Tanzania

The country of Tanzania is in East Africa, sharing borders with Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda and Burundi to the northwest, the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west and Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the south. To the east of Tanzania is a beautiful coastline sprawled along the Indian Ocean. This large African country is home to endless savannah teeming with unique wildlife, stunning mountains and awe-inspiring scenery.

The capital of Tanzania is Dodoma, and most international flights to Tanzania are to the airport here or Dar es Salaam on the east coast. Tanzania is known as a diverse country with a rich history, and over 158 languages are spoken here, although the main languages are Swahili and English. The climate here although equatorial can be moderate most of the time, and there are two main wet seasons in between longer periods of dry weather. This seasonal fluctuation is what gives Tanzania it's lush landscapes and plethora of birds and wildlife.

As the highest mountain on the continent, Mount Kilimanjaro, attracts adventure seekers all year round, looking for the opportunity of climbing Kilimanjaro and exploring the wonders this awesome peak holds. Mt Kilimanjaro is located to the north of Tanzania, close to the Kenyan border, in fact Kilimanjaro is closer to Mombasa than to Dodoma. In addition to climbing Kilimanjaro, visitors to Tanzania are lured by the chance to spot the BIG 5 in the wild – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino – and to experience the magic of the country’s many national game parks.

There are seven established Kilimanjaro routes and each will offer a different experience for the trekker. Climbing Kilimanjaro is a feat that is accessible to most people, with enough time, training, preparation and a positive mind set. There is no technical skill needed to get to the Kilimanjaro summit however, your level of fitness, available time and what you want to see on the way will dictate which route is best for you. Kilimanjaro can be summited in as little as 5 or 6 days by experienced climbers, however it is important not to underestimate the effects of altitude sickness which leads many climbers in a rush to fail in their summit attempts. For more information on what to expect, read our blog on what I wish I knew before climbing Kilimanjaro.

When Kandoo Adventures was created in 2009, one of our first destinations was trekking trips to Tanzania and Kilimanjaro. To this day it remains one of our most popular trekking tours and it’s no wonder. There are not many other places, if any, where you can climb an iconic high mountain then explore a hidden paradise afterwards at the Ngorongoro crater, enjoy a Serengeti safari and let your legs recover whilst watching for fascinating wildlife in their natural habitats.

To get the most out of your Tanzania trekking holiday, we’d suggest taking your time climbing Kilimanjaro and make sure to add a wildlife safari at the end. This is the perfect way to discover more of this enchanting country, rest and recuperate after your exertions and make your trip a truly unforgettable one.