Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest freestanding mountain on earth. Crowned with an everlasting snow-cap, this majestic mountain sits inside the Kilimanjaro National Park of Tanzania. The peak is known as the Uhuru peak, which is at 5,895 metres height.
Nearly 20,000 people conquer the iconic Kilimanjaro. Despite the high altitude location, it’s easy to reach the top with some endurance, a decent amount of fitness and also a good sense of humour.
In addition to the challenge that Kilimanjaro offers, the added benefit of its varying environments at different levels is a real treat. The foot of the mountain is used as the cultivation ground for crops by the locals. The fertile volcanic soil offers the perfect grazing ground for the livestock.
The path moves through an extremely beautiful mountain forest that circles the whole of Kilimanjaro. Figs, palms, albizia & macaranga trees make the forest more intense. A lot of wildlife and birds, sometimes deer, but they are very shy so you are unlikely to see them.
As you break into an Alpine heath landscape, the plant lives spotted are scrubbier with fewer plants. And the glaciers at over 5,000 metres, you walk through very distinct ecosystems.
Along with the beautiful scenery, great food, plenty of cultural experiences and a chance to meet a lot of new people from different countries are waiting for the hikers.
For a successful climbing just follow the Mantra “Pole Pole”- Slow slow
There are seven established routes with different difficulty level, success rate, length, cost and scenery
The Marangu Route: The only Kilimanjaro climb route that offers hut accommodation in dormitory-style. Well-Known as the “Coca-Cola” route, the Marangu route is a classic trek.
The Machame Route: It is the most popular climbing route up Kilimanjaro. Well-Known as the “Whiskey” route, Machame offers longer and steeper trek.
The Rongai Route: The only route joining Kilimanjaro from north is the easiest route on Kilimanjaro. Rongai is liked by those with less backpacking experience.
The Shira Route: This is the only route that shows some serious altitude on the first day. So hikers may experience some altitude related symptoms on the first day while camping at 11,800 feet.
The Lemosho Route: Lemosho is the most expensive route because of the scenic beauty and grand panoramic vistas on various sides of Kilimanjaro.
The Umbwe Route: Umbwe is a short, steep and direct route. It is the most difficult and challenging route on Kilimanjaro.
Northern Circuit Route: One of the best newest, most exciting route on Kilimanjaro with incredibly varied scenery.
Normally deaths on Kilimanjaro happen due to Acute Mountain Sickness.
There are many conflicting figures in the statistics of deaths in Kilimanjaro. So as an average it can be said that the deaths per year are 3 to 7 persons.
Getting to the top of Africa’s highest mountain is a lifetime experience. But to climb safely, you need to be fully aware of the risks – and do everything you can to make sure you minimize the obstacles as much as possible.
The first ascent to Kilimanjaro was done by German geologist, Hans Meyer, Ludwig Purtscheller and a local called Lauwo in October 1889. Before this, some locals conquered the peak, but that is not recorded.
First Ascent
The Swiss mountain runner, Karl Egloff, made the record of the fastest ascent and descent. In August 2014 he won the popularity by running to the top and coming back to the bottom of the mount in 6 hours and 42 minutes.
But in September 2010, Spanish mountain runner, Kilian Jornet beat the record with 5 hours, 23 minutes and 50 seconds.
The Swiss mountain runner, Karl Egloff, made the record of the fastest ascent and descent. In August 2014 he won the popularity by running to the top and coming back to the bottom of the mount in 6 hours and 42 minutes.
But in September 2010, Spanish mountain runner, Kilian Jornet beat the record with 5 hours, 23 minutes and 50 seconds.
A number of trekkers over the past few years have hit golf shots off the summit of Kilimanjaro into the crater. So if you are passionate about Kilimanjaro golf, then you will be more than pleased.
A group of fearless women have achieved what many thought impossible and played a 90-minute football match on Mount Kilimanjaro.
The squad of 30 footballers representing 20 nationalities, including retired US international Lori Lindsey and former England midfielder Rachel Unitt, completed the match at nearly 19,000 feet, an altitude never attempted before.
Reaching a whopping 81,5 metres in height, The tallest tree in Africa was recently discovered in a remote valley on Kilimanjaro
The Entandrophragma excelsum species is one of the few giant specimens ever identified on the African continent.
Normally such tall trees are not found in Africa. But while many scientists have claimed that this is due to unfavourable environmental conditions this may happen. The vast trees play an important role in conserving the mountain’s vibrant ecosystem, harbouring ferns and numerous other plant species that grow on them.
The weather of Kilimanjaro is highly unpredictable. It is due to the structure of the mountain and the trade winds.
The South-east trade winds travelling over the Indian Ocean carry loads of moisture. So from March to May the wettest season on Kilimanjaro is experienced.
Anti-trade winds blow from April to October and keep the weather dry and cloud cover and little rainfall.
November brings the North-east monsoon, so some light rains can happen in the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro. January-March and June-October are considered to be the best months for trekking.
However, a scientific report says that Kilimanjaro glaciers have been rapidly receding for the past century. The human activities are largely responsible for this. If this continues, then the glaciers will be vanished one day.
Located in the Northern part of Tanzania, Kilimanjaro covers an area of 100 km long and 65km wide. The majestic mountain is a dormant volcano that has three volcanic cones, Shira, Kibo (on which Uhuru summit stands) and Mawenzi.
The dormant Kibo experiences its last major eruption 360,000 years ago. The highest point on Kibo’s crater rim is called Uhuru, the Swahili word for “freedom.” The mountain has snow-capped peak; however, because of climatic change scientists expect that the snow might disappear within the next 20 years or so.
Standing freely, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. The Uhuru peak is the summit point and stands at 5,895m or 19,341 feet.
Due to high altitude, hikers can experience altitude sickness, so rapid ascent to the peak is avoided.
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