Top 11 Best Things To Do After Climbing Kilimanjaro
Top 11 Best Things To Do After Climbing Kilimanjaro : Many eager trekkers place climbing Kilimanjaro at the top of their list of things to do. A successful ascent of this mountain in Tanzania, which is 5,895 meters high and one of the famous Seven Summits (the highest mountains on each continent), is a significant accomplishment. But what happens after you succeed and reach the pinnacle? What Next?
Many tourists only visit Tanzania to climb Mount Kili, leaving without seeing much of the rest of the country. However, Tanzania has a ton more to offer, including breathtaking national parks, immaculate beaches, and wildlife safaris. 123 different tribes call it home, giving the nation fascinating cultural diversity.
From ways to celebrate at the summit to things you can do afterward, we’ve come up with some ideas on how to make the most of your trip to Kilimanjaro. Here are the top eleven things to do after climbing Kilimanjaro:
- Safari in the Serengeti
The vast Serengeti National Park may be the world’s most famous safari destination, and its reputation is well deserved. This World Heritage Site is home to nearly every iconic animal under the sun, including herds of buffalo, elephants, and giraffes, as well as predators like lions and leopards and more delicate creatures like dik-dik, topi, and impala.
Meanwhile, the Olduvai Gorge provides an opportunity to investigate early human traces. There are also walking tours available in the Serengeti, as well as hot air balloon tours for a bird’s-eye view.
- Visit Zanzibar
Zanzibar, located in the Indian Ocean about 25 miles from Tanzania’s mainland, is a perfectly preserved island gem that dates back to ancient times. Enjoy an all-inclusive beach vacation in one of the picturesque villages, or travel back in time at Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rich in history.
After you’ve explored the world of the Arab sultans, treat yourself to a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Swim with dolphins in the Kizimkazi fishing village, sample exotic spices and fruits, climb a coconut tree, or set sail on the Indian Ocean in a traditional dhow.
- Camp in the Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater has a unique appeal for local wildlife because it provides year-round access to food and water. At Lake Magadi, you can see the big five, as well as zebras, warthogs, cheetahs, hyenas, flamingos, and hippos. The crater, which is 18 kilometers in diameter and more than 600 meters deep, provides an impressive backdrop.
Staying here allows you to explore not only the crater but also the rest of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which includes the stunning Munge Falls and the Laetoli footprints from more than 3 million years ago. The crater has a high concentration of game, which can make sightings much easier and more reliable.
- Climb Mt. Meru.
Technically, it is preferable to do this before climbing Kilimanjaro. Mt. Meru, at 4,565m, is the ideal warm-up trek before tackling Africa’s highest peak. It is also a volcano and is located in Arusha National Park, not far from Kilimanjaro.
If you decide to climb Mt. Meru after summiting Kilimanjaro, you will be in the unique position of already being pre-acclimatized. Other benefits of Mt. Meru include the lack of crowds and the opportunity to see more wildlife, such as elephants, buffalo, and giraffes, during your trek. Contact us right away to discuss your Mt. Meru trek!
- Explore Tarangire
Tarangire National Park, framed by volcanic mountain ranges and towering baobab trees populated by various bird species, provides an impressive backdrop for roaming buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and other animals. If you visit between June and September, you might be lucky enough to see a migration of elephants, wildebeest, and zebras.
Tarangire is a small park in comparison to the Serengeti, but it’s only 118 kilometers from Arusha, making it the ideal safari if you only have a few hours after your climb. Maasai and Barabaig villages are nearby. History buffs can also visit the nearby Kolo to see ancient rock paintings.
- Hike Mt. Ol Doinyo Lengai.
This active volcano is known for its natrocarbonatite lava, which is significantly cooler than other types of lava. When things are quiet geologically, you can go into the crater at Mt. Ol Doinyo Lengai and see the vast expanses of molten lava.
The volcano also has more explosive eruptions of ash and rock every seven years or so. From the top, you can also see the Lake Natron salt flats, which are home to a large number of nesting flamingos. The ascent of Mt. Ol Doinyo Lengai is strenuous, and temperatures can be scorching. If you’re not ready to hang up your hiking boots after Kilimanjaro, this is a good challenge for you!
- Lake Manyara adventure activities
Those looking for a slower pace after climbing Kilimanjaro can visit Lake Manyara National Park. The park is mostly made up of water and is home to baboons and the famous tree-climbing lions. Driving through the park, you might see some playful Sykes’ monkeys and an elephant or two.
When the weather permits, you can go abseiling, mountain biking, and canoeing. In addition to the regular daytime tours, the park offers night game drives. This is a good option if you don’t have much time after your climb because it’s only a one and a half-hour drive from Arusha.
- Wildebeest migration
Almost every safari provides an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see exotic, endangered wild animals. If you’re in the area, don’t miss the annual wildebeest migration, which is accompanied by millions of zebra and gazelles.
The migration lasts several months, but the river crossings from June to October are the highlights. The wildebeest calving season, which takes place in January and February, is also worth seeing. The best way to get insider access to these sights is to book a specialized migration tour from Focus East Africa tours.
- Go on a cycling safari.
A cycling safari is an alternative to a traditional safari. Cycling a few dozen kilometers per day provides a challenge as well as the opportunity to explore the countryside at a more leisurely pace.
You’ll see coffee and banana plantations, Maasai homesteads, and learn about local medicinal plants on your cycling safari. Bike tours can be combined with vehicle safaris to see the larger animals. Focus East Africa tours offers fully guided, all-inclusive safaris ranging from two to eleven days. You can also discuss a customized cycling safari with our friendly staff.
- Cultural tourism
There are more than 120 different ethnic groups in Tanzania, many of which continue to live according to their traditional ways. Visit their villages, which are hidden away in the midst of waterfalls and rainforests, as part of a cultural tour to gain an insider’s perspective on indigenous culture.
A cultural tour may also include optional activities such as hiking Mount Hanang, viewing hippos on Lake Babati, fishing there in a local canoe, learning to brew beer, or touring emerging agricultural, water, and biogas energy projects.
- Gorilla trekking
Imagine yourself traveling in a small group through a mountainous, dense rainforest. You are following your trek guide as he directs you to a group of gorillas. He occasionally whips out his machete to clear the dense undergrowth so that you can all proceed. The ground is muddy, and the large leaves hanging over your head are covered in drips of water. Everybody is walking quietly, keeping their eyes peeled for birds and butterflies, and their excitement is as palpable as the humidity. You’ll soon be a few feet away from a group of mountain gorillas. You can get a close-up view of these social animals as they eat, play, and interact with one another.
Conservationists, admirers of the natural world and animals, eco-tourists, and adventurers all love to go gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking is the only way for people to interact with mountain gorillas because they are not found anywhere else in the world besides the forests of Central and Eastern Africa. In most cases, a gorilla trek brings tourists within a few meters of a gorilla troop.
THERE’S MORE TO TANZANIA THAN KILIMANJARO!
You will have prepared and trained for your climb of Kilimanjaro, so why not reward yourself with some of Tanzania’s breathtaking and distinctive sights after all that effort?
There are many things to do after your climb, including lounging on a Zanzibar beach, attempting a second ascent of Ol Doinyo Lengai or Mt. Meru, or taking advantage of the chance to go on safari. Additionally, being fully immersed in Tanzania’s sights and sounds will enhance your memories of your incredible ascent.
Contact our helpful staff right away, and we’ll be happy to offer any advice you might need as well as some suggestions. What are you waiting for if you haven’t already scheduled your climb up Mount Kilimanjaro?
