5 Enchanting Hiking Trails Beyond Kilimanjaro

When majority of the tourists consider the hiking in Tanzania, the mountain of kilimanjaro always comes to their minds in the first position. But on the other side of the highest mountain in Africa is a whole universe of no less beautiful and less frequented tracks that will present adventure, cultural travel, and prettiest sceneries. You may be after wet rainforests, or spectacular volcanoes, or highlands out of the reach of roads, but somehow or other these five magic hiking roads beyond Kilimanjaro must be on the list of every nature-lover.

Mount Meru Kilimanjaro’s great neighbor.

Mount meru is now commonly engulfed by its large brother but it is a favourite hiking trail among tourists who trace an arduous and rather commercial route. The 4, 566 meters high Meru has trails, which pass through a prosperous montane forest that is home to colobus monkeys, falls, and endangered bird species.

Highlights:

Scenic Crater Rim: It is a walk that involves personals taking routes to the Socialist Peak with breathtaking sights of the sunrise on Kilimanjaro.

Wildlife Safari: The wildlife safari is found in arusha national park and most of the times the wildlife observation may be giraffes, buffaloes and bushbucks.

Less Time: It will generally require 3-4 days and would therefore appeal to the busy travellers.

Why go?

Despite the change in the altitude, scenery and the population of people, Mount Meru has everything that comes with the excitement but with less people compared to the Kilimanjaro.

Tanzania Emerald Highlands -Usambara Mountains.

The Usambara mountains are located on the northeast and it is Hikers heaven because of the tea plantations, beautiful villages and scenic views. This is divided into the West Usambaras (more civilized and history of colonialism) and the East Usambaras (more isolated and abundant in rainforests).

Highlights:

Lush Gardens: Stomped green mountains and banana trees with eucalyptus trees.

Cultural Immersion: It will include staying in guesthouses in the local places, visit local farms and experience the local rural life in Tanzania.

Lushoto Base: Lushoto town forms the ideal place of origin when guided tours are done.

Why go?

The Usambaras brings culture and beauty to the hikers who just as much see the same in equal measure, and segments of the best sun rise beauty in Tanzania.

Ol Doinyo Lengai The hill of Maasai sacredness.

It is also one of the farthest hiking points in East Africa that consists of a volcano called the mountain of God by Maasai language. The volcano is neither the highest (2962 meters) but the sole active carbonatites volcano worldwide hence the geology of the volcano is actually unique.

Highlights:

Challenging Night Ascent: Ascents normally begin at approximately midnight so that the sunrise at sunrise, one manages to reach the summit when the sun is setting and the Great Rift Valley is bathed in warm morning sunlight.

Sacred Meaning: Ol Doinyo Lengai is a very sacred site to the Maasai and this is what makes the hike appear to be a cultural experience.

Approach to Lake Natron: To your walk add an excursion to the salt marsh of Lake Natron which contains flamingos.

Why go?

The mountain of God is not forgettable in case you are willing to have an adventure that is intense, short term, spiritual and geological interest.

Udzungwa Mountains- African Galapagos.

The Udzungwa Mountains National Park: the Udzungwa Mountain National Park also referred to as the African Galapagos is a phenomenal biodiversity that accommodates some of the most unique flora and fauna, and that has several great trails. Udzungwa is roadless and it is a pure-footed wilderness adventure as compared to other parks which have hiking trails.

Highlights:

Waterfalls trail: it is rather a gentle stroll since it just takes one 4-6 hours to arrive at the first waterfall in Tanzania the Sanje water falls, falling 170 meters down a green slope.

Wildlife Safari: Explore monkeys that are endemic such as the red colobus of the Udzungwa and Udzungwa rare birds.

Multi-day Treks: Adventure hikers are able to take the Mwanihana Peak hiking experience to be in a position to enjoy panoramic views of the savannah.

Why go?

The Udzungwa trails are magic to the nature lovers who would like to explore the biodiversity hot spot without the need to be accompanied by a group of safari guides.

Mahale Mountains -Where Chimps is Freedom.

Quite the contrary type of hike, however, is that which is offered in the remote Mahale Mountains National Park right on the shores of Lake Tanganyika which entail hiking with wild chimps in the dense mists of rainforests. It also has the Mahale that is one of the most quiet in Africa and requires one to be accessed by boat.

Highlights:

Chimp Trekking: It is a guided forest hike during which one can observe the herds of animals that are accustomed to human beings.

Lake and mountain views: Hiking in the jungles and then going ahead to have a swim in the crystal clear lake Tanganyika.

Out of sync: Mahale is secluded so that the traffic of people visiting it is reduced to the minimum and the surrounding area offers some exclusivism to the wilderness.

Why go?

If you have a wonderful hiking trip that you are looking forward to and you would rather be with primates and clean beach at the lake Mahale is where you ought to be.

Tips to Hiking beyond Kilimanjaro.

Employ Local Guides: You cannot explore all these tracks without a professional guidance of local guides who will be able to guarantee you that you will be safe and they will be able to provide you with some information about the culture.

Season Matters: It is the dry season ( June -October ) that is most pleasant to do hiking but there are also trails that are good throughout the year such as in the Usambaras.

Pack Smart: One can lower the temperature by a considerable percentage based on the altitude in a tropical setting, in this case, one will need to wear some layers.

Learning about the Local Customs: Sights such as Ol Doinyo Lengai are important to the culture -hike intelligently and humbly.

Final Thoughts

Although it is true that the snow top of Mount Kilimanjaro is a definite international icon, hiking in Tanzania has a lot more than the snow top. The five roads, the green restlessness of the Usambaras, the play of the volcanism of the Ol Doinyo Lengai and the chimp-haunted forests of Mahale, provide the hiker with a more profitable and varied sample of the land and its scenery. However serious the trekker is or a light hiker, the alternative to the trail of Kilimanjaro could lead you to the most interesting experience in Tanzania that you ever had.