Africa Attractions

Two hundred and five miles south of the equator, situated on Tanzania’s border stands Africa’s highest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro, it is also the world’s highest free-standing mountain at 19,340 feet (5,896 metres). Consisting of 3 extinct volcanoes (Kibo, Mawenzi & Shira), Kilimajaro’s eco-zones is protected by four (4) national parks being; Kilimanjaro National Park which covers 753 km² of the mountain, the Amboseli National Park to the north, Tsavo National Park to the east and the Arusha National Park with covers neighbouring Mt Meru.

There are 5 major eco-zones on the snow-capped Kilimarjo which include rainforest, alpine desert, moorland and glaciers, but the ice capped mountains of Kilimanjaro are fast being eroded away due to global warming and could be completely gone in 20-40 years.

In the lower regions of the Mt Kilimanjaro wildlife such as elephants, buffalo and monkeys can be encountered as well as a variety of bird-life including the mountain hawk eagle.

The name Kilimanjaro is believed to have originated from the Swahili tribe, and in 1889 a German geographer Hans Meyer and an Austrian mountain climber Ludwig Purtscheller are believe to be the first to climb Kilimanjaro.

Today approximately 15,000 attempt to climb the mountain every year, the climb does not require any technical climbing, the trails are relatively safe and as long as you do not have any serious physical ailments and are able to run or engaged in any physical exercise for 30 minutes or more it’s more than likely you will be able to master the climb of Kilimanjaro.