When it comes to choosing between a Kilimanjaro scenic flight and trekking Kilimanjaro There is no easy answer, Both options have their pros and Cons. and ultimately the decision comes down to what you are looking for in an Experience. A Scenic flight is just that- a flight over the beautiful Kilimanjaro landscape. These flights typically last up to an hour and give you a bird’s eye view of the Mountain.
Many people choose scenic flights because they provide a way to see Kilimanjaro without having to commit to the time and effort required to scale the mountain.
Pros of Kilimanjaro Scenic flight.
Combines well with a Tanzania Safari.
The airports from where Kilimanjaro scenic flights are operated are situated along the same road that takes you to major Northern Tanzania national parks.The same road A104 that you take from Arusha town to Arusha airport, is used for road trips to Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro crater. This means that immediately after the scenic flight, you can proceed with a safari trip to your favorite national park. This also means you can join an evening Kilimanjaro scenic flight arriving from a safari.
Saves time and Money.
A scenic flight over Mt Kilimanjaro will save time to get to the summit as opposed to a weeks long hike to this mountain which means you have more time left to perhaps plan for other trips in Tanzania since it only takes up to one hour. This means you can precede on a safari the flight has two departure times. You can take a morning flight that departs at 7:00 AM or an evening flight that departs at 5:00 PM. The morning flight lands at 8:00 AM which means you still have time for a safari trip. The evening flight ensures that you can arrange your safari to end early and return to Arusha town for the evening flight.The price of a scenic flight is way cheaper compares to that of a week’s long hike to world’s highest free standing Mountain .
Cons of Kilimanjaro Scenic flight.
There are some downsides to Kilimanjaro scenic flight; first it can be quite expensive especially for solo travelers-Usually costing hundreds anything between $ 500 to $3000 per person depending on traveler’s group size sharing a particular flight. Second, because you are only in the air for a short period of time you don’t really get a chance of the scale of the mountain or the surrounding landscape and finally while you may get some great photos from a Kilimanjaro scenic, flight there is no guarantee that you will see Kilimanjaro famous snow-capped peak, as this can be obscured by clouds.
Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro on the other hand is a much immersive experience. It can take anywhere from 5- 8 days to complete the trek and you will get to see the mountain up close and personal.
Pros of climbing Mt Kilimanjaro.
Experience different Landscapes and sceneries.
This is an opportunity to really appreciate the scale of Kilimanjaro, as well as the incredible diversity of the landscape.
Meet and interact with the local community.
Trekking Mt Kilimanjaro also gives you a chance to meet and interact with the local people which most people find to be one of the most exclusive ways to learn more about the local people known as Chaga people and their daily livelihood.
Experience different climate Zones.
Another pro of climbing Kilimanjaro is that you get to experience the different climate zones all under one trip furthermore you will have a chance to see a diverse species of fauna and flora as you climb Mt Kilimanjaro.
A Chance to see wildlife.
While your main forecast is climbing Kilimanjaro, you may get a chance to spot wildlife and a wide range of bird species within the first few days of your hike at the lower slopes of the mountain. The fact that Mt Kilimanjaro is strategically located to Amboseli National park in Neighboring Kenya where most animals freely finds their way to the lower slopes of base the mountain via the so called Kitenden wildlife collider an animal trail connecting Amboseli and Mt Kilimanjaro National park.
Cons of Hiking Mt Kilimanjaro.
Requires more time for preparation.
Planning for a Kilimanjaro hike requires considerable amount of time and logistics from physical training to saving for the tour price and putting together a complete gear list are some of the
Verdict: While both Kilimanjaro scenic flight tour and Hiking Kilimanjaro are both thrilling experiences it all comes down to what you are looking to achieve in an Experience and booth can be combined for an overall experience of the world’s highest free standing Mountain.
