Non-Summit Treks

Nature Discovery offers non-summit treks on Kilimanjaro. These treks are ideal for those who do not have enough time to summit Africa’s highest peak, want to take their children along, or are unsure about the effects of high altitude.

We offer a 1-day trek on the Shira Plateau in the West or a 1-day trek on the Marangu route in the east. We supply a qualified guide who is Wilderness First Responder trained, lunch packs and water, and you can trek anywhere between 3 and 6 hours depending on fitness levels.

Kilimanjaro Shira Plateau Trek or Mountain Biking (full day)

This trek is for those who wish to experience Kilimanjaro without having to reach the summit. The Shira Plateau offers one of the best views of Kilimanjaro’s glaciered summit. It’s about 2 hours drive from Arusha to Londorossi Gate to complete entry formalities, then continue for another hour up to Morum Barrier Gate. Begin trekking or mountain biking through heather and moorland. Explore the Shira plateau and visit the ancient collapsed Shira cone, the oldest of Kilimanjaro’s three volcanoes. The amount of time for trekking depends on your energy levels and the time you reach the start point. We recommend a very early start for up to 5 hours hiking or staying closer to West Kilimanjaro for a more leisurely 2 to 3-hour hike. Lunch boxes are provided.

Kilimanjaro Marangu Day trek (full day)

On this hike, we explore the lower reaches of Kilimanjaro that early explorers first discovered. After formalities at the gate, you walk through dense and humid forests for up to 4 hours, and if you are lucky, you may spot the black and white Colobus monkeys in the trees. Continue until you reach the Mandara Huts at 2743m. After your picnic lunch – and if time permits – walk to the Maundi Crater for a long view over the plains and Lake Jipe, and in the distance, the Pare and Usambara mountains.

Descend to the gate to meet your driver and the drive back to your hotel.

What to bring on your trek

Good walking shoes or boots are necessary and we recommend walking poles and an extra layer of warm clothing as conditions can change rapidly. Good sun and rain protection is a must, and all guests should carry a daypack to keep drinking water and other necessities.

3-Day Trek

We also offer 3 day and 2 night trips on the mountain, either on the Marangu route where you will overnight in huts or on the Lemosho route where accommodation is in private tents. A qualified mountain guide, porters, a waiter and a chef will accompany you to carry the equipment and food, which is expertly prepared on the mountain.

Book your trek

Please enquire at info@naturediscovery.com about these non-summit treks or our other day trips and treks.

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Very good safari, enjoyed a lot. Good communication from start to end. Our guide was experienced and very nice. Recommendations!

Markku Nieminen, Finland

We had the most exciting moments of our lives! Our main guide Polite and his well-organized team were amazing. We could feel their overall experience, care, knowledge, and safety in every step. Even the hardest moments they didn’t give us a single doubt that we will not make it to the peak! Keeping us in positive thinking and perfect organization helped us reach the Peak of Kilimanjaro!

Laura Kaukenaite, Lithuania

Excellent safari, with a great guide/driver (Nelvin) and a perfect contact officer (Emilie). We saw what was supposed to be expected (Mara River crossings) and much more. We are strongly recommending Nature Discovery for a Northern Tanzania safari (including a Zanzibar extension).

Marc Lebrun, France

C’est Emilie de Nature Discovery qui nous a organisé ce SAFARI photos. Ce fut parfait : très professionnel, tout à la hauteur de nos esperances aussi bien les parcs que les lodges, et aucun incident à deplorer. Cerise sur le gateau: notre guide Joseph PANDA, parle parfaitement le français, plein de savoir sur la faune, repere les animaux mieux qu’une paire de jumelles et est très attentionné.

Mantovani Mireille, Nouvelle Caledonie

I have just returned from the trip of a lifetime to Tanzania with Nature Discovery. I completed the 8-day Grand Traverse Kilimanjaro Trek, followed by a two-day Safari in Tarangire. The entire trip was extraordinary. Everyone who supported us on the Kilimanjaro trek was kind, caring, generous, professional, happy, and supportive. I strongly recommend Nature Discovery for the trip of a lifetime!

Katrina, Australia

Our safari with Nature Discovery has been the experience which changed our lives! We spent 10 days in the north to see the migration, each day a new adventure in the parks, being part of nature. The camping in public camps has been unforgettable: totally immersed, no price! Emilie, Henry our guide, and Jacks our cook made the trip perfect.

Augusta & Andrea, France

Working with Upendo to plan this amazing experience was absolutely wonderful. She was thoughtful, knowledgeable, professional, and impressively responsive. When we arrived, she helped us have an amazing experience in Arusha, Ngorongoro Crater, Kilimanjaro, and Arusha National Park. Even when we came out of the mountain trek a day early, she made us wonderful last-minute accommodations. Upendo is a dream to work with.

Gretchen Warner, USA

Excellent support from Emilie from Nature Discovery, who organized our safari. She listened carefully beforehand to understand our wishes and adjusted our itinerary accordingly. Contacts by email and WhatsApp were very fluid and responsive. We felt very well accompanied throughout our entire trip. The safari itself ran perfectly. Our guide and driver, Joseph, was very friendly and attentive.

Sophie Valais, France

If like us you have done a huge amount of reading/research and are unsure which tour operator to use, then look no further than Nature Discovery. The communication from the central office is quick and clear as you email direct to the office in Arusha. We undertook two trips with this company and could not fault them.

Michelle, UK

Tout d’abord sachez que nous avons été enchantés de notre voyage en Tanzanie. La partie Nord que vous avez organisée a été parfaite, elle a pleinement répondu à nos attentes. Les lodges étaient tous super bien très différents des uns des autres. Mais surtout la réussite de cette partie du voyage tient à un nom… Joseph ! Il a été exceptionnel à tous niveaux, professionnel, précis, discret, humble.

Pierrette Mercadal, Nouvelle Calédonie, France

Excellent organization with a very good choice of accommodation. Quality welcome and contact on arrival. Pleasant and competent French-speaking guide, thanks to Joseph and Emilie for this wonderful trip.

Brigitte de Coulon, Switzerland

It was the second time now that we went on safari with ND and it was the best decision to book it with them again. Everything was so easy, the correspondence was uncomplicated, same as the organization and planning of the trip. If we needed any assistance or help even before the trip, it was no problem at all. We always felt safe throughout the trip.

Janine, Germany

Very well planned and very nice both the organization and the guide. Very supportive during all the organization and the hotels chosen have been incredible. Very recommendable.

Ana, Spain

Very well organized safari and activities, great choice of accommodations. Upendo helped a lot with organizing the perfect safari, communication was always very fast and clear. The biggest Thank You goes out to Mbise who was a reliable, funny, and heartwarming guide, who made us feel comfortable the whole trip, showed us amazing wildlife and taught us a lot about Tanzanian life and culture.

Anna, Austria

Très bon circuit avec un guide très professionnel où on a pu voir des milliers d’animaux dans leur lieu de vie. Des instants magiques. La journée à Longido était super avec Sambeke. Juste j’aurais aimé partir une fois au lever du soleil en safari. Émilie a été super disponible à l’écoute de nos attentes. Sinon tout était au top. Voyage juste magique.

Lamera, France

It was fabulous! Excellent organization, super guide. If it was possible, we could come back again just with Nature Discovery. We have a lot of memorable pictures. It was a wonderful trip. Thanks a lot.

Cochemé, France

WHAT’S IT REALLY LIKE TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO?

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KILIMANJARO TREK DIARY
Join our General Manager at Nature Discovery as he Attempts to Summit Kilimanjaro with a Small Group of Guests.