“As wide as all the world, great, high and unbelievably white in the sun, was the square top of Mount Kilimanjaro.”
At an altitude of 5895 meters (19,340 ft) above sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, the highest free-standing mountain in the world, and one of the largest volcanoes ever to burst through the earth’s crust. The base of this immense mountain measures 50 x 80 km and the outstanding features are its three major volcanic centers; Shira in the west (4160m), Mawenzi in the east (5280m) and the snow capped Kibo in the middle (5895m).
Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed for a minimum of five days depending on the route you chose up Kilimanjaro. Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu route can be completed within five to six days while other routes need more days to accomplish it. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro includes pass from the Equatorial climate to Arctic, through tropical rain forest, moorland, alpine desert to snow and ice.
The summit of Kilimanjaro can be reached by any reasonably fit person, with the assistance of a guide and porters, using different six routes which are Marangu route, Machame route, Lemosho route, Shira route, Rongai route and Umbwe route. The youngest to make it was ten years old and the oldest eighty as currently writing this article.
Apart from its dramatic geological features and the beautiful mountain vegetation Mount Kilimanjaro is also notable for its birdlife which is plentiful in the rich forest zone. Elephant, buffalo, eland, rhino, Abott’s duiker, bushbuck, baboon, blue as well as colobus monkey and rare leopard can be seen on its slopes. Kilimanjaro is also populated by a wide array of butterflies, moths and other insects.
The mountain can be climbed almost any time of the year although it is often wet in the rain forest during the rainy season in April and May. The best time to climb is between August to November.
About Kilimanjaro National Park
Size: 1668 sq km 641 sq miles).
Location: Northern Tanzania, near the town of Moshi.
Getting there
- 128 km (80 miles) from Arusha.
- About one hour’s drive from Kilimanjaro airport.
When to go
- Clearest and warmest conditions from December to February, but also dry (and colder) from July-September.
What to do
- Six usual trekking routes to the summit and other more-demanding mountaineering routes.
- Day or overnight hikes on the Shira plateau. Nature trails on the lower reaches.
Accommodation
- Huts and campsites on the mountain.- Several hotels and campsites outside the park in the village of Marangu and town of Moshi.
