CLIMBING AND TREKKING IN AFRICA – TANZANIA AND MOROCCO

Africa is a continent that is stunning in its natural diversity. It can boast the well-known Sahara Desert, endless savannas, majestic lakes, spectacular waterfalls, a variety of flora and fauna. It also has the longest (Nile) and second most full-flowing (Congo) rivers in the world.

Lovers of hiking and climbing can find many interesting places in Africa. In the north, there is a major mountain system - the Atlas Mountains, extending over 2,000 kilometers in three countries. In the east of the African continent there is the massive Ethiopian highlands, which have a maximum height of 4,533 meters (Ras Dashen peak). In the south, there are vast ranges of the Cape and Dragon Mountains. It should also be mentioned a small area of the mountain system Ruwenzori, the height of which exceeds 5000 meters.

Well, the real highlight of African mountains are the numerous volcanoes, of which there are especially many in the east. In terms of climbing and trekking, we can highlight such volcanoes as Cameroon (the highest peak of central and western Africa), Kenya, Karisimbi, Meru. But the "king" of African volcanoes is undoubtedly Kilimanjaro – a peak that is climbed by tens of thousands of tourists from around the world every year.

PECULIARITIES OF HIKING AND CLIMBING IN AFRICA

High-quality service

If you value comfort, then hiking and climbing in Africa will definitely appeal to you. In particular, climbing of Kilimanjaro is famous for its excellent service. Here, together with the group, always comes a local guide team. All your belongings will be carried by porters, and a delicious hot meal will be prepared by a cook and assistants. The camp will also be set up by locals, and warm water for washing will be waiting for you in the morning. And what to do without songs and dances after successful climbing!

In the case of climbing Toubkal you will have to carry the luggage yourself, but according to the program all the overnight stays will be in the lodges. Even the night before the summit push, the members will spend in Refugio Toubkal, where they can rest with relative comfort before going out.

Seasonality of hiking and climbing

Africa lies entirely within tropical latitudes, so it is the warmest continent. Most of the countries here do not have the seasons we are accustomed to. Instead, there are dry and wet seasons. Temperature throughout the year varies slightly. Therefore, most interesting places can be visited all year round, making minor adjustments to the list of clothing and equipment. These places include Tanzania, with its popular volcano Kilimanjaro. Here, the rainy season lasts only 3 months of the year, but even then you can climb to the top. Read the detailed article about the seasons at Kilimanjaro.

Morocco and the other northern African countries where the Atlas Mountains are located have a slightly different climate. In the summer there is a sizzling heat, so hiking in the mountains will not be any fun. In the winter, it gets noticeably colder and snowier in the Atlas, which, on the one hand, makes trekking more difficult, but on the other, makes the scenery even more beautiful and fabulous. For climbing Toubkal the best are considered the fall and spring, when the air temperature is most comfortable.

In general, trekking and climbing in Africa is possible in any of the months, but we recommend examining the microclimate of the particular region you are going to visit.

Opportunity to combine outdoor activities with a sea vacation

Since Africa is a very warm place, it's nice to take a vacation by the sea. Of course, the resorts of the continent has not yet reached the level of popular global destinations, but in some places locals have already learned how to take advantage of the climate. These include most of the countries of northern Africa.

If we talk about combining hiking in the mountains and recreation at sea, one of the best options is Morocco, where it takes just a few hours from popular sea resorts to the heart of Atlas mountains. Another great option is Tanzania, where after climbing the Kili, you can head to the island of Zanzibar, a true tropical paradise with some of the best beaches on the planet.

In general, the mountain systems and popular peaks of Africa are arranged in such a way that after almost each of them, you will be able to reward yourself with a beach vacation on one of the coastlines.

Experiencing Africa's Authentic Culture

Africa's culture is incredibly diverse and exciting thanks to the vast number of tribes inhabiting it. Almost each of them can be proud of their own language, traditions and everyday life. Just imagine: more than 1,500 different languages are spoken on the continent! Whichever country you visit, you will definitely have the chance to get to know the local tribes and their cultural heritage. When participating in a safari in Tanzania, you can visit the Maasai tribe, a semi-nomadic indigenous people of East Africa.

As for the northern part of the African continent, it is extremely rich in architectural sights, many of which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. There are the ruins of cities from the Roman heyday, and impressive monuments from the colonial era, and of course, the rich heritage of Islam - the dominant religion of the region.

Hiking is an excellent way to experience Africa's exotic culture as it takes you to remote mountainous areas that have retained their identity and not been influenced by Western culture.

Natural Diversity

During our hikes and climbs in Africa, members pass through several natural zones, from the humid equatorial forests to the arctic wilderness. As a result, there is the opportunity to observe not only all kinds of landscapes, but also amazing biological diversity. About a quarter of all species of living organisms on our planet live here!

There are especially many large animals in Africa: lions, antelopes, giraffes, hippos, zebras, rhinos - all these animals can be found in the eastern and southern parts of the continent during safaris. As the dry and wet seasons change, herbivores gather in huge herds and migrate in search of better pastures. The carnivores follow in their footsteps. This process is called the Great Migration and is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.

Climbing Kilimanjaro (5,895 m)

Climbing Africa's highest stratovolcano is an unforgettable adventure and a must on the 7 summits program. With us, you can climb Kili along one of the two routes - Umbwe and Marangu. The first of them is the shortest and gives you the opportunity to properly acclimatize due to small day hikes. In addition, it is the least crowded and very picturesque track. As for Marangu, this is the only route on Kilimanjaro that allows members to live in huts. Both programs involve excellent service.

Climbing Toubkal (4,167 m)

Toubkal is the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains and all of northern Africa. Climbing here is technically very simple and does not require special skills and preliminary mountaineering experience. It is a great opportunity to feel the considerable height and decide for yourself whether you want to go even higher. In addition to climbing the Toubkal, our program includes sightseeing in Morocco. Participants will swim in the Atlantic Ocean, visit the cities of Marrakech, Essaouira and Ouarzazate and ride camels on the sands of the Sahara.