Well known as the roof of Africa, the Kilimanjaro Mountain is the highest African Mountain and the Highest World’s freestanding Mountain of 5,895 Meters equivalent to 19,341feets. Lies between latitude of 2o50” and 3o10” E, Kilimanjaro is of about 330 Kilometers south of the Equator. The mountain is Located in the Northern part of Tanzania, in Kilimanjaro Region which is the home for the Native Chagga ancestors.  This roof of Africa is 1688Kilmeter squares in size. Kilimanjaro Mountain is of the two dormant volcanic cones of Kibo and Mawenzi, which are of 5,149M and 3,962m high respectively. While Mawenzi cone is nit more popular, the Kibo Kilimanjaro Cone is the Popular summit point (As the highest Point in Africa) at the Kilimanjaro Uhuru Peak.   

Regulatory and Authority: Kilimanjaro Mountain, is under the regulatory of Tanzania National Parks Authority, (TANAPA) as the Kilimanjaro National Park. It was declared as the National park in the year of 1977, with its headquarter office at Marangu Climbing gate (The most popular and first discovered Kilimanjaro Climbing route. Other than being under TANAPA, Kilimanjaro Mountain as Kilimanjaro National park is under the protection of UNESCO, as one of the World Natural Heritage Site that was enlisted in the year of 1987. Nevertheless, the Majestic Kilimanjaro Mountain was enlisted as one of the African Natural Wonders in the year of 2013. A lifetime wonders to experience.

Climate: The Kilimanjaro Mountain’s climate, is influenced by the wind. The mountain has two rain season in the year, (which are normally termed as low season due to climbing challenge in rain season). There are rain around the Mountain with accumulation of ice at the Mountain peak between the Month of March through May. From late June through September, it is dry season with cool nights where the days ate utterly clear, from that long dry season, there are short rain from October to December which do normally rain during the day and this does keep the night cool and clear visibility in the Morning.  Following from December, January and February are dry months with some shower rains this are not challenge rains just provide a cooling condition and moderate the climbing. We consider both day and night, because the climb is both during day and night time hence, climate is one of the crucial component to be considered.

Approaching Kilimanjaro Routes to the Uhuru Peak

Following the escape of overcrowding and climbers’ interest and taste, the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority under TANAPA, Reaching the Uhuru Peak of the Kilimanjaro Mountain can be through five ascending official route which are Machame, Marangu, Lemosho, Umbwe and Rongai, whereby Marangu is both an ascending and descending route for the climber from Marangu and Rongai route, while climbers from the rest of the route descend via Mweka route. However, there is an additional Northern circuit route which is the longest climbing route with some junction of Lemosho route while the five remains to be the popular and frequently routes.

Marangu “Coca-Cola” Kilimanjaro Route (Minimum Climbing days 5days/4nights)

The most popular and first discovered Kilimanjaro Climbing route. It is perceived to be the easiest Kilimanjaro route which has come to be nicknamed as the Coca-Cola route, this is because of it being the first discovered with well-developed infrastructure such as road, huts for accommodation which reduces the extreme of the adventure. However, the hiking adventure of the legendary Kilimanjaro is always there, do not underestimate it. The climb via Marangu Kilimanjaro Route, takes Minimum of 5 climbing days to Maximum of 6 Climbing days, 5days/4night and 6days/5night in the Mountain.

Machame “Whisky” Kilimanjaro Route (Minimum Climbing days 6days/5nights)

Second popular route after Marangu route, a scenic Kilimanjaro ascending route to the Uhuru peak. Called whisky from Coca-Cola, Machame route is gives a true climbing adventure experience given by the camping accommodation which is different from Marangu where climbers are being accommodated in huts. Ascending via Machame route Climbers will descend down after their summit via Mweka route to Mweka gate. The climb takes a minimum of 6days/5nights to 7 or 8 days following the climber’s interest.

