Snow covers the campsite and the occasional rockfall gives this scenic campsite energy and atmosphere unlike any other on the expedition. As the clouds rolled past throughout the day. I often sat with my cameras waiting for opportune moments to capture a nice scene. The ever-changing clouds and light gave me a lot to consider.

The golden hour approached and I decided to send up the drone for an aerial view of Kili from above the clouds. Ethereal and majestic are the only words I have to describe this monolith of a mountain.

The drone flight was an exciting one as my little buddy returned with 0% and promptly dropped from five meters into the snow. This unplanned landing was much to the delight of the Kiliwarriors who seemed to enjoy the commotion.

The sunset wasn’t over with fiery colors helping to bring out the beautiful shape of Mount Meru in the distance. I hoped it was a sign from Kili.

As I head to sleep inside my tent, hidden from the harsh cold, I can only hope to wake up with a clear head. Well, at least clear enough to reach the summit. It’s been a great journey so far but the summit is our goal after all. I’m ready to push as hard as I can. So for now, we sleep and wake at 2:30 tomorrow to begin the Western Breach route to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Day Seven: Western Breach, Crater Camp & Uhuru Peak (Summit Day)

“Good Morning, Good Morning” came the call from our guide outside our tent at 2:30. It was so cold I had slept in almost all of my summit gear. I leaned up in my sleeping bag, wiped my eyes, and immediately began to pack my daypack for our summit day. There was no time to rest this morning, it was summit day.

Unzipping the tent door, I could only pray for clear skies. I poked my head out and saw just a few clouds, shielding a sky full of stars. What a perfect morning to be heading up the challenging and technical Western Breach route to the roof of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro.

The guides and chef had been up for a while. A breakfast of porridge, toast, tea, and coffee had been prepared. I could only stomach a piece of toast and a tea. It would be the last thing I ate for hours.

At 4 am, we strapped on our helmets, did a final gear check, and placed some hand-warmers inside our gloves. I took one final look up the entire Western Breach and felt mentally prepared to embark on the 1000m of vertical climbing.

The climb up the Western Breach is a combination of rock crossings, snow, and Boulder scrambling. The conditions really depend on the season and the amount of recent snowfall. We were lucky to have a good cover of snow but not deep enough to be dangerous. It was essentially a perfect run on this day.

The climb began in the dark, but a full moon gave us an ambient light on top of our head torches. It was a quiet and peaceful atmosphere as we made our way through the bottom half of the breach.

After about an hour of scrambling, we put on our crampons (micro-spikes) in preparation for a series of snow crossings and snow-glazed rock sections. I wasn’t expecting our Kilimanjaro Climb to be so beautiful. I constantly turned back over my shoulder to see a white slope leading sharply back down to the dry alpine desert region below. Sharp ridges towered over us on either side creating a dramatic atmosphere during blue hour.

In the latter stages of the Western Breach, the sun finally began to pop over the top of the crater rim giving us some warmth and hope of reaching the rim before too long. After just three and a half hours, we reached the top of the Western Breach from Arrow Glacier Camp.

As the golden light began to enter the morning, Kili cast its imposing shadow on the horizon while Mount Meru also began to burst through the early fog. It was an incredible scene and one that was hard to capture in its entirety. We did put in quite a lot of effort on the Western Breach in cold and testing conditions to capture the route during some of our favorite moments.

The Western Breach is by far the best way to summit Mount Kilimanjaro if you want a more scenic and adventurous route. We came down the regular route and it just doesn’t even come close to comparing to the unbelievable morning we experienced on the Western Breach ascent.

That was phase one of the morning completed and we were in pretty good condition by that stage despite 850 meters of vertical gain from our camp. We now had to cross the vast snowfield to reach Crater Camp, which sits just below the very steep gauntlet route to Uhuru Peak.

The crossing was short but the open snowfield was truly beautiful. It felt like Antarctica yet I had to remind myself we were in Africa. The highlight of the crossing was passing the glacier near Crater Camp.

The demise of the glaciers on Mount Kilimanjaro is well researched and documented but the remaining glaciers are still truly incredible. They tower over you and have a vivid blue glow, unlike any other substance. Walking beside the glacier wall was one of the highlights of the day.

In mid-morning, we reached Crater Camp to find our Kiliwarrior team with a makeshift setup. We decided to skip lunch and head straight up to the summit. By this stage, I had a growing headache so I was keen to get going on the summit, which would mean a quicker descent.

The route to Uhuru Peak is almost a direct line up the side of the mountain. You can see the footsteps from afar and it can be quite intimidating. However, if you take it one step at a time, reaching the summit can take just over an hour from Crater Camp although in bad conditions it can take more than three hours.

This ascent of a few hundred meters was very tough for me. My head became cloudier as we climbed. My body and mind were strong but an increasing earache hampered my progress. Nevertheless, I took each step as a victory, accumulating hundreds of small wins on my way to the peak.

Once you reach the top of the vertical climb, there’s still a fifteen-minute stretch of relatively flat snow to navigate to reach the official peak. The sign is unmissable, ‘Congratulations you are now at Uhuru Peak, Tanzania’. We had made it.

The weather was a full whiteout at the summit but our views on the Western Breach earlier in the morning made up for it. Because we reached Uhuru Peak in the late morning, we were the only people at the usually crowded summit. This is another big advantage of the Western Breach route, which starts the summit day at 4 am and reaches Uhuru Peak long after the hoards of trekkers from the regular routes have begun their descent.

At the summit, I had quite a headache but still managed to savor the moment and enjoy the achievement. It was great to share our accomplishments with our guides. The entire Kikiwarrior team of 22 had helped us reach the summit, which is something we will never forget.

The descent heads down the regular route to Barafu Camp. It’s an altitude loss of 1300 meters through a slope of loose volcanic rock. The descent often resembles skiing more so than trekking as everyone does their best to remain upright while sliding down the mountain-side.

The journey from Uhuru Peak to Barafu Camp takes about two hours and the decline is more than welcome after 1,100 meters of climbing earlier in the morning.

Barafu is a large and busy camp, but we found our spot nestled away on the ridge with views looking back up to Kili. A hearty meal, hot chocolate, and some card games was a fitting end to one of my most memorable days up in the mountains. Tonight I rest my head upon my pillow with tired eyes, fatigued body but a nourished soul. Thanks, Kili.

Day Eight: Mweka Camp

Everyone enjoyed a long sleep and a late start at Barafu Camp. Sunrise still had us out of bed at 630 am with views of Mawenzi and Kili. The mood has changed. Everyone is much more relaxed now that we’ve summitted. Even I sat with a coffee, watching the ravens fly around camp as I reminisced on our adventure from yesterday.

This side of the mountain isn’t as beautiful but it’s still amazing to see such a giant snow-capped mountain at golden hour. We’re now on the eastern side of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is much more barren and far less scenic than the west. I’m glad we were able to enter from the west, cross Kili, and now exit from the East. It allows you to appreciate the mountain from both sides.

Our trek today began as a winding, rocky path down from Barafu Camp to High Camp. It’s a dusty, barren scene with wide-open expanses. As we walked, looking up we would see the change from the desert to the heather zone to the jungle and finally the town. It’s always nice to see where you are heading.

From High Camp, we passed through the edge of the forest to reach Mweka Camp. The total trip for the day was seven kilometers with a drop of 1500 meters. I definitely felt this one on the knees as most of the path had us dropping down from one Boulder to another.

Mweka Camp is just ten kilometers from the exit, which is called Mweka Gate. We probably could’ve easily made it all the way to Mweka Gate in the early afternoon but after a big summit day, there’s no rush to push on.

This camp is quite busy as many of the routes use this camp as part of their exit route. It’s the least scenic camp of the entire journey but by now we’ve been spoilt with epic camp views and private camps just for us.

Tonight we will sleep easy at 3000 meters before making the three-hour hike to Mweka Gate tomorrow to finish off this adventure.

Day Nine: Mweka Gate

With just ten downhill kilometers remaining on our Kilimanjaro adventure, there were no nerves and minimal anticipation during our last morning. There was a feeling of casual formality amongst the group. We packed up camp at a leisurely pace and began the walk down from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate.

I wasn’t expecting much scenery on this final day, as it is simply a practical exit route down from the mountain. However, as happened many times on this trip, I was pleasantly surprised with some amazing rainforest scenery. There were even a few glimpses of Mount Kilimanjaro through the trees for one last chance to say goodbye.

The trail on the final two days of the trek gives your knees a workout as you are constantly downhill on muddy steps and boulders. It’s not technical but the repetition will test your durability.

The lush rainforest reminded me of our first day on the trek. Early morning light broke through the thick canopy as monkeys played about on the branches. Twisted branches were draped in vines to create a sea of green in every direction. This was one of my favorite parts of the trek despite having been to the summit and seen some incredible peaks, glaciers, and snow-covered mountains.

All good things must come to an end. After ten kilometers of downhill action, we made it down to Mweka Gate where we received our Mount Kilimanjaro certificates, took our final group photos, and tipped our Kiliwarrior Expedition team. From there we had a couple of hours of driving back to Arusha to our hotel Kibo Palace.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via the Western Breach route with the team from KiliWarriors was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had on the mountain. After having completed the route, there is simply no way I would recommend doing it any other route as it is far more scenic and adventurous via the Western Breach. It’s simply incomparable.

In the section below, I will give you all the details about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro including what to pack, costs, comparison of alternate routes, the best time of year to climb, and where to stay in Arusha before your climb. I will also detail my experience with KiliWarriors and whether or not it was a good-value trip and what to expect when booking with them.

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO CLIMBING MOUNT KILIMANJARO

WHERE IS MOUNT KILIMANJARO?

Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania, East Africa and is the highest free-standing mountain in the world and one of the Seven Summits prized by mountaineers and climbers.

THE FULL VLOG FROM OUR CLIMB OF MOUNT KILIMANJARO

MOUNT KILIMANJARO HEIGHT

Mount Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895 meters or 19,341 feet above sea-level.

WHICH TYPE OF VOLCANO IS MOUNT KILIMANJARO?

Mount Kilimanjaro is a stratovolcano, which is a term for a very large volcano made of ash, lava, and rock. Mount Kilimanjaro is made up of three cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. Kibo is the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and the tallest of the three volcanic formations. Uhuru Peak is the highest point of Kibo (Mount Kilimanjaro)

HOW HARD IS CLIMBING MOUNT KILIMANJARO

Mount Kilimanjaro is a non-technical mountain. It’s one of the easiest mountains of it’s height to climb. But that doesn’t make it easy. The route will take you anywhere from 6-9 days with more than 50 kilometers of trekking distance and approximately five thousand meters of incline.

However, don’t be intimidated by those numbers because when you break it down to a day-by-day schedule it is quite manageable.

The biggest part many struggle with is the altitude when they get above 5000 meters, which is harder to train for. If you can manage the following list below, you should be capable of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. In the end, reaching Uhuru Peak (Mount Kilimanjaro Summit) is more mental than physical.

Mount Kilimanjaro Fitness Checklist

You can walk 10 kilometers every day for a week
You can hike a vertical kilometer (1000m of incline) in one day

It’s important to know that only 60-70% of trekkers reach the summit every year. Even with porters carrying bags and helping tourists every step of the way, not everyone reaches the summit. The longer the route, the more likely you are to summit, so keep that in mind when choosing your route. The Western Breach route that I took was one of the longest and has the highest success rate.

CLIMBING MOUNT KILIMANJARO COST

The cost of your tour will depend on the tour operator and the route you take. The prices range from $2000 to $6000 per person for the trek but there are some key differences that lead to this wide range. For example, some treks are just five or six days while treks like mine are nine days. Also with a higher quality of food, toilets, and equipment a company might require more porters, which would increase the cost again.

There is no way to climb Mount Kilimanjaro independently. You need to go with a guide and there are a minimum number of porters required. The mountain is very regulated to ensure local employment and fair working conditions.

It is possible to book the trek once you arrive in Arusha or Moshi but I advise booking online in advance so you have no hassles and everything is lined up. If you book with someone you meet on the street, you might not be quite sure what you can expect on the mountain. However, if you book on the street in Arusha or Moshi, you can probably haggle a much lower price than you will find online.

