Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania:
Maundi Crater near Mandara Hut
We started our drive at the Lake Manyara National Park very early in the morning to reach the start of the Marangu Route in the Kilimanjaro National Park before noon.
Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to hike all the way up to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Nevertheless, in order to get a feeling of this impressive mountain, I went on a day hike encompassing the first stage of the Marangu Route. The hike led through dense rainforest from an altitude of 1840 m at the entrance gate to 2720 m at the Mandara Hut. My guide was walking quite fast, which meant that we managed the 8 km in around 2.5 hours and had enough time to visit the small Maundi Crater slightly above the Mandara Hut. Because we spent some time with a group of black-and-white colobus monkeys (Mantled Guereza), we then had to hurry to be back at the entrance gate before closing time at 6 pm.
After returning from the day hike completely covered in sweat, I had a good night’s rest at Tembo Tamu B&B in the nearby town of Moshi. On the following day I took it easy and just went on a stroll through town before I finally had to say goodbye to Tanzania and an airplane would bring me back to Germany. I had a really fantastic time in East Africa and cannot wait to get back there!
Matt Travels 
Wow, wow, wow!!! I loved the wildlife, and the flora, and fauna. WOW! What a great day trip. Thanks for the arm-chair tour!
thank you so much!! š
Next time you are back, you have to hike all the way up!!!
oh yes – I definitely plan to do this some day!! š
Kilimanjaro is blessed šš
unfortunately, I didn’t make it all the way up!! next time! š