Rongai yearly accessed Kilimanjaro Route (Minimum Climbing days 6days/5nights)

Perceived to be the Kilimanjaro route that can be used throughout the year because of it being the driest route most of the time, even when other route are difficulties because of the wet rain season. The route demands an extra mile drive from Moshi town to Rongai gate which is the only route than approaches the Uhuru peak from northeast of the Kilimanjaro Mountain. Though it is a less scenic route, Rongai is perceived to be the easiest route because of being dry and having less steepness. Ascending via Rongai route, a descending route will be Marangu, however other than Marangu route having huts for accommodation, descenders from Rongai will keep being accommodated in tents (Camping).   

Umbwe Adventurous Kilimanjaro Route (Minimum Climbing days 6days/5nights)

Ascending via Umbwe to Uhuru peak and descending via Mweka route to Mweka gate. Though not a technical route, Umbwe route is an extreme adventure route that requires at least mountain climbing experience for the climbers. This is because of the straight steepness of the route facing the Uhuru peak, with being Muddy route with a rare acclimatization chance that makes it extreme and requires an experience for altitude change adoption. Considered to be a challenging ascending route of all other climbing routes, hence fitness and experience for the success summit to the Uhuru Peak.

Lemosho Scenic Kilimanjaro Route (Minimum Climbing days 7days/6nights)

Though being a long route and needs and extra mile drive to reach the gate among the rest, Lemosho Kilimanjaro route is the scenic Kilimanjaro route with a maximum acclimatization time for the altitude adaptation which has made a good record on the success summit for most of the climbers. The scenery is enhancing with the spectacular hike via the Shira plateau. The climb starts with an easy and slow starts trekking through the forest where you can expect to see some wild animals such as buffalo and elephants. The descending route will be Mweka route.

  

Full Moon Climb Kilimanjaro Mountain

From the name, “full moon”, having a bright shining light from the moon while one is at the Uhuru peak. This is the timely climb focusing or timing an exceptional beauty of the Moon at the Uhuru peak which completes and gives an eye feed experience, this experience is what influence some of the climbers to have a special planning their climb purposefully for the stunning view of the brightening moon which is a once timely experience in the Month. Other than the special experience, the shining and stunning moon also increases the visibility throughout the climb where climbers do not have the necessity of holding their head lump for sight during the night of approaching the Uhuru Peak (Summit day) where the climb starts at around the midnight, hence it is an ideal experience and an easy summit because of the light.

Kilimanjaro Facts

Know the fastest Kilimanjaro Climbers

  • 2014: Swiss Karl Egloff; 6hrs 42mis,
  • 2010: Spanish mountain runner Killian Jornet’s; 5hrs 23mis, 50ses
  • 2015: German Anne-Marie Flammersfeld a woman in 12hrs 58mins
  • 2006: Tanzania, Mr. Saimon Mtui who did climb the Kilimanjaro while carrying his food, water and clothing 9hrs 19mins.

The Mountain Facts:

  • Kilimanjaro Mountain, is the fourth among the World’s Seven Summits
  • The mountain consists of the three Volcanic plugs of Kibo (the highest Kilimanjaro Uhuru Peak) with the extinct Mawenzi and Shira
  • The African highest mountain and the World’s highest freestanding Mountain
  • The summit point is Uhuru Peak at Kibo Volcanic plug
  • The Mountain ecology: Mixture of a rainforest, cultivated land, heath, the moorland, alpine desert and the arctic at the summit point
  • The Mountain lies at 205 miles from the equator, in the Tanzania

Climbing Records

  • An approximate of 25,000 people attempt to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro annually.
  • Approximately two-thirds are successful summit.
  • Altitude-related problem is the common climbing challenge causing climbers to back off.
  • Nearly Every Climber who approaches the Uhuru peaks of Kilimanjaro have their success summit.
  • 2019: An American Coaltan Tanner; The Youngest Climber with a success summit at the age of six
  • 2019: American woman Anne Lorimor; The oldest Climber with a success summit at the age of 89