About Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest Mountain in Africa, is located in northern Tanzania (formerly called Tanganyika). It is located around 200 miles south of the equator. Mount Kilimanjaro, an extinct volcanic Mountain, is 19,341 feet in height.

Mount Kilimanjaro is located within the boundaries of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. The National Park, 756 square kilometers is size, was originally established as a game reserve in the early 1900's. In 1921, the government of Tanganyika renamed the game reserve to a forest and game reserve. In 1957, the Tanganyika National Parks Authority with support from many local and international conservation organizations and interest groups formally proposed the establishment of a national parkat encompassed Mount Kilimanjaro. The area above 2700-meter contour was established as Kilimanjaro National Park and was officially opened for tourism in 1977. In 1989, the World Heritage Convention declared the Park a World Heritage site.

The People Of Tanzania And Peaks

Mount Kilimanjaro has 3 peaks: Shira Peak at 12,999 feet (3,962 meters), Mawenzi at 16,893 feet (5,149 meters), and Kibo at 19,341 feet (5,895 meters). In Tanzania, Kibo Peak is known as Uhuru Peak and old Tanganyika maps refer to the peak as Kaiser Spitze Peak; Mawenzi is referred to in old maps as Hans Meyer Peak.

The Chagga people have resided near the Mountain for centuries but were not responsible for naming Kilimanjaro; the Swahili of the coast were. Instead, the Chagga referred to the Mountain by its individual names, Kippoh (kee-poh) and Kimawenzi (kee-mah-wen-zee). Because the Mountain was snow capped and reflected light when the sun was shone, the name "Kilimanjaro" was created from the Kiswahili words "Mlima" (single hill) and "Ngara" (shine). Also, despite this naming convention is frequently agreed upon in East Africa, other communities like the Kikuyu and Maasai have their interpretations of what the name means and how it came about.

The Mountain's Vegetation

Mount Kilimanjaro's volcanic soil has promoted the growth of a variety of vegetation types on the Mountain. The following table represents the vegetation type and approximate percent coverage.

Forest Vegetation And Coverage In Percentage

Lower Zone - Grassland - 20%

Montane Zone - Forests - 21%

Heath and Moorland - Shrubs and Slim Trees - 19%

Alpine Desert Zone Lichens growth - 20%

Summit Zone Arctic Vegetation - 20%

Famous Mount Kilimanjaro Climbers

Although big mountains had been known to exist in Northern Tanzania, no one had actually traveled inland to actually account for it until 1800's. Mount Kilimanjaro had been thought to be the source of River Nile and a Mountain of mystery - the mystery being a snow capped Mountain in Africa. Africa was thought to be a continent of savages, thus stories about the continent were often down played. With colonization came European missionaries, who traveled inland to preach their religion.

1n 1846, Dr. Ludwig Krapf and Johann Rebmann landed at the coast of Kenya and set up a missionary at Rabai, close to the town of Mombasa. In 1849, both Krapf and Rebmann confirmed their sightings of the great Mountain on their trip inland. Reports about the Mountain were received by the Royal Geographical Society, which prompted a great debate about the accuracy, about the height and possibility of snow capped mountains in Africa.

In 1861, Richard Thornton attempted the first climb. The Mountain was new to him and thus had a difficult time penetrating through the second zone. Also the weather did not cooperate, which eventually forced him down.

In 1862, Otto Kersten and Baron Von der Decken attempted the climb. They climbed over 15,000 feet but were forced down because of bad weather.

In 1887, Hans Meyer attempted the climb and was successful in reaching Kibo.

In 1889, Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller arranged an expedition to reach the summit of Kibo. It is stated that there were over 60 people in total including porters. Meyer and Purtscheller were successful in their climb. They named the summit Kaiser Wilhem Spitze, a record that is still displayed in many maps found in Tanzania, a former German colony.

In 1900's, many climbers attempted and succeeded in completing Kilimanjaro, namely Reinhold Messner and the first woman, Ms. S. MacDonald, who climbed to the Kibo Summit.

ROUTES TO THE TOP:

CLIMBING MOUNT KILIMANJARO

8 DAYS CLIMBING MOUNT. KILIMANJARO

MACHAME ROUTE

DAY 1 NAIROBI -ARUSHA -MOSHI

Depart Nairobi by morning shuttle to Moshi arriving late afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Moshi.

Day 2. MOSHI -MACHAME HUT

Drive to Machame Village. The climb begins at the end of the tarmac road, walking for about 6 hrs gradually ascending through the forested hills onwards to Machame Hut (3000m). Dinner and overnight in Machame Hut.

DAY 3.MACHAME HUT - SHIRA HUT

Early in the morning, you will cross a valley and stream before ascending a steep ridge. The path then drops into a river gorge before you climb more gently onto the moorland of the Shira plateau - 3,800m. Total climbing time is about 6hrs. Dinner and overnight at Shira hut.

