Mount Hanang Hike & Overnight Camping In Tanzania

Mount Hanang (3,423m) is the third highest peak in Tanzania and arguably the hardest climb. While Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru might be seen as the big challenges due to the multi-day trekking and altitude there is no single day on either of those treks with anywhere near the elevation gain of Mount Hanang.

Rising from the town of Katesh, you will climb 1600 meters over 8.5 kilometers in about five hours. If the sun is out, expect a very tough hike and if it is cold you can expect to endure a freezing night at the campsite. What makes it all worth the effort is the incredible views from the summit over Katesh and Lake Balangida. The sunset and sunrise were truly incredible above the clouds despite the numb sensation in my fingers.

A GUIDE TO TREKKING MOUNT HANANG

In this blog post, I will share with you all of the details about Mount Hanang including permits, fees, guides, how to camp, and hike statistics. I’ll also share my full experience and all of my photos including some epic drone shots from the summit so you can get an idea of why this was one of my favorite but toughest hikes in Tanzania.

MY EXPERIENCE ON THE MOUNT HANANG HIKE

Mount Hanang isn’t a mountain you hear much about in Tanzania but after experiencing this incredible peak overnight at the summit, I’m sure as people hear about this hike it will grow in popularity.

The hike follows a wide, relatively safe ridge up to the summit, ascending more than 1600 meters in a matter of about five hours. A rocky patch at the summit provided just enough room for a couple of tents. We took shelter from the cold temperatures at 3,426m while enjoying an incredible sunset and sunrise with expansive, panoramic views.

The journey began in Arusha with a four-hour drive in the morning to Katesh. I decided to complete the entire experience without staying overnight in Katesh town. This meant I left Arusha at 6 am and began the hike at 11 am. If you are catching the bus from Arusha this option probably won’t be possible as the bus takes much longer and you will need to overnight in Katesh before hiking the next day.

Katesh is an interesting town at the base of the mountain with red-dirt roads and a cold chill in the air. The hike began at a signed gate without much fanfare, permit checking, or anything other than stepping over the fence. My guide had taken care of the permits and fees before I arrived.

The climb up is pretty brutal if you aren’t conditioned to hills. The trail is a nonstop incline for 1600m until you reach the summit. The first part of the track is under the cover of the forest where branches intertwine and the canopy provides some shade.

However, after one kilometer, the canopy disappears and you are at the mercy of the sun, which heats up as does the incline. A slow and steady approach is the smart one for this trail so take lots of breaks to turn back and see the town of Katesh as it shrinks in the background.

Most hikers camp a small plateau found at 3100m but I preferred to reach all the way to the summit for sunset and sunrise opportunities. It means you need to carry all your gear an extra few kilometers and be a bit more exposed at night but it’s worth it. The guides were happy to do it when I requested, but it is unusual and most camping happens on the grass at 3100m rather than the rocks at 3,426m.

With a tent in my bag, I wasn’t looking for alternative sleeping options but there are two caves on the route. These are used by locals and there are clear signs of use. They face away from the wind and looked like they would provide great cover from rain and the elements throughout the night. Having said that, when you are above 3000m, it is nice to have a tent.

It took us four hours and forty minutes to reach the summit, which is a pretty good pace given we were carrying all of our food, camping gear, and equipment. I enjoy reaching a summit well before sunset. It gives you time to set up, have some food and enjoy the view before the golden hour arrives. It was a quiet couple of hours sitting atop the summit watching the ravens circle and the clouds forming in the distance over the lake.

Sunset was spectacular with the sun creeping through a small break in the clouds to light up the mountain. Once the sun disappeared, there was a pastel pink glow that filled the sky. It wasn’t long before the show was over and the air quickly had a chill that would get colder and colder throughout the night.

Clouds engulfed the camp moments after sunset and soon our entire camp was wet. There was nowhere to be other than huddled inside my sleeping bag, settled in for a wet, wild and windy night atop Mount Hanang.

The night was very turbulent with strong winds battering the tents but our strong pegs into the dirt and a few extra rocks as support kept us grounded. I reluctantly opened my tent door at 6 am to check the weather and was greeted with a clear sky and a sea of clouds floating a few hundred meters beneath the peak. What a dream.

The sun crept over the horizon at 6:40 am, lighting up the top of the ridge. I really loved that moment because it was as if the sun was painting the trekking route on the mountain with sunlight. Clouds continued to swell beneath the ridge and peaks creating an incredible atmosphere. All the while our hands were freezing but it was a morning to remember.

We packed up quickly amidst the chilly weather and trekked down to the regular campsite. By then the sun was out and we had warmed up and could enjoy some peanut butter sandwiches. The trek down took us just a couple of hours as it isn’t a slippery or difficult descent in dry conditions. If it’s wet or it rained a lot the night before the descent will be slower as you will need to take care with each step on the rocks.

I hope you enjoyed this guide for trekking and camping on Mount Hanang in Tanzania.