Mount Kilimanjaro

 

Mt. Kilimanjaro Fast Facts

 

Highest mountain in Africa at 19,340 feet (5,895 meters)

Kilimanjaro ice

*Highest free-standing mountain (distance from the bottom of the moutain to the top) in the world

*One of the ‘Seven Summits’. The seven highest and most sought-after peaks on the seven continents on Earth

*Is ‘as high as you can go’ without requiring oxygen or specialist technical mountaineering skills

*Located in northern Tanzania, on the southern border of Kenya, East Africa

*Has five different, non-technical routes to the summit taking between 5-7 days. Marangu (5 days), Machame (6), Machame (6), Shira (7), Umbwe (5) and Rongai (5)

*Has four camping routes: Machame, Shria, Umbwe and Rongai and one route, Marangu, with hut accommodations provided by the National Parks

*Has five distinct ecological zones: The Montane Forest, The Hagenia, Heathland, Alpine Desert, and The Moorlands, making it one of the most beautiful and varied peaks on Earth.

**A Mt. Kilimanjaro climb is considered a strenuous and physically demanding trip, reaching altitudes exceeding 19,000 feet about sea level. It is important that you are fully prepared; both physically and mentally for this trip. It is a must that you have all the appropriate equipment and clothing.

**You will experience equatorial to arctic conditions. The environment ranges from the warm dry plains, with an average temperature of 30C, and you will then ascend through wet tropical forest, continuing into decreasing temperature and rainfall. At the summit, permanent ice will await you as well as below freezing conditions.

**Altitude and the seasons determine wither conditions but most months of the year; long rainy season, (March-June), short rainy season; (Oct.-Nov.), are comparatively dry making Kilimanjaro one of the few mountains one can climb in relatively good conditions all year round.

**Mt. Kilimanjaro has five altitude/climate zones: the forest, heather, and moorland, alpine desert and the summit. Within each zone there is an association between altitude, rainfall, temperature, plants and animals. Each zone belt is approximately 3,281 feet, (1000m) of altitude. Rainfall also decreases steadily with the increase of altitude. Plant life is abundant in areas of high temperature and high rainfall. As you climb you will see that plant life decreases, not because of the height, but because conditions are colder and drier. As animal life is dependent on plants, fewer animals live at higher altitudes

*The lower slopes – 2,624-5,906 feet (800-1800m), were originally scrub, bush and lowlands. This has been cultivated and is now used for livestock grazing and local crops. In this cultivated zone you will not see large wild animals.

*The forest – 5,905-9,187 ft. (1800-2800m), is the richest zone on the mountain. Here we have the extremely beautiful Montane Forest which encircles the whole of Kilimanjaro, it is however, frequently covered in cloud. Protected from the sun by these clouds there is high humidity, dampness and fog. Although flowers are not plentiful in the forest those seen are often of magnificent brilliance. The forest is the home of most of Kilimanjaro's wild animals, although often hidden from view. However, you are likely to see both Blue Monkeys, and the black and white Colobus Monkey. Leopards live throughout the forest, preying on antelope, monkeys, rodents, duikers (antelope) and bushbuck. Kilimanjaro's

*The heather and moorlands – 9,187-13,124 feet (2800-4000m), are low alpine zone with cool clear climate, apart from the mist and fog near the forest. Heather and heather-like shrubs grow in this area, as well as gorse-like bushes, attractive grasses and flowers. There are few large mammals here and those that do visit the moorland usually are in transit to other areas. On occasion eland, duiker, wild dogs, buffalo and elephants have been seen. As well, you may see Augur and Mountain Buzzards, Crowned Eagles, Lammergeyer and the White-necked Raven.

*The alpine desert – 6,405-13,124 feet (4000-5000m), has intense sunlight, high evaporation and vas daily fluctuations in temperature. Nights can be below 0 centigrade, and in the daytime as high as 40C. Under these harsh conditions only the hardiest lichens, moss and tussock grasses can exist. This area has little wildlife, buts its views are spectacular.

*The summit area – above 16,415 feet (5,000), is characterized by arctic conditions; freezing cold at night and burning sun during the day. Oxygen is about half that at sea level, and there is little atmosphere to protect you from the sun's rays. Creatures large and small are rare in the summit zone.