Last Updated on February 12, 2024 by Travelationship
Do you want to experience Mt. Kilimanjaro but can’t afford the hefty price tag or are unsure you could make the summit? The Marangu Route base camp day hike is a perfect alternative.
We booked our hike through Materuni Tours, located in Moshi, Tanzania. We learned about Materuni through a friend who had taken the tour earlier in the year. She raved about the company and explained Ambrose’s local young man started it. He provided his clients with exceptional service and paved the way to help give back to his local village (Materuni) on Mt. Kilimanjaro. Instantly, we were sold on using Materuni Tours and couldn’t have been happier with our decision.
Kilimanjaro Base Camp Here We Come
Before arriving at Moshi, Tanzania, Ambrose, Materuni’s owner and founder, provided us with an itinerary and list of what to wear & bring. The hike package included pick up from & return to our Moshi hotel, a professional guide, park entrance fees, and lunch & drinks. From Moshi to the Marangu Gate (registration area & trek starting point), the car ride was about 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic. We just had to show up and hike. Materuni Tours really could not have made the day any easier for us.
Somewhere in all this, we had missed noting the distance of 8.5 km/5 mi one-way and an altitude gain of 2,700 m/8860 ft for the hike. It was clearly stated in the itinerary Materuni Tours had provided us – we just seemed to have skimmed over those details. It doesn’t seem drastic for mountain hiking standards, but there were spots on the trail that were a bit challenging. The 2nd half was more difficult, with steeper & longer inclines. The total time of the hike, including lunch, picture taking, resting & bathroom breaks, and gasping at the views, was roughly 6-7 hours. Don’t rush it! Take your time and take it all in because you will wish you were back on the trail as soon as you’re done.
Rama and Materuni Tours
A big thanks to Rama, our guide, for making our trek experience memorable. He was experienced, patient, and knowledgeable. He answered all our inquiries and knew how to shut us up so he could listen to the animals. We didn’t have much luck seeing the Colobus monkeys up close, but he could point them out from a distance. At the Madera Huts, we saw about four blue monkeys up close as they wandered around the edges of the camp. Matt may have seen the back end of a bush pig, but it scampered away so quickly he was not sure what he saw.
Our hike took place in mid-September. There were 3 of us in our group (us and my cousin, Beth). The trail was busy but not packed. Rama told us on some days, the mountain could have well over 400+ people on it. On the way down, we crossed paths with two groups of at least 50+ people each, which seemed to be an awful lot. We were pleased with our day hike and the personal service we received through locally run Materuni Tours. The entire day was well worth the money and every ounce of sweat. Now, we only wish we had done the summit instead of just the base camp. Maybe next time?!
Know Before You Go
- Just because it’s base camp, don’t assume it will be easy. We did very little research before arriving in Tanzania and were not fully prepared for the magnitude of the trek.
- Tennis shoes are fine. Flip-flops or sandals are not acceptable.
- Wear layers to adjust to possible changing temperatures.
- Bring bug spray, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat if inclined.
- The trail is well-worn and maintained.
- Lunch, water, and juice are provided, but bring an extra water bottle. If you have special dietary needs/restrictions, let Ambrose know so the team can give you what you may need.
- The route is shaded, but it gets warm walking upward for hours.
- The trail can get pretty crowded. We did not have any issues on the way up, but we encountered many people on the way down.
- What you take in, you must take out! Don’t leave your litter behind!
- There is one “official” bathroom break about halfway up & bathrooms at base camp. Squat toilet and no toilet paper, so plan accordingly.
- Clouds almost always surround the peaks of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mawenzi & Kibo during the day. Your chances of seeing the top are low while you are on the mountain, but on your ride back to your hotel, the clouds tend to clear, and the view is spectacular.
Prices vary. Check with Ambrose for current pricing and booking updates. You can find the trip we chose here.
Travelationship Rating:
4 out of 5 Travelationship High Fives. If you like adventure, outdoors, hiking, nature, and history, you will enjoy this hike!
More Reading for Tanzania
- Tanzania Safari Part 1 – Tarangire National Park
- Tanzania Safari Part 2 – Serengeti National Park
- Tanzania Safari Part 3 – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
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* Thank you to Materuni Tours for providing us with a discounted hiking tour. As always, our opinions are ours – honest, not biased, and as we experienced.
Mount Kilimanjaro has three base camps or high camps: Barafu Camp (4,670 meters), Kibo Hut/Camp (4,700 meters), and Crater Camp (5,730 meters). Kilimanjaro base camps are used by hikers on different routes. Barafu base camp is used by the hikers on the Lemosho, Machame, and Umbwe routes. Kibo base camp is used by hikers on the Marangu and Rongai routes. Crater Camp is used by hikers on the Northern Circuit route.
If you are planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, it’s important to note that the base camps are not the starting points of the trek. The starting point of the trek depends on the route you choose. Most treks begin in Moshi, which is located at the foot of the mountain with an elevation of approximately 914 meters or 3,000 feet to the south.
Hello Josephat,
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to send us a message. All good info, I appreciate you sharing with us and others who might want to trek up Kilimanjaro.
-Happy Travels