Booking with KiliWarrior Expeditions costs approximately $5,050 USD per person (as of 2021) and is a high-end trek but also a nine-day route so it’s longer than most routes. They have many luxuries other companies overlook. A portable toilet, fresh fruits, and vegetables at altitude, hot water bottles, multiple chefs, and high-quality gear may not all be necessary but it definitely makes the trip comfortable and improves your chance of reaching the summit.

PACKING FOR YOUR MOUNT KILIMANJARO CLIMB

When you’re packing for Mount Kilimanjaro, it’s a bit different from packing for a regular trek by yourself. You will have porters who will carry your food, gear, clothes, and water supplies for the entire trek. You will carry your day pack with a rain-jacket, water bottle, phone, camera, and anything else you might need on the hike between camps.

For my trek, I had a 15-kilogram allowance for my duffel that a porter would carry. In that duffel, I packed clothes, toiletries, electronics, chargers, and other essentials. I carried my daypack with most of my camera gear I needed each day.

KILIMANJARO PORTERS ASSISTANCE PROJECT

Make sure you book with a trekking company that is a KPAP (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project) partner. KPAP was created many years ago and means there are set standards that need to be followed and met by the company. It basically ensures the rights of your guides, porters and crew. It’s a non-profit association that makes sure the porters and guides have a minimum wage, three set meals a day, and good sleeping conditions.

On every trek, one of the crew will be a member from KPAP, who is there to observe that the standards are met. That KPAP member is paid extra to be an unbiased observer while still working on the trip. There are almost 1000 companies that offer Mount Kilimanjaro treks and so far approximately 150 are part of KPAP.

KILIMANJARO TIPPING GUIDE

Tipping is standard for a Mount Kilimanjaro climb. About 10% is the average amount to tip although it can slightly depend on the company and cost of the tour. On our trip, it was recommended to tip $300 USD per person, which is what we did. Tipping is always a bit of a touchy subject so we asked our tour operator and he suggested $300 as a good amount.

As an Australian (the land of no tips), I’ve never liked tipping. I lived in Hawaii and Oregon for four years and have traveled around the world for five years.

Wherever there are tips you will find controversy and disappointment from someone involved. So why do we need to tip on Kilimanjaro. Basically, instead of including the tip in the price, tour operators can make their fees appear lower but stipulate a tip is required so the wages of the porters are still acceptable.

I don’t love this system but it requires systematic change and if one tour operator doesn’t co-operate they all need to require tipping to compete with the tour prices. The bottom line is that as of 2021, you need to tip your guides and porters and somewhere around 10% will be suitable.

MOUNT KILIMANJARO ROUTE OPTIONS & COMPARISON

There are many different route options to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, which include the Western Breach Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai, Northern Circuit, and Umbwe. Each route has a different itinerary, scenery, duration, and price but most importantly a different success rate.

Marangu Route

64km
6 days
65% Success rate
The only trek with huts and toilets. The same route up and down. Not the most scenic but the quickest. Lower success rate. Not the most scenic.

Machame Route

49km
6-7 days
85% Success rate
Most popular route and also a very scenic route. Good acclimatization profile with a rest day before summit day.

Rongai Route

65km
6-7 days
85% Success rate
The only route to start on the north side of the mountain. More expensive, less busy. Kown as an easier route with a more gradual incline.

Lemosho Route

56km
7-8 days
80% Success rate
Known as one of the most scenic routes. Begins. and ends in a stunning rainforest, not as busy.

Shira Route

56km
7-8 days
75% Success rate
Drive in a jeep til 3500m and then follows the Machame route. Chance of altitude sickness.

Umbwe Route

37km
5-6 days
75% Success rate
Most steep and difficult route as you just go straight up the ridge. Higher chance of altitude sickness.

Northern Circuit

90km
9 days
95% Success rate
Known as the ‘Grand Traverse’ it has a high success rate due to the slow ascent. Starts at the same point as the Lemosho route and has great views.

Western Breach Route

60km
9 days
95% Success rate
This is the route I did. The most scenic route climbs to the summit via the epic Western Breach. Great campsites, few crowds and in my opinion the best route by far.

BEST TIME TO CLIMB MOUNT KILMANJARO

The best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is January to March and June to October. It is colder if you go from January to March and it can often be snowing. I trekked in late February and there was thick snow, which was beautiful.

However, it is near the beginning of the rainy season so you can get unlucky with rain although we had no rain. June to October can be very busy and is the peak season with the summer holidays. It’s a great time to trek but there will undoubtedly be crowds. March to April and even November are the rainy months and times to avoid climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

ALTITUDE SICKNESS WHILE CLIMBING MOUNT KILIMANJARO

Basically there is less oxygen available at higher altitude and you can have headaches, diarheea and vomiting, dizziness and difficulty sleeping. Symptoms of altitude sickness can start at about 3000m (10 000 ft) above sea level.

The treatment is basically to go down in elevation, which is tricky when you are trying to climb further up the mountain. If you keep climbing you can make the situation worse and it could become a High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) or a High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). These are very serious and would require immediate medical attention and evacuation.

It’s common to have some altitude sickness while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. However, usually overnight or during your acclimatization day your body will adjust and it should improve.

The general rule is to hike high and sleep low. So always do a hike a little higher and then return to sleep a bit lower. You should also not climb more than 5-600m of elevation per day.

On several of the days on the Mount Kilimanjaro trek, we climbed 1000m. This is why many trekkers get altitude sickness. The longer your trek the less you climb each day in elevation and the more likely you are to the summit and avoid altitude sickness.

INSURANCE FOR YOUR MOUNT KILIMANJARO CLIMB

It is a requirement from most tour operators that you have travel insurance. Make sure you check that you have emergency evacuation included in your plan as you never know what might happen up on the mountain.

Medical costs in Tanzania are actually quite low for general pharmacy visits and dentist appointments as I experienced but emergency operations and hospital visits might be a whole other story. I’m insured with World Nomads Insurance who lets you select the countries. You will be visiting (cheaper that way) and bill you accordingly rather than giving global coverage, although they do offer that also.

I’ve made a few claims with them over the years and never had any issues. If you want to check out their rates just click here to check the rates for your trip: World Nomads Insurance

WHAT WILL YOU EAT WHILE CLIMBING MOUNT KILIMANJARO

The menu on the Mount Kilimanjaro trek will vary a lot depending on your trekking company. With KiliWarriors, we had dedicated chefs and had three cooked meals per day. They took great pride in having luxury meals even up at high altitudes. I’m talking avocados, bacon, and eggs at 5000 meters of altitude.

Cheaper tours will still keep you well-fed but you might expect sandwiches and fruits for lunch instead of a big cooked meal. You. can request a vegetarian or vegan menu but need to specify this in advance.

Our meals were always different and there were very few repeated lunch/dinner dishes. We even had pizza one night. A typical day of food on Mount Kilimanjaro looked like this:

Breakfast: Hot porridge with honey, fruit platter, toast with jam, omelette, bacon, coffee, tea, juice box
Lunch: Pumpkin soup, pasta, vegetables, sauce, chicken, fruit platter, coffee, tea
Afternoon Tea: Popcorn and tea/coffee
Dinner: Chicken noodle soup, potatoes, beef stew, cucumber and tomato salad, fried banana
Dessert: Cake with chocolate sauce, hot chocolate

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN ARUSHA

Most Luxurious: Gran Melia Arusha – Incredible view of Mount Meru and premium 5-star luxury.
Where I stayed on a budget: Wakawaka Hostel– Cheap, great location and chill vibes
Best value place to stay: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa – very cheap price but has pool and high quality facilities and rooms.

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Kisasa Waterfall Hike In Usambara, Tanzania

Jackson — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 15:07:00 +0000

KISASA WATERFALL VISITORS GUIDE

In this blog post I will give you all the details about the Kisasa Waterfall and several great hiking options to make it a full-day adventure.

WHERE IS THE KISASA WATERFALL

The Kisasa Waterfall is located in the Usambara mountains near the towns of Lushoto and Yogoi. Most visitors to the region will be staying in Lushoto town or Irente, which is nearby. I stayed at Irente Farm Lodge and from there it was just a 7-kilometer walk to Kisasa Falls, although I took the long/scenic route to make it more like 10 kilometers to the falls.

I found the route on Maps.me app to be the most accurate and it showed the path perfectly. Below is the Google Maps pin location for Kisasa Waterfall.

BEST TOUR COMPANY FOR TANZANIA

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KISASA WATERFALL ENTRANCE FEE

The entrance fee for Irente Viewpoint is 5,000 Tanzania Schillings, which is about $2 USD. There’s a small booth where you can submit the fee before entering the base of the falls. You can actually view the falls from the viewpoint above without paying the fee but when it is just $2 you may as well go enjoy the raw power of the falls at the base.

WHERE TO STAY NEARBY KISASA FALLS

There are two great spots in Irente I can recommend if you want to base somewhere near enough to Kisasa Waterfall.

Irente Farm Lodge: I spent two nights at the farm lodge before my huge Lushoto to Mtae trek and found it a great place with excellent food and budget prices. It had a very peaceful vibe and I could highly recommend it.
Irente View Cliff Lodge: This one is a little fancier than the farm lodge and has an incredible cliff-edge location. Sunrise and sunset time are epic with expansive views and easy access to Irente Viewpoint. Surrounded by lush forest, it’s an experience you will never forget and the prices are modest with nights available for under $70 USD.

MY EXPERIENCE HIKING TO KISASA WATERFALL

Kisasa Waterfall can be reached by boda-boda, which is the motorbike taxi found all over Tanzania, so by no means is this blog post suggesting you need to do a massive hike to reach the falls. However, you will probably be staying in Lushoto or Irente while visiting Usambara, and Kisasa Falls is within reach of those towns by foot. So, why not turn the waterfall into an adventurous outing and a great workout.

I decided to walk all the way from Irente Farm Lodge and my hike ended up being a round-trip 24-kilometer journey. However, if you just go out and back from Irente with the shortest route the distance would be six or seven kilometers one way. You have lots of options because you could hike there and catch a boda-boda back as there are many guys waiting there in the town. Basically, you have the freedom to create your own route.

I chose to combine a number of viewpoints with my route. I took the long way through Yogoi on the way to the falls to explore the local village roads and passed by a number of sunset viewpoints on the way back. It was a long day but the sunset viewpoints were worth the effort. So, now that you know you have a lot of options (use Maps.me to plan yours), I’ll share my experience with you.

After some morning rain at Irente Farm Lodge, I set off towards Yogoi town. Along the way, I detoured several times to explore different viewpoints. They were cloudy but would clear up when I returned later that afternoon.

However, my main route to Kisasa Falls was via the long, scenic route through Yogoi. It was interesting to meet lots of locals, see what they were up to, observe the farms, and greet lots of curious kids.

Make sure to keep an eye out for Chameleons because the Usambara Mountains are a hotspot for these color-changing reptiles. I was lucky enough to spot one during my time in Lushoto!

It took me 13 kilometers to reach Kisasa Waterfall with this route. The path to the falls was a little hidden but once I made it close to the pin on the map, I asked the locals who pointed me down to the path.

There are about 100 meters of drop along a dirt path to get to the base of the falls. Halfway down you will find a little viewing point on a rock. This is a free view and you only need to pay once you enter the base of the waterfall.

A little further down some muddy stairs, I reached the booth to pay the 5000 Tanzanian Schillings ($2 USD). At the base of the falls, you can sit and enjoy the cooling spray of the waterfall while relaxing at one of the many picnic tables. I was literally the only person there on the day I visited and relaxed for an hour taking in this powerful, tiered waterfall. It’s one of the top attractions in the area and a great place to take a packed lunch and enjoy the afternoon.

On my walk back I took the more direct route through Yogoi rather than the looping route on the highway side. I then chilled at one of the viewpoints known locally as ‘German Viewpoint’. Here I was treated to a clear view and an epic sunset where I could really appreciate the grandeur of the Usambara Mountains. These were my drone shots from that evening at the viewpoint looking back towards the mountains.

After sunset, I made the final few kilometers of walking back to Irente Farm Lodge in the dark and had no safety issues. It ended up being quite a large 24-kilometer look but an awesome first day in Usambara. The next day I would set off on my Lushoto to Mtae trek but it was good to get to know the area near Lushoto before setting off.

I hope you enjoyed this guide to the Kisasa Waterfall and have a great experience in Usambara.

