Mount Kilimanjaro is the best mountain in Africa and the best single free-standing mountain on the earth: Kilimanjaro is 5,895 meters (19,341 ft) above sea stage and about four, 900 meters (16,100 ft) above its plateau base.
Kilimanjaro is the fourth most topographically distinguished peak on Earth.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro’s
Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano in Tanzania. It has three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. It’s the highest mountain in Africa and the best single free-standing mountain on the earth: 5,895 meters (19,341 ft) above sea stage and about four,900 meters (16,100 ft) above its plateau base.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the fourth most topographically distinguished peak on Earth.
The primary individuals recognized to have reached the summit have been Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller, in 1889. It’s a part of Kilimanjaro National Park and is a serious climbing vacation spot.
Due to its shrinking glaciers and disappearing ice fields, it has been the topic of much scientific research.
mount kilimanjaro - map
Looking at the Mount Kilimanjaro map below you can see that there are 7 routes to reach the summit ( Uhuru Peak ).
Kilimanjaro is Africa's tallest mountain, standing at 5895m high, with its snow-capped summit visible for miles. The Kilimanjaro mountain range is located in Tanzania, east Africa, and is on many people's bucket lists.
The climb up Kilimanjaro is one of the biggest challenges you'll ever face. What is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro?
There are seven routes to climb the world's highest free-standing mountain, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
It all depends on your mountain experience, what you want to experience along the way, and acclimatization considerations.The following is a brief overview of the seven routes;
Mount Kilimanjaro - Marangu Route- The Tourist Route
70km / 5 to 6 days
Because of its popularity and the fact that coca cola used to be sold in all the huts along the way, the Marangu Route is also known as the "tourist route" or "Coca Cola Route". This is one of the easiest routes up the mountain, following a steady, gradual slope until the last night – when the incline significantly increases.
The route has a low success rate, due to the fact that the five day climb doesn’t allow for sufficient acclimatization. Also, the Marangu Route, attracts lots of tourists who are unprepared and untrained, resulting in many people having to turn around before reaching Uhuru Peak.
The Marangu route is also the only route on the mountain that uses the same path up and down – so expect it to be busier than other options. However, this is the only route with dormitory style huts along the way, and camping is not permitted. So, if you can’t bear the thought of camping for a week, then this option is for you!
Mount Kilimanjaro - Machame Route – The Popular Route
Distance: 61km / 6 - 7 Days
The Machame Route is one of the more scenic routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro. It is also known as the “Whiskey Route” – as it’s tougher than the Marangu (Coca Cola) Route. Even though the climb is more difficult, it has a much higher success rate than the Marangu route.
There are six day and seven day itinerary options, with the preferred option being the seven day route, allowing for an extra day of acclimatisation. The route has some steep sections and involves numerous ups and downs – including taking on the Barranco Wall! But with the right preparation The Machame Route is definitely achievable.
The scenery along the way is stunning, as you trek through four diverse climate zones and enjoy sights such as the Shira Plateau and the Lava Tower. This route is fantastic for acclimatisation, as you are able to climb high and sleep low.
It is also the route that we take to the roof of Africa! For more details of our itinerary check out our Kilimanjaro Trekking Challenge.
Mount Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Route – The Most Scenic (But Most Expensive) Route
Distance: 67km / 7 - 8 Days
The Lemosho Route departs from the west side of the mountain, offering plenty of spectacular views of the dramatic gorges of the western side of Kilimanjaro. The route starts by taking you through the remote rainforest, before joining the Machame Route.
This route can be completed in either seven or eight days, with plenty of time for acclimatization – and a high success rate! One of the only downsides of this option is that, due to the length and remoteness, it tends to be a more expensive option.
Mount Kilimanjaro - Shira Route – The “Poor Acclimatisation” Route
Distance: 58km / 6 - 7 Days
The Shira Route also begins on the western side of Kilimanjaro, but with a higher start point than Lemosho. The first day of the route follows a four-wheel drive path, and can therefore either be trekked or driven.
However, driving will reduce the amount of time your body has to acclimatise – as you will be starting the trek at a height of over 3,500m!
The Shira Route can be completed in six or seven days and you should be confident in your hiking ability. There are less people on the route than the Machame Trail, however it is more expensive.
Mount Kilimanjaro - Rongai Route – The Easiest Route
Distance: 74km / 6 - 7 Days
The Rongai Route is the only route starting north of the mountain.
This route is much drier than the southern slopes, and is therefore preferred during the wet season. The route is less scenic than other options - however, the camp beneath Mawenxi Peak is one of the most scenic on the mountain!
The hike has a steady, gradual climb to start with and the camps are well staggered out. The itinerary is normally seven days long, with a high success rate of reaching Uhuru Peak.
