Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain, located in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. It also boasts the title of the highest free-standing mountain in the world, rising to an elevation of 5,895 meters above sea level.
Mount Kilimanjaro Peaks
Mount Kilimanjaro has three main volcanic peaks: Kibo Peak, Mawenzi Peak, and Shira Peak. The park was established in 1973, comprising the entire mountain above the tree line and six forest corridors. Areas of montane forests were included in the park when the World Heritage Committee trustees suggested an extension of the park in 2005.
The origin of Mount Kilimanjaro is not known, but the name has been used since the 1960s. Although the actual meaning of the word “Kilimanjaro” is not clear, some people assume “Kilima” is the Swahili word for mountain, and “Njaro” means greatness or caravans. Different tribes living around the mountain have their own names for it, but the famous name used locally and internationally is Mount Kilimanjaro.
Mount Kilimanjaro wasn’t known to non-Africans for a long time, although Ptolemy mentioned a moon mountain and spring lake of the Nile, which might have been Mount Kilimanjaro. Martin Fernandez de Encido made a mention of the “mountains of the moon” in 1519.
The first Europeans known to attempt climbing Mount Kilimanjaro were Johann Krapf and Johannes Rebmann in 1848. Karl Klaus Von Der Decken, together with Richard Thornton, attempted to climb Kilimanjaro in 1861 but didn’t go beyond 2,500 meters above sea level due to weather conditions. Karl Klaus Von Der Decken tried a second time in 1860 but only managed to reach 4,300 meters.
Charles New was the first European to reach the equatorial snows in 1971. Ludwig Von Hohnel and Samuel Teleki made another attempt to climb Kilimanjaro in 1887, but Hohnel stopped at 4,950 meters while Teleki reached the snow at 5,300 meters. Hans Meyer, a German geology professor, reached the ice cap on Kibo in 1887 but turned back because he didn’t have the proper equipment.
German explorer Otto Ehrenfried Ehlers and American naturalist Abbott attempted to climb the summit from the northwest in 1888. Otto claimed to have reached the summit, while Abbott turned back but withdrew claims after facing several criticisms that he didn’t reach the summit.
Austrian mountaineer Ludwig and Meyer tried to climb again in 1889. They reached the crater rim but turned back due to icy slopes with hacking footsteps. Three days later, they reached the highest peak in the southern rim of the crater, becoming the first to confirm the presence of a crater at the summit. They attempted to climb further but only reached Klute Peak and retreated due to illness. During their excursions, they were accompanied by Mwini Amani of Pangani.
On the 29th of July 1912, Fritz Kluz and Eduard Hans were the first to ascend to the highest summit of Mawenzi and named it Hans Meyer Peak. In 1989, during the 100th-anniversary celebration of the first ascent, it was decided to award Africans who accompanied Meyer and Purtscheller in 1889. Yohani Kinyala Lauwo matched the person in documented pictures, although he didn’t remember Meyer or Purtscheller, he recalled joining a Dutch doctor for an expedition in Kilimanjaro and claimed that he had climbed the mountain three times before the beginning of World War 1, all without shoes.
Climate and Vegetation
Kilimanjaro receives two rainy seasons annually, with the southern slopes receiving higher amounts of rainfall compared to the northern side. The vegetation on the mountain consists of natural forests, Savannah vegetation, Acacia, montane forests, hagenia, Abyssiniaca, and tussock grasslands.
Remarkable Climbs and Climbers
Hari Budha and Justin Oliver, knee amputees, managed to reach the summit in 2020. South African Benard Goosen also summited Kilimanjaro in a wheelchair. Several runners, like Fernanda Maciel, Karl Egloff, and others, ascended and descended to the peak within hours. Ann Lorimor was the oldest person to climb Mount Kilimanjaro at 89 years old, and Fred Dishelhorst was the second-oldest person to reach the summit at 88 years old.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Most mountaineers dream of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and there are several routes that tourists can use to reach the summit:
- Lemosho Route: Passes through different climatic zones to Uhuru Peak. The summit can be reached within 6 to 8 days of climbing.