TANZANIA TOUR COMPANY I TREKKED WITH

Irente Viewpoint In Lushoto, Usambara Mountains

Jackson — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 13:46:00 +0000

Looking out over the Maasai plains in Lushoto is one of the best viewpoints in Tanzania. Hidden in the off-the-beaten-path Usambara Mountain Range is this incredible sunset spot with a 1000-meter drop. There are a few accommodations nearby including the famous Irente View Cliff Lodge and the cute Irente Farm Lodge where I stayed. In this blog post, I will detail everything you need to know about visiting Irente Viewpoint including how to get there, where to stay nearby, the best time to visit, entrance fees, and what to expect.

WHERE IS IRENTE VIEWPOINT

Irente Viewpoint is near the town of Lushoto and nestled right next to Irente View Cliff Lodge, the premier accommodation in the region. You can reach Irente Viewpoint by taking a motorbike taxi (boda-boda) from Lushoto Town for less than $4 USD or stay at one of the accommodations nearby. I stayed at Irente Farm Lodge and from there it was just a 2-kilometer walk to Irente Viewpoint.

I found the route on Maps.me app to be the most accurate and it showed the path perfectly. Below is the Google Maps pin location for the viewpoint.

IRENTE VIEWPOINT ENTRANCE FEE

The entrance fee for Irente Viewpoint is 2,000 Tanzania Schillings, which is just less than $1 USD. If you are staying at Irente View Cliff Lodge, the entrance is free. There’s a small booth where you can submit the fee and it says the money is to go to the development of the village.

WHERE TO STAY NEARBY IRENTE VIEWPOINT

As I mentioned earlier, there are two great spots I can recommend if you want to base somewhere nearby Irente Viewpoint.

Irente Farm Lodge: I spent two nights at the farm lodge before my Lushoto to Mtae trek and found it a great place with excellent food and budget prices. It had a very peaceful vibe and I could highly recommend it.
Irente View Cliff Lodge: This one is a little fancier than the farm lodge and has an incredible cliff-edge location. Sunrise and sunset time are epic with expansive views and easy access to the viewpoint. Surrounded by lush forest, it’s an experience you will never forget and the prices are modest with nights available for under $70 USD.

BEST TOUR COMPANY FOR TANZANIA

Are you interested in traveling to Tanzania or trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro?

I did all of my tours, treks and trips in Tanzania with Altezza Travel and you can too! Use code ‘JACKSON5’ when booking for a 5% discount.

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MY EXPERIENCE AT IRENTE VIEWPOINT

After arriving in the late afternoon at Irente Farm Lodge, I packed my camera gear and set off on the short walk through the villages to find Irente Viewpoint. With clouds casting a shadow over the mountains and fog rolling in, I was worried about my prospects of seeing the view.

The walk gave me a great glimpse into the village life of the locals as I passed through the center of a small town on my route. The locals were happy to point me in the right direction.

The path dips down after the soccer field and follows a narrow path on the edge of the cliff. It was here where I caught my first glimpse of the view despite the fog covering much of the landscape.

Make sure to keep an eye out for Chameleons because the Usambara Mountains are a hotspot for these color-changing reptiles. I was lucky enough to spot one during my time in Lushoto!

I came across the ticket booth and paid my 2000 Schillings before reaching the rocky viewpoint. Unfortunately it was covered in clouds. I was happy to wait them out with still 1.5 hours til sunset.

My advice for this viewpoint is to arrive early as the clouds do often come through for an hour or so. If you visit for just ten minutes and go home you may miss out on the view. Moments before sunrise, the clouds began to thin and the incredible view began to appear.

I was even able to have a beautiful flight and take in the views of Lushoto and the Usambara mountain range from the air. Incredible golden light gave the ridges some stunning depth and I was honestly blown away by this part of Tanzania that is relatively unheard of on the tourist trail.

Underneath the viewpoint is a small overhang/cave area where you can take a seat and chill as the sun begins to set. This was probably my favorite part of Irente Viewpoint.

The walk home during dusk was equally as beautiful as the sunset views with tropical vibes leading the way back to the farm lodge. I walked alot in the dark throughout my week in Lushoto and Usambara and never had any problems or safety issues.

I hope you enjoyed this short guide to the Irente Viewpoint in Lushoto of the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania.

BEST KILIMANJARO TREKKING COMPANY

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TANZANIA TOUR COMPANY I TREKKED WITH

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Chemka Hot Springs (Kikuletwa) In Tanzania: Complete Guide

Jackson — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 11:33:00 +0000

Travelers to Tanzania usually base in Arusha or Moshi in between hiking trips and safaris. While recovering from multi-day tours and hiking trips one of the best things to do is a day trip to the Chemka Hot Springs, also known as the Kikuletwa Hot Springs. Just 1.5 hours from Arusha and nearby Moshi Town, this is one of the hidden gems of Tanzania that you need to visit. The water was crystal clear in this jungle oasis where you can relax all day and even enjoy rope swings, tire tubing, and some high jumps out of the trees.

Chemka Hot Springs

Pick-up included
Relaxing day-trip
Beautiful scenery

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A VISITORS GUIDE TO CHEMKA HOT SPRINGS

In this blog post, I will share with you all of the details about Chemka Hot Springs. I also filmed an underwater video of our experience in the hot springs, which will give you a good idea of what you can expect when visiting. It’s possible to drive to the hot springs independently but most tourists join a group tour to reach the hot springs on a day trip from Arusha or Moshi.

BOOK YOUR DAY-TRIP TO CHEMKA HOT SPRINGS: Chemka Hot Springs Tour

Chemka Hot Springs

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Relaxing day-trip
Beautiful scenery

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CHEMKA HOT SPRINGS UNDERWATER VIDEO

A video doesn’t lie. This short video was filmed on a GoPro 7 and captures the clarity of the incredible underwater world at Chemka Hot Springs. The more tourists that are swimming, the more sand and sediments start to float around so arriving early in the morning is the best time for the clearest water.

CHEMKA HOT SPRINGS (KIKULETWA HOT SPRINGS) LOCATION

Chemka Hot Springs is a two-hour drive from Arusha Town and just over an hour drive from Moshi Town by car. If you are taking the bus, you can expect to add some time on for the slower drive, pick-ups, and transits to a motorbike or tuk-tuk. If you are planning a day-trip to the hot springs from Arusha, you can catch a local bus to Boma la Ngombe and then transfer from the bus to a motorbike, local taxi, or tuk-tuk.

I decided that with the long journey from Arusha and different vehicles needed, I would book the tour with a driver since we were two people. It was more expensive but a comfortable drive to and from the hot springs so we had more time to enjoy swimming and less time sitting inside a hot bus.

I’ve added the exact pin location to the map below, which is accurate.

BEST TOUR COMPANY FOR TANZANIA

Are you interested in traveling to Tanzania or trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro?

I did all of my tours, treks and trips in Tanzania with Altezza Travel and you can too! Use code ‘JACKSON5’ when booking for a 5% discount.

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BOOKING A TOUR TO CHEMKA HOT SPRINGS (KIKULETWA HOT SPRINGS)

If you aren’t renting a car or catching a bus and organizing your own day, which is a little harder than you might think, you’re the best option is to book this top-rated tour to the Chemka Hot Springs as I did. There are quite a few options for booking a tour and even as you walk around the streets of Moshi or Arusha, you will meet some local guides who offer to take you on a coffee tour, waterfall tour, or to the hot springs. I even had one guide offer to chaperone me but on a DIY route so it would be cheaper but he would make sure we caught the right buses and at fair prices. It’s really up to your preference, budget, and level of adventure.

I booked the tour online and the tour included pick-up and drop-off from our hotel in an air-conditioned van that was equipped with free Wi-Fi for the 2-hour journey. At the hot springs, our guide set up a private table and chairs.

A beach towel, as well as a snorkel and mask, made a huge difference to our experience at the hot springs. Lots of tourists came and swam but didn’t have a mask. As you can see from my video below, there’s quite a lot they missed. Even if your tour doesn’t include a mask, make sure you rent one at the hot springs to see the incredible underwater world.

BOOK YOUR DAY-TRIP TO CHEMKA HOT SPRINGS: Chemka Hot Springs Tour

Chemka Hot Springs

Pick-up included
Relaxing day-trip
Beautiful scenery

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MY EXPERIENCE AT THE CHEMKA HOT SPRINGS (KIKULETWA HOT SPRINGS)

After some big hiking trips up Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, it was time to enjoy a relaxing day and recover our legs. A day trip from Arusha to a tropical hot spring sounded like the exact remedy our bodies needed! I booked our tour the night before and at 9 am the next morning, we were in a van and on our way towards Chemka Hot Springs.

The drive takes about two hours and along the way, you will have views of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day. This spot with views of Mount Kilimanjaro was taken when we quickly pulled over the side of the road to snap a shot of the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro popping above the clouds.

The drive was quite comfortable until the last thirty minutes, which is when we left the paved road and ventured onto a very bumpy, rocky road. Passing through a Maasai cattle trading area definitely made for some interesting sightseeing on the drive towards the hot springs.

Just a few minutes away from Chemka Hot Springs, I couldn’t quite imagine how there would be a nice swimming spot nearby. It was bone dry outside with gravel, dust, and dry dirt in every direction. The hot springs truly are an oasis amidst the dry rock of the region.

Arriving at Chemka Hot Springs, we found that we were the only ones there at 11 am. Perfect. Without knowing what to expect, were blown away by the crystal clear water. The vibrant blue contrasted beautifully against the tropical green ferns and palms that draped into the water. It was the oasis of Tanzania.

I’ve spent a lot of time in the tropics exploring countries like Indonesia and the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. Throughout that time, I was lucky enough to explore some incredible waterfalls and hot springs. Let me tell you, this is right up there as one of my favorites.

The water truly was crystal clear. Once the sediment and sand are kicked up a bit it can be a bit hazy but when you first get in it’s basically transparent, making it a dream to snorkel in.

There are two main areas at the Chemka Hot Springs. The first area is the open canal and small lagoon. Here you can find dead trees under the water, catfish, and the small fish that nibble at your feet when you dip your toes in. The light rays that stream through this region during the middle of the day is truly phenomenal.

This part of Chemka Hot Springs is where all the action happens with trees to jump off and several levels of rope swings to attempt if you are up for it. The water was quite deep but you still need to take care of your landing position and style as you are only working with a couple of meters of depth. If you are really adventurous, you can climb up the tree (opening scene of my video above) and jump down into the hot spring.

I always wait to see what the locals are up to and then follow suit. The guys who work and hang out at the hot spring are basically an acrobatic troupe and were keen to show me all the highlights of the hot spring and also the ins and outs of the rope swing and jumps. We were happy to give them a small tip for sharing their local knowledge and good vibes throughout the day.

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The second area is the large lagoon, where you can lay about in the sun and explore the underwater cave if you are capable of free-diving down 5-6 meters to inspect the depths of the cavern.

CHEMKA HOT SPRINGS FACILITIES

At Chemka Hot Springs you actually have the entire set-up. You’ll find multiple foods and drink vendors who are cooking a local-style charcoal barbecue as well as selling other meals, drinks, and alcohol. We also enjoyed a fresh coconut to keep us hydrated.

hroughout the small complex, there are many chairs and tables set up to relax with your group of friends beneath the shade of the huge trees that tower over the hot springs. A toilet block and a changing area (made of palm leaves) are available so you can get in and out of your swimming gear before and after you enjoy the hot springs. All of the vendors and local guides at the hot springs were very friendly and we felt comfortable leaving our cameras and gear on the table while we swam but be safe with your gear as you never know.

I hope you enjoyed this guide to the Chemka Hot Springs (Kikuletwa Hot Springs) in Tanzania.

TANZANIA TOUR COMPANY I TREKKED WITH

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN ARUSHA

Most Luxurious: Gran Melia Arusha – Incredible view of Mount Meru and premium 5-star luxury.
Where I stayed on a budget: Wakawaka Hostel– Cheap, great location and chill vibes
Best value place to stay: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa – very cheap price but has pool and high quality facilities and rooms.

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Mount Meru Climb, Tanzania: The Hiker’s Guide

Jackson — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 10:53:00 +0000

The little brother of Mount Kilimanjaro is often overlooked and brushed aside. Despite being the second-highest mountain in Tanzania, the climb up Mount Meru is considered an alternate adventure. Having now summited both Meru and Kili, I can tell you it’s worth adding a Mount Meru climb to your Tanzania itinerary.

