Tanzania
Tanzania Overview
Situated in East Africa, between the African Great Lakes and Indian Ocean, Tanzania is a diverse and spectacularly scenic country. The northeastern portion of the country is mountainous and home to the highest point in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. Farther west is the Gregory Rift, the southernmost portion of the East African Rift, and the serengeti.
Due to the diverse array of landscapes and incredible biodiversity of the East African country, mountaineering and trekking are particularly popular. Nearly 40 percent of Tanzania’s land is covered by national parks and conservation areas, meaning there is a lot to see and explore.
Famous Mountains in Tanzania
While there are several volcanic summits in Tanzania that are popular with trekkers and mountaineers, Mount Kilimanjaro is by far the most popular destination. Rising to 5,895 metres (19,341 feet) in elevation, Kilimanjaro is one of the world’s Seven Summits and the tallest freestanding mountain in the world.
Along with being the highest point in Africa, Kilimanjaro is also considered to be the easiest of the world’s Seven Summits to climb. Various routes, starting from all sides of the mountain, lead to its highest point and are perfectly appropriate for trekkers with no prior climbing experience.
Other popular expeditions in Tanzania are:
- Climb Mount Meru
- Climb Mount Loolmalasin
- Climb Mount Hanang
- Climb Rungwe
- Rift Valley Trek
Browse our navigation menu to find many more Tanzania expeditions.
Quick Facts about Tanzania
- Tanzania is among the most biodiverse countries in the world, boasting more than 300 mammal species and 900 bird species. The country is considered one of the best for game viewing in all of Africa. As a result, many trips to Tanzania include one or more safaris in one of the country’s numerous national parks and protected areas.
- Tanzania is home to the Ngorongoro Crater, which is the world’s largest inactive caldera. At 610-metres (2,000-feet) deep and covering 260 square kilometres (100 square miles), the crater was voted as one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World and is home to some of Africa's most iconic wildlife.
- Another of Tanzania’s most popular spots is Zanzibar, with many climbers and trekkers opting to fly to the tropical and biodiverse island for a few days after their expedition.
How To Get To Tanzania
Most mountaineering and trekking trips to Tanzania begin with a flight into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), near Arusha. Most guides will opt to meet here and provide transport to the start of the trip.
What To Expect in Tanzania
Weather: In the highlands of Tanzania, average daily temperatures hover around 20 ºC (68 ºF). These drop considerably as elevation is gained. Average temperatures at the top of Kilimanjaro hover around -7 ºC (19 ºF). The climbing and trekking season coincides with the dry season in Tanzania when rainfall is far less common
Peak Trekking/Climbing Season: June to October, January to March
Currency: Tanzanian shilling (TZS)
Language: Swahili, English, Arabic (Zanzibar)
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