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Mountain Kilimanjaro Day Hike: Scramble up the Marangu Route and Meet Exotic Wildlife
4.8
110 Ratings
Mount Kilimanjaro
Embark on a thrilling day hike up the Marangu Route of Mount Kilimanjaro. Encounter exotic wildlife, including colobus and blue monkeys, as you trek through the lush rainforest.
Embark on a thrilling day hike up the Marangu Route of Mount Kilimanjaro. Encounter exotic wildlife, including colobus and blue monkeys, as you trek through the lush rainforest.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
-
Mount Kilimanjaro - Your day trip begins with a hotel pick at either Moshi or Arusha then jump in for a relaxing drive to Marangu gate for registration with the authorities before you begin your long-awaited hike. This route approaches the mountain from the southeast part.
Our main task for the day is to make sure we reach Mandara Hut, the first…
-
Mount Kilimanjaro - Your day trip begins with a hotel pick at either Moshi or Arusha then jump in for a relaxing drive to Marangu gate for registration with the authorities before you begin your long-awaited hike. This route approaches the mountain from the southeast part.
Our main task for the day is to make sure we reach Mandara Hut, the first point of a full hike. We will only trek through the lower attitudes, taking our picnic lunch en route to Mandara Hut. Once we are at Mandara Hut, we will rest for approximately 30 to 45 minutes before we begin our slow descent back to the Main Gate.
Our driver will be waiting for you to drive you back to your hotel with relaxing music and cold or warm Kilimanjaro beer to take away the tiredness. Not only should you climb it but drink it too.
Please bring your non-disposable water bottle.
What's Included
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Hiking poles
- Drinking water on all days
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Hiking poles
- Drinking water on all days
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
What's Not Included
- All things of personal nature Tips and gratuities for Mountain Guide and porters and Cook
- Visas International flights Laundry Services Travel Insurances
- All things of personal nature Tips and gratuities for Mountain Guide and porters and Cook
- Visas International flights Laundry Services Travel Insurances
Additional Information
Climbing the renowned Mount Kilimanjaro in a single day is not feasible, but our day excursion to this majestic, iconic snow-capped mountain offers an opportunity to tackle the initial segment of the famous Marangu route. As you journey through the dense rainforest, you’ll encounter lively birdlife, colobus monkeys, and be sure to keep an eye out for the inquisitive blue monkeys.
Climbing the renowned Mount Kilimanjaro in a single day is not feasible, but our day excursion to this majestic, iconic snow-capped mountain offers an opportunity to tackle the initial segment of the famous Marangu route. As you journey through the dense rainforest, you’ll encounter lively birdlife, colobus monkeys, and be sure to keep an eye out for the inquisitive blue monkeys.
Location
Mount Kilimanjaro
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(110 Ratings)
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Faraway111576
Sep 30, 2025
Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut with African Polecat Safaris - I had one free day before my safari adventure began so I decided to hike from the Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut on Mt Kilimanjaro and back down. African Polecat Safaris is a wonderful company to work with. We kept in contact via email and WhatsApp and they answered all my questions. Zakayo G my guide and Brian T my driver arrived at my lodge at the expected time. I was the only person on this ride. Although the drive was long, Zakayo pointed out many things along the way to make the ride interesting. We stopped along the way to pick up lunch. After checking in at the gate, we started the hike. Zakayo matched my pace (slow). I was able to enjoy the rainforest, spot some birds, see the colobus and blue monkeys, enjoy the waterfalls. Zakayo is very knowledgeable about the wildlife and plants. He also knew many of the other guides and porters since he has been leading hikes for many years. Eventually, we made it to Mandara Hut and ate the delicious lunch. A nice surprise was seeing a few blue monkeys just hanging around the grassy area at the hut. The hike back down to the parking lot was twice as fast! If you're interested in doing the One Day hike on Kilimanjaro or any other adventures, check out African Polecat Safaris' website.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
