Kilimanjaro & treks
Arusha, Lolboro, Longido, Mount Longido, Dawa ya Supu viewpoint, Kimokouwa, Arusha
your journey
This short trek takes you into the Maasai bushland north of Arusha, open grass and scrub country where herders still move their cattle, goats and sheep across the plains. On clear days you can see Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, Ol Doinyo Lengai and Mount Longido from the trail.
You start an hour's drive from Arusha at the Maasai village of Lolboro and walk north across the plains and the Longido river. You spend time at the bomas, watching the morning milking and the herds being sorted for grazing and market, and visit a First World War German graveyard near Longido. Evenings are spent by the campfire with Maasai storytelling under a sky full of stars.
The last two days are on Mount Longido itself: a long day around the foot of the mountain looking at birds and traditional medicinal plants, then an early climb through dense forest to the Dawa ya Supu (medicine soup) viewpoint at about 2,000 metres.
Walkers who want culture and quiet country rather than game drives, and who are comfortable with long days on foot and simple camping. The final climb and descent on Mount Longido are steep.
Parks visited
what makes it special
day by day
We collect you from your hotel at 8 am and drive about an hour to the Maasai village of Lolboro, where the walking starts. The trail crosses Maasai bushland of grass and low bush, where herders graze cattle, goats and sheep, with views of Kilimanjaro, Meru, Ol Doinyo Lengai and Longido. You also cross the Longido river. After about seven hours on foot you reach camp, with a campfire under the stars.
Breakfast is early, at 6 am, so that you can join a Maasai boma for the morning milking by the women and watch the animals being sorted for grazing or for market. Then you walk about three hours to Longido, with views of the mountains and plenty of birds and small antelopes. After lunch and a two-hour rest, you walk to the German graveyard from the First World War.
After breakfast at 7:30 am you set out with a packed lunch for a long day, more than eight hours, around the foot of Mount Longido. You pass a refuge for birds such as weavers, sunbirds, barbets and turacos, and your guides show you the plants the Maasai use as traditional medicine. On clear days you can see for more than 200 km, taking in all the mountains of northern Tanzania.
After breakfast at 7 am your Maasai warrior guides lead you up narrow footpaths through dense natural forest. After about three hours you reach the Dawa ya Supu (medicine soup) viewpoint at about 2,000 metres, with a superb view. The steep descent is a challenge of its own; after about half an hour you reach Kimokouwa campsite for rest and lunch, then walk down to meet the vehicle for the drive back to Arusha.
the price
Price on request
before you ask
Kilimanjaro needs no ropes or technical climbing skills, but it is a serious high-altitude trek. You walk for several hours a day on uneven ground, nights are cold, and summit night starts around midnight in thin air. Walking regularly on hills before you come, with a loaded daypack, is the best preparation.
We choose routes and itineraries with enough days on the mountain, and we follow the principle of climbing high and sleeping low. On the Machame route, for example, you take short walks above camp at Shira, Lava Tower, Karanga and Barafu before returning to sleep lower. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your guide straight away about any headache, nausea or dizziness.
Many climbers use acetazolamide (Diamox) to help with acclimatisation, but it is a prescription medicine and not right for everyone. Talk to your own doctor before the trip, especially about allergies and side effects, and tell your guide if you are taking it.
Kilimanjaro can be climbed all year, but the driest months are mid-January to mid-March and late June to October, which are also the busiest. The long rains from late March to early June bring wet trails and cloud, and we generally advise against climbing then unless you are experienced in those conditions. November brings short rains, often in the afternoon.
On our Kilimanjaro packages with hotel nights, you stay at our partner hotel, Weru Weru River Lodge near Moshi, or a similar hotel, on the night before and the night after the climb. Your guide holds the pre-climb briefing and gear check there.
You need good broken-in hiking boots, warm layers including a down jacket, waterproof jacket and trousers, gloves, a warm hat, a headtorch and a daypack. Tents, mats and all group and cooking equipment are provided. Your specialist will confirm what can be rented locally, including sleeping bags, and send you a full packing list.
Day 1 is about seven hours, Day 2 about three hours plus an afternoon walk to the graveyard, Day 3 more than eight hours, and Day 4 about three hours up to the viewpoint followed by a steep descent.
Enquire
Every AAA Express Adventure trip can be changed to suit you: the pace, the lodges, the number of days. Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and our team in Arusha will come back to you with a plan and a price.
Your journey
Price on request
4 days · 3 nights
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karibu
Call us on +255 784 281316, email sales@aaaexpressadventure.com or send an enquiry. Our team in Arusha will get back to you.
Price on request
Plan your trip
Enquiry about: 4-Day Maasai Bushland Trek to Longido
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