Top 10 Tanzania Mountains to climb for amazing adventures
top mountains to climb in Tanzania

Here are the top 10 mountains in Tanzania to climb for amazing adventure hikes. These hikes are not just leg work, but a scene to behold as they are accompanied by some of the best views and sunsets you will ever see. Blessed with the Eastern Arc block of mountains and mountain ranges, Tanzania is home to some of the most diverse mountain ecosystems on the planet, including imposing volcanoes and lush, green forests that are home to a wide variety of endangered species. There is so much to do in terms of hiking and trekking other than just Mount Kilimanjaro. Trekkers will be relieved to learn that there is still so much to see after reaching the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. For day outings or multi-day climbs, we’ve compiled a list of some of Tanzania’s top mountain spots. As several of these mountains are found in protected national parks, kindly take notice that we always advise checking the most recent park fees before your visit to Tanzania for some of these hiking activities.
When you’re on a Tanzania safari, there are some wonderful vistas around every curve, but if you’re looking for a magnificent perspective, go no further than the area’s mountains, and below are the top mountain hiking spots in Tanzania.

If you’re searching for an active retreat, we’ve compiled a List Of The Top Mountains In Tanzania that offers the most stunning vistas and hiking paths for all levels of expertise and fitness in this article. And if you’re creative, don’t forget to bring your camera so you can capture memories.

Related: Top 7 Mountains to climb in Africa

  1. Mount Kilimanjaro

    Best for: Intermediate-advanced climbers
    Fitness level: High
    Recommended days: 5 to 9 days (depending on route)
    Taking to the top spot for the most amazing mountain in Tanzania is this 5,895 m high mountain which is not only the highest in Africa but in Tanzania as well. How long it takes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is a common question from tourists who intend to do so. On the lengthier routes, reaching Mount Kilimanjaro Summit Uhuru peak and returning to the finish point requires anything from five to nine days of hiking. Your odds of making it to the summit increase with the number of days you spend acclimatizing on the mountain. The least number of hikers succeed in reaching the summit after just five days. You can also do Kilimanjaro in day, yes you heard that right. We also offer day hikes on Mount Kilimanjaro to Mandara Hut along the Marangu route or to Shira Plateau.Although Mount Kilimanjaro may be climbed all year long, it is advisable to plan your trip during the finest trekking seasons, which are January through March and June through October.

    The winter months of January through March are often cooler and less crowded on the slopes. On the other hand, because the season falls around the summer vacation period in the Northern Hemisphere, it tends to grow busy from June through October.

    More about climbing Kilimanjaro

  2. Mount Meru

    Best for: Beginner-intermediate climbers
    Fitness level: Moderate
    Recommended days: 5 Days
    At 4,566 meters (14,980 feet) in height, Mount Meru is a dormant stratovolcano situated in Tanzania’s Arusha National Park, 70 kilometers (43 miles) west of Mount Kilimanjaro. A hike to the summit of Mount Meru can be completed in three days instead of the usual four required for the climb.

    Depending on how you define it, it is the fifth-highest peak in Africa and can be seen on a clear day from Mount Kilimanjaro. As you climb through wild creatures, Mount Meru, Tanzania’s second-highest mountain, offers fantastic wildlife experiences and little to no traffic.

    If you want to see a lot of animals and have no traffic, Mount Meru is the mountain for you. Meru is lower than Kilimanjaro, making it possible to complete a Meru trek in four days and three nights without difficulty. Don’t undervalue the mountain, though.

    Although it is sometimes referred to as a “warm-up” climb for Kilimanjaro, the steepness, dangerous drop-offs on the final ascent, and the effects of altitude make it a difficult climb. The reward for reaching the top is unmatched, despite the fact that it is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania and the fourth-highest mountain on the continent.

    The treks are more suited for walkers than climbers, and the routes take tourists through a variety of landscapes that are teeming with elephants, giraffes, and buffalo!

    More about climbing Mount Meru

  3. Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai

    Best for: Beginner-intermediate climbers
    Fitness level: Moderate
    Recommended days: 3 Days
    Ol Doinyo Lengai (2890 meters) lies 240 kilometers northwest of Arusha town, along the Great Rift Valley’s western escarpment, with a view of Lake Natron and Kenya. The only active volcano in Tanzania is called Ol Doinyo Lengai, or Mountain of God in Maasai.

    The mountain can be climbed in 6 hours, and once at the top, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the Great Rift Valley and the volcanic rocks in the Ngorongoro highlands. Starting before daybreak, it is a challenging trek. Keep in mind that because this is an active volcano, climbing is prohibited while there are eruptions.

    Located at the foot of the mountain, Lake Natron is said to be the world’s most significant breeding place for the endangered Lesser Flamingos, which make up 75% of the species’ total population and are reported to be the sole breeding location for them in the Great Rift Valley.

