Mount Kilimanjaro National Park

This huge, dormant stratovolcano lords over the African plains and is visible for hundreds of kilometres around. It rises almost 5000m above the surrounding bush, making it the world's tallest freestanding mountain. It is also the aspirational 'highpoint' for thousands of climbers who come to attempt to reach the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5895m. A climb up Kilimanjaro is an odyssey through the tropical climate zones, and a fascinating, unforgettable experience - but not one to be taken lightly.

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A Sleeping Giant

Kilimanjaro has three major peaks: Shira (4005m) to the West; Kibo, the highest; and Mawenzi (5149m) located to the east of Kibo. The volcanic activity associated with the formation of the Great Rift Valley, plus the ongoing split of East Africa from the rest of the African Continent, began to form Mount Kilimanjaro about 2.5 million years ago, with eruptions from the Shira peak. Around a million years ago, Kibo and Mawenzi peaks became the main centre of eruptive activity, building the vast mountain we see today. So, has Kilimanjaro seen the last of its explosive days? Probably not. Although both Shira and Mawenzi peaks are considered extinct, Kibo, the main peak, is considered only 'dormant'. The last major volcanic eruptions are estimated to have occurred between 150,000 - 200,000 years ago, but some summit fumaroles still emit volcanic gases. Some sources also hint at some minor activity in the crater just 200 years ago. This fiery giant may yet awaken.    

Glaciers on the Equator

For the time being, the snows of Kilimanjaro are still with us, with Glaciers covering about 1.76 square kilometres of the summit, however, this is a massive reduction from when the mountain was first climbed by westerners, Ludwig Purtscheller and Hans Meyer in 1889. At that time, glaciers filled the entire crater and reached far below the summit, covering around 20 square kilometres. A combination of natural and human-caused climate change is continuing this process.

Diverse Climates and Ecosystems

A hike up Kilimanjaro is a hike through the East Africa's climate zones. The mountain sits in a tropical savanna ecosystem, typical of East Africa. Because of the dense human settlement around the mountain, very little of this environment remains in its original state, but Amboseli National Park and Tsavo West, just across the border in Kenya, provide opportunities to experience the wildlife-rich African savanna, with Kilimanjaro providing a majestic backdrop.

Above 1800m, rainfall increases, especially on the lush southern and eastern sides of the mountain and an eco-system of dense montane forest becomes dominant. Kilimanjaro's slopes boast around 1000 square kilometres of forested land. Like other major mountains in East Africa, much of animal life here is reminiscent of forests in the Congo Basin which, in more humid climatic periods, connected with the mountain. The presence of black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and giant forest hogs illustrates this clearly. Birdwatchers should look out for silvery-cheeked hornbills and Hartlaub's turacos here. 

Above 3000m, forest cover thins and the landscape becomes a moorland dominated by hardy heathers and proteas, with giant lobelias and groundsels able to survive in an environment with extreme shifts between day and night-time temperatures. Birdwatchers here should look out for scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird, augur buzzard and cape eagle-owl, which thrive in this habitat. Also, on the high mountain plateaus, you can sometimes see the rare lammergeier or bearded vulture, cruising over the barren landscape on its 3m wings. Above 4000m, vegetation is limited to lichens and mosses and eventually, even these find the mountain's freezing temperatures too extreme close to the summit. Night time temperatures at the peak can drop below -20^oC.

Although wildlife on Kilimanjaro is diverse, it should be noted that seeing large animals is an exception, rather than the rule. Zebras and elands are sometimes seen on the Shira plateau, and leopards and hyenas are also present, but very difficult to see. Elephants occasionally visit the forest and high plateau, but are again rarely seen. If wildlife watching is a priority rather than summiting the mountain, the less busy Lemosho (in the West) and Rongai (on the mountain's North Eastern flank) routes may be preferable. Nearby Mount Meru, in Arusha National Park, boasts easier wildlife watching possibilities in a similar mountain environment. Mount Meru is also a highly recommended 3-4 day acclimatisation climb that will increase your chances of reaching the summit of Africa's tallest peak.

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