Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing, Mt Kilimanjaro Trekking, Mt Kilimanjaro Hiking, Route, Marangu, Machame, Umbwe, Mweka, Shira, Lemosho, Rongai

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing, Mount Kenya, Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Climb Kilimanjaro, Kili, Kilimanjaro Hiking, Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking, Tours, Travel, Holidays, Route, Marangu, Machame, Umbwe, Mweka, Shira, Lemosho, Rongai, Arrow Glacier, Routes, Uhuru Peak, Mount Kilimanjaro Walking, Tanzania Mountain Hiking, Kilimanjaro Trekking Adventures, Africa Adventure Climbing Safaris, Mount Kenia Climbing, Mount Kenya Trekking, Mount Kenya Climb, Mount Kenya Group Trekking, Mt Kilimanjaro Climb, Mt Kilimanjaro Climb Marangu Route, Kilimanjaro Trekking Umbwe Route, Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route, Kilimanjaro Climb And Zanzibar Beach Holiday, Amboseli National Park And Mt Kilimanjaro Climbing, Africa Mountain Trekking, Walking Safaris Kenia

Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is 128km from Arusha town, which covers an area of 755sq km (about 470sq miles), and Kilimanjaro is the crown of Tanzania. Rising in absolute isolation, at 5895 meters (19,339 feet), Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain and one of the accessible high summits, a beacon for visitors from all around the world. Most climbers reach the crater rim with little more then a walking stick, proper clothing and determinations. Kilimanjaro can be climbed at any time of the year but the best is considered to be from August-October and January to March. It is wet in the rainforest during the rains in April, May, June and November. December through to February is the warmest months

At 5895,  Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest, as well as the youngest, of the three volcanic peaks of East Africa, Mount Kenya 5,199 m and Elgon 4,321m being the other two. Their oldest lava may be only some 1 Million years old, and small-scale activities on the Kibo peak has probably taken place within the last couple of hundred years. Kilimanjaro is a "Central Vent" type of Volcano, which gives it an oval shape in plain view. The dimension of its base are about 80 x 48 km, elongated in the East - South - East direction. The older rock of its three main peaks are broadly similar, being mainly trach basalts, dark grey rocks containing lighter coloured feldspar crystals. The younger rock of Kibo is, however, of a different composition, and includes nephelirites and nepheline - synites which contain glassy crystals of nepheline.

Of the three peaks, Shira to the west at 4006m is the lowest as well as the oldest of them.  Its original crater has undergone considerable erosion, leaving only part of the former rim. Mawenzi to the east rises 5149m and has a steep craggy profile, due in part to intensive action of glacial ice. Kibo, the central peak is the youngest and best preserved of the three. Its crater area has a complex structure consisting of a number of more or less concentric features. There is an outer caldera not larger than 2.5km in diameter, resulting from an eruption followed by the collapse inwards of part of the summit. The highest point, Uhuru peak is on the southern rim of Kibo Caldera. Within the caldera is an inner cone some 820m cross, which also contains another cone and crater called the Reusch Crater, some 340m in diameter.

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes

Marangu Route

The main tourist route and by far the most popular route and some claim the easiest route to Uhuru Peak. The 5-day option, which is available on this route, makes it the least expensive route on the mountain. A 6-day option with an extra day of acclimatisation is however also available. This is the only route, which provides comfortable sleeping huts, equipped with beds and mattresses at every campsite. Mineral water, soft drinks, beer and chocolates are also sold at every camp. All the camps on this route have radio contact with the Park Headquarters

Mt Kilimanjaro Climbing - Marangu (Coca Cola) Route Itinerary

Machame Route

This is probably the most scenic and most beautiful route to the summit. The 6-day route is however physically more challenging than the Marangu route. The day walks are longer and steeper, however the summit night is one hour shorter. The scenic traverse of the Western Breach offers some stunning views! Only tented accommodation available, which can be less comfortable and will require a good sleeping bag and hiking mattress.

Trekking on Mt Kilimanjaro - Machame Route Itinerary

Umbwe Route

This route is one of the shorter but also one of the more difficult routes to reach Uhuru peak--but quiet spectacular. Umbwe is known for its caves. The first night you actually sleep at the Umbwe Cave Camp with two more caves that can be visited on route the following day. Also sometimes used as a descending route.

Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking - Ubwe Route Itinerary

Shira Route

The Shira Plateau is one of the most scenic and most fascinating areas on Kilimanjaro. Depending on the weather conditions you can drive by 4 wheel drive vehicles, to within a 1/2 hours walk of Shira Hut (4000m). Even this drive is very spectacular indeed and offers some magnificent views of Mt Meru and the Great Rift Valley in general. Game is often sighted and the road features some striking vegetation changes ranging from forest, grassland, heath to moorland. The fast ascend by vehicle to about 4000m will require additional acclimatisation, after which it will be possible to ascend Uhuru Peak either via the Western Breach or via the Barafu hut.

Lemosho Route

It is a remote, unspoiled and very beautiful route to the Roof of Africa. The forest around the Lemosho Glades is rich in big game animals such as elephant and buffalo, which may sometimes require a game ranger to accompany climbers on the first day. This route is however a long route which requires 7-days for a comfortable completion, which also makes it more expensive

Mt Kilimanjaro Climbing - Lemosho Route Itinerary

Western Breach / Arrow Glacier

An alternative final ascend route which can be taken from all of the western routes, sleeping at magnificent Arrow Glacier on your summit night. The western Breach poses a very difficult walk up steep scree with some rock scrambling occasionally required. Snow cover makes scree easier but an ice axe is then required. It is also possible to sleep an extra night inside the Kibo Crater.

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro - Various Routes l Climbing Mount Meru