Pare Mountains

The Pare Mountains are a forested mountain range in northeastern Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Region, traditionally divided into North Pare and South Pare units. The range is part of the Eastern Arc chain and supports both human settlement and biodiversity.

The slopes contain agricultural terraces, small villages and pockets of montane forest; hiking and rural cultural visits are the main reasons people travel here. The area is known for local farming, traditional Pare settlements and remnant forest biodiversity.

The Pare people have inhabited the range for centuries, developing terraced agriculture on the lower slopes and maintaining local cultural landscapes. The mountains form part of long-standing ecological and social regions in northeastern Tanzania.

Situated in the Kilimanjaro Region of northeastern Tanzania, the Pare Mountains lie inland from the Indian Ocean coast and are one of the ranges composing the Eastern Arc chain.

• Two-part range: The range is commonly described in North and South divisions, each with distinct landscape and land-use patterns.
• Cultural landscape: Home to the Pare people, whose traditional agriculture and settlements occupy the lower slopes.

What to See#

• North Pare: A northern section of the range with lower, more broken ridges and traditional agricultural terraces used by local communities.
• South Pare: A southern section featuring higher ridges and remaining patches of native montane forest that are important for local biodiversity.

• Plan trips for the dry season (June-October, or a short window in January-February) when trails are firmer and river crossings are lower.
• Hire a local guide from nearby towns rather than attempting remote navigation alone-guides know the best routes, seasonal hazards and where to arrange homestays or village visits.
• Start hikes very early in the day to avoid frequent afternoon thunderstorms that build in this region and to get clearer summit views.