Trekking

Tanzania offers some of the best trekking in Africa, from the highest point in Africa to the beautiful plains of the Rift Valley, and many interesting places between. The most popular treks are generally no longer than a week so you can easily combine trekking with a safari, and even add on a Zanzibar trip to get the best of all worlds. Please Contact Us for information on how to incorporate a short walk, longer hike or climb into your Tanzania travel itinerary.

Warrior Trails is delighted to offer a variety of short and extended Nature walks under the guidance of trained Maasai Warriors from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Explore the grandeur and beauty of this region with the Maasai custodians who have lived their lives in harmony with their habitat. This land contains Maasai history; it is the keeper of Maasai memories and culture. Share this special land with its special inhabitants on our exclusive Warrior Walks.

Recommended Warrior Walks of up to 7 days can be arranged by Warrior Trails within designated areas and with the use of donkeys to transport your belongings. The longer walks can be stand-alone activities, or included as add-ons to your safari itinerary. Shorter walks of 2, 4 or 6 hours can also be arranged.

 Lake Eyasi View Walk - 2 hours

 Compass Points Walk - 2 hours

 Kimba Village Walk - 2 hour

 Olmoti Crater Hike

 Empakaai Crater Hike

Lake Eyasi View Walk � 2 hours
Start your walk from the Mokilal Pastoralist Primary School where you can learn about formal education for the indigenous population. Your trail starts on the western side of the Ngorongoro Crater rim where you will walk through beautiful landscapes to view the Katamboi waterholes and traditional Maasai kraals. Ultimately, your walk will take you to a view of Lake Eyasi, home to the Hadzabe Bushmen, some of the last remaining hunter-gathers in the world. You will also have the privilege of seeing an olpul - a traditional Maasai meat eating site

Compass Points Walk - 2 hours
A Warrior Walk from Saidiman hill to the top of Oloongoijoo will cross Maasai heartland, cattle plains, a permanent Maasai settlement and Oleani Mountain. It is at this place where you will have the best view from all points of the compass. Gol Mountain, Olduvai, the greater Serengeti, Lake Eyasi, Olmoti Mountain and the Ngorongoro Crater are all on view from this vantage point. It is possible to see views of Mt Meru and Kilimanjaro on a clear day on your Compass Points Walk

Kimba Village Walk - 2 hour
The short hike from Kimba village north of the Ngorongoro Crater rim offers a climb up Olorok Ilkunya hill for the best views of the Malanja depression, Olduvai Gorge and the Olbalbal depression. Our Warriors can show you their seasonal grazing lands, which rejuvenate from season to season. The Malanja and the Crater become yellow at times as plants provide a harvest for bees.

Olmoti Crater Hike
Short hikes to Olmoti Crater can begin from Nainokanoka village to the Crater and Munge Falls. Various forest walks can be accomplished within hours. The trail is not particularly strenuous, and only takes about 30 minutes, though you need to remember that buffalo might inadvertently join you. The route leads through bush and grassy tussocks often bedecked with flowers under old Nuxia trees and long cattle trails. From the crater rim you may see Masai with their herds below, eland, buffalo and reedbucks. The highlight of this hike is Munge Falls, which flows through a cleft in the crater close to the trail. The stream (which ends up in the Ngorongoro crater as the Munge River) cascades down steep cliffs, hundreds of meters into a ravine. The braids of white water which make up the falls remind the local Masai of streaming white tails of Black and White Colobus Monkeys.

Empakaai Crater Hike
Beyond Olmoti to the north east stands Empakaai Crater, about two thirds smaller than the Ngorongoro Crater, but in its own way, no less becoming. Although less wildlife is apt to be encountered here, the beauty of the crater, its relative remoteness, and the number of interesting bird species make this hike memorable.

If you are interested in a short or extended Warrior Walk under the guidance of trained Maasai Warriors from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, please Contact Us.

Kilimanjaro is the world's highest free standing, snow-covered equatorial mountain, and one of the world�s most accessible high summits. It has become a powerful image of Tanzania�s extraordinary extremes, from fertile green foothills to towering snow-covered cone.

One of the most amazing aspects of the mountain in the present day is the accessibility of its peak to climbers with no mountain climbing equipment or real previous experience of scaling such heights. Although it remains a considerable feat of human endurance, Kilimanjaro is a mountain that most climbers accomplish with little more than a walking stick, proper clothing and a dose of determination.

