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WORLD CHALLENGE TREK INFORMATION FORM
Destination
Southern Tanzania
Name of trek
Mount Rungwe
Logistics
Description of availability and who will provide. Refer to budget for cost details.
Number of days: 5
Trekking Provider
Sisi Kwa Sisi
Guides
Guides are provided by Sisi Kwa Sisi and are provided for in the budget.
Porters or mules
Porters are not required but can be requested at extra cost.
Accommodation
Camping throughout.
Food
The team will cook for themselves. Local supplies may be available at some stages of the trek but provisions should be
bought in Mbeya at the start of the trek.
Other costs, e.g. park fees,
Not applicable
permits
Extra equipment needed
Not applicable
Any further notes
Not applicable
Maps (scale, accuracy)
East Africa 1:50 000 map of Rungwe Region available.
Guidebooks / other useful
sources of information
Tanzania' - Bradt. 'Tanzania' - Lonely Planet. Trekking routes are not described in detail, but they give a general
overview of the Mbeya/ Tukuyu region etc.
Trek description
Area and location
The trek takes place in Rungwe District, southwest of Mbeya. It incorporates the Poroto Ridge Forest Reserve, Itunza
Forest Reserve, Ngozi Crater Lake and peak of Mount Rungwe.
Start point and access
The start point is the town of Isongole. Transport can be arranged through Sisi Kwa Sisi from Mbeya. Mbeya to Isongole
is approximately 1.5 hours although this could be more if there has been wet weather, due to the difficult terrain. *Trek
can also be done in reverse - discuss with Sisi Kwa Sisi.
End point and details on
how to return to town
Travel by vehicle (which can be organised via Sisi Kwa Sisi) back to Mbeya from Ilenge. The team will need to source
transport from Mbeya to their next destination.
Day
Day 1
Route Description/Information
Arrange your transport to Isongole - a town at the edge of Itunza Forest Reserve next to the smaller village of Ndele. Typical crops found
on the lower slopes are coffee, tea, bananas and cocoa. The upper regions are covered in thick natural forest and the climate is fairly cool
due to the altitude. The pathways are generally small footpaths and water is available en route. Leaving Isongole ascend gradually through
the lower slopes of the Poroto Ridge Forest Reserve in a north westerly direction, towards the Ngozi Crater Lake. A narrow footpath winds
uphill through a dense tropical jungle full of bamboo and wild banana trees. After a strenuous climb of about 1-2hrs, you will arrive at the
Crater Rim and your efforts will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the lake. Camp close to the crater rim for your first night. The rim
maybe closed due to erosion seek advice from your guide.
PXR Update 2010: "The top viewing location on the crater rim is an embankment which is heavily eroded and undercut on the crater side
with a 40 - 50m near vertical drop in one spot. It is essential that students are briefed about this danger and parameters set."
Day 2
Depart your campsite and walk round half of the crater rim. The lake lies 29kms south of Mbeya in the direction of Tukuyu and Lake
Malawi, in a beautiful cone mountain. Strange colours and water streams in the lake make local people believe that a monster lives under
the surface. Head in an easterly direction towards the Shiwaga Crater, north of Nedele, where you will camp.
Day 3
From Shiwaga Crater head south east down past Unyamwanga. You will be following a fairly well trodden path in this area which will pass
through traditional villages and homestays en route. Continue in a similar direction to Shiwaga Crater on the edge of the Rungwe Forest
Reserve. Wild camp tonight in the forest, which is a thick traditional rainforest.
Begin your ascent of Rungwe Peak (2580m). Descend and camp at the base of the peak. Depending on your fitness this may take
between 6-8 hours.
Day 4
PXR Update 2010: "There is a continual steep and potentially dangerous drop to the right of the track down into main crater prior to the
summit."
Day 5
From the base of Rungwe Peak, head west through the Forest Reserve towards the small town of Ilolo on the edge of the forest, passing
numerous tea estates on route. There is a small school in the village that could be suitable for an overnight stay.
Day 6
A short final day of the trek that will see you walk out from Ilolo to Ilenge to meet the transport that will transfer you back to Mbeya.
Evacuation Information
DAY
HELICOPTER EVACUATION
LOCATION
TIME (MAX)
AMREF helicopters can be
arranged by First Assist from
Nairobi and helicopter rescue
is possible from open areas.
Day 1
TIME
5 hours
By road to Mbeya:
2 hours
On foot down mountain:
5 hours
By road to Mbeya:
2 hours
By road to Dar es
Salaam:
15 hours
Mbeya Referral Hospital
On foot to nearest roadhead:
5 hours
Aga Khan Hospital, PO
Box 2283, Ocean Road,
Dar es Salaam
By road to Mbeya:
2 hours
On foot to roadhead:
5 hours
By road to Mbeya:
2 hours
By road to Dar es
Salaam:
15 hours
Mbeya Referral Hospital
On foot to nearest roadhead:
3 hours
Aga Khan Hospital, PO
Box 2283, Ocean Road,
Dar es Salaam
By road to Mbeya:
2 hours
On foot to roadhead:
3 hours
By road to Mbeya:
2 hours
By road to Dar es
Salaam:
15 hours
Mbeya Referral Hospital
On foot to nearest roadhead:
11 hours
Aga Khan Hospital, PO
Box 2283, Ocean Road,
Dar es Salaam
By road to Mbeya:
2 hours
On foot to roadhead:
11 hours
By road to Mbeya:
2 hours
By road to Dar es
Salaam:
15 hours
Mbeya Referral Hospital
On foot to nearest roadhead:
5 hours
Aga Khan Hospital, PO
Box 2283, Ocean Road,
Dar es Salaam
By road to Mbeya:
2 hours
On foot to roadhead:
5 hours
By road to Mbeya:
2 hours
By road to Dar es
Salaam:
15 hours
Flight time to Dar es Salaam: 5 hours
AMREF helicopters can be
arranged by First Assist from
Nairobi and helicopter rescue
is possible from open areas.
Day 6
On foot down to start point:
Aga Khan Hospital, PO
Box 2283, Ocean Road,
Dar es Salaam
Flight time to Dar es Salaam: 5 hours
AMREF helicopters can be
arranged by First Assist from
Nairobi and helicopter rescue
is possible from open areas.
Day 5
MEANS
Flight time to Dar es Salaam: 5 hours
AMREF helicopters can be
arranged by First Assist from
Nairobi and helicopter rescue
is possible from open areas.
Day 4
TIME (MAX)
Mbeya Referral Hospital
Flight time to Dar es Salaam: 5 hours
AMREF helicopters can be
arranged by First Assist from
Nairobi and helicopter rescue
is possible from open areas.
Day 3
MEANS
COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL
Flight time to Dar es Salaam: 5 hours
AMREF helicopters can be
arranged by First Assist from
Nairobi and helicopter rescue
is possible from open areas.
Day 2
BASIC MEDICAL FACILITY
Mbeya Referral Hospital
On foot to nearest roadhead:
5 hours
Aga Khan Hospital, PO
Box 2283, Ocean Road,
Dar es Salaam
By road to Mbeya:
2 hours
On foot to roadhead:
5 hours
By road to Mbeya:
2 hours
By road to Dar es
Salaam:
15 hours
Flight time to Dar es Salaam: 5 hours
Trek Specific Risk Assessment
This information is to be used in conjunction with the generic and country specific information
HAZARD
Steep descent of peak on day 4 & descent/ ascent on
day 2 at Crater Lake
CONTROL MEASURES
World Challenge Leader must consider use of safety rope for confidence