Kilimanjaro alternatives

The recent Comic Relief charity climb of Mount Kilimanjaro captured the imagination of the public, but if you’re looking for a less challenging African mountain experience World Expeditions has the answer.

The trekking and adventure specialist is about to launch its new Active Adventures programme for 2009-10, which includes lesser-known Kilimanjaro options but also three alternative African mountains which are easier to tackle but no less spectacular.

MOUNT MERU, Tanzania
(4 days from £685)
At 4,566 metres, Mount Meru is Tanzania’s second-highest mountain. A horseshoe-shaped volcanic crater, it offers superb views of nearby Kilmanjaro, together with the chance to spot buffalo, warthog, giraffe and elephant, as well as a variety of birdlife. One of Mount Meru’s highlights is the subsidiary peak Ash Cone, which last erupted less than 100 years ago.

A four-day trip ‘Mount Meru Ascent’ from Arusha is priced from £685 per person with daily departures from June to October. Prices include all meals during the trek, all camping equipment except sleeping bags and mats, park fees, trekking guides and porters. International flights not included.

MOUNT KENYA, Kenya
(9 days from £1,390)
Considered to be more visually stunning than Kilimanjaro, and 90 per cent less busy, Mount Kenya is home to a great diversity of wildlife, including leopard, elephant and buffalo. The Chogoria Route offers the best combination of alpine scenery and acclimatisation, with highlights of this exhilarating trek including spectacular Gorges Valley and Lake Mackenzie before a traverse of the Point Lenana summit (4,985m).

A nine-day ‘Mount Kenya Ascent’ from Nairobi is priced from £1,390 per person, with departures on 14 August and 18 September. Prices include all hotel, resthouse accommodation and camping, all meals during the trek, private transfers to and from Nairobi, all camping equipment except sleeping bags and mats, park fees, trekking guides and porters. International flights not included.

MOUNT TOUBKAL, Morocco
(5 days from £550)
A great introduction to altitude trekking! Mount Toubkal is North Africa’s highest peak, commanding sweeping views over the Sahara Desert to the south. Suitable for those with no mountain experience, the trek to the summit is challenging but not technically difficult as you follow scree paths from the remote High Atlas village of Imlil to the 4,167-metre summit.

A five-day ‘Mount Toubkal’ ascent from Marrakesh is priced from £550 per person, with daily departures from May to October. Prices include two nights’ hotel accommodation in Marrakesh, all tents and camping equipment while trekking, all meals while trekking, park entrance fees, trekking permits and guides. International flights not included.

For bookings and more information, visit Worldexpeditions.co.uk.