SCALING THE SLOPES
GTT offers a number of mountaineering experiences on the various peaks of East Africa. "Scrape" the sky as you climb Kilimanjaro, view one of the world's largest craters on Elgon, or peak Africa's tallest mountain range, Rwenzori.
Elgon Treks
Mount Elgon, whose peaks reach 4320 meters, lies astride the Kenya-Uganda border. Like most of the other great mountains of East Africa, Mount Elgon represents the remains of an immense volcano. It has one of the world's largest craters; of the several summits Wagagai (4320m) is the highest. There is no permanent snow on the mountain but
its bleak and craggy peaks are surrounded with the typical afro-alpine
vegetation of the high mountains of the equator. The giant groundsel and lobelia
grow over the 3650-meter level, and for much of the year everlasting flowers
At lower levels of Mount Elgon, giant heath, bamboo and montane
forest prevail and in these areas there are elephant and plenty of buffalo. The
lower slopes are clad in magnificent forests, home to the shy Ndorobo forest
dwellers, the Colobus monkey and the colourful Turaco. A remote camp-site
between hot springs and a chilly mountain river provides an idyllic setting to
relax in or explore the caldera and its surrounding peaks.
It is an eye feast for the visitor with scenic beauty in mind and an
unusual experience for the discerning guest. Enquire now!
Rwenzori Mountain
Mount Rwenzori is Africa's tallest mountain range, exceeded in altitude only by the freestanding Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, that is situated west of the
country on the Congo border, close to Kasese and this park covers an area of 998 sq
km. The 120km Rwenzori chain is regarded to be the legendary snow-capped Mountains of the Moon, described by Ptolemy in AD150, reaching an elevation of 5,109m.
The
distinctive glacier peaks are visible for miles around, but the slopes above
1,600m are the preserve of hikers, who rate the Rwenzoris to be the most
challenging of all African mountains. A variety of large mammals inhabit the
lower slopes, but the Rwenzoris are notable more for their majestic scenery and
varied vegetation. The trails lead through rainforest rattling with monkeys and
birds, then tall bamboo forest, before emerging on the high-altitude moorland
zone, a landscape of bizarre giant lobelias, towered over by black rock and
white snow, looking for the entire world like the set of a science fiction film.
Accommodation and huts are found along the trail. Enquire now!
Mount Kenya National Park
At 5,199 m. high, Mount Kenya is Africa's second highest mountain. It offers easy or challenging ascents with superb scenic beauty.
To the Kikuyu tribespeople it is the home of the Supreme Being: Ngai, a name also used by the Maasai and Kamba tribes. In traditional prayers and sacrifices, Ngai is addressed by the Kikuyu as Mwene Nyaga: the Professor of Brightness. The
name comes from Kere Nyaga, the Kikuyu name for Mount Kenya, meaning Mountain of Brightness - Ngai's official home.
Part of the mountain's fascination is the variation in flora and fauna as the altitude changes. The lower slopes are covered with dry upland forest, the true
montane forest begins at 2,000 m. is mainly cedar and podo. At 2,500 m. begins a
dense belt of of bamboo forest which merges into the upper forest of smaller
trees, interspesed with glades. In this area the trees are festooned with high
altitude moss.
These forest belts are host to many different animals and plants with at least 11 unique species. Game to view includes: Black and White Colobus and
Sykes monkeys, bushbuck, buffalo, elephant and lower down Olive Baboon, waterbuck, black rhino, black fronted duiker, leopard, giant forest hog, genet cat, bush pig and hyena. More elusive is the bongo, a rare type of forest antelope.
A number of other rare or endangered species can be found here: Sunni Buck, Mt Kenya Mole Shrew, skinks (lizard), and a variety of owls. Occasional
sightings have been recorded of albino zebra.
The high altitude heath at the top (3,000 - 3,500 m.) is generally open, dotted with shrubs: African Sage, protea and helicrysum. The peak (above 3,500
m.) is moorland, with little game other than high altitude zebra and eland common in the norhtern moorland.
There is only one lodge inside the Park, seven climbers huts and three self-help banda sites. Just outside the Park there are three lodges and another
self-help banda site.
Book now for a chance to enjoy this wonderful scenery.
Scaling Kili
At 5895m, the highest peak in Africa, "Kili" is capped by splendid summit ice fields and, on its south-western flank, dramatic icy precipices are best viewed from the less-used and spectacular Umbwe or Machame routes (not the normal Marangu route). The summit plateau with its maze of ice pinnacles, ice-caves, sulphur fumaroles and the central ash pit are best explored from a camp in the caldera.
Kilimanjaro Trekking - Year round
We offer a variety of trips. Our most basic are the 7 day Marangu (normal) Route and the
8 day Umbwe or Machame Routes. Both use local guides and include two hotel
nights. For those interested in climbing we recommend walking up the Umbwe Route
- the most spectacular route up Kilimanjaro which also leads to the icy Southern
Glaciers from where mountaineering ascents such as the Heim Glacier or the
Western Breach can be attempted.
"Kili" (Umbwe Route), Mt Meru & Safari - scheduled trip
Fly Air Tanzania to Kilimanjaro Airport. Ascend the little visited Mt Meru,
4600m, then climb Kilimanjaro, 5896m, by the remote and beautiful Umbwe Route. A
tough trek, day packs only need be carried. The walk to Meru involves walking
through game country with an armed ranger. The trip is finished off with a
safari to Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater.
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