    The optimum time to climb the volcano is during the dry season, which lasts from June to September. The roads to Ol Doinyo Lengai are so bad during the rainy months of March through May, October, and December that travel is practically impossible. The region surrounding Lake Natron is sometimes referred to as having a barren and almost lunar beauty to its surroundings. A terrific off-the-beaten-path excursion is to take walks around the lake and to the neighboring streams and waterfalls.
    It is really hot there because it is an active volcano, so make sure you carry extra water. Climb Ol Doinyo Lengai before daybreak for a one-of-a-kind, stunning vista of Tanzania.

    More about climbing Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai

  4. Usambara Mountains & Lushoto

    Best for: Beginner-intermediate hikers and climbers
    Fitness level: Moderate
    Recommended days: Routes range from 1 to 10 days
    The Usambara mountain range, which is a part of the Eastern Arc highlands in northeast Tanzania, is really made up of two mountain ranges: the West Usambara Mountains and the more compact, rainier East Usambara Mountains. A large area of flawlessly maintained rainforest, which is home to numerous unique species, may be found in the Usambara Mountains.

    With its picturesque farms, villages, and reachable hiking routes, this is the ideal area to spend a few days or weeks discovering the local culture. The German Amani natural reserve, and the historic colonial settlement of Lushoto (Wilhelmsthal are all nearby. From bird viewing to mountain riding, this place has something to offer everyone.

    Although the mountains are regarded for having a pleasant temperature all year round, the dry season, from June to November, is the greatest time to come.

    Despite not being a popular tourist destination in northern Tanzania, these magnificent mountains provide an unforgettable African experience. Hikers may see exotic animals in the Magamba Forest or marvel at breathtaking natural beauty like the Mkuzu Waterfall.

    In Usambara, there are many different types of walks, and if you have more time, you may choose from lengthier, multi-day treks in the Usambara Mountain region. This is a fantastic opportunity to visit the neighborhood and encounter Tanzanian friendliness.

    More about Usambara Mountain Treks

  5. Udzungwa Mountains

    Best for: All hikers and climbers
    Fitness level: All
    Recommended days: Routes range from 20min hikes to 5-day treks

    Wildlife enthusiasts need just visit the Udzungwa Mountains National Park to see leopards, buffalos, elephants, lions, wild canines, and six kinds of primates, as well as critically endangered birds and a wide variety of locally specific insects and butterflies. The Eastern Arc mountain range, which runs from Kenya to Tanzania, includes the Udzungwa Mountains.

    Since cars are not permitted in this area, hikers are free to explore the forest at their own pace. The park is traversed by hiking routes of varying difficulty. Don’t pass up the chance to swim at the imposing 170-meter-high Sanje waterfall’s plunge pools while you’re here.

    Even though Uzdungwa isn’t frequently included in guides on Tanzanian routes, hikers may find it to be a wonderful destination. It has a great network of forest trails, including a half-day hike to the Sanje Waterfall, which drops 170 meters (557.74 feet) into a valley of woodland.

    Udzungwa National Park in Tanzania boasts one of the largest numbers of species in the world due to its vast variety of habitat types and altitudes, including Tanzania’s richest environment for forest birds. The Sanje Crested Mangabey and the Iringa red colobus monkey, both endemic to the region, are among the six species of primates that may be found here.

    More about the Udzungwa Mountains hikes

  6. Mahale Mountains

    Best for: All hikers and climbers
    Fitness level: All
    Recommended days: Routes range from 40min hikes to 6-day treks

    The Mahale Mountains are a sparse mountain range found inside the Mahale National Park, which is renowned for housing a sizable number of chimpanzees under protection. You have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to coexist with chimpanzees in their natural environment by hiking here.

    At 2462m above sea level, Mount Nkungwe is the mountain chain’s highest point. If you want to attempt the 3-day Mahale mountain climb, go with a local guide and be on the lookout for lions.

    Lake Tanganyika borders the Mahale National Park, which is reachable by boat or airplane. The lake also provides options for beach relaxation and snorkeling with an array of colorful species.

