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Mount Hanang Hike & Overnight Camping In Tanzania

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.

a view of the top of a mountain with clouds in the background

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a view of a lake and some snow on the ground

MOUNT HANANG HIKE DETAILS

  • Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike is 17.5km out and back (return trip)
  • Hike Duration: This depends a lot on your speed and how much gear you are carrying. The ascent can be completed in about 5-6 hours and the descent can be completed in about 3 hours. This obviously depends on your ability to hike uphill with gear. Our total moving time was just six hours and twenty minutes (for the return trip/up and down) according to the Garmin, which doesn’t count any rest breaks or stops and sleeping at the summit.
  • We left at 11 am and made it to the summit at 3:40 pm in time for a chill and sunset and then the next morning took about 2-3 hours to slowly hike down with a nice big break for breakfast at the regular campsite (3,100m)
  • Hike Difficulty: This trail is quite difficult due to the extreme incline. In 8.5 kilometers you will ascend more than 1600 meters and this is done at a high elevation. The hike will reach 3,423m by the time you are at the summit so expect to be short on breath.
  • The terrain is rocky and involves a lot of concentration as you step on boulders and rocks making sure not to slip on the ascent and also the descent. There are many sections where you will need to be sure-footed but not any big drop-offs or moments of exposure. Basically, if you can handle the incline, weather, and cold camping conditions you are all set for this one.
  • Hike Incline: 1,791 meters (return trip)
  • My Strava Map Upload: Mount Hanang

WHERE IS THE MOUNT HANANG HIKE

Mount Hanang is situated above the town of Katesh, in the central-north region of Tanzania. From Arusha, the drive will take you about four hours via car or half a day via public bus.

Once in the town head to the Summit Hotel, which is the unofficial meeting point for guides and hikers. This is also where you will spend the night before and/or after your trek if you are spending the night.

Unfortunately, they haven’t got their pin on Google Maps for some reason but everyone in Katesh knows the hotel. The closest pin on Google Maps to the Summit Hotel is the Star Lights Bar. This bar is basically a pin next door so will get you to the Summit Hotel. I’ve added that pin location on the map below for you.

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Are you interested in traveling to Tanzania or trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro?

I did all of my tours, treks and trips in Tanzania with Altezza Travel and you can too! Use code ‘JACKSON5’ when booking for a 5% discount.

HOW TO GET TO MOUNT HANANG

Tanzania is a little bit interesting to get around but there are several options to reach Mount Hanang from Arusha. Firstly, there is a public transport van or bus that drives from Arusha to Katesh and you can get out at Katesh and simply walk to the tourism office, which isn’t too far. Depending on your bus you may need to switch vehicles in Babati but your driver can confirm that for you.

The second option is to book a private transfer. I had a private transfer with Altezza Travel and it makes the trip very comfortable in a van with A/C, wifi, and a driver who helped us arrange everything when we arrived at Longido (very valuable in our situation as we arrived on the day we wanted to hike and need to negotiate).

Our driver waited overnight in Katesh at the Summit Hotel and was there waiting to drive us back to Arusha the next morning. It’s obviously more expensive than public transit but can be worth it when you are a group of several people and makes the trip much more comfortable. If you do want to book the transit with Altezza or even have them organize the entire trek, you can use my code JACKSON5 and it gives you 5% discount off any tour, safari or trek with Altezza (even Kilimanjaro).

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN ARUSHA

a view of a mountain through a window
a house with a red roof sitting in the middle of a lush green yard
  • Most Luxurious: Gran Melia Arusha – Incredible view of Mount Meru and premium 5-star luxury.
  • Where I stayed on a budget: Wakawaka Hostel– Cheap, great location and chill vibes
  • Best value place to stay: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa – very cheap price but has pool and high quality facilities and rooms.

GUIDES AND PERMIT FEES FOR THE MOUNT HANANG HIKE

To organize a trek up Mount Hanang, you need to contact one of the guiding services. I went with Thomas Safari as they are the only operator doing overnight camping the other operator just does day trips, which is a brutal all-day hike. The details to contact Thomas are below:

There are a few options when planning the trip in terms of pricing.