After an incredible summit morning, I remember thinking Mount Meru must be one of the most underrated treks in the world. It had it all. Adventure, fun mountain huts along the way, and uniquely breathtaking views and scenery from the summit of the ash cone and crescent volcano crater.

BOOK YOUR MOUNT MERU CLIMB: I did my Mount Meru Climb with Altezza Travel and they were Amazing. Our outstanding food had the other hikers jealous and we made a successful summit with our guides. If you want to book with Altezza Travel, they offer a 5% discount to my readers when you use the code JACKSON5 to book your trek.

BEST TOUR COMPANY FOR TANZANIA

Are you interested in traveling to Tanzania or trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro?

I did all of my tours, treks and trips in Tanzania with Altezza Travel and you can too! Use code ‘JACKSON5’ when booking for a 5% discount.

Book now with Altezza

A GUIDE TO CLIMBING MOUNT MERU

In this blog post I’m going to share with you the brief details of the Mount Meru Climb, then take you through my experience day-by-day with a journal and photos. The article will finish with a comprehensive section covering everything you need to know from the best time to climb, costs, difficulty, and where to stay before and after the trek. I hope you enjoy this blog post about climbing Mount Meru as much as I enjoyed the adventure.

BEST KILIMANJARO TREKKING COMPANY

Are you interested in traveling to Tanzania or trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro?

I did all of my tours, treks and trips in Tanzania with Altezza Travel and you can too! Use code ‘JACKSON5’ when booking for a 5% discount.

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MOUNT MERU TREK DETAILS

Distance: 43 km round-trip from Momella Gate to Summit and back.
Days required: 3-4 days.
Total Incline: (Undulation) – 3,480m/11417 ft
The highest point on the trek: Mount Meru peak is 4,566 meters above sea-level.
Difficulty: It’s moderately hard for an average hiker but spread out over four days it is well within most people’s reach. The altitude is just low enough not to trouble most hikers.
Cost per trek: The costs (including permits and fees) range from $800 to $1400 depending on the size of your group and your support crew including rangers, guides, porters, and a chef.
Guide: You do need a ranger for the trek as it is required for protection from wildlife like buffalo and leopards. A guide is also the norm on this trek due to hiking the summit route in the dark. There are no signs on the trail and the guides are invaluable. Porters and a chef are also part of most tour packages.
Accommodation: There are two mountain huts on the route, which have dorm-style beds, toilets, dining hall, solar electricity, and kitchens.
Who did I trek with: I booked my trek with Altezza and I can honestly say they were awesome. Our guides were the most organized, our food was incredible (other hikers looked jealous) and we were looked after from start to finish. BOOK YOUR MOUNT MERU CLIMB: If you want to book with Altezza, they offer a 5% discount to my readers when you use the code JACKSON5 to book your trek.
My Mount Meru Strava Map: Mount Meru Route

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN ARUSHA

Most Luxurious: Gran Melia Arusha – Incredible view of Mount Meru and premium 5-star luxury.
Where I stayed on a budget: Wakawaka Hostel– Cheap, great location and chill vibes
Best value place to stay: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa – very cheap price but has pool and high quality facilities and rooms.

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THE FULL VLOG FROM OUR MOUNT MERU CLIMB

MY EXPERIENCE CLIMBING MOUNT MERU IN TANZANIA

Day One:

Our adventure began with a pick-up from the hotel in Arusha. As I looked up, I could see Mount Meru was covered in clouds. Hopefully, our journey up to 4,560m wouldn’t be in the midst of a storm.

We were driven to Momella Gate where we met the entire Altezza crew who would be our awesome tour company for this hike. In addition to our two guides, our support crew consisted of a few porters an armed ranger, and the most important team member, the chef.

There were a few nerves before our Western Breach climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. However, I was quite relaxed before our Mount Meru Climb. With the summit at 4,560m, the altitude was a little less intimidating.

The incline per day is much higher on Meru as you basically trek a vertical kilometer each day. I was excited to see how it all unfolded.

The journey on day one takes you from Momella Gate (1500m) to Miriakamba Hut (2500m). You can take either the Northern Circuit, which takes just four hours or the Southern Circuit, which takes six hours. Interestingly enough for us, we took the Southern Circuit and we arrived at Miriakamba Hut after four hours.

For some reason, I was under the impression the Mount Meru climb was quite a dry, dusty, and gravel-laden route. However, the trek on day one was a scenic pass through the lush forest and grasslands of the lower regions.

Within minutes of leaving Momella Gate, we were within a hundred meters of zebras, giraffes, a herd of buffalo, monkeys, and warthogs. Who needs a safari when these are the encounters you can have on a trek!?

What are my favorite pieces of hiking gear?

There are four pieces of gear that I simply never forget when I go on a hike. These are four items that I using right now and this list gets updated every year! Here are my hiking essentials.

Arcteryx BETA AR Rain Jacket: This is my go-to rain jacket. It’s super light, folds down into a tiny ball, and protects brilliantly in a storm. This one never leaves my backpack.
Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots: For the best ankle support, waterproofing, and durable exterior I’m a fan of tough but light hiking boots like these Salomons for my adventures.
Black Diamond Head Torch: I can’t tell you how many times, I’ve arrived back from a hike unexpectedly late. I always keep this lightweight but strong headtorch in my bag for the unexpected.
Darn Tough Socks: These are the most comfortable hiking socks I’ve ever worn and last for years. They also have a lifetime warranty and you just send them in with a hole and they replace it no questions asked.

The lush greens surprised me from the first moment. We spent the entire day surrounded by dense forest, which provided great shade from the hot sun in mid-March. The early parts of the trek are on the road, which is always a little demoralizing when a car passes by as you are putting in the effort on foot. However, our guides and the ranger did a good job taking forest shortcuts to immerse us in our natural surroundings.

The smell of a python in the vicinity and the sighting of leopard poop had us wide-eyed hoping to make a unique sighting amidst the intertwined branches of the trees but to no avail.

Day one on Mount Meru was a moderate challenge. A vertical kilometer is never easy. We battled our way up 1100m of incline throughout the 11km journey to Miriakamba Hut. The incline was gradual although the last hill in the clearing before the camp was a solid way to cap off the day.

Reaching Miriakamba camp was a nice moment about an hour or so before sunset. The team from Altezza sprung into action and provided us with hot water to clean ourselves up. Popcorn, tea, and snacks were ready to go and a beautiful fish dinner came shortly after. Luxury up in the mountains.

Unlike our Mount Kilimanjaro trek, this time we had the pleasure of staying in a mountain hut with bunk-style accommodation. The huts are actually very high quality and a big dining hall had me reminiscing about Swiss mountain huts. There was even a balcony area to view the sunset. So far this expedition had been a very enjoyable cruise through the forest.

We are promised tomorrow will be short but steep as we head up to Saddle Hut. Tonight we sleep well and warm within our mountain hut in the shadow of Mount Meru. Tomorrow is a new day with new blessings.

Day Two:

A red glow on the horizon announced a new day on the mountain. A brief alpenglow braised the peak of Mount Meru, which was perfectly clear for the first time since we began trekking. Looking away from the peak, Mount Kilimanjaro peeked above the clouds, looking as ethereal as ever. With clear skies and warm weather, we were looking forward to another day on the trail.

A huge breakfast of porridge, fruits, eggs, sausages, toast, yams, cereal and coffee had us primed for the day. So far the food and service from the Altezza team have been more than we could’ve imagined.

Today’s hike takes us up through the forest as we dodge baboon and buffalo poop along the path. Moss strands draped on branches sway alongside the winding switchbacks.

With 1000 meters of elevation gain to reach Saddle Hut, it’s a steep morning from the first moment. During our hike, the sun was in full force and it made for a sweaty journey even in shorts and t-shirts. However, the journey takes just 3-4 hours depending on your pace. We were up at Saddle Hut by midday in time for lunch.

Saddle Hut is another huge establishment with multiple dormitory rooms, a dining hall, bathrooms, and offices. The infrastructure in Mount Meru has been much more prominent than on Mount Kilimanjaro, which is a camping-style trek.

At Saddle Hut we were meant to rest for a few hours before heading up on an acclimatization hike to Little Meru, which is just a few hundred meters higher. However, heavy rains and hail kept us huddled together inside the mountain huts. Luckily the Altezza chef had us sorted with snacks and hot chocolate.

The storm cleared up for a beautiful, pink sunset. Hopefully, this clear weather remains for our summit attempt tomorrow morning. I’m warm inside my sleeping bag in our dorm room, ready to clock five hours of sleep before waking at 1:30 am to begin our sunrise summit climb at 2:30 am. It was quite a relaxing day so I’m ready to take on Mount Meru tomorrow morning.

Day Three: Summit Day

Four hours of restless sleep at 3,500 meters in Saddle Hut isn’t ideal preparation but I’ll take it. Summit day had arrived and at 1:30 am, we were woken by one of our crew. By 2am we were in the dining hall for some fruit, toast and coffee to prepare us for a long day of trekking. Peering out the window of the cabin, we could see a star-filled sky signaling clear weather.

The journey to the summit involves 1300 meters of climbing and 1000 meters of altitude gain. Although the summit push is just under six kilometers, the climb can take up to five hours at a slower pace resulting in a higher success rate when considering the potential impacts of altitude sickness. If you want to be at the summit for sunrise, I suggest leaving a bit earlier than 2:30 am as we did, but that’s what our guides suggested and it turned out okay for us. We were near the summit for sunrise and had quite a good little spot on the rim to take it all in.

The trek began with a single-file line in the dark as we wound our way up the switchbacks through the shrubs to reach the crater rim. I have to admit, we went so slowly that I was falling asleep while walking. Yes, it is possible. In the dark, you don’t really get to appreciate the route to the summit but luckily you do retrace your steps to see this beautiful path on the way down.

For some, they will be glad they can’t see a few of the drops as they follow their guide step for step. Before reaching the crater rim, there is a steep section with chains. If I had seen it in daylight, i might have held onto the chains a little tighter as the drop down the slope looked like a mighty fall.

I didn’t take any photos in the dark but as soon as the morning glow began to hit, I whipped out my camera and began to snap a few shots as we continued our trek along the crater rim. A purple, hazy glow meant the sunrise was near and it was a beautiful sight.

As the sun began to rise, we realized we weren’t really within touching distance of the summit. Our plan had been to get to the summit at 6am but our pace was well off. I think if you pushed you can reach the summit in under four hours. Otherwise, If you want to be at the summit for sunrise, I would begin the trek at 1am.

Most times, the guides want to be trekking during sunrise to avoid waiting at the top in the cold. It turned out to be a pretty beautiful strategy as we caught the sunrise from a perfect viewing spot. Views of Mount Kilimanjaro above the clouds out in front and the crater rim on either side.

With just a few hundred meters of incline remaining, our trek around the crater rim to the peak of Mount Meru was much more scenic with the golden light pouring in. The final part of the climb is a rocky scramble and the trail is quite unclear. With the light now pouring into the crater, the ash cone at the center became the focal point of the scene.

After five hours on the trail, we had made it to the peak of Mount Meru. At the summit, we had sweeping views over the entire crater, which is crescent-shaped due to the destruction of half the crater centuries ago in an eruption. Mount Kilimanjaro provided a beautiful backdrop as it sat perched above a sea of clouds. It was one of the best summit views I’ve ever experienced due to the unique nature of the ash cone, sea of clouds beneath us, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the rocky ridge we sat upon.

The descent back down to Saddle Hut took just a couple of hours but it was such an incredible part of the journey. We walked the crater rim ridge above a sea of clouds, which poured up from the valley below. By the time we made it back to Saddle Hut, we had been awake and active for ten hours. It was time for a quick lunch and then a tired walk all the way down to Miriakamba Hut, where we would stay the night.

That journey from Saddle Hut to Miriakamba Hut is only six kilometers but there’s a 1000-meter elevation drop so it takes its toll on your legs. Finally, back at Miriakamba Hut, we took a nap, had dinner, watched the sunset, and then passed out as we entered dreamland until sunrise the next morning.

