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Image © Harry Kikstra, 7summits.com
The summit of Africa and one of the most beautiful places
on earth; close to the Kenyan border, the mountain is completely
in Tanzania. Kilimanjaro is a non technical mountain that
can be climbed by anyone with a fair condition, patience and
some ££. There are many different routes, each
passing rainforest, moorland and glaciers!
Most people seize the opportunity of being in wildlife paradise
and couple a safari to their trip as well.
There are lot of Travel companies who organise trips to Kilimanjaro we recommend:
Kili. Facts & Figures
Original name
Kilima Njaro (Swahili) Oldoinyo Oibor (Masai)
Height
5895 meters or 19,340 feet; Looming some 16 000 feet (4900
meters) above the plains that spread out from its base, the
mountain dominates its surroundings.
Location
3°04' South Latitude, 37°21' East longitude; although
it's close to the Kenyan border, Kili is completely in Tanzania
Composed of three separate volcanoes, massive and complex
Kilimanjaro covers an area 60 miles (100 kilometers) long
and 40 miles (65 kilometers) wide.
First (western) Ascent
H. Meyer & L. Purtscheller, 1889
Peaks
Kilimanjaro is an extinct volcano, with 3 peaks: Kibo, Shira
& Mawenzi. Kibo is the highest one (5895m) in the centre,
Mawenzi is lower (5,149m or 16,896 feet) and east of Kibo,
but more technical. Kili's 3rd peak Shira is less obvious,
but it's also an extinct volcano. ( 3,962m or 13,000 feet,
west of Kibo)
The volcanoes, whose lava fields overlapped and partially
obliterated each other, began erupting approximately 2 million
years ago.
The peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi are joined by a broad saddle
7 miles (11 kilometers) long.
Time to climb and seasons
All year long it is possible although most avoid the rainy
season: The long rainy season is from April to May, the short
rainy season is mostly in November/beginning of December.
Always be prepared for wet days and cold nights on the mountain
any time of year!
Weather and climate
Because of Kilimanjaro’s great height, the mountain
influences its own weather. Winds incoming from the Indian
Ocean are deflected upward by the slopes and drop their moisture
as rain and snow. This moisture results in a variety of vegetative
zones that contrast dramatically with the savanna grasses
and semidesert scrub on the surrounding plains. The mount’s
lower slopes, probably once forested, have been cleared for
the cultivation of coffee, corn, and other crops. At higher
elevations [approximately 9800 feet (3000 meters)] lies a
belt of tropical rain forest that gives way to grasslands
and moorlands. This belt, in turn, is replaced by high-altitude
desert [near 14 500 feet (4400 meters)]. At the highest elevations
is a zone of permanent ice and snow that is responsible for
the name Kilimanjaro, which in Swahili means "the mountain
that glitters." (from the Nasa site)
Miscellaneous
Kilimanjaro National Park is the area above 2,700 meters (8,850
feet) on the mountain. It includes the moorland and highland
zones, Shira Plateau, Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. In addition,
the Park has six corridors or rights of way through the Kilimanjaro
Forest Reserve. The Forest Reserve, which is also a Game Reserve,
was established in 1921; the Park was established in 1973
and officially opened in 1977
All texts © Harry Kikstra, 7summits.com, reprinted with permission
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