  • Firstly, you need to choose if you want to camp overnight or do a day trip. I highly advise camping overnight as you enjoy sunrise and sunset at the summit. Going up and down in one day is brutal and you will be at the summit in the middle of the day. So you work harder, for less beautiful views.
  • Secondly, either you bring your own camping gear as I did or you can rent a sleeping bag, tents, etc. from Thomas Safari. He has all that gear and charges a small fee per piece that you need to rent.
  • Thirdly, you need to decide if you will carry all of your camping gear, tent, clothes, and food, or do you want a porter to assist you with that. If you’ve never carried a heavy pack up a hill, this 1600m ascent may not be the best time to try but go for it if you are up for a challenge.
  • Finally, are you happy to carry your own food and cook your own meals? I simply carried nuts, sandwiches, and some granola bars. It’s just 24-hrs so there’s no real need for cooked food and bringing a camping stove etc. unless you want to carry more on your back.

All of those decisions will impact the cost as they involve extra gear, porters, and extra time on the hiking tour. I did the overnight camping hike with my own camping gear, my own food and carried all of my own equipment.

My trip fee including all permits, park fees, camping permit, and guide fee was 200,000 Tanzanian Schillings, which as of 2021 was about $85 USD. This was comparable to Mount Longido, the other overnight camping trek I did so I was happy to go with that price. Remember it is customary to give your guide/porter a tip.

Important: You cannot do this hike without a guide and there are big fines for doing so. There are so many locals at the lower stages that will see you so it’s not even worth the risk. I love solo adventures so I asked about going by myself but it’s not even an option.

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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.

What are my favorite pieces of hiking gear?

There are four pieces of gear that I simply never forget when I go on a hike. These are four items that I using right now and this list gets updated every year! Here are my hiking essentials.

  • Arcteryx BETA AR Rain Jacket: This is my go-to rain jacket. It’s super light, folds down into a tiny ball, and protects brilliantly in a storm. This one never leaves my backpack.
  • Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots: For the best ankle support, waterproofing, and durable exterior I’m a fan of tough but light hiking boots like these Salomons for my adventures.
  • Black Diamond Head Torch: I can’t tell you how many times, I’ve arrived back from a hike unexpectedly late. I always keep this lightweight but strong headtorch in my bag for the unexpected.
  • Darn Tough Socks: These are the most comfortable hiking socks I’ve ever worn and last for years. They also have a lifetime warranty and you just send them in with a hole and they replace it no questions asked.

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.

TANZANIA TOUR COMPANY I TREKKED WITH

I did almost every single one of my treks, tours, safaris, and transfers with Altezza Travel. The guides and drivers were always well trained and on time with high-quality gear. They offer a wide range of tours, treks, and activities including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. If you book any safari, tour, or trek with Altezza Travel and use my code JACKSON5, they will give you a 5% discount on the entire tour price.

MORE TANZANIA BLOG POSTS

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TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN ARUSHA

a view of a mountain through a window
a house with a red roof sitting in the middle of a lush green yard
  • Most Luxurious: Gran Melia Arusha – Incredible view of Mount Meru and premium 5-star luxury.
  • Where I stayed on a budget: Wakawaka Hostel– Cheap, great location and chill vibes
  • Best value place to stay: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa – very cheap price but has pool and high quality facilities and rooms.

Selma

Saturday 11th of May 2024

So fun and informative to see the mountain of my childhood (1965+) which we climbed many times as a family or with friends from around the globe all in one day with little gear. We climbed from the Gendabi side. Gendabi, Balangida Lelu was our station, the Wambulu and Barabaig people group/ wonderful, kind people who were our guides up the Mountain. One treacherous night down the mountain we were lost and the local people used calls back and fourth to find our whereabouts at sunrise. Once at the top we marked our arrival. So much has changed but we got to enjoy the best of days!

Julian

Saturday 9th of September 2023

Mt Hanang is the forth highest peak in TZ. Third highest is Mt Loolmalasin.

Atle Solholm

Wednesday 15th of March 2023

Hanang is not the third, but the fourth highest in Tanzania, after Kilimanjaro, Meru and Loolmalasin. Nice tour description, and nice photos, btw.!

Ramsey

Friday 15th of July 2022

Really awesome and detailed info👍

As a photographer too..man those shots are outstanding 💯.

Hassan Awadh

Tuesday 29th of March 2022

How do you rate Oldoinyo lengai against Hanang. I've done Lengai and was quite hard.