Day Four:

With the emotion, nerves, and excitement of the summit day behind us, we woke to a calm morning at Miriakamba hut. Just one other climber was on his way up, the rest of the campsite was just us and the crew. The sunrise was another beautiful show as it has been every morning on our trip. We’ve truly been blessed, especially so close to the rainy season.

My legs are quite sore today. Nothing dramatic but the vertical kilometer ascent followed by the 2000m+ of descending definitely took its toll on my quads and feet with a heavy camera backpack weighing me down. It’s always good to keep your eye on the porters who are carrying three times the weight, although they don’t go further than the Saddle Hut to venture towards the summit.

Our journey today is a short and sweet descent with 1000 meters of the slope to get down. After another great breakfast, we packed up our gear for the last time and headed off into the jungle below Miriakamba Hut. The trek begins on the same route you took to climb up to the hut but it then veers off to the left so you can explore a new route and unique scenery. The forest trees covered in moss were spectacular just as on the way up and create a mysterious vibe, especially on a day where fog flows through the branches.

The highlight of the descent was stopping off at a beautiful waterfall, just thirty minutes before the gate. You wouldn’t expect to find such gigantic falls nestled in a small canyon amidst the forest.

After the falls there was one final spot of sightseeing as we made our way through the open field. Here you can expect to spot giraffes, families of warthogs, and a huge herd of buffalo.

Unlike on safari when the animals scattered as the car neared, the wildlife here remained calm. I think they must be quite used to small groups of hikers passing through. Nevertheless, it was quite amazing to be within twenty meters of a herd of buffalo or a small family of warthogs.

Leaving the plain signaled the end as we completed the final short walk back to Momella Gate. It had been an incredible four days of adventures and we were sad for it to end. However, it was time to celebrate. Altezza pulled out all the stops offering us beers and champagne with our final lunch back at the gate.

After lunch, we said our goodbyes, thanks, and offered our tip to the crew. They were very appreciative of the extra tip and it felt good to reward the crew for the committed efforts to our mission of reaching the summit.

I truly can’t recommend climbing Mount Meru enough. Once you hit the summit, you will realize this is just as much of an adventure as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

The mountain huts and scenery along the way make this one of the most enjoyable multi-day treks I’ve ever done. The scenery speaks for itself. I hope I’ve convinced you to take a chance on Mount Meru. It’ll be the best decision you make during your trip through Tanzania.

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO CLIMBING MOUNT MERU

WHERE IS MOUNT MERU?

Mount Meru is located in Tanzania, East Africa. The peak is often visible from the town of Arusha, where most hikers stay before their Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro trek. The peak of Mount Meru is 70 kilometers to the west of Mount Kilimanjaro and is visible on many of the days throughout the trek to Mount Kilimanjaro.

MOUNT MERU HEIGHT

Mount Meru stands at 4,562 meters or 14,968 feet above sea-level. It is the second highest mountain in Tanzania after Mount Kilimanjaro.

WHICH TYPE OF VOLCANO IS MOUNT MERU?

Mount Meru is a stratovolcano, which is a term for a very large volcano made of ash, lava, and rock. Much of its bulk was lost approximately 7,800 years ago when the summit collapses. There was a minor eruption of Mount Meru in 1910. Several small cones and craters can be found in and around the summit, which indicates numerous instances of volcanic activity.

HOW HARD IS CLIMBING MOUNT MERU

Mount Meru is a non-technical mountain. The route will take you anywhere from 3-6 days with 46 kilometers of trekking distance and approximately 3,300 meters of incline. However, don’t be intimidated by those numbers because when you break it down to a day-by-day schedule it is quite manageable.

The two biggest parts many people struggle with are the altitude when they get above 4000 meters and the steep summit push. If you can manage the following list below, you should be capable of climbing Mount Meru. In the end, reaching the summit of Mount Meru is more mental than physical.

Mount Meru Fitness Checklist

You can walk 8-10 kilometers every day for a week
You can hike a vertical kilometer (1000m of incline) in one day

CLIMBING MOUNT MERU COST

The cost of your tour will depend on the tour operator and the route you take. The prices range from $800 to $1400 depending on the size of your group. There are some key differences that lead to this wide range. For example, some treks are just three days while other treks can be up to six days. Also with a higher quality of food and equipment, a company might require more porters, which would increase the cost again.

I booked my trip with Altezza and had an absolute blast on the trek. I loved Kilimanjaro but climbing Meru with Altezza was another huge highlight of my Tanzania trip and a bit more challenging with the steeper incline. The Altezza crew were awesome, made us comfortable along the way and we had a lot of good laughs with the guides. It was everything you could ask for on a multi-day trek.

There is no way to climb Mount Meru independently. You need to go with a guide and an armed park ranger due to the animals in the surrounding area and there are a minimum number of porters required. The mountain is very regulated to ensure local employment and fair working conditions.

Booking with Altezza costs approximately $800-1400 USD per person (as of 2021) depending on how many in your group. If you are just 1-2 people it will be about $1400 approximately but if you are in a group of 8 or more it will be under $1000. You can ask if there are dates available to join a group to lower your costs.

PACKING FOR YOUR MOUNT MERU CLIMB

When you’re packing for Mount Meru, it’s a bit different from packing for a regular trek by yourself. You will have porters who will carry your food, gear, clothes, and water supplies for the entire trek. You will carry your day pack with a rain-jacket, water bottle, phone, camera, and anything else you might need on the hike between camps.

For my trek, I had a weight allowance for my duffel that a porter would carry. In that duffel, I packed clothes, toiletries, electronics, chargers, and other essentials. I carried my daypack with most of my camera gear I needed each day.

MOUNT MERU TIPPING GUIDE

Tipping is standard for a Mount Meru climb. About 10% is the average amount to tip although it can slightly depend on the company and cost of the tour. On our trip, it was recommended to tip $150 USD per person, which is what we did. Tipping is always a bit of a touchy subject so we asked our tour operator and he suggested $150 as a good amount.

As an Australian (the land of no tips), I’ve never liked tipping. I lived in Hawaii and Oregon for four years and have traveled around the world for five years. Wherever there are tips you will find controversy and disappointment from someone involved.

So why do we need to tip on Mount Meru? Basically, instead of including the tip in the price, tour operators can make their fees appear lower but stipulate a tip is required so the wages of the porters are still acceptable. I don’t love this system but it requires systematic change and if one tour operator doesn’t co-operate they all need to require tipping to compete with the tour prices. The bottom line is that as of 2021, you need to tip your guides and porters, and somewhere around 10% will be suitable.

BEST TIME TO CLIMB MOUNT MERU

The best time to climb Mount Meru in Tanzania is from October to February. But also June to September, while it is colder then. March to June is the rainy season but you can get lucky. I did my climb in mid-march and got lucky with the weather window for the most part. Mount Meru is not as busy as Mount Kilimanjaro so there is no need to plan ahead to avoid the crowds in peak season.

ALTITUDE SICKNESS WHILE CLIMBING MOUNT MERU

They say the mountain decides if you summit or not, which is mostly due to either bad weather or altitude sickness. Neither of which you have much control over. Altitude sickness happens when you climb too quickly. Basically, there is less oxygen available at higher elevations and you can have headaches, diarrhea and vomiting, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping. Symptoms of altitude sickness can start at about 3000m (10 000 ft) above sea level.

The treatment is basically to go down in elevation, which is tricky when you are trying to climb further up the mountain. If you keep climbing you can make the situation worse and it could become High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) or High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). These are very serious and would require immediate medical attention and evacuation.

It’s less common to have some altitude sickness while climbing Mount Meru compared to Mount Kilimanjaro, which is 1500m higher in elevation at the peak.

If you do have some symptoms, usually your body will adjust and it should improve overnight or during your acclimatization day. The general rule is to hike high and sleep low. So always do a hike a little higher and then return to sleep a bit lower.

You should also not climb more than 5-600m of elevation per day. The longer your trek the less you climb each day in elevation and the more likely you are to the summit and avoid altitude sickness.

INSURANCE FOR YOUR MOUNT MERU CLIMB

Medical costs in Tanzania are actually quite low for general pharmacy visits and dentist appointments as I experienced but emergency operations and hospital visits might be a whole other story. I’m insured with World Nomads Insurance who lets you select the countries you will be visiting (cheaper that way) and bill you accordingly rather than giving global coverage, although they do offer that also.

I’ve made a few claims with them over the years and never had any issues. If you want to check out their rates just click here to check the rates for your trip: World Nomads Insurance

WHAT WILL YOU EAT WHILE CLIMBING MOUNT MERU

The menu on the Mount Kilimanjaro trek will vary a lot depending on your trekking company. With Altezza, we had a dedicated chef and had three beautiful meals per day. They took great pride in having hearty, gourmet meals even up at high altitudes. You can request a vegetarian or vegan menu but need to specify this in advance.

Our meals were always different and there were very few repeated lunch/dinner dishes. A typical day of food on Mount Meru looked like this:

Breakfast: Hot porridge with honey, fruit platter, toast with jam, omelette, bacon, coffee, tea, juice box
Lunch: Pumpkin soup, pasta, vegetables, sauce, chicken, fruit platter, coffee, tea
Afternoon Tea: Popcorn and tea/coffee
Dinner: Chicken noodle soup, potatoes, beef stew, cucumber and tomato salad, fried banana
Dessert: Cake with chocolate sauce, hot chocolate

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN ARUSHA

Most Luxurious: Gran Melia Arusha – Incredible view of Mount Meru and premium 5-star luxury.
Where I stayed on a budget: Wakawaka Hostel– Cheap, great location and chill vibes
Best value place to stay: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa – very cheap price but has pool and high quality facilities and rooms.

View on Booking.com

TANZANIA TOUR COMPANY I TREKKED WITH

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN ARUSHA

Most Luxurious: Gran Melia Arusha – Incredible view of Mount Meru and premium 5-star luxury.
Where I stayed on a budget: Wakawaka Hostel– Cheap, great location and chill vibes
Best value place to stay: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa – very cheap price but has pool and high quality facilities and rooms.

View on Booking.com

Materuni Waterfall Hike & Coffee Tour Near Moshi, Tanzania

Jackson — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 10:02:00 +0000

The tour begins by observing the entire process of making a cup of coffee, from seed to mug. After a locally produced lunch, you head off to explore the massive Materuni Waterfall.

A VISITORS GUIDE TO MATERUNI WATERFALL

In this blog post, I will share with you everything you need to know about Materuni Waterfall including the location, cost of the tour, and what to expect.

BOOK YOUR DAY-TRIP TO MATERUNI FALLS & HOT SPRING: Materuni Falls Tour – This tour includes a visit to Chemka Hot Springs in the afternoon after enjoying the Materuni Waterfall in the morning. It’s a great combo and the best way to get the most out of your day-trip tour is with this option from Altezza Travel. It’s always fairly prices considering there are two activities combined into one day-trip.

Materuni Falls Tour

Relax at Hot Springs
Enjoy Materuni Waterfall
Great Value Daytrip

Book tour

MATERUNI WATERFALL HIKE DETAILS

Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike is 8km out and back (return trip) including the walk up to the coffee farm.
Hike Duration: The hike to and from the waterfall should take about 1.5 -2 hours but including the coffee farm tour, you can expect the entire activity to last for 3-4 hours.
Hike Difficulty: This trail is quite manageable. Even in the rain, it was okay when we walked slowly. It’s a muddy road, which converts into a single-track trail towards the end of the hike. As long as you are comfortable with uneven surfaces and some slight incline, this will be a walk in the park.
Hike Incline: 321 meters (return trip) including the coffee farm.
My Strava Map Upload: Materuni Waterfalls Hike

BEST TOUR COMPANY FOR TANZANIA

Are you interested in traveling to Tanzania or trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro?

I did all of my tours, treks and trips in Tanzania with Altezza Travel and you can too! Use code ‘JACKSON5’ when booking for a 5% discount.

Book now with Altezza

WHERE IS MATERUNI WATERFALL

Materuni Waterfall is actually known as Nambe Waterfall locally, which means ‘first-born’. It has this name as it is the first waterfall that comes from the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. However, for location purposes, this waterfall is known as Materuni, which is the name of the village it is in.

Materuni Village is named after the Materu tribe that is the majority in the village. Anyway, that’s just a backstory on why the official name is not Materuni but it is what you will see on Google Maps pin location below. Just 15 kilometers from Moshi, this waterfall is a great day trip for those staying nearby Mount Kilimanjaro.

