Mount Kilimanjaro Information
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.
Mount 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. There are different routes to the top involving different villages and scenarios. These routes includes Marangu route, Machame route, Rongai route, Lemosho route, Umbwe route, Shira route and Mweka route which is used for descent only.
With all these routes to the top Mount Kilimanjaro is however not only the highest free standing peak in the world but also highest accessible point. The chagga who inhabit the area of the mountain hasn’t yet managed to give the meaning of Kilimanjaro with the exception of kipoo (now known as Kibo) for the familiar snowy peak that stands imperious, overseer of the continent, and the summit of Africa.
The vegetation of Mount Kilimanjaro varies accordingly with the nature of the altitude you are, basically from tropics to the Arctic. At the level of 2700 m the cultivated foot slopes give way to lush montane forest, inhabited by leopard, buffalo, elephant, antelope and other primates. As you ascend the moorland zone show up where a cover of giant heather is studded with other worldly giant lobelias. Above 3900m, the zone changes to alpine desert which support little life to the fauna and flora. Popular signboards of no water here are experienced in this zone as you trek Kilimanjaro. The final vegetation is of winter wonderland of ice and snow and the magnificent beauty of the roof of the Africa.
Unlike other snow caped Mountain in the world, Mount Kilimanjaro it’s a technical climbing mountain and need less equipment on trekking. Walking stick, proper clothing, sun glass, enough drinking water and determination are the key to a successfully Kilimanjaro climber. A successfully climber is the one who prepare himself/herself properly before ascending and ask as many questions as they can during trekking as well as been attentive to the Kilimanjaro mountain guide.
Mount Kilimanjaro is regularly ascent in five days using Marangu route, but for those who wants to make a record they can do less provided that they should pay for a minimum of five days. Climbing Kilimanjaro is a breathtaking activity and mostly it recommended for an extra day for acclimatization. Acclimatization day gives an alpine more chance to reach on the roof of Africa as experience the climatical changes gradually. Other routes offer a minimum of five days as Marangu and others six days such as Machame route.
The team which will take you to the mountain will comprise a cook(s), mountain guide and mountain porters. Depending on the nature of the group but a minimum of two porters per person carrying less than 15 kg of your luggage, cooking facilities and sleeping tents depending on the route selected. One guide for four to five people with one assistant guide and one cook. Additional of the team members will be done according to the situation of the group and luggage taken to the mountain.
While climbing Mount Kilimanjaro the Marangu route is referred as the luxurious route due to the fact that it has huts for accommodation, European toilets and sufficient water tape. Other Mount Kilimanjaro routes are subjected to the mobile camping tents whereby all the facilities are carried by your porters and in most cases they will trek faster than you for the preparation of accommodation, food and water on your arrival.
Mount Kilimanjaro is accessible while you are in Tanzania only and above mentioned route are the only official routes up Kilimanjaro. Mount Kilimanjaro is operated by Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA) and obtains its main offices in Marangu village. Trekking/Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro normally starts in the morning around 9:00 a.m to 10:00a.m that you should be at the entrance gate for the registration as well as park fees payments. Please observe all the national park regulation especially environmental issues. On your successfully trekking to Uhuru Peak (5895 m), Stella Point or Gillman’s Point you will earn your climbing certificated from KINAPA offices.
Mount Kilimanjaro can successfully attempt by eligible 12 years to 70 years people and this is what the authority advice the alpine. Different people from different countries have trek/climb Mount Kilimanjaro in different ways to make different records and you can read them on your arrival especially the Marangu and Machame gate.
Mount Kilimanjaro Route
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania can be attempted using six office routes to the roof top of African continent. All the routes are located with the Kilimanjaro region and involve different six villages. The route 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 fulfill their dreams of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Mweka route is reserved only for descending for those climbers using 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 over exploiting the route.
Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route 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 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 higher altitude, but the rewards are plentiful. Very steep route best suited to experienced trekkers
Mount Kilimanjaro trekking 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.
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.
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