Mount Kilimanjaro - Umbwe Route – The Most Difficult Route
Distance: 48km / 5 - 7 Days
The Umbwe Route involves a rapid ascent to Barranco Camp, reaching the camp on the second night, rather than the third or fourth as per alternative routes. The route is very steep and exposed – and not suitable for people who are scared of heights.
This is the most demanding of all seven routes, with poor acclimatisation opportunities and shouldn’t be taken on unless you have experience in mountain climbing.
Mount Kilimanajaro - Northern Circuit – The Longest Route
Distance: 88km / 8 - 9 Days
This is the longest route to the top of Kilimanjaro, with one of the highest success rates. The trek takes either eight or nine days, with plenty of climb high, sleep low opportunities, which is great for acclimatization.
The trek starts west of the mountain and follows the Lemosho route for the first two days. The route then veers north near Lava Tower and traverses around the mountain to the summit.Mount Kilimanjaro - Height
The highest mountain in Africa is Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, at 5,895 meters (19,340 feet). In terms of size, it is the largest free-standing mountain rise in the world.
Mount Kilimanjaro Country
Tanzania
Located in Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest mountain at about 5,895 meters (19,340 feet).
mount kilimanjaro facts
In addition to being Africa’s tallest peak, Kilimanjaro is also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. Uhuru Point is 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) high.
Geology and bodily options
Mount Kilimanjaro is a big stratovolcano composed of three distinct volcanic cones: Kibo, the best; Mawenzi at 5,149 meters (16,893 ft); and Shira, the bottom at four,005 meters (13,140 ft). Mawenzi and Shira are extinct, whereas Kibo is dormant and will erupt once more.
Uhuru Peak is the best summit on Kibo’s crater rim. The Tanzania Nationwide Parks Authority, a Tanzanian authorities company, and the United Nations Instructional, Scientific, and Cultural Group record the peak of Uhuru Peak as 5,895 m (19,341 ft), primarily based on a British survey in 1952. The peak has since been measured as 5,892 meters (19,331 ft) in 1999, 5,902 meters (19,364 ft) in 2008, and 5,899 metres (19,354 ft) in 2014.Mount Kilimanjaro - Geology
The geology of the inside of the volcanic edifice is poorly recognized, given the shortage of enormous scale erosion that might have uncovered the inside of the volcano.
Eruptive exercise on the Shira middle commenced about 2.5 million years in the past, with the final essential section occurring about 1.9 million years in past, simply earlier than the northern part of the edifice collapsed. Shira is topped by a broad plateau at three,800 meters (12,500 ft), which can be a crammed caldera.
The remnant caldera rim has been degraded deeply by erosion. Earlier than the caldera fashioned and erosion started, Shira might need been between four,900 and 5,200 m (16,100 and 17,100 ft) excessive.
It’s largely composed of primary lavas, with some pyroclastics. The formation of the caldera was accompanied by lava emanating from ring fractures, however, there was no massive-scale explosive exercise.
Two cones were fashioned subsequently, the phonolitic one on the northwest finish of the ridge and the doleritic Platzkegel within the caldera middle.Mount Kilimanjaro - Drainage
The mountain is drained by a community of rivers and streams, particularly on the wetter and extra closely eroded southern aspect and particularly above 1,200 meters (three,900 ft). Under that altitude, elevated evaporation and human water utilization cut back the water flows.
The Lumi and Pangani rivers drain Kilimanjaro on the jap and southern sides, respectively.IMount Kilimanjaro - dentify
The origin of the title Kilimanjaro just isn’t recognized, however, a variety of theories exist. European explorers had adopted the title by 1860 and reported that Kilimanjaro was the mountain’s Kiswahili title. The 1907 version of The Nuttall Encyclopædia additionally information on the title of the mountain as Kilima-Njaro.
Johann Ludwig Krapf wrote in 1860 that Swahilis alongside the coast is referred to as the mountain Kilimanjaro. Though he didn’t provide any assistance, he claimed that Kilimanjaro meant both mountains of greatness and mountain of caravans. Below the latter, that means, kilima meant mountain and Jaro meant caravans.
Jim Thompson claimed in 1885, once more without assistance, that the time period Kilima-Njaro “has typically been understood to imply” the mountain (kalima) of greatness (njaro). He additionally steered “although not improbably it might imply” the white mountain.
Njaro is a historical Kiswahili phrase for shining. Equally, Krapf wrote that a chief of the Wakamba individuals, whom he visited in 1849, “had been to Jagga and had seen the Kima jajeu, mountain of whiteness, the title given by the Wakamba to Kilimanjaro… Extra accurately within the Kikamba language, this could be kiima kyeu, and this potential derivation has been widespread with a number of investigators.