BOOKING THE MATERUNI WATERFALL HIKE AND COFFEE TOUR

I really like how this tour has been packaged by the local village. They have turned one waterfall into a cultural experience that was very enjoyable but also benefits different members of the community from the coffee farmers, to artisans and of course the local guides. I booked the tour through Altezza Travel and the tour included pick-up and drop-off from the hotel as well as a packed lunch.

Materuni Falls Tour

Relax at Hot Springs
Enjoy Materuni Waterfall
Great Value Daytrip

Book tour

BEST KILIMANJARO TREKKING COMPANY

Are you interested in traveling to Tanzania or trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro?

I did all of my tours, treks and trips in Tanzania with Altezza Travel and you can too! Use code ‘JACKSON5’ when booking for a 5% discount.

Book now with Altezza

MY EXPERIENCE ON THE MATERUNI WATERFALL HIKE & COFFEE TOUR

This adventure to Materuni began from the Aishi Machame Hotel near Moshi and we made the 1.5-hour drive to Materuni Village passing through Moshi Town. Upon arrival, we signed in and began the steep walk up the muddy road to reach the small abode where the coffee tour would take place. It’s a beautiful setting and on a clear day, you will have tremendous views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The local coffee growers take you through the entire process (you get to help too) of turning a coffee bean into a mug of coffee… The Tanzanian way. It was actually a very insightful process with lots of singing and talented work from the growers.

Each step was an intricate part of the process from bean to mug and it finished with a freshly brewed Materuni coffee. Here’s a visual look at some of the different steps involved in the process.

After enjoying a freshly brewed mug of coffee, we were treated to a locally produced lunch spread. On the menu were banana and yam soup, vegetables, rice, and chicken. A delicious and hearty meal was what we needed before setting off on our trek.

Caffeinated and energized we set off on our waterfall trek to Nambe Waterfall, the gem of Materuni. During our trek to the falls, we had to endure some heavy rain, which made for a funny and slippery time on the muddy path. Slow and steady did it, or ‘pole, pole’, as they say here in Swahili.

The journey along the way passes through the forest neighborhood so you can observe the local dwellings and chat with some locals. There’s an abundance of fruit throughout the route with bananas, guava, and avocados in plentiful supply. You’ll also pass a few ‘forest pubs’ where they’re serving the banana wine, which I was assured is much stronger than regular beer or wine.

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN ARUSHA

Most Luxurious: Gran Melia Arusha – Incredible view of Mount Meru and premium 5-star luxury.
Where I stayed on a budget: Wakawaka Hostel– Cheap, great location and chill vibes
Best value place to stay: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa – very cheap price but has pool and high quality facilities and rooms.

View on Booking.com

Nambe Waterfall is just absolutely massive. We visited after a week of heavy rain and the spray at the base of the falls was intense! It’s no wonder this ravine is so vibrantly green and lush. At the falls on a calmer day, I imagine it is possible to take a dip but in the midst of the rainy season, I was keeping my distance from the powerful force smashing down into the basin of the waterfall.

After enjoying the waterfalls we made the trek back through the forest to complete the adventure. A total of eight kilometers walked with 320 meters of elevation meant we had worked off our local lunch at the same time as enjoying one of the top waterfalls in Tanzania. I hope you enjoyed this guide to Nambe Waterfall in Materuni Village.

TANZANIA TOUR COMPANY I TREKKED WITH

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN ARUSHA

Most Luxurious: Gran Melia Arusha – Incredible view of Mount Meru and premium 5-star luxury.
Where I stayed on a budget: Wakawaka Hostel– Cheap, great location and chill vibes
Best value place to stay: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa – very cheap price but has pool and high quality facilities and rooms.

View on Booking.com

BEST INSURANCE FOR TRAVELERS

You can click to read my Full Review of the Best Travel Insurance.

I’ve made several successful claims with HeyMondo and find their customer service very quick and helpful. Click the button below to get a 5% DISCOUNT

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Marangu Waterfalls Hike In Tanzania

Jackson — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 08:51:00 +0000

MARANGU FALLS VISITORS GUIDE

In this blog post, I will share with you everything you need to know about the Marangu Waterfall hike including the location, cost of the tour, and what to expect.

BEST TOUR COMPANY FOR TANZANIA

Are you interested in traveling to Tanzania or trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro?

I did all of my tours, treks and trips in Tanzania with Altezza Travel and you can too! Use code ‘JACKSON5’ when booking for a 5% discount.

Book now with Altezza

MARANGU WATERFALL HIKE DETAILS

Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike is 5.5km out and back (return trip).
Hike Duration: The hike to and from the waterfall should take about 1.5 -2 hours.
Hike Difficulty: This trail is quite manageable. Even in the rain, it was okay when we walked slowly. It’s a muddy road, which converts into a single-track trail and towards the end of the hike. The hardest part of the hike is the 100m or so of incline up the stairs when returning from the waterfall.
Hike Incline: 212 meters (return trip).
My Strava Map Upload: Marangu Waterfall Hike

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN ARUSHA

Most Luxurious: Gran Melia Arusha – Incredible view of Mount Meru and premium 5-star luxury.
Where I stayed on a budget: Wakawaka Hostel– Cheap, great location and chill vibes
Best value place to stay: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa – very cheap price but has pool and high quality facilities and rooms.

View on Booking.com

TANZANIA TOUR COMPANY I TREKKED WITH

WHERE ARE THE MARANGU WATERFALLS

The Marangu WaterfallS are actually known locally as Ndoro and Monjo, which mean ‘nature’ and ‘water always’. However, for location purposes, the pin on google maps is Ndoro Waterfall.

There is another popular waterfall in Marangu called Kinukamori, but the is another adventure altogether. Before you reach the pin location when you are driving, you will see the signs on the road that will take you to the tourist office and sign-in center at the caves. Just 40 kilometers from Moshi, this waterfall is a great day trip for those staying nearby Mount Kilimanjaro.

BOOKING THE MARANGU WATERFALL HIKE AND COFFEE TOUR

I really like how this tour has been packaged by the local village. They have turned a couple of waterfalls into a cultural experience that was very enjoyable but also benefits different members of the community from the coffee farmers, to artisans and of course the local guides.

I booked the tour/transit through Altezza and the tour included pick-up and drop-off from the hotel as well as a packed lunch. You can get in touch with Altezza to organize the driver and guide for this tour by visiting their website here: Altezza Website. If you do book with Altezza, use my code JACKSON5 to get yourself 5% off any tour with them even Mount Kilimanjaro climbs.

BEST KILIMANJARO TREKKING COMPANY

Are you interested in traveling to Tanzania or trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro?

I did all of my tours, treks and trips in Tanzania with Altezza Travel and you can too! Use code ‘JACKSON5’ when booking for a 5% discount.

Book now with Altezza

MY EXPERIENCE ON THE MARANGU WATERFALL HIKE (NDORO WATERFALL)

This adventure to Marangu was actually on my very last day in Tanzania after more than two months of exploring. It was a great way to end the trip in such a magical environment. I began the day at Aishi Machame Hotel near Moshi and made the 1.5-hour drive to Marangu passing through Moshi Town.

When we arrived at Marangu, I didn’t quite know what to expect but a bunch of boda-boda drivers stopped us in the center of town and said we needed to have a guide for the waterfalls. They seemed genuine so a local man named David jumped into our van and we continued on towards the tourism center. David told us there were two waterfalls and a cave that we should consider visiting and it sounded like a good plan so off we set. He told me it would be 10,000 Tanzanian Schillings for his guiding services plus the entrance fees along the way.

It turned out the entrance fee for the main waterfall was $10 USD but also the smaller waterfall and the cave were $10 USD each. If you are on a budget just do the main waterfall as that includes the big hike. However, the second waterfall (Monjo) was pretty close to the main waterfall (Ndoro), so didn’t seem to be worth the same price.

The cave and cultural tour for $10 was okay but quite short so only go for that if you are genuinely interested in learning a bit of history about the Chagga people. I did all three and it was quite enjoyable and can definitely recommend it but you can easily save $20 and just visit the main waterfall and still have a great time.

The first part of our tour was to enter the Chagga cave. This underground facility was built as a hideout for when the Maasai tribes would come to fight or loot the Chagga people. They built a cave big enough for 700 people to hide in and there are more than four kilometers of tunnels. In the tour, you will see how they added ventilation to the cave, stored animals, and how they used a code system to enter the cave. If you didn’t know the code you would be hit with the ‘skull crusher’.

We also had a quick look inside a typical Chagga hut. This is where the family would live and also keep their livestock at night.

After the cultural tour and exploration of the caves, it was time to go waterfall chasing. The hike is a 5.5-kilometer loop if you visit both waterfalls and probably just a four-kilometer out and back trail if you just visit Ndoro.

The journey along the way passes through the forest neighborhood so you can observe the local dwellings and chat with some locals. There’s an abundance of fruit throughout the route with bananas, guava, and avocados in plentiful supply. David, our guide, gave us some fresh guavas to eat while we were walking.

Make sure to keep your eye out for chameleons on this trail. It’s a bit of a hotspot for these color-changing reptiles and we were lucky enough to spot two of them who were grasping to some small plants beside the trail. Because the sun was not out, they were dark brown and very well camouflaged in the shrubs.

After a couple of kilometers of easy walking, we reached the office for Ndoro Waterfall and began the steep descent to the base of the falls. This is really the only challenging part of the hike and they even provide you with a natural, wooden hiking pole to help you get up and down the steep climb. The trail was stunning on the way into the ravine and the lush, dense greenery had us transported into a Jurassic-Park-like atmosphere.

At the base of the falls, we were quite literally blown away. After a few days of heavy rain, the waterfall was plummeting down with extreme force causing spray to shoot back a few hundred meters from the impact point. On calmer days in the dry season, you can venture right up to the falls, but we admired this massive waterfall from a slight distance.

The second waterfall, Monjo, is nearby and takes just 5-10 minutes to reach from the top of Ndoro Waterfall. Monjo is much smaller but a very stunning spot with a swimming hole completely surrounded by ferns and vines. It’s one of the prettiest waterfalls I’ve seen in Tanzania. During the dry season or times with lower volumes of rainfall, this is a popular swimming spot and cliff-jump site.

We headed back via a quick look at the local market. My driver, Ombeni, bought an entire bunch (about 100 bananas) for $4. Not bad. That was the end of our tour and we headed back to Aishi Machame Hotel with our 100 bananas and an appreciation for the natural beauty of Marangu.

I hope you enjoyed this guide about the Marangu Waterfalls in Tanzania.

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN ARUSHA

Most Luxurious: Gran Melia Arusha – Incredible view of Mount Meru and premium 5-star luxury.
Where I stayed on a budget: Wakawaka Hostel– Cheap, great location and chill vibes
Best value place to stay: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa – very cheap price but has pool and high quality facilities and rooms.

View on Booking.com

BEST INSURANCE FOR TRAVELERS

You can click to read my Full Review of the Best Travel Insurance.

I’ve made several successful claims with HeyMondo and find their customer service very quick and helpful. Click the button below to get a 5% DISCOUNT

Get a Free Quote

Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari In Tanzania

Jackson — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 08:41:00 +0000

The Serengeti is one of the most incredible ecosystems in the world. The scene of great migrations and incredible wildlife is one of the most popular safari destinations in Tanzania. After spending three days exploring Serengeti National Park by Jeep, I booked a trip with Serengeti Balloon Safari to enjoy a sunrise flight to see the perspective of the park from a hot air balloon. On this tour, you enjoy a one-hour sunrise flight with dawn colors and wildlife sightings before enjoying a delicious outdoor breakfast.

In this blog post, I will share with you all of the details about the tour including prices, the best time of year, and what you can expect to see as well as my photos and personal experience from my Serengeti Balloon Safari. I’ll also include a short video made by Pema during the sunrise and balloon flight.

All of the images in this blog were taken during the hot air balloon safari. It was quite difficult in the low light and the moving hot air balloon to capture all of the wildlife but I did my best to keep my 400mm zoom lens as steady as possible to show you all of the incredible wildlife sightings we had such as lions, wildebeest, elephants, hyenas, zebras, buffalo, jackals, elands, gazelle, antelope, eagles, and hawks just to name a few.

