Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the World's highest free-standing structure at an altitude of 5896 meters (19,336 feet) above the sea level. Hiking on the rooftop of Africa is the adventure of a lifetime, and anyone who is physically fit can scale this snow-capped mountain. It is only 200 miles from the equator.
Kilimanjaro is located inside the Kilimanjaro National Park outside of Moshi town in a beautiful accessible village of Marangu where the headquarter of the park is located. To accomplish your dream of reaching the roof of Africa, there are different routes to follow. These routes include Marangu Route, Machame Route, Rongai Route, Lemosho Route, Umbwe Route, Shira Route and Mweka Route which is used for descent only.
Mount Kilimanjaro is not only the highest free-standing peak in the world but also the highest accessible point. The Chagga who inhabit the area of the mountain has not yet managed to give the meaning of the word Kilimanjaro with the exception of Kipoo (now known as Kibo) which is one the 3 peaks of the mountain.
The vegetation of Mount Kilimanjaro varies accordingly ranging from tropics to the Arctic. At the level of 2700 m, the cultivated foot slopes give way to lush montane forest, inhabited by leopards, buffalos, elephants, antelopes and other primates. As you ascend, the moorland zone shows up where a cover of giant heather is studded with otherworldly giant lobelias. Above 3900m, the zone changes to the alpine desert which supports little life to the fauna and flora. The final vegetation is of a winter wonderland of ice and snow and the magnificent beauty of the roof of Africa.
Unlike other snow-capped mountains in the world, Mount Kilimanjaro is a technical climbing and need less personal climbing gear on trekking. Walking stick, proper clothing, sunglass, enough drinking water and determination are the key to a successfully Kilimanjaro climber. To successfully conquer the mountain you have to who prepares yourself properly before attempting the climb, even though prior mountain climbing experience is required. Our local guides are always on hand to offer advise and assistance to all our climbers.
Mount Kilimanjaro is can be climbed in five days using Marangu Route, but for those who want to make a record they can climb in fewer days provided that they have paid for a minimum of five days. Climbing Kilimanjaro is a breathtaking activity and an extra day for acclimatization is recommended.
An Acclimatization day gives a climber more chance to reach on the roof of Africa as this allows you to experience the climatic changes gradually, which improves your chances of submitting. An extra day on Marangu Route is recommended while for Machame Route 7 days should be considered to maximize chances of reaching Uhuru Peak which is the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The team which will take you to the mountain will comprise a cook(s), mountain guide and porters. The allocation of the crew is determined by the size of the group. For every 2 climbers, one guide and his assistant will be allocated, together with a cook and porters. For every climber, 2-3 porters are allocated if the route is Marangu, while for the camping routes such as Machame, 4-5 porters are allocated. Porters will carry the luggage of the climber which should not exceed 20 kgs. There will also be porters carrying other equipment such as cooking facilities, dining tent, chairs, bathroom, toilet and sleeping tents depending on the route selected. On camping routes, you carry more equipment compared to Marangu Route which has some facilities such as huts, toilets and kitchen provided by the park.
Accommodation on all the official routes on Mount Kilimanjaro is on camping tents with exception of Marangu Route on which you sleep on huts accommodation; you share this accommodation with 4-6 climbers however on the camping routes, you have private tents for single occupancy or sharing with a friend.
Mount Kilimanjaro climbing is accessible while you are in Tanzania only and above-mentioned routes are the only official routes up Kilimanjaro. The National Park that is Mount Kilimanjaro is managed by Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA) with the park office in Marangu village. Trekking/Climbing Mountain Kilimanjaro normally starts in the morning around 9:00 a.m to 10:00 a.m. It is recommended that you arrive at the entrance gate for the registration as well as park fees payments in good time. Please observe all the national park regulation especially environmental issues at all times. You will be granted a certificate by Kilimanjaro National Park if you successfully trek to Uhuru Peak (5895 m), Stella or Gilmanas Points.
Mountain Kilimanjaro can successfully be attempted by any mountain fit climber from the age of 12 years to 70 years. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro attracts thousands of climbers different parts of the world. And the majority of then who prepare themselves well for the trekking reach the highest point, Uhuru which is the ultimate goal of every climber on mount Kilimanjaro.
Climbing Mountain Kilimanjaro
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania can be attempted using six office routes to the rooftop of the African continent. All the routes are located with the Kilimanjaro region and involve different six villages. The routes are defined and listed as follows: Marangu Route (used for ascending and descending within itself and descending from other routes), Machame Route, Rongai Route, Lemosho Route, Umbwe Route and Shira Route.
Due to the increment of visitors who wants to fulfil their dreams of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Mweka Route is reserved only for descending for those climbers using a different route to Kilimanjaro with the exceptional of Marangu Route. With exceptional of Marangu Route, climbing Kilimanjaro with other routes force you to descent via Mweka route and for this reason, the authority decided to reserve Mweka for descent only to avoid overexploiting the route.
Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu Route is affectionately known as the "Coca-Cola route"; Marangu is by far the most popular route to the summit of Kilimanjaro. This could partly be as a result of the fact that the Marangu is the least expensive route, but more so, perhaps the fact that it is possible to do the Marangu Route in 5 days, thereby getting to the summit one day earlier than on the Machame Route.
Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Machame Route is sometimes called the Whisky Route. This is a popular route up steep paths through magnificent forests to gain a ridge leading through the moorland zones to the Shira Plateau. It then traverses beneath the glaciated precipices of the Southern Ice fields to join the Barafu Route to the summit.
Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, Umbwe route is one of the shortest routes to the Southern Glaciers and the Western Breach. It is probably the most scenic, non-technical route on Kilimanjaro. It is quite taxing, primarily due to the relatively fast ascent to the higher altitude, but the rewards are plentiful. Very steep route best suited to experienced trekkers.
Mount Kilimanjaro trekking on the Lemosho Route, this is the longest and most remote route to Kilimanjaro. After beautiful forests and moorlands, it crosses the Shira Plateau to meet up with the Machame Route. Groups may be accompanied on the first day by an armed ranger as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are rich in buffalo, elephant and other game.
For the Shira Route Mount Kilimanjaro Climb, the Shira route approaches Kilimanjaro summit from the west and crosses the caldera of Shira Volcano before heading beneath the southern ice fields of Kibo. The route is seldom used by other trekkers and so your initial two days on the mountain are less crowded than on most other routes.
Mount Kilimanjaro climbing Rongai Route, this remote and less frequently used route is the second easiest route to Kilimanjaro. The approach to the mountain is from the less-forested north side and the descent is by the Marangu Route. There are several variations; the one described is a longer route taking in Mawenzi Tarn.