Kilimanjaro Shira Plateau Day Hike
Overview
The Shira Plateau area of Kilimanjaro offers a fantastic opportunity to get high on a big mountain and to hike around this impressive World Heritage Site as a day trip – it’s a fantastic area and there are some great day hikes – either a more strenuous day hiking up along the ancient rim of the plateau or something more relaxed sticking to the undulating floor – perhaps going as far as the photogenic ‘cone place’ or Shira Needles’ at the Southern end of the plateau. To the west the Kibo Massif of Kilimanjaro sweeps up to the glaciers near the summit, the rise scarred by deep valleys and eroded lava flows that stand like twisted modern sculptures in the harsh mountain weather. A number of streams tumble down this flank of the mountain, eventually joining together in a gulley that crosses the plateau before plunging down to the plains far below.
There is a fair amount of wildlife on the plateau however most of it is elusive and nocturnal but with care the events of the night can be reconstructed from the footprints around the watering points on the streams. There are herds of buffalo but also smaller gazelles and bushbuck, there is the carcase of eland and elephant higher on the mountain proving that these larger animals are occasional visitors.
Group Pricing
Explore Tanzania with friends and save! Our group discounts offer price reductions based on group size, so the more, the merrier. Contact us for details and to customize your tour!
| Group Size | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | US $ 450 |
| 2 People | US $ 300 |
| 3 People | US $ 250 |
| 4 People | US $ 230 |
| 5 People and more | US $ 220 |
Tour Plan
Shira Plateau, Kilimanjaro Day Hike via Londorosi Route
Meet our professional English-speaking guide at your hotel in Moshi, then drive to your destination of West Kilimanjaro takes you through a forest reserve, where you can look out for blue monkeys and Colobus Monkeys in the trees. Your hike through the beautifully rugged landscape of Shira Plateau starts at 3,500 m above sea level. Get out of the car, lace up your shoes and take in the sounds, smells, and colors of Tanzania’s stunning wilderness.
Along different trails and accompanied by a ranger, you can enjoy views of Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s highest peak, and its northern glaciers, when the weather permits. The vast plains of neighboring Amboseli National Park in Kenya and the deep gorge of the Simba River contrast the views of the world’s highest free-standing mountain. When you reach the northern rim of Shira Crater, take a quick stop at different observation points and see the volcanic cones dotting the landscape below.
Hike at your own pace and enjoy a picnic lunch under the open sky along the way. It’s a moderate hike and you don’t need to be an athlete to be able to enjoy it. However, at 3,500m the air is thinner, so pace your step, enjoy the untouched landscapes and the presence of the mighty Kilimanjaro. After a 4h hike – or earlier, if your legs get tired – we take you back to Moshi having some good memories of the tour.
Meal Plan: Lunch
Included/Exclude
- All Required Fees (Park Fees, Entrance Fees, Forest fees etc.)
- Snacks and drinks
- Lunch box
- 5/2L bottle of water
- Transportation during the trip
- Professional English speaking mountain guide
- First Aid Kit
- Pick up from hotel
- International or Local Flights
- Optional activities
- Accommodation
- Passport and Visa fees
- Tip
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Travel insurance
- Travel Documents (Yellow Fever Certificate etc.)
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