SERENGETI HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARI COSTS

The Serengeti Hot Air Balloon experience costs 600 USD per person and includes the following:

Early pick-up from your camp or lodge
Transfer to the launch site for a sunrise take-off (the guide will spot animals along the way so it’s a bonus safari time)
1-hour hot air balloon flight
Champagne toast on landing
Transfer to the launch site for breakfast (we saw lions along the way!)
Full English breakfast
*The price does not include park entry fees and assumes you are already inside the park and have paid the fees.

I actually found the link slightly discounted on the booking site GetYourGuide, which is a reliable booking service, one of the biggest in the world and this specific activity has lots of positive reviews. They give you free cancellation and instant booking confirmation so it’s super easy through the GetYourGuide site.

Book your ticket online now: Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari

BEST TIME OF YEAR FOR A SERENGETI HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARI EXPERIENCE

The best times for a hot air balloon safari in Serengeti National Park are very similar to the best time to visit the park in general. From January to February or from June through September are the best seasons to visit, although it is best to plan your trip around the movement of The Great Migration. The winter is the best time to see the migrating herd in Southern Serengeti, while in the summer and autumn the Western Corridor and Northern Serengeti are the best places for viewing the migratory herds.

January-February: The winter is the best time to visit Southern Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This region is often ignored by tourists due to its lack of wildlife during much of the year, which is a mistake.

The short rains in November draw the herd back towards its breeding grounds. This means that during the winter, these vast and plentiful grasslands are where you will find huge populations with wildebeest, zebras, and, of course, predators. February is also the calving season, which is a good time for viewing young wildlife and also when predators are likely to snatch some easy prey.

March-May: (When I visited) The Spring is the wet season, which scares away most tourists. However, you can find lower prices for safaris and lodging. In mid-march, we saw herds and predators every day so it is a great time to visit in the shoulder season.

June-September: During the summer, The Great Migration heads north. In the early months of summer, you will find the herd near the Grumeti River in the park’s Western Corridor. Watching the herd’s unfortunate meeting with the crocodile population during the crossing can make for an experience of a lifetime.

October-December: Short rains signal The Great Migration’s return to the grasslands of the south.

HOW LONG IS THE SERENGETI HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARI

The flight lasts for 60 minutes but the whole experience takes a few hours. First, you need to get picked up from your lodge and taken to the launch site. On our drive in the dark, we spotting lots of wildlife including multiple hyenas.

You can’t actually do a night safari in the Serengeti so this drive was a unique experience in itself and we were able to spot some animals that are otherwise impossible to see during the day as they are nocturnal. After the 60-minute flight, we landed in the plains and had a glass of champagne. We then drove to the breakfast site but stopped multiple times along the way to have an incredible close encounter with two male lions and then an entire lion pride who were feasting on a zebra. The breakfast then lasted an hour before we were transferred back to the lodge.

MY EXPERIENCE ON MY SERENGETI HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARI

The night before our Serengeti hot air balloon experience, our driver actually drove all the way out to our lodge. We were staying about an hour from the launch site so to save himself the early start the next morning, Steven our driver came and slept the night at our lodge.

The next morning we set off at 4:20 am from the lodge and began the bumpy drive through the bush on a route that often looked more bush than a road. Steven was wide awake and used the lights of the vehicle to spot African Hare, Spring Hare, and owls amongst other nocturnal animals. We also saw quite a large number of hyenas, zebras, and wildebeest who were in full-flight.

Just as the sky began to glow over the mountain range on the horizon, we arrived at the launch site. It was a spectacularly clear morning with light winds so it was perfect for the balloon flight. We hung about watching the colors change in the sky as the team began to set up and inflate the giant balloon.

After a quick briefing, the balloon had a few final adjustments, and then we all clambered into the basket. Unlike my other balloon experiences, we actually got into the balloon while the basket was on the side. The pilot then began pumping heat into the balloon and it slowly rose to be standing upright. It was quite a funny moment as all eleven passengers lay on their back crammed in the balloon before it took off.

The start of our flight was very calm as we softly floated just meters above the ground. The sun began to burst through a low layer of clouds to create a golden glow as we gradually increased our altitude.

As I looked out over the plain, I wasn’t quite sure what this flight would entail. It seemed to be a wide-open expanse without too much to see in terms of landscapes. Compared to my fights in Cappadocia and the outback of Australia, the landscapes and scenery were not going to be the main attraction on this flight. In the early moments of the flight, we spotted a few gazelle, eagles, and some hyenas. However, it was the aerial perspective of the well-defined animal tracks that was quite unique to witness from directly above.

After a few kilometers, we began to spot some herds in the distance and one of the passengers even spotted a pair of healthy-looking lions. Given the distance, my photos aren’t incredibly close or sharp. Most people didn’t take too many photos as often the wildlife is quite small from above. However, we did cruise up and down in altitude, often just meters above the ground.

The other difficulty in taking photos is that you are moving quite fast and the early morning isn’t quite offering enough light but I did my best to capture most of the wildlife as we floated on by.

There were several huge herds of wildebeest that stormed by, accompanied by their good allies the zebra. Lions were waiting ominously close to several of the herds but didn’t seem too interested in a morning snack. Most of the animals trotted away from the incoming balloon and seemed quite unsure what it was but we never came in too close to any animals and most of the tighter shots are at 400mm on a zoom lens.

Finding a landing spot proved to be quite difficult. When there are apex predators and herds of animals, you need to choose carefully. Just as we were thinking about landing, we spotted a herd of elephants in the distance.

Our pilot decided to float just a little further to catch a glimpse of the mighty herd of elephants. As we approached, one brave matriarch stood her ground as the rest of the herd scurried off into the distance.

The pilot announced the landing was incoming and we all ducked down, held on tight, and survived a safe landing although we did slide along the grass for a good ten to fifteen seconds. That type of landing is quite normal as there is no braking system on a hot air balloon. We all bundled out and we were greeted by the crew with a glass of champagne and a toast to a safe and fantastic flight.

Back into the Jeep, we headed to begin the transfer to breakfast. Along the way, our guide spotted a number of lions, which turned out to be the best lion sightings of our entire nine-day safari experience in Tanzania. I already showed you those lion images above but it was truly an amazing encounter as the strong male lions strolled past our vehicle.

The breakfast was under a beautiful Acacia tree and we were served a full English cook-up with bacon, eggs, sausage, fruits, and coffee. All the while some inquisitive giraffes looked over from the nearby trees. It truly was an incredible morning and would highly recommend a Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari for anyone looking to find a new perspective over the Serengeti.

Book your ticket online now: Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari

BEST TOUR COMPANY FOR TANZANIA

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I did all of my tours, treks and trips in Tanzania with Altezza Travel and you can too! Use code ‘JACKSON5’ when booking for a 5% discount.

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Ngare Sero Waterfalls Hike Near Lake Natron, Tanzania

Jackson — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 12:48:00 +0000

Lake Natron is a popular area to stay at the lake-side lodging and observe the massive flocks of flamingos and other wildlife near the expansive salt lake. The ‘Mountain of God’ Ol Doinyo Lengai also looms in the background and is the third most popular mountain to climb in Tanzania. However, hidden in the depths of the Ngare Sero Gorge is the hidden gem of the region with a series of stunning waterfalls. It might be hard to believe in the heat of the plains but this refreshing micro-adventure was one of my favorite activities in the Lake Natron region.

NGARE SERO WATERFALL HIKE DETAILS

Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike is 5km out and back (return trip)
Hike Duration: The hike can be completed in about two hours depending on how long you enjoy the waterfall.
Hike Difficulty: This trail is quite basic as it is only five kilometers in distance. However, the trail crosses the river a number of times. I highly suggest water shoes or even using hiking boots and getting them wet. My friend went in flip-flops and regretted it due to how much of the trail was on slippery rocks.
Hike Incline: 333 meters.
My Strava Map Upload: Ngare Sero Waterfall Hike

WHERE IS THE NGARE SERO WATERFALL

The Ngare Sero Waterfall is in the Lake Natron region, just below the foot of the Ol Doinyo Lengai Mountain. Several Maasai villages are found nearby and your guide for the hike will be a Maasai. Most people visiting the Ngare Sero Waterfall do so as part of an extended stay in the region including a Lake Natron lodge stay and/or climbing Ol Doinyo Lengai (Mountain of God). I’ve included the pin location below so you can see where the waterfall is situated in regards to Arusha but you will need a 4×4 and most likely a guide to reach this area.

BEST TOUR COMPANY FOR TANZANIA

Are you interested in traveling to Tanzania or trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro?

I did all of my tours, treks and trips in Tanzania with Altezza Travel and you can too! Use code ‘JACKSON5’ when booking for a 5% discount.

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GUIDES AND PERMITS FOR NGARE SERO WATERFALL HIKE

To enter Ngare Sero, you will need to have done prior organization and it isn’t a hike you can do independently. Firstly, you will need to pay the park fees and permit to enter the Lake Natron Area.

As I mentioned earlier, most people visit several attractions in the area to get value out of their permits including Ol Doinyo Lengai and Lake Natron. Ngare Sero Waterfall was part of a four-day expedition I did with Altezza Travel. It included the Empakaai Crater hike, Olmoti Crater hike, and climbing Ol Doinyo Lengai.

BOOK YOUR OL DOINYO LENGAI CLIMB & NGARE SERO WATERFALL HIKE: I did my Ol Doinyo Lengai climb with Altezza Travel and it was an incredible trip. If you want to book with Altezza, they offer a 5% discount to my readers when you use the code JACKSON5 to book your trek.

In addition to the park permit, you will also need to employ the services of one of the Maasai guides. This was organized by our lodge, Lake Natron Luxury Camp. The guided tour is included in their lodge fee.

The last part to consider about reaching Ngare Sero Waterfall is that you will need a 4×4 vehicle, which is capable of handling the tough terrain of the region. I hiked Ngare Sero Waterfall as part of a four-day expedition of several hikes in the region with Altezza Travel and we had a driver with a 4×4 vehicle for the entirety of our trip.

MY EXPERIENCE ON THE NGARE SERO WATERFALL HIKE

The last stop of my four-day expedition was the Lake Natron region to hike the famous Ol Doinyo Lengai, which is also known as the ‘Mountain of God’. I was based at Lake Natron Luxury Camp, which is about thirty minutes from Ngare Sero Waterfall and 45-minutes from Ol Doinyo Lengai. Bad weather delayed our Ol Doinyo Lengai hike so we had a day to spare.

This region is known to be incredibly hot and it starts to fry you within seconds. Temperatures can often reach up to 50 degrees at the peak of the day. When I heard about a waterfall hike nearby, I imagined it could be a great way to cool down during our rest-day before trekking up the ‘Mountain of God’. Most of the hike is within the gorge so it receives a little bit of shade but many sections of the trail receive a lot of sun especially during the middle of the day when the sun is overhead.

We set off at 2:30 pm from Lake Natron Luxury Camp and made the 30-minute drive to the small Maasai village nearby Ngare Sero Waterfall. Our Maasai guide, Wilson, works directly with Lake Natron Luxury Camp and was also our guide for the Ol Doinyo Lengai climb. After parking next to a herd of curious cattle, we set off heading towards the gorge in the extreme heat.

The trail is a mix of rocky terrain and river crossings as you quickly delve into the gorge with walls towering over you on either side. The first river crossing was a great way to cool down and I wasn’t at all bothered to be walking in wet shoes and socks. A hike with multiple river crossings might sound a bit extreme but you will never have to submerge into water higher than your hips. You can carry your camera gear or phones and as long as you don’t slip everything will survive the expedition.

The trail is 2.5km through the gorge until you reach the waterfalls, which are an oasis amidst the desert. Palm trees and ferns look out of place upon the cliffs at the source of the waterfall, which pours down into a cavern. A small pool is great for a refreshing dip and leads you into the cavern.

Exploring into the narrow gorge, you can walk underneath the waterfall to find yet another waterfall with much greater force into the narrow pool. Take care here as it is incredibly strong and pushes you into the side of the gorge. Under the shade, with water cascading down onto us from the falls above, it truly felt like a dream. Just minutes earlier we had been in the hot plains basically melting and now we were floating on our backs looking up at palm trees and waterfalls.

I truly recommend this micro-adventure as one of my favorite things to do in the region. If you are trekking Ol Doinyo Lengai, don’t be afraid to do this trek before or after as it is very easy on the legs and well worth it. You will have more than enough energy for summiting the ‘Mountain of God’ the next day.

