Mountain Climbing in Kenya and Tanzania

Kilimanjaro (formerly called Kaiser-Wilhelm-Spitze) is an enormous stratovolcano, not currently active, in northeastern Tanzania near the Kenya border. It includes the highest peak in Africa at 5,895 meters. The dormant volcano towers 15,000 feet above the surrounding arid plains, and 2.5 square miles of its surface are over 18,500 feet. Kilimanjaro's summit crater, called Kibo, measures an incredible 1.5 miles across. The highest point on Kibo's steep edge is Uhuru, the highest peak in Africa.

Mount Kilimanjaro Background information
This perfectly shaped volcano still active raises sheer from the plains. At 5895m, Mt Kilimanjaro is the highest in Africa and is snow capped. Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed any time of the year but there is usually a lot more rain during April, May and November. At the lower levels of Mount Kilimanjaro, you will pass through cultivated farmlands rising through tropical rain forest onto alpine meadows and finally the barren landscape leading to the snow and ice capped summit. The lower levels also offer the chance to view a wide variety of animals, birds and fauna in their natural habitat.

There are five major routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro through the forest and moor land areas before joining the south circuit path between 3500m and 4500m they are: Kilimanjaro Machame route, Kilimanjaro Marangu route, Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route, Kilimanjaro Rongai Route and Kilimanjaro Umbwe route.

From the south circuit path various walking (trekking), scrambling, and technical climbing trails take you the last1200m or so to the summit. Most people however take the final leg of the Marangu route unless you are a technical climber in which case the summit may be reached via Rebman glacier, decken glacier or heim glacier amongst others. The final ascent to the summit starts normally at about 2.00 am from Kibo hut so that it is reached before dawn to watch the sunrise and gaze out over the vast expanses of African bush land.

Africa's highest mountain and the highest free standing mountain in the world remained relatively unfamiliar to the outside world until 1848. Snow capped and veiled by clouds, the local Chagga people called it 'Kilema Kyaro' meaning 'that which cannot be conquered' or 'that which makes a journey impossible.' Today, it is the dream of every explorer to conquer its summit and stand on the "roof of Africa."

The mountain consists of three volcanoes: Shira, Mawenzi and Kibo. Shira became extinct and collapsed leaving a series of rocky ridges on the Shira plateau. Mawenzi is dormant and its uneven peaks require an experienced climb and last but not the least is the Uhuru Peak, (19,340 ft.) Kibo's highest peak

Kilimanjaro is one of the most accessible high summits of the world compared to other mountains. That is why it is as everyman's Mount Everest. Most climbers reach the crater edge with little more than a walking stick, proper clothing and determination. And those who reach Uhuru Point, the actual summit, or Gillman's Point on the lip of the crater consider themselves very lucky to reach the lofty heights-where Gods dwell! It is an unforgettable experience for them and the delightful memory remains with them throughout their lives.

Kilimanjaro, by any name, is a metaphor for the convincing beauty of East Africa -anybody who visits this mysterious lofty land secluded by clouds would agree with the previous statement.

For those of you that relish challenges climbing to the highest point in Africa (Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro) will be a lifetime fulfilment. The breathtaking view of the diverse tropical landscape will prove to be worth every step of the challenging climb. You can also attempt to climb Mount Kenya following any of the routes described below. Click on the links below to view the mountain climbing itineraries:-

Naromoro Route

Sirimon Route

Chogoria Route

Machame Route

Marangu Route

Umbwe Route