DAY4.SHIRA HUT- BARRANCO HUT

The path continues directly up the ridge towards Kibo, then turns right and descend into Barranco gorge. Climb to Barranco hut at 3940m shortly after. Total climbing time is about 6 hrs. Dinner and overnight at Barranco Hut.

DAY 5.BARRANCO HUT - BARAFU HUT

Crossing the Barranco Valley, climb the Barranco wall (not technical climbing), then follow the Kibo South Circuit. You will then turn left and climb up a ridge for about 2 hrs to Barafu hut at 4,600m . Dinner and overnight at Barafu Hut.

DAY 6.BARAFU HUT -MWEKA HUT

Very early start for the summit first to Stella Point and then Uhuru Peak at 5895m. After sunrise, descend down to Mweka hut, which takes about 6 hrs. Dinner and overnight at Mweka Hut.

DAY 7.MWEKA HUT -MWEKA GATE

This is the last day of your climb. You will descend to Mweka Gate where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 8.ARUSHA -NAIROBI

Depart Moshi by morning shuttle back to Nairobi arriving late in the afternoon.

7 DAYS CLIMBING MOUNT. KILIMANJARO

MARANGU ROUTE

DAY 1.NAIROBI -ARUSHA

Depart for Namanga border town, continue to Arusha for lunch after immigration formalities. Afternoon at leisure in Arusha . Dinner and overnight in Arusha hotel.

DAY 2.ARUSHA -MANDARA HUT

Drive from Arusha to Marangu gate.7 Days Marangu route, Mount kilimanjaro climbing, marangu route The climb starts at Marangu gate through the fascinating rain forest to Mandara hut at 2744m (9000ft) Meals and overnight at the hut.

DAY 3.MANDARA HUT -HOROMBO HUT

After breakfast climb through Alpine Meadows the altitude starts to be felt. Enjoying the Flora and view of Mamwenzi peak, Horombo Hut is reached at 3167m covering 12km from Mandara. Meals and covering overnight at Horombo Hut.

DAY 4.HOROMBO HUT -KIBO HUT

After breakfast resume the climb. The landscape becomes rugged and rocky. Giant groundsel and Lobellas appears. Kibo hut is reached at 4732m at the base of the peak itself

NOTE: No water or firewood is available after this point.

DAY 5.KIBO HUT -GILMAN'S POINT- HOROMBO HUT

Hours of the morning at 2:00am. It takes about 5 hours to climb the steepest and most difficult part of the route to Gilman's point 5,681m (18640ft). From Gilman's takes 1.5 to 2hrs to Uhuru Peak 5,896m (19340ft). Descend to Horombo for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6.HOROMBO HUT - ARUSHA

Descent is rapid. After breakfast, walk down the Marangu gate for transfer to Arusha. Dinner and overnight in Arusha.

DAY 7.ARUSHA -NAIROBI

Transfer back to Nairobi or proceed to the next destination.

MOUNT. KILIMANJARO CLIMBING

7 DAYS UMBWE ROUTE

This route is not used often because it is hard terrain to handle and requires those that out for real hard challenge, however its actually the shortest route to get to Uhuru peak. Umbwe route is the hardest but most magnificent and shortest way to reach Uhuru Peak.The gradient is steep and demanding in terms of stamina. Welcome for the challenge and you will be certified according to the height you scale officially.

UMBWE CLIMBING ROUTE

DAY 1: NAIROBI -MOSHI

Take public means from Nairobi city centre at 08.00 hrs and head to Arusha arriving at 13.00hrs. Depart for Moshi at 14.00hrs arriving at 15.30hrs. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Moshi .

DAY 2: MOSHI -FOREST CAVES

After breakfast drive to Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Umbwe for starting the climb. Start hiking within the forest through a narrow ridge between Umbwe and Lonzo rivers reaching Bivouac No. 1 as known as Forest Caves at 2850m - Camp and overnight.

DAY 3.FOREST CAVES -BARRANCO HUT

The winding Path will pick its way through the ridge, leaving the forest through open moorlands to get to Barranco Hut at 395m. Camp and overnight at this camp.

DAY 4.BARRANCO HUT -BARAFU HUT

To start the day, you will tackle a daringly steep climb to Barranco valley crossing Karanga Valley and eventually reach Barafu Hut at 4600m. Camp overnight at this camp.

DAY 5.BARAFU HUT -MWEKA CAMP

Start hiking early in the morning heading for crater rim at Stella point, pressing further to Uhuru Peak at 589m. Descend to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6.MWEKA CAMP -MOSHI

Descend to the Park Gates . Overnight at hotel in Moshi town.

DAY 7.MOSHI -NAIROBI

Take a shuttle to Nairobi or decide to commence a Tanzania safa