I hope you enjoyed this guide about Ngare Sero Waterfall near Lake Natron, Tanzania.

TANZANIA TOUR COMPANY I TREKKED WITH

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN ARUSHA

Most Luxurious: Gran Melia Arusha – Incredible view of Mount Meru and premium 5-star luxury.
Where I stayed on a budget: Wakawaka Hostel– Cheap, great location and chill vibes
Best value place to stay: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa – very cheap price but has pool and high quality facilities and rooms.

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Mount Hanang Hike & Overnight Camping In Tanzania

Jackson — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 09:54:00 +0000

Mount Hanang (3,423m) is the third highest peak in Tanzania and arguably the hardest climb. While Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru might be seen as the big challenges due to the multi-day trekking and altitude there is no single day on either of those treks with anywhere near the elevation gain of Mount Hanang.

Rising from the town of Katesh, you will climb 1600 meters over 8.5 kilometers in about five hours. If the sun is out, expect a very tough hike and if it is cold you can expect to endure a freezing night at the campsite. What makes it all worth the effort is the incredible views from the summit over Katesh and Lake Balangida. The sunset and sunrise were truly incredible above the clouds despite the numb sensation in my fingers.

A GUIDE TO TREKKING MOUNT HANANG

In this blog post, I will share with you all of the details about Mount Hanang including permits, fees, guides, how to camp, and hike statistics. I’ll also share my full experience and all of my photos including some epic drone shots from the summit so you can get an idea of why this was one of my favorite but toughest hikes in Tanzania.

BEST TOUR COMPANY FOR TANZANIA

Are you interested in traveling to Tanzania or trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro?

I did all of my tours, treks and trips in Tanzania with Altezza Travel and you can too! Use code ‘JACKSON5’ when booking for a 5% discount.

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MOUNT HANANG HIKE DETAILS

Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike is 17.5km out and back (return trip)
Hike Duration: This depends a lot on your speed and how much gear you are carrying. The ascent can be completed in about 5-6 hours and the descent can be completed in about 3 hours. This obviously depends on your ability to hike uphill with gear. Our total moving time was just six hours and twenty minutes (for the return trip/up and down) according to the Garmin, which doesn’t count any rest breaks or stops and sleeping at the summit.
We left at 11 am and made it to the summit at 3:40 pm in time for a chill and sunset and then the next morning took about 2-3 hours to slowly hike down with a nice big break for breakfast at the regular campsite (3,100m)
Hike Difficulty: This trail is quite difficult due to the extreme incline. In 8.5 kilometers you will ascend more than 1600 meters and this is done at a high elevation. The hike will reach 3,423m by the time you are at the summit so expect to be short on breath.
The terrain is rocky and involves a lot of concentration as you step on boulders and rocks making sure not to slip on the ascent and also the descent. There are many sections where you will need to be sure-footed but not any big drop-offs or moments of exposure. Basically, if you can handle the incline, weather, and cold camping conditions you are all set for this one.
Hike Incline: 1,791 meters (return trip)
My Strava Map Upload: Mount Hanang

WHERE IS THE MOUNT HANANG HIKE

Mount Hanang is situated above the town of Katesh, in the central-north region of Tanzania. From Arusha, the drive will take you about four hours via car or half a day via public bus.

Once in the town head to the Summit Hotel, which is the unofficial meeting point for guides and hikers. This is also where you will spend the night before and/or after your trek if you are spending the night.

Unfortunately, they haven’t got their pin on Google Maps for some reason but everyone in Katesh knows the hotel. The closest pin on Google Maps to the Summit Hotel is the Star Lights Bar. This bar is basically a pin next door so will get you to the Summit Hotel. I’ve added that pin location on the map below for you.

BEST KILIMANJARO TREKKING COMPANY

Are you interested in traveling to Tanzania or trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro?

I did all of my tours, treks and trips in Tanzania with Altezza Travel and you can too! Use code ‘JACKSON5’ when booking for a 5% discount.

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HOW TO GET TO MOUNT HANANG

Tanzania is a little bit interesting to get around but there are several options to reach Mount Hanang from Arusha. Firstly, there is a public transport van or bus that drives from Arusha to Katesh and you can get out at Katesh and simply walk to the tourism office, which isn’t too far. Depending on your bus you may need to switch vehicles in Babati but your driver can confirm that for you.

The second option is to book a private transfer. I had a private transfer with Altezza Travel and it makes the trip very comfortable in a van with A/C, wifi, and a driver who helped us arrange everything when we arrived at Longido (very valuable in our situation as we arrived on the day we wanted to hike and need to negotiate).

Our driver waited overnight in Katesh at the Summit Hotel and was there waiting to drive us back to Arusha the next morning. It’s obviously more expensive than public transit but can be worth it when you are a group of several people and makes the trip much more comfortable. If you do want to book the transit with Altezza or even have them organize the entire trek, you can use my code JACKSON5 and it gives you 5% discount off any tour, safari or trek with Altezza (even Kilimanjaro).

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN ARUSHA

Most Luxurious: Gran Melia Arusha – Incredible view of Mount Meru and premium 5-star luxury.
Where I stayed on a budget: Wakawaka Hostel– Cheap, great location and chill vibes
Best value place to stay: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa – very cheap price but has pool and high quality facilities and rooms.

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GUIDES AND PERMIT FEES FOR THE MOUNT HANANG HIKE

To organize a trek up Mount Hanang, you need to contact one of the guiding services. I went with Thomas Safari as they are the only operator doing overnight camping the other operator just does day trips, which is a brutal all-day hike. The details to contact Thomas are below:

Email: thomas.safari@gmail.com
Mobile: +255 784 503 300 (best form of contact)

There are a few options when planning the trip in terms of pricing.

Firstly, you need to choose if you want to camp overnight or do a day trip. I highly advise camping overnight as you enjoy sunrise and sunset at the summit. Going up and down in one day is brutal and you will be at the summit in the middle of the day. So you work harder, for less beautiful views.
Secondly, either you bring your own camping gear as I did or you can rent a sleeping bag, tents, etc. from Thomas Safari. He has all that gear and charges a small fee per piece that you need to rent.
Thirdly, you need to decide if you will carry all of your camping gear, tent, clothes, and food, or do you want a porter to assist you with that. If you’ve never carried a heavy pack up a hill, this 1600m ascent may not be the best time to try but go for it if you are up for a challenge.
Finally, are you happy to carry your own food and cook your own meals? I simply carried nuts, sandwiches, and some granola bars. It’s just 24-hrs so there’s no real need for cooked food and bringing a camping stove etc. unless you want to carry more on your back.

All of those decisions will impact the cost as they involve extra gear, porters, and extra time on the hiking tour. I did the overnight camping hike with my own camping gear, my own food and carried all of my own equipment.

My trip fee including all permits, park fees, camping permit, and guide fee was 200,000 Tanzanian Schillings, which as of 2021 was about $85 USD. This was comparable to Mount Longido, the other overnight camping trek I did so I was happy to go with that price. Remember it is customary to give your guide/porter a tip.

Important: You cannot do this hike without a guide and there are big fines for doing so. There are so many locals at the lower stages that will see you so it’s not even worth the risk. I love solo adventures so I asked about going by myself but it’s not even an option.

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MY EXPERIENCE ON THE MOUNT HANANG HIKE

Mount Hanang isn’t a mountain you hear much about in Tanzania but after experiencing this incredible peak overnight at the summit, I’m sure as people hear about this hike it will grow in popularity.

The hike follows a wide, relatively safe ridge up to the summit, ascending more than 1600 meters in a matter of about five hours. A rocky patch at the summit provided just enough room for a couple of tents. We took shelter from the cold temperatures at 3,426m while enjoying an incredible sunset and sunrise with expansive, panoramic views.

The journey began in Arusha with a four-hour drive in the morning to Katesh. I decided to complete the entire experience without staying overnight in Katesh town. This meant I left Arusha at 6 am and began the hike at 11 am. If you are catching the bus from Arusha this option probably won’t be possible as the bus takes much longer and you will need to overnight in Katesh before hiking the next day.

Katesh is an interesting town at the base of the mountain with red-dirt roads and a cold chill in the air. The hike began at a signed gate without much fanfare, permit checking, or anything other than stepping over the fence. My guide had taken care of the permits and fees before I arrived.

What are my favorite pieces of hiking gear?

There are four pieces of gear that I simply never forget when I go on a hike. These are four items that I using right now and this list gets updated every year! Here are my hiking essentials.

Arcteryx BETA AR Rain Jacket: This is my go-to rain jacket. It’s super light, folds down into a tiny ball, and protects brilliantly in a storm. This one never leaves my backpack.
Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots: For the best ankle support, waterproofing, and durable exterior I’m a fan of tough but light hiking boots like these Salomons for my adventures.
Black Diamond Head Torch: I can’t tell you how many times, I’ve arrived back from a hike unexpectedly late. I always keep this lightweight but strong headtorch in my bag for the unexpected.
Darn Tough Socks: These are the most comfortable hiking socks I’ve ever worn and last for years. They also have a lifetime warranty and you just send them in with a hole and they replace it no questions asked.

The climb up is pretty brutal if you aren’t conditioned to hills. The trail is a nonstop incline for 1600m until you reach the summit. The first part of the track is under the cover of the forest where branches intertwine and the canopy provides some shade.

However, after one kilometer, the canopy disappears and you are at the mercy of the sun, which heats up as does the incline. A slow and steady approach is the smart one for this trail so take lots of breaks to turn back and see the town of Katesh as it shrinks in the background.

Most hikers camp a small plateau found at 3100m but I preferred to reach all the way to the summit for sunset and sunrise opportunities. It means you need to carry all your gear an extra few kilometers and be a bit more exposed at night but it’s worth it. The guides were happy to do it when I requested, but it is unusual and most camping happens on the grass at 3100m rather than the rocks at 3,426m.

With a tent in my bag, I wasn’t looking for alternative sleeping options but there are two caves on the route. These are used by locals and there are clear signs of use. They face away from the wind and looked like they would provide great cover from rain and the elements throughout the night. Having said that, when you are above 3000m, it is nice to have a tent.

It took us four hours and forty minutes to reach the summit, which is a pretty good pace given we were carrying all of our food, camping gear, and equipment. I enjoy reaching a summit well before sunset. It gives you time to set up, have some food and enjoy the view before the golden hour arrives. It was a quiet couple of hours sitting atop the summit watching the ravens circle and the clouds forming in the distance over the lake.

Sunset was spectacular with the sun creeping through a small break in the clouds to light up the mountain. Once the sun disappeared, there was a pastel pink glow that filled the sky. It wasn’t long before the show was over and the air quickly had a chill that would get colder and colder throughout the night.

Clouds engulfed the camp moments after sunset and soon our entire camp was wet. There was nowhere to be other than huddled inside my sleeping bag, settled in for a wet, wild and windy night atop Mount Hanang.

The night was very turbulent with strong winds battering the tents but our strong pegs into the dirt and a few extra rocks as support kept us grounded. I reluctantly opened my tent door at 6 am to check the weather and was greeted with a clear sky and a sea of clouds floating a few hundred meters beneath the peak. What a dream.

The sun crept over the horizon at 6:40 am, lighting up the top of the ridge. I really loved that moment because it was as if the sun was painting the trekking route on the mountain with sunlight. Clouds continued to swell beneath the ridge and peaks creating an incredible atmosphere. All the while our hands were freezing but it was a morning to remember.

We packed up quickly amidst the chilly weather and trekked down to the regular campsite. By then the sun was out and we had warmed up and could enjoy some peanut butter sandwiches. The trek down took us just a couple of hours as it isn’t a slippery or difficult descent in dry conditions. If it’s wet or it rained a lot the night before the descent will be slower as you will need to take care with each step on the rocks.

I hope you enjoyed this guide for trekking and camping on Mount Hanang in Tanzania.

TANZANIA TOUR COMPANY I TREKKED WITH

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN ARUSHA

Most Luxurious: Gran Melia Arusha – Incredible view of Mount Meru and premium 5-star luxury.
Where I stayed on a budget: Wakawaka Hostel– Cheap, great location and chill vibes
Best value place to stay: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa – very cheap price but has pool and high quality facilities and rooms.

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