Kilimanjaro National Park is a Tanzania national park located 300 kilometers (190 mi) south of the equator and in Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro region. The park is located near the city of Moshi. The park includes the whole of Mount Kilimanjaro above the tree line and the surrounding montane forest belt above 1,820 meters (5,970 ft). It covers an area of 1,688 square kilometers (652 sq mi), 2°50’–3°10’S latitude, 37°10’–37°40’E longitude.

Source: Wikipedia

Climmbing Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa and is the world’s highest freestanding mountain, located only 330 km south of the Equator with snow caps throughout the years. Kilimanjaro is a powerful visual symbol and a quintessential African image with its distinctive silhouette and snow-capped peak. Often referred to as the “Roof of Africa,” Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak on the African continent. It is also the tallest freestanding mountain globally, rising in breathtaking isolation from the surrounding coastal scrubland to the commanding summit at 19,340 feet (5,895 m). Three volcanic cones make up Kilimanjaro: Kibo is the summit; Mawenzi at 16,893 feet (5,149 m); and Shira at 13,000 feet (3,962 m). Uhuru Peak, the goal of most climbers, is the highest summit on Kibo’s crater rim.

Kilimanjaro

It is the highest mountain anywhere in the world that can be ascended without specialized mountaineering equipment or experience. Standing proudly on the African plains, just over 200 miles (330 km) from the equator, the mountain is large enough to have its own weather systems and five separate vegetation zones: the cultivated lower slopes, the rain forest zone, the semi-alpine heath, and moorland zone, the alpine desert zone, and the arctic zone. Average temperatures may range from a high of 90 degrees to a low of -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-40F and -40C, with wind chill).

Climbing Kilimanjaro, Which route?

Kilimanjaro has six ascent routes to the summit, such us Marangu, Mweka, Umbwe, Machame, Shira, and Rongai. Both the Shira and Lemosho routes approach the mountain from the west and use variations of the same trail, merging just above the forest of the Shira Plateau. Both routes ascend to the summit via the Western Breach or the Southern Ice fields via the Barafu Route.

Itineraries route

First, the most common route is the Marangu Route (Coca-Cola route), which ascends the mountain from the southeast. It is the only route where overnight accommodation is in specially built huts. The summit bid is via the Marangu Route, with descent made by retracing your steps.

Secondly, after the Marangu, the Machame Route (Whisky route) is the second most popular and scenic. The Machame route is a six-hour walk up a well-worn path, crossing tangled tree routes, through the rainforest to Machame Hunt. It’s tarts from the southwest base of the mountain and approaches the summit via either the Western Breach or the Barafu Route.

Thirdly, the Umbwe Route is the most direct and strenuous, as it gains height rapidly and allows less time to acclimatize. The summit bid is at the Western Breach.
However, the less frequently used Rongai Route is the only route approaching the mountain’s northeast side. The path crosses the Mawenzi, with the final summit bid made via the Marangu Route.

Each of the six ascent routes connects with a path that circles the Kibo cone, known as either the Northern Circuit or the Southern Circuit, depending on which side of the mountain you approach the summit. Also, it is possible to walk around the entire Kibo cone, but this needs to be arranged in advance.

Last but not least, three trails then lead up from this circular path to Kibo’s crater rim: the Western Breach Route (also known as the Arrow Glacier Route), Barafu Route, and a way which runs up from Kibo Huts to Gillman’s Point, best known as the Kibo Huts Route. Which of these you will take to the summit depends on the six paths you took to get this far.

Useful equipment while peak

• Gloves
• A water pouch with a tube, carrying in daypack
• Hiking boots
• Gaiters
• Treaking socks, shirts and trousers
• Rain gear
• Head lamp- torch
• Strong sunglasses, hat and suncream
• Neck over

Climbing Kilimanjaro, Best time to go

Due to Mount Kilimanjaro’s proximity to the equator, this region does not experience the extremes of winter and summer weather but relatively dry and wet seasons. Therefore, the best time to climb Kilimanjaro tends to be the warmest and driest months. January, February, and September are considered the best months in weather and the busiest months. January through mid-March are the warmest months, with clear skies in the mornings and evenings. During the day, clouds may appear, along with brief showers. From the end of March to early June is the long rainy season. Visibility may be low due to heavy clouds, but the crowds are gone. June, July, and August are good colder months. Following September and October, the short rainy season lasts from November through the beginning of December, when afternoon rains are normal, but skies are apparent in the mornings and evenings.

Full moon

Lit by a full moon, the view of the peak of Kilimanjaro and its magnificent glaciers is undeniably spectacular. For this reason, some climbers prefer to schedule their trek to coincide with the full moon. Additionally, there is a practical reason for climbing during the full moon: along with a clear sky, a bright moon will increase your visibility throughout your climb, and most importantly, during the summit attempt. A 7-day climb should start five days before the full moon to summit during a full moon.

Minimum recommended trip lengths

Machame Route: 6-7 days
8 days Machame Route

Marangu Route: 5-6 days
7 days Marangu route

Rongai Route: 5-6 days
7 days Rongai route

Shira and Lemosho Routes: 6 to 9 days
9 days Lemosho route

Umbwe Route: 5-6 days

climbing Kilimanjaro, best activity:

Mountain climbing and Cultural tourism

Mount Kilimanjaro itinerary routes;

7 days Marangu route
8 days Machame Route
9 days Lemosho route
7 days Rongai route

It’s possible to combine climbing Kilimanjaro with Zanzibar beach holiday or Safari!

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