369sanfordw
Sep 5, 2025
Great experience - Tough hike but excellent guided. they even carried lunch lightening our load. The trail wasn't in the greatest shape being muddy but of course that is beyond the control o f the guides
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Walterrr1206pi
Aug 13, 2025
Perfect Tanzaniana experience. - Hadada is an amazing company. Very nice and organized. They aranged many activities for me along with driver. Every property they chose was perfect and everything was well organized. I travel to Tanzania two times a year and they will be the only company I use from now one. I even met the owners and they were so pleasant. Everything they arranged was on time and as promised. I highly recommend this company for any travel related needs you have while in the Tanzania region. I look forward to working with them again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jen_v
Aug 8, 2025
Great hike with Zakayo! - We had a great experience hiking with Zak! He was so passionate and knowledgeable about his country and Mt Kilimanjaro, answering all of our questions and explaining various flowers, trees, and monkeys. He even stopped by a market on the drive back home to pick us some local avocados. The hike itself is a moderate three hours to reach the Mandara Huts, where we enjoyed a delicious box lunch. On our particular day, it was a little misty and some spots were muddy. (Once you come down, bring some cash because the women working the washroom may offer to clean your shoes which was a blessing.) Meanwhile, Zak’s shoes were spotless because he was an expert at knowing where to step!!
Review provided by Viator
894margauxp
Jul 27, 2025
Amazing experience will come back again! - Such an amazing trip! I highly recommend the tour guide: Zakayo! He is so knowledgeable and friendly and was able to make sure I was comfortable on my hike! He continued to motivate me all the way to the top, and made sure I didn’t fall coming down. He makes sure you are able to see blue monkeys and gives you information about all the different types of birds! I would do this again but go to the summit next time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kaitlin
Jul 17, 2025
Great Intro to Tanzania! - We loved our Kilimanjaro hike and had a great experience with the guide, driver and tour company! Loved learning about Tanzanian culture and language throughout the day from our guide Samuel and seeing tons of monkeys in the trees! The hike was super slippery at parts so good shoes are needed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paul
Jul 13, 2025
Ask for Zakayo, Great Guide - We had a great day and a great guide. Zakayo was our mountain guide and he couldn't have been more accommodating or more patient.
We got a special pickup time and location, no problem.
Friendly driver Brian and Zakayo were communicative but not too much.
We got to park and Zakayo handled everything and off we went.
We aren't hikers normally and we aren't in great shape. No problem!! Pole pole (slow slow) and we moved along stopping frequently to rest. During those times he explained the plants, the animals, incredibly knowledgeable.
We made it to the spot where they provided lunch, table cloth and all. Wonderful food and then we returned. He stopped us at least twice to show us monkeys that we would have missed if not for him seeing them and pointing them out.
Great day, would recommend Zakayo in an instant
Review provided by Tripadvisor
M6501izcaroleb
Jun 1, 2025
Mount Kilimanjaro day hike - What a truly memorable day! Our guide Zakayo from African Polecat Safaris was very experienced and knowledgeable and made the hike an enjoyable experience. He was friendly whilst making sure we were safe and provided so much information on the plants and animals as we made our way to the Mandara Huts.
The hike wasn't too challenging but hiking boots are a must especially in the rain.
Also a shout out to our driver Brian - professional and friendly!
I would definitely recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michaela
Apr 14, 2025
Great! - My experience was great. My guide Zakayo was knowledgeable, friendly, and made sure I was safe and comfortable during the climb. He is truely an expect of the mountain and nature. My driver Brian was also friendly and professional, even stopping the car so I could take a photo of the mountain, and was a very safe driver. I recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
692eufemiam
Jan 26, 2025
Mt Kilimanjaro Day Hike - I Hiked Kilimanjaro! Yiiippeee!!!
Zakayo & Brian Were Such A Joy To Spend A Day With,They Took So MucH Care Of Us My Now Forever Friends 🤗
Review provided by Tripadvisor
