Mount Hanang
Hiking Mount Hanang is really fun. We offer a 3 day trip on the Katesh Route with or without overnight camping on the mountain.
Both options include visiting Lake Balangida after your hike.
Hanang is the fourth-highest mountain of Tanzania (after Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and Mount Loolmalasin). It is an extinct vulcano like the others and its peak has an elevation of 3,423 m / 11,230 ft above sea level. The mountain is part of the Mount Hanang nature forest located close to Lake Manyara National Park and Tarangine National Park, two major tourist destinations for wildlife safari in northern Tanzania. Mount Hanang Nature Forest is a great water source with several rivers and beautiful lakes.
If you are lucky, you can see some wildlife around the mountain and its evergreen montane forest like velvet monkeys, baboons, bushbucks, duikers, klipspringer, and some even spot hyenas.
The difficulty of this trail comes from the extreme incline on its steep slopes. In 8.5 km / 5,3 miles you will ascend more than 1,600 m / 5,250 ft - and this is done at a high elevation. The terrain is rocky and there are sections where you will need to be sure-footed, but no big drop-offs or moments of exposure. Basically, if you feel fit enough for a steep ascent and are not afraid of cold camping conditions (if you choose the overnight camping) you are all set for this brilliant adventure.
If you don´t like camping but prefer hotel accommodation, you can ascend and descend on the same day.
Itinerary:
Option 1
Camping on the mountain
An overnight stay in a high camp on Mount Hanang offers a more immersive trekking experience. There are no fixed or named camps like on Mt Kilimanjaro or Mt Meru. Instead, we operate a mobile tented camp that is set up by our crew along the route. This gives us flexibility to position the camp higher up the mountain depending on your group’s pace and weather conditions. We will establish the overnight camp at a higher elevation which offers a shorter summit push the following morning, more time to enjoy the upper mountain scenery and also a more adventurous, remote experience. Usually this camp will be set up after around 4-5 hours of hiking, so you will have 1 hour to the summit in the morning and be able to enjoy the sunrise there.
DAY 1:
Ascent 1,400 m / 4,593 ft - 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
Early in the morning we will pick you up from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi, check your gear and drive about 4-5 hours to Katesh (if you stay at more nearby places like Karatu or Katesh it will be shorter). After getting your permit the hike starts at the lower slopes, where you’ll trek through a montane forest, a dense area rich in flora and fauna. As you ascend, the forest gradually gives way to heathland and high-altitude grassland. The terrain becomes steeper, but you will be rewarded with panoramic views of Katesh town and the surrounding farmland. By mid-afternoon, you’ll reach the designated campsite on the mountain ridge. Here, you can rest, enjoy a warm meal, and take in the beautiful views of the lakes and craters below as the sun sets.
Overnight camping:
Settle in for the night at the campsite, where you can enjoy the peace and quiet of the mountains, with a clear sky above and stunning scenery around.
- hiking distance: 8 km / 5 miles
- hiking time: 4-5 hours
- altitude gained: 1,300 m / 4,265 ft
- habitat: montane forest
- meals included: lunch box, hot dinner
DAY 2:
Ascent 2,700 m/ 8,858 ft - 3,418 m / 11,214 ft and Descent - 1,400m / 4,593 ft
We will wake you up in the early morning around 5:30am to catch the incredible sunrise. After some quick snacks you will start the ascent to the summit. The early morning light will illuminate your path and you will be able to enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the mountain at dawn. The trail to the summit is narrow and steep, with some sections requiring you to use your hands for support on rocky terrain. The hike is physically demanding but the panoramic views along the way make it worthwhile. As you ascend, you will cross small hills and ridges with frequent ascents and descents.
After a challenging yet rewarding climb you will reach the summit of Mount Hanang, where, on a clear day, you’ll be greeted with spectacular views of Lake Balangida and the town of Katesh far below. Take a moment to savor the 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape, including the Rift Valley and nearby peaks.
After spending some time at the summit, you’ll begin your descent. The way down is just as scenic, with views to enjoy all the way back to the campsite. Once you reach the campsite, you’ll have breakfast before continuing the final descent back to the gate. You´ll have late lunch after that with all your team. If you were happy, you can now reward the team with tips. After the final descent, a car will be waiting to take you back to Katesh.
- hiking distance: 10 km / 6,2 miles
- hiking time: ascent 1-3 hours / descent 3-4 hours
- altitude gained: 718 m / 2,356 ft
- habitat: montane forest, heathland, rocky ridgelines
DAY 3:
After breakfast we will drive 30min - 1 hour to Lake Balangida. It is one of the salt or soda lakes (like the more famous Lake Natron), that are knows for its high concentration of sodium carbonate and beeing the most productice ecosystems on earth. The salt lake has spectacular views. After lunch we will take you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
- meals included: breakfast, hot lunch or lunch box
Option 2
without camping on the mountain
DAY 1:
We will pick you up from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi after lunch and drive about 4-5 hours to Katesh (if you stay at more nearby places like Karatu or Katesh it will be shorter). There we will get your permit and drop you at your hotel or campsite for dinner.
- meals included: hot dinner
DAY 2:
After breakfast we start hiking. The trail first leads through a small forest, as you ascent the trees get shorter, you will walk through bush and grass land with beautiful butterflies, as well as heath and moorland. Typical vegetation will be Protea tree and Erica tree. After having our lunch boxes on the mountain while enjoying the beautiful scenery, we continue climbing. At the summit you will have stunning panoramic views to all sides, you will see the rivers, the lakes and the wide land. After the descent back down to the gate we will drive you back to the campsite or your hotel for dinner and a well deserved rest.
- hiking distance: 8,5 km / 5,3 miles + 3 km / 1,9 miles
- hiking time: 6-7 hours ascent / descent 3-4 hours
- altitude gained: 1,300 m / 4,265 ft +320 m / 1,050 ft
- meals included: breakfast, lunch box, hot dinner
DAY 3:
After breakfast we will drive 30min - 1 hour to Lake Balangida. It is one of the salt or soda lakes (like the more famous Lake Natron), that are knows for its high concentration of sodium carbonate and beeing the most productice ecosystems on earth. The salt lake has spectacular views. After lunch we will take you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
- meals included: breakfast, hot lunch or lunch box
What´s included:
- transport
- entry fee
- guide fee, porters salary
- meals as shown in itinerary (1 lunch, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast)
What to bring:
(we can arrange to hire any gear)