There is much more to Kili than her summit. The ascent of the slopes takes trekkers through a virtual climatic world tour, from the tropical, cultivated foothills through lush montane forest inhabited by abundant wildlife, to moorlands covered in giant heather, a surreal alpine desert, and finally to a winter wonderland of ice and snow.

There are several routes by which to tackle Kili, namely: Marangu, Rongai, Lemosho, Shira, Umbwe and Machame. Rongai route is the easiest route up Kilimanjaro. It has a reputation as a remote wilderness trail, and is the only route to approach Kili from the north. Of all the routes up Kili, Machame is by far the most scenic and popular.

If you are considering a Kili climb, please Contact Us to learn how to include it in your travel itinerary to Tanzania.

Trip Summary:
The popular Marangu route will get any reasonably fit person to the top of Kilimanjaro. Move from tropical to arctic environments in a matter of days as you pass through lush rainforests, moorlands, and alpine deserts.

Day 1: Arrival day into Arusha
Arrive Arusha where our friendly Warrior Trails representative will greet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer you for overnight accommodations at McElly�s Hotel

Day 2: Marangu Gate - Mandara Hut
After breakfast and a short briefing from your guide, depart for Marangu gate. After registering with park authorities, the climb officially starts with a 4 hour walk to the Mandara escarpment. Dinner and overnight at Mandara Hut.

Day 3: Mandara Hut (2750m) - Horombo Hut (3720m)
Continue your ascent for approximately 6 hours. Dinner and overnight at Horombo Hut.

Day 4: Horombo Hut - Kibo Hut (4703m)
The trek continues past the final watering point and ascends into the saddle of Kilimanjaro. This 7 hour walk is taken at a slow pace. Dinner and overnight at Kibo Hut.

Day 5: Kibo Hut - Uhuru Peak - Horombo Hut
Shortly after midnight, commence your climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro. This is a 6 hour hike with a summit at sunrise. Descend afterward to Horombo Hut for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Horombo Hut - Marangu Gate - Arusha
The day is spent descending to the Marangu Hut where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. The rest of the day can be spent at leisure. Dinner and overnight at McElly�s Hotel.

This is a more challenging Kilimanjaro Climb than the Marangu Route, for those with a degree of fitness.

Day 1: Arrival Day into Arusha
Arrive Arusha where our friendly Warrior Trails representative will greet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer you for overnight accommodations at the African Tulip Hotel.

Day 2: Machame Gate (1800m) � Machame Camp (3000m)
After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to the Machame Gate where you will meet your guide and porters. Following registration, you start your climb, stopping for a picnic lunch. After a 4-5 hour hike, you will arrive at Machame camp. In the afternoon, you will climb a little higher for acclimatization before returning to Machame camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Machame Camp � Shira Camp (3800m)
Start your 4-5 hour climb after breakfast, stopping for a picnic lunch. Arrive in the afternoon at Shira camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Shira � Baranco Camp (3950m)
Breakfast is followed by a slow 3-4 hour walk with packed lunches. Arrive at Baranco camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Baranco Camp � Barafu Camp (4600m)
With picnic lunch enroute, climb for approximately 4-5 hours before arriving at Barafu Camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Barafu � Uhuru Peak (5895m) � Mweka Camp (3100m)
An early morning wake up call just after midnight is followed by a light breakfast before starting the final ascent to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Stella Point can be reached in about 5-6 hours, with a further ascent to the Uhuru Peak, reached in about 45 minutes. After a short rest, begin your descent via the Gilman�s Point down to Mweka camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Mweka � Mweka Gate � Arusha
After breakfast, make your final descent to Mweka gate for private transfer to Arusha. Spend your afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at African Tulip Hotel.

At 4,565 m (14,977 ft), Mount Meru is one of Africa's highest and most beautiful volcanoes, and the second highest mountain in Tanzania. The route to the summit passes through parkland, montane forest, and a giant heather zone and moorland. The summit is reached by a narrow, barren ridge which provides stunning views of the Ash Cone lying several thousand feet below in the crater and Kilimanjaro in the background.

