Main Info
While Mt. Kilimanjaro remains the iconic landmark of Tanzania, the desire to explore its beauty doesn’t have to take you all the way to Uhuru Peak. The Kilimanjaro day hike will ensure you experience the first few meters above sea level using the famous Marangu route. You will have a chance to be within proximity to the wildlife that includes various species of birds, animals like colobus monkeys, and plants within the rainforest.
What to Pack
Generally, you will need comfortable sturdy shoes, comfortable clothes, a camera and a change of clothes or raincoat. We will provide you with a freshly prepared lunch that is well packed in the box and a bottle of water. Please ensure you have a bottle that is not a throw-away to keep your water as the Kilimanjaro National Park does not allow the mineral water bottle.
Activities
The Kilimanjaro day hike is the ideal activity that can be taken by anyone visiting the Kilimanjaro region. The main activity here is hiking and photography. If you love hiking and taking photos of nature this is an ideal trip for you. It can also be ideal if you have been on safari for a long time and you want to have a stretch before proceeding to Zanzibar.
7:00 AM
Your assigned guide and driver will arrive at your hotel in the morning to pick you for the drive towards the Marangu gate. The drive will give you the mesmerizing view of the landscape and day-to-day activities of Tanzanians within the ever-busy Moshi town to the chilled green and lash Marangu village as you approach Kilimanjaro. The countryside will give you a beautiful view of the coffee and banana plantations. If you are departing from Moshi town you will need to start the drive between 7:00 am-7:30 am but if you are staying at Marangu then you will depart from your hotel at 8:00 am
8:00 AM
On reaching Marangu Gate, your guide will take you through registration in preparation for the adventure ahead.
9:00am
The hike begins on a narrow ridged trail as it meanders into the rainforest that has been beautified with nature in terms of landscape and wildlife. The forest is misty with a lot of trees that have moss whilst they create a beautiful canopy overhead. The forest is home to various species of birds and animals like monkeys, colobus, and mongooses.
2:00 PM
The hike to Mandara Hut will take approximately 3 hours. On reaching Mandara Hut, you will be served with tasty lunch and given ample resting time before proceeding to a more challenging hike towards Maundi Crater. Should you be lucky to have taken the hike on a clear day, you will enjoy awesome views of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak.
After ample time has been spent here, the hike back to Marangu gate will begin or start. You will get to Marangu gate from around 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm. Please make sure you are out of the park before 5:00 pm. The diver will pick you from the gate and drop you off at your hotel.
