6 Mount Kilimanjaro facts
Kilimanjaro or Mount Kilimanjaro as it is sometimes called is one of the most popular trekking peaks in the world. A Kilimanjaro Trek requires no technical skills and any fit person can reach the summit. You can reach Kilimanjaro from the UK on flights direct into Kilimanjaro Airport, Africa.
Where is Kilimanjaro?
Kilimanjaro is situated on the Tanzanian/Kenyan border and the Mountain can clearly be seen rising above the African plains whilst on Tanzania safari. Kilimanjaro’s Weather is very different in each of the climate zones, ranging from tropical heat through the rain forest to sub-zero temperatures on the summit.
We’ve compiled six interesting facts, which will help you undertake a trekking adventure to the Kilimanjaro.
1. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain on the African continent and is the tallest free-standing volcano in the world. Kilimanjaro’s height in meters is 5,985 or 19,340 feet and the summit is clearly visible from Kenya. The classic images of Giraffe are taken from within the Amboseli national park, just over the border into Kenya. Mount Kilimanjaro is at the southern edge of the Great African Rift, a section of East Africa which is slow moving into the Indian Ocean. This creates an immense amount of volcanic activity and if you like rocks, you’ll be amazed at the size of some of the rocks which started inside the mountain and now lie strewn across the Mars-like landscape.
2. From the 5,895metre (19, 341 feet) summit of Kilimanjaro, you’ll be able to stand in awe at witnessing something amazing, the curvature of the earth. This very unique and privileged experience is often reserved for passenger airlines or Everest summiteers, this makes reaching the summit Kilimanjaro even more precious. Not only this, depending on which time of year Kilimanjaro is climbed, you could be the highest person in the world… How cool is that?
3. Kilimanjaro is known as a dormant strata volcano! The last major eruption was 360,000 years ago, the last activity was only 200 years ago, this which resulted in the creation of the ash pit, which trekkers can see today from the summit. It is said that the lava or magma is only 1 kilometre below our feet, which is pretty amazing. Due to the hight of Kilimanjaro, glaciers have been on the summit since before records began when they used to cover the entire summit, making reaching the top impossible. Unfortunately, the glaciers are now in retreat and some estimate they will completely disappear in the next 20-years.
4. Kilimanjaro has 3 volcanic cones, Kibo, Mwenzi, Shira. The Shira cone has now been eroded by the weather and the passage of time, which has left amazing plateaux, over which the views to Kibo are unbroken. Mwenzi is clearly visible from Barrafu (Base) camp and it keeps a watchful eye on us as we ascend towards Stella point on summit night. During the cold dark summit night, I keep a watch on Mwenzi waiting for the dawn glow on the horizon, when this appears I know we are nearly at Stella point and only 50-minutes away from fulling many dreams.
5. Did you know? Kilimanjaro is the only place on Earth where you can walk from the equator to the Arctic in 7-days, pretty special ah? This is only possible due to Kilimanjaro’s unique ecological system starting on the plains of Africa, starting you pass through dense rain Forrest, Heathland, Moorland, Alpine Desert until you reach the Arctic zone. Each day is different and the higher we climb the more unique the landscape becomes. If you’ve ever thought about walking on Mars, then this is the closet landscape to that experience.
6. Over 25,000 people attempt to summit Kilimanjaro each year, with approximately 2/3 being successful (we have a 100% success rate). To have a greater chance of summiting the mountain, choose treks which are 7-day’s (or longer), this will increase your chances by 21% over a 6-day trek. Check with your tour operator to make sure the working conditions, pay and welfare of your porters are well documented and they have a proven record. Also, your life will be in the hands of the guide and support team, choose wisely! and remember you get what you pay for…
Be sure to Live your dream and do something amazing today.
Remember! One day is not a day!
Have a super day,
Darren – founder Mountains in Mind.
