Best hikes in Tanzania

Tanzania is an amazing place with wonderful views, wildlife and culture. Everything from the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to the beaches of Zanzibar: there is plenty to see and do in this East African country. There’s nothing more natural than hiking in Tanzania. There are numerous national parks and wilderness areas, so hiking of all levels is unending. Here are a few of the best Tanzania hikes which will take you through some of the best scenery of Tanzania.

1. Mount Kilimanjaro

This is Africa’s tallest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro (a total height of 19,341ft), the highest point in Tanzania with some of the best vistas in Tanzania. It is difficult and a great climb for hikers, because it is a non-technical climb (which means that it needs no special gear or technical knowledge). There are several routes on the mountain that are both long and challenging. Its most commonly used route is the Machame Route as it is easy to climb and is also easier to get used to. This is a 6- to 7-day long hike with spectacular views of the surroundings (massive savannahs and lush rainforest).

2. Mount Meru

Mount Meru, in Arusha National Park, is the fifth highest mountain in Africa at 14,980 ft. You could call it the "little brother" of Kilimanjaro, because you can do the same hiking experience, but on a smaller scale. It’s a 4 to 5 day trek and offers amazing panoramas of the Meru Crater and Mount Kilimanjaro that are within the area. It meanders through wooded moorlands and mountain meadows where you can see wildlife such as giraffes, buffaloes and antelope.

3. Usambara Mountains

The Usambara Mountains in northeastern Tanzania is an altogether different sort of hiking place. There are two peaks in the range – the North Usambara and the South Usambara. These mountains also have some trekking routes through small towns, groves, and view points with a great view of the landscapes. The trek is great for the leisured and cultured trekker, you get to meet locals and see their traditional life.

4. Ol Doinyo Lengai day hike

Ol Doinyo Lengai, a Maasai called "Mountain of God" is a volcano in Tanzania’s Great Rift Valley. The climb up the peak is a difficult one, but worth it, since hikers see the beautiful sunrise over the crater and the lands surrounding. The walk is about 5 to 6 hours long and you go through volcanic ash and rocky hills.

5. Ngorongoro Crater Rim walk

The Ngorongoro Crater is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular sights in Tanzania. If you’re like most people, you take a safari vehicle up into the crater, but there’s something special about hiking up the rim. The trail is 5 hours in duration, and the climbers get amazing vistas of the crater and the numerous wild life in it. The path goes through villages, too, so you can meet the inhabitants and get a feel of their culture.

6. Olmoti Crater

Another little-known but equally beautiful Tanzanian hike is Olmoti Crater hike. This is a hike in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area through the Ngorongoro Highlands, to the rim of the Olmoti Crater. It is a beautiful hike that will give you the chance to enjoy stunning views of hills and valleys and trekkers can also take a dip in a nearby waterfall.

7. Udzungwa Mountains four day trek

If you are after a longer, more demanding walk, then the Udzungwa Mountains offer a 4 day hike in their various terrains. This trek, located in southern Tanzania, will take you to the top of the highest peak in the range, Lohomero. You will be trekking through virgin rainforests, flowing waterfalls and pretty valleys. Also a hike in which one may encounter rare and endangered species, such as the red colobus monkey and the Udzungwa partridge.

8. Mount Longido Hike

Mount Longido, in Northern Tanzania, is a 9,859ft mountain and is a day trip from Arusha or Moshi. It’s a 6–7 hour hike and moderately difficult, suitable for all levels of hikers. Wanderers will see wildlife – zebras, antelope, baboons – on the way. It has the view over the rest of the land and the nearby Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day.

9. Empakaai Crater Hike

Another, less frequented but just as stunning hike is in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area: Empakaai Crater. This is a hike that takes you down the sides of the crater, and gives you a great view of the lake inside. It’s also worth the walk if you’re keen to spot some of the various birds that flock to the lake, such as flamingos and pelicans. It takes 4–5 hours to make the trip and there is usually a Maasai guide present with the visitors telling them about the species of plants and animals that they see.

10. Mount Hanang Hike

Mount Hanang, the "Babylon of East Africa" is another untouched but beautiful trek in Tanzania. This trek is in the Manyara Region, and it takes you through forests, grasslands and rocky ridges to the top of the fifth highest peak in the country. The trek is 3-4 days in duration, and the hikers get a wonderful view of the surroundings and villages below.

Lastly, Tanzania is an adventure hiker’s paradise where there is much to see and hike in Tanzania. You can find the challenge of a hike up or just a walk through the wilderness, Tanzania has it all. So make next time an adventure and take a trip to one of these great treks in Tanzania and make an adventure of a lifetime.