Trekking & Hiking in Tanzania

Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the most sought after peaks in the world. While it is a tough hike, and should not be underestimated, it is not a technical climb. 

Trekking to the summit of Kili takes 6-8 days, and it's important you choose your route carefully, and understand the limitations and risks of trying to do the hike on a budget. 

There are also multi-day hikes in Western Kilimanjaro on the plains that are inhabited by the Maasai. These treks are much shorter and more suited to smaller budgets. 

Kilimanjaro’s little brother, Mount Meru, might not come with the same bragging rights, but it's still a fantastic hike.

It’s actually a bit more technical than Kilimanjaro, but still suitable for those without technical climbing knowledge.

It’s smaller than Kilimanjaro, so altitude sickness is not as much of an issue, and it is also much cheaper to climb. Many experienced climbers actually choose to climb Mount Meru in preparation for Kilimanjaro, but it also works great as a standalone adventure.

The slopes of Mount Meru are full of fascinating wildlife. 

The beautiful Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a fantastic hiking destination. Its main draw is its wildlife and safari experiences, but stay longer, and you'll discover some of the most stunning hiking trails you'll ever see, and the hikes wonderfully blend wildlife viewing with cultural experiences and epic scenery. 

Some of the best trails include the Olmoti Crater or the Empakai Crater, which are about an hour each.

The Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano, the Maasai Mountain of God, is a more strenuous 1-day trek but gives amazing views of Lake Natron in the distance. 

The mountain range is located halfway between Kilimanjaro’s starting point - the small town of Moshi - and the coast. It’s sometimes called the ‘Switzerland of Tanzania’, as there are beautiful views over mountain ranges and a number of hikes of varying difficulties.

Treks are usually 2-3 days long, but there are also longer options. The Usambara Mountains are well-known for combining trekking with cultural tourism at a decent price. 

The Mahale Mountains in Tanzania’s far west are still relatively unknown, but are home to fascinating wildlife and nature.

One of the biggest draws of the mountains is the chimpanzee trekking that's possible here, and that pairs wonderfully with some R&R on the pristine beaches of Lake Tanganyika.

Possibly the most unknown trekking location in Tanzania is the Udzungwa Mountains in the south, near the Mikumi National Park.

The area is beautiful, verdant, and has stunning waterfalls and 10 different species of primates.

It is a mountain range suitable for the intermediate trekkers, but keep in mind you're heading into a remote pocket of the country where the infrastructure is basic.