3 Days Trekking in the West Usambara Mountains

The West Usambara Mountains are a hiker's paradise away from mass tourism. A piece of genuine, unadulterated Tanzania, which is visited so far only by a few tourists. Up to 2,300 meter high mountains offer countless hiking opportunities to spectacular view points, on mountain peaks and through rain forests, through villages of the Sambaa tribe and many fertile valleys, which are mostly used for agriculture. Together with the East Usambara Mountains, they form part of an ancient crystalline mountain range, the Eastern Arc Mountains that stretch from the Taita Hills in Kenya, across the Pare and Usambara Mountains to the southwest of Tanzania. Because of their rich animal and plant life, the mountains are often referred to as "African Galápagos in the clouds". In contrast to the East Usambara Mountains, the West Usambara Mountains are densely populated, there is a lot of agriculture and the road network is quite well developed for Tanzanian conditions. You should not expect too much luxury on the way during the 3-day hike. The accommodations are very simple, the first day you stay in a lodge and the second day in a convent. Both with very simple sanitary facilities, hot water is not always guaranteed. Before and after the hike, you will be accommodated in the cozy Lawns Hotel in Lushoto. The hotel is located just above the city, has a beautiful garden and is an ideal place to relax. And the food is really heavenly. During the hike you will walk about 43 kilometers in total. The daily stages are accordingly about 14 - 15 kilometers, the daily walking time is (without breaks) between 5 - 6 hours. Overall, the hike is relatively easy, but there are some steeper ascents and descents to cope with, a bit physical condition and endurance are required.

Day 1: Drive from Moshi to Lushoto

You will be picked up at the hotel by your English speaking driver in the morning. The journey first goes along the south side of Kilimanjaro towards the Kenyan border before heading south on the "Dar es Salaam High- way" towards the coast. On the way, you pass the Pare Mountains, a mountain range that rises to more than 2,400 meters. The Usambara Mountains are then already in sight and soon after you reach the place Mombo, from which the road branches off into the mountains to Lushoto. Here you will take lunch before continuing on a paved road with many hairpin bends. The drive leads through small villages, on the way you have a great view back to the plain and get a first impression of the West Usambaras. After about 45 minutes you reach the mountain village Lushoto, the former Wilhelmsthal. Here you spend the night in Lawns Hotel. Enjoy the colonial atmosphere of the 100 year old main building and the great dinner. Before eating, you are welcome to take a short trip to Lushoto, which is about 5 minutes' walk below the hotel. In the evening, your local guide will visit you and tell you briefly the most important thing about your hike for the next 3 days. Lunch; Dinner

Day 2: Hike from Lushoto to Lukozi

After breakfast, you will be picked up by your guide. You walk first down to Lushoto and then uphill to the royal village Kwembago. On the way your guide will tell you some interesting things about the history of the centuries-old kingdom of Washambaa and the traditional ruling Kilindi clan. The hike continues through cornfields and coffee plantations, on the way you have a beautiful view in the valley and Lushoto. Soon you will reach the lush Magamba rainforest with a variety of endemic plants, bird species, butterflies and chameleons. With a little luck, you will also see colobus monkeys. At Magamba Forest Peak (1,840 meters) you have a particularly great view, there is also a short break with lunch (depending on the weather and the hiking time, otherwise the lunch is a bit later). The hike then leads through the forest and fertile valleys to the village of Lukozi, where you will spend the night in a simple lodge, the Bushbaby Homestay. Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 3: Hike from Lukozi to Rangwi

This day will take you through the villages and settlements of the Mbugu and the Pare tribe. Experience the everyday life of the mountain people with your own eyes and enjoy the contact with the locals, especially the many children, who laughingly come to meet you. Also today your hike leads through a beautiful landscape with smaller mountain peaks and viewpoints, through forest and fertile valleys to your today's destination, the convent in Rangwi. Here you can relax and enjoy the sunset with a beautiful view of the garden. Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 4: Hike from Rangwi to Mambo

You can expect another, varied hiking day. First it goes through the village of Emau on the Shagayu summit (about 2,000 meters) with a great view. Then you continue through a pine forest and the villages of Goka and Sunga. After lunch you hike to the village of Mabughai, where you will visit a small pottery jointly operated by local women. You can watch how skilfully the women are making bowls, cups and other items and, of course, you can also purchase the beautiful pieces. The women will be happy about it and you make a contribution to the small family income. Now it is not far to the destination of your 3-day hike, the mountain village Mambo. From the terrace of the Mambo Cliff Inn at 1,900 meters, you have spectacular views of the Pare Mountains, Lake Kalimawe and, in clear weather, even Kilimanjaro. Once you have seen enough of the fantastic surroundings, you will drive back to Lushoto, where you spend another night at the Lawns Hotel. Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 5: Drive from Lushoto to Moshi

After the hike, you are welcome to sleep a little longer today. Enjoy your breakfast in peace before being picked up by your driver around 10.30 a.m. With many impressions from the Usambara mountains, it goes leisurely back to Moshi. Breakfast Notes: Accommodation capacities at Bushbaby Homestay and the convent in Rangwi are limited, we recommend early booking. If the accommodations are already occupied, we try to evade equivalent accommodations respectively we have to adjust the route / tour accordingly.

Location

Services included:

• West Usambara Mountains trekking according to the itinerary
• Professional, English-speaking guide
• Overnight stays in Lushoto and during the hike
• Meals according to the itinerary
• Drinking water during the hike and the transfer from / to Moshi
• All entrance fees
• Transfer from Moshi to Lushoto and back

Not included services:

• Alcohol and soft drinks.
• Flights.
• Visa fees.
• Tips.
• Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
• Travel insurance.