Overview

Day Hike On Mount Kilimanjaro Through Lemosho/ Marangu Route

For a flavor of Kilimanjaro, how about adding a day hike to your safari itinerary? Kilimanjaro, which is the highest mountain in Africa at 5,985m, can take around a week to climb to the summit, but if you head to the less visited western side of the mountain you can do a one-day excursion, which incorporates some hiking on the high moorland.

You will be driven to the western side of the mountain and up through the forests to the Londorossi Gate, at an altitude of 2,100m, where the hike begins. The ascent you will be tackling is more than 1,000m, as you hike steadily up through tropical montane forests, home to a variety of animals and birdlife. With the help of your guide, you may spot colobus monkeys, crested turacos and more. As well as being the less visited side of the mountain, these western regions are known to be frequented by big game from Kenya’s Amboseli National Park, which neighbors Kilimanjaro National Park. It is not uncommon to hear elephants rumbling through the forest and you may even catch sight of them through the trees.
Your hike takes you up to the Shira Plateau, at 3,400m, a 500,000-year-old volcanic caldera that is now a World Heritage Site. You can stop for lunch here, or continue on to Shira 1 Camp, Lion Gorge and the foothills of the Shira Pinnacles. Kilimanjaro’s iconic snow-covered table top, Kibo Peak, should be visible from here, as well as neighbouring glaciers.
Then, at the end of the day, walkers are driven back to their accommodation, allowing you to make the most of your time on the mountain.

For those with limited fitness or mobility:

It is possible to drive all the way up to the Shira Plateau and then gently explore the surrounding areas on foot. Reasonable levels of fitness would be ideal for the longer hike.

What to wear:

The walk can be over uneven ground in places, so closed shoes are recommended. Due to the altitude, warm clothing and/or waterproofs are also advisable.

Day Hike Through Marangu Route

Marangu Route is one of the oldest and most preferred routes on Kilimanjaro. It is the easiest path on the mountain due to its gradual slope and direct path. It is the only route on Kilimanjaro as it has hut accommodations for the hikers making it popular among the tourists. Marangu Route is therefore also known as “tourist route”. Marangu route can be done for a day tour hike.

Itinerary 

You will be picked up at your hotel around 8am in Moshi/ Arusha and drive one from hotel to Marangu gate. Upon your arrival at the gate you will proceed with all necessary registration and once you done, your trek can begin through the dense Kilimanjaro rainforest.

Alongside the impressive vegetation, you will have the chance to catch a glimpse of black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and various bird species. Our knowledgeable English-speaking guide will inform you about Kilimanjaro and will explain the different species of plants and animals you will see. You will also meet mountain climbers descending from the top, and perhaps some of them will tell you of their experiences and you can start to dream about a climb of your own!

After a 3-4 hour hike, you will reach Mandara Hut (2700m), where you will have a well-earned rest and lunch. Your guide will then take you on a short hike (15 minutes walking distance) to the Maundi Crater, where you can enjoy wonderful views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Northern Tanzania and Kenya. Once you have thoroughly enjoyed the views, you will return to the Marangu Gate (2-3 hours walking distance), where your vehicle will be waiting for your transfer back to your hotel.