Mt Meru is a serious 3-4 day trek and is great acclimatization for a Kilimanjaro climb. It is best to allow 4 days for climbing Meru, since it involves a large elevation gain, but you can do the trek in 3 or 5 days. There are huts available to climbers on the mountain and firewood is supplied. Your ascent involves hiking through grassland and forest on the mountain�s lower slopes where you can see animals grazing. Higher, you hike and scramble along the breathtaking crater rim to the summit. Aside from being a rewarding and picturesque trek in its own right, Meru is also great acclimatization for a Kilimanjaro climb. A guide/ranger is mandatory on every trek because of the significant numbers of buffalo commonly encountered. There is one official route up to the summit. Huts along the way offer simple, comfortable beds. The best times to climb Meru is between October and February and June to September.

Warrior Trails does not place groups together. This way, you are ensured the full attention and knowledge of your guide. This also means you can start your climb on your preferred trip date.

Day 1: Arusha to Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m)
Depart from Arusha for Arusha National Park�s Momella Gate. Following park formalities, begin your guided hike. You will trek through open grassland, providing opportunity to see buffalo, warthogs and other grazing animals. The trail continues as a steady climb through montane forest. Following lunch at the Fig Tree Arch, proceed through less dense forest, where there are an abundance of birds and black and white Colobus monkeys. By mid-afternoon you will see the towering cliffs and Ash Cone of the Mountain. Enjoying the last of the afternoon sun, you will reach Miriakamba Hut situated in an idyllic grassy glade; experience lovely views over the surrounding plains toward Kilimanjaro (4-6 hours walking).

Day 2: Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m) to Saddle Hut (3,570 m)
The walk from Miriakamba Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a short day but a steep climb. Slowly ascend through lush montane forest to reach the halfway point of Elephant Ridge. From here enjoy excellent views of the summit ridge and across the crater floor. The path continues through giant heather and other fascinating moorland vegetation to reach Saddle Hut (3,570 m), where lunch is will be provided. The afternoon is free to relax and to enjoy the views. The more energetic can make the short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru (3,820 m) for superb views just before sunset. (3-5 hours walking).

Day 3: Saddle Hut (3,570 m) to Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m)
An early at approximately 2am for the steep climb to Rhino Point (3,800 m.), continuing along an undulating ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point (4,350 m) at sunrise. The views are stunning: the cliffs of the Crater rim, the Ash Cone rising from the Crater floor, Kilimanjaro floating on the morning clouds and west towards the Rift Valley if the weather is clear. The summit of Socialist Peak (4,566 m.) is an hour further on a good but steep path. The route back to Rhino Point in the morning light, on a narrow ridge between the sloping outer wall of the crater and the sheer cliffs of the inner wall, is one of the most dramatic and exhilarating walks in Africa. Enjoy a rest and brunch at Saddle Hut before continuing the descent to Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m, 10-12 hours walking).

Day 4: Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m) to Arusha
Take the direct route down through open grassland and mixed forest, with good opportunities to see wildlife. This trail has excellent views back towards the crater and over the plains of Arusha National Park. Reach Momella Gate by late morning (2-3 hours walking). Once you reach the end of the climb you will be transferred to your hotel in Arusha for some relaxation.

A Mt Meru trek is a great addition to your safari itinerary. We generally suggest you accomplish your climb prior to the more relaxing time on safari or at the beach. Please Contact Us to determine how best to fit your Meru climb in with the rest of your travel plans.

Mount Oldoinyo Lengai is an active volcano in the Eastern Rift Valley on the southern shore of Lake Natron. Its name means �Mountain of God� in the language of the Maasai people who inhabit this area. A nearly perfect cone, Oldoinyo Lengai still erupts occasionally and you may have the opportunity to walk on still-steaming new ground.

Oldoinyo Lengai is of particular interest to geologists because it is the world�s only active volcano that erupts snowy natrocarbonatite lava. It is also the only active volcano in this part of the East African Rift Valley, though there are many older extinct volcanoes in this region. Oldoinyo Lengai rises about 2000 m above the Rift Valley floor to a height of approximately 2886 m.

The ascent of Oldoinyo Lengai is usually done during the night or early in the morning, and is quite strenuous. Although it is not a technical climb, it is a very demanding and sometimes dangerously steep walk and scramble. The climb is 7-9 hours roundtrip but requires a minimum of 2 days for the entire trip. You should be fit, strong and above all very determined.

For those looking for an unusual destination off the beaten path, Contact Us for how you can incorporate a Mount Oldoinyo Lengai climb into your travel itinerary.