- Machame Route: Also known as the Whisky Route and is among the most popular routes for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. The climb on this route takes 6 days and is recommended for experienced mountaineers.
- Kilema Route: The only route open for mountain bikers to use for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
- Mweka Route: Used for descending from Mount Kilimanjaro from all ascending routes except from Marangu Route. This route is so direct that you can descend the mountain in one day.
- Rongai Route: The only route used for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro on the Kenyan side. This route passes through the second-highest point before reaching the permit.
- Western Route: One of the most demanding routes used for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Requires technical and experienced mountaineers.
- Shira Route: Takes 6-9 days to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, covering approximately 46.26 kilometers.
- Marangu Route: Also known as the Coca-Cola Route and is the popular route among Kilimanjaro mountaineers. Kibo and Mawenzo summits can be reached within 5 to 6 days while using this route.
Best Time to Visit Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro can be visited all year round, but the best time for mountain climbing and hiking is during the dry seasons of June to August and December to February. During these periods, the hiking trails are not muddy and slippery, making it easier to trek. The dry season also offers clear skies, providing spectacular views from the summit. Additionally, spotting wildlife and birds is easier since the vegetation is less dense.
What to Carry
Tourists planning to climb or hike Mount Kilimanjaro should pack essential items such as waterproof hiking boots, waterproof jackets, long-sleeved clothes, an umbrella, insect repellents, sunglasses, hats, plenty of drinking water, energy-giving snacks, socks, a backpack, and other necessary items. For those with a lot of luggage, hiring porters to assist with carrying their belongings is an affordable option.
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park is situated on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and is one of the most visited national parks in the country, attracting over 50,000 tourists annually and generating thousands of jobs for guides and other staff. The slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park are home to several species of wildlife, including elephants, blue monkeys, leopards, tree hyrax, grey duikers, cape buffalos, servals, hyenas, olive baboons, Jackson’s chameleon, warthogs, bush bucks, dik dik, forest duikers, elands, zebras, hippos, honey badgers, and mongooses, among others.
Birding
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, hosting 22 globally threatened bird species. Bird enthusiasts can spot species such as the common ostrich, white-faced whistling duck, Madagascar pond heron, black-headed heron, hamerkop, great white pelican, saddle-billed stork, yellow-billed stork, purple-crested turaco, black-bellied bustard, African finfoot, red-chested flufftail, red-knobbed coot, African crake, African rail, barred long cuckoo, African emerald cuckoo, African swift, Mozambique nightjar, yellow-throated sand grouse, emerald-spotted wood dove, dusky turtle dove, great crested grebe, Shelley’s francolin, common quail, African black duck, lemon dove, and African olive pigeon, among others.
Where to Stay
There are several accommodation and camping options available for tourists visiting Mount Kilimanjaro for mountain climbing or hiking. Some of the hotels and lodges include Natron Palace Hotel, Hotel Aquiline, Arusha Planet Lodge, Millie Lodge Machame, Babylon Lodge, Kilemakyaro Mount Lodge, Karanga River Lodge, and Park View Inn Hotel, among others.
Mount Meru
Mount Meru is located in Arusha National Park, just 70 kilometers away from Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the country’s second-highest mountain and is often used by travelers to prepare for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing, providing a smaller-scale climbing experience. The mountain is believed to have been higher than its current 4,562 meters before it collapsed 7,800 years ago. Mount Meru was still active until its recent eruption in 1910.
Mount Meru offers magnificent views of Mount Kilimanjaro on clear days, and its slopes are teeming with abundant wildlife and over 400 species of birds recorded. Unlike Mount Kilimanjaro, which can be congested and busy, Mount Meru provides visitors with an opportunity to enjoy nature without large crowds. The climb on Mount Meru typically takes between 3 to 4 days, compared to Mount Kilimanjaro, which takes 6 to 9 days.
Activities in Arusha National Park
Tourists visiting Mount Meru can explore Arusha National Park and enjoy activities such as wildlife watching, boat cruising, canoeing at the Momella Lakes, nature-guided walks, picnicking, birding, and more.