Scale Tanzania's lesser-known summits

Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest peak, isn't the only mountain worth climbing in Tanzania. Two of the best alternatives are Mount Meru and Ol Doinyo Lengai.

Mount Meru, an extinct volcano, is located an hour's drive northeast of Arusha and the climb to its crater is accessible to most travelers in good health. It takes several days to reach the summit, passing through dense, humid forest and encountering colobus monkeys, giraffes, and buffaloes along the way. On clear days, you'll be rewarded with views over Kilimanjaro's peaks from the 14,968-foot summit.

In the Rift Valley, south of Lake Natron, you can climb Ol Doinyo Lengai. The Maasai call this active volcano the "Mountain of God". On hikes to its 9,711-foot summit you may pass steam jets bursting from the ground, although most impressive are the views of the savanna, extending as far as the eye can see.