    More about Mahale Mountains hikes

  7. Mount Hanang

    Best for: All hikers and climbers
    Fitness level: All
    Recommended days: Routes range from 40min hikes to 6-day treks
    The third-highest peak in Tanzania, Mount Hanang, is also the least expensive (at 3417m), making it ideal for those on a tight budget. You save a lot of money because the mountain is not situated in a National Park like Mt. Meru or Kilimanjaro! The village fee is likewise $40. To register and pay, go to the forest catchment office, located in the Katesh municipality building.
    The 5,871 hectares Mount Hanang Nature Forest Reserve is located between 1860 and 3418 meters above sea level. The forests are located near Katesh town on an extinct volcanic peak. After Kilimanjaro, Meru, and Olmalasin, Mount Hanang is Tanzania’s fourth-highest peak, rising 3,676 meters above sea level.Due to the existence of several cultural, historical, and heritage monuments like the Barabaig and Iraqw holy places, the Soda lakes of Balang’dalalu and Gendabi, the reserve is an intriguing environmental and cultural destination. This reserve is home to the fukomys hanangensis mole-rat. The region features beautiful vistas and subterranean water from Lake Basotugang. For climbers preparing to ascend Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Hanang is a well-liked location for acclimatization.

    More about Mount Hanang Hikes

  8. Pare Mountains

    Best for: All hikers and climbers
    Fitness level: All
    Recommended days: Routes range from 40min hikes to 2-day treks
    Southeast of Kilimanjaro’s peak lie the Pare Mountains, which are lush and fertile. Three cultural tourism initiatives make it simple to go to these stunning mountains. One in the south at Mbega, two in the north at Usangi and Kisangara. All of them provide a variety of reasonably priced activities centered around led hikes through the mountains’ woods and experiences with the Pare tribe’s rural culture, which has been present in the highlands for the previous 600 years.

    The most traditional tribe in northeastern Tanzania is the Pare. Due to their seclusion from other tribes, the Pare have developed a strong and unique culture and sense of identity.

    While traditional knowledge of plants and their uses is rapidly vanishing in other parts of the world, the Pare have maintained much of their knowledge. They are renowned throughout northern Tanzania for the strength of their healers and occasionally feared for witchcraft—witches, known as ndewa in Kipare, are invariably associated with botanical knowledge accumulated over many centuries. Due to the Pare people’s belief that the trees are holy sites protected by the ghosts of their ancestors, many of the native forests found in the highlands have survived despite high human population densities.
    This makes it a highly rewarding destination to visit, especially given that the Pare are a friendly tribe.

    More about the Pare Mountains

  9. Mount Rungwe

    Best for: All hikers and climbers
    Fitness level: All
    Recommended days: Routes range from 40min hikes to 2-day treks
    Southwest Tanzania’s Mbeya area has the Mount Rungwe Nature Forest Reserve. A dormant volcano, Rungwe Mountain is 2960 meters above sea level. It may be hiked in a day for experienced hikers who set out early. Views of Poroto Ridge, Mbeya Top, and Loleza Peak can be seen from the peak. Two of the world’s rarest primates as well as an endangered species of antelope are among the local biodiversity. The Daraja la Mungu, or “Bridge of God,” is a remarkable natural bridge that can be found in the neighboring Kiwira valley. Lake Ngosi, located in the Poroto Ridge Forest Reserve and tucked away in a volcanic crater, is also not too far away. Choose your dates wisely and stay away from the wet season as this area is among the wettest in Tanzania.

    More about Mount Rungwe

  10. Uluguru Mountains

    Best for: All hikers and climbers
    Fitness level: All
    Recommended days: Routes range from 40min hikes to 2-day treks
    Outside of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania is not renowned as a traditional hiking destination, yet some of Tanzania’s most well-traveled hiking trails originate in the Uluguru Mountains. A number of endemic bird and plant species may be found in the Uluguru mountains, which are a component of the Eastern Arc mountain range. The Uluguru Mountains, which are close to Dar and have campsites strewn along the routes, provide affordable lodging for those wishing to get some exercise and experience traditional Tanzanian culture.
    It is preferable to visit the Uluguru Mountains after the rainy season, when the mountains are still covered in a thick layer of vegetation and the routes have typically dried out and become passable once again.

    The hiking paths are not advised during the rainy season since many of the pathways wash out. Keep a look out for fresh berries; you may harvest wild strawberries and blackberries from the trailside. There are several tour companies in Morogoro that lead excursions into the Uluguru Mountains, and tour prices vary greatly. Although the price will be less than tours bought in Dar, the quality of the gear, meal, and English is frequently lower. Choose a trip that suits your style and what is most important to you.

    More about Uluguru Mountains

Why climb the Tanzanian mountains with Tranquil Kilimanjaro

Join us on a trekking excursion and discover the world on your own two feet. And Tanzania’s mountains may be your one-stop travel destination. Pack your bags and travel to the stunning continent of Africa. Mountains are a treasure trove of experiences and a happy place.

Tanzania is home to mountains of breathtaking beauty and contrast, incredible terrain, old customs and traditions, and famous animals. Tranquil Kilimanjaro Makes Your Tanzania Trip Memorable by Offering Kilimanjaro Trek at a Reasonable Price.

 

See also: Top 10 mountains in the world

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