Overview
Mt Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania. It is the tallest mountain in Africa. This means that it is one of the seven summits of the world. One of the interesting Mt Kilimanjaro facts is that only two-thirds of climbers reach the summit. Climbing is the main activity in Mount Kilimanjaro. But climbers can also spot some species of animals and birds.
Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro
Mt Kilimanjaro is in Mt Kilimanjaro National Park. It is the highest mountain in Africa. It rises to 5,895 meters above sea level. It is a famous tourist destination in Africa. This volcanic mountain is located in Tanzania. It has 3 volcanic cones known as Shira, Kibo, and Mawenzi. Kibo is the highest cone. It rises to 5,895 meters.
You can use 7 main routes to reach Mt Kilimanjaro summit. Tourists need to choose one of these routes to hike to the summit. These routes are Rongai, Umbwe, Lemosho, Shira, Marangu, Machame, and Northern Circuit routes. These routes are considered safe for the Mt Kilimanjaro hike. But they differ in several ways. Some routes allow climbers to walk high and sleep low. This helps the body to adapt to different oxygen levels, which prevents acute mountain sickness. Other routes have the best success rates than others. This means that more climbers reach the peak via these routes. Your tour operator will help you pick the best route.
Wildlife
There are many species of wildlife in the forest zone. The most common species are elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, monkeys, antelopes, rhinos, and hyenas among others. You can spot some of these animals while hiking. Game viewing is not a priority at Mt Kilimanjaro. Most visitors have one goal, which is to climb the mountain. If you want to enjoy game viewing, consider other national parks in Tanzania. For instance, Serengeti National Park is a great place for wildlife viewing.
Birdlife
Mt Kilimanjaro is in Mt Kilimanjaro National Park which is home to more than 150 bird species. Climbers can spot some of these species while hiking. Some of these species are the white-necked raven, grey hornbill, African fish eagles, and long-tailed trogon. Migratory birds from north Africa and Europe are also common in the park.
FAQs about Mt Kilimanjaro
- Where is Mt Kilimanjaro located?
Mt Kilimanjaro is found in the northeastern part of Tanzania. It borders Kenya to the south. It is on the northeast side of Arusha. It is located at 3.0674° S and 37.3556° E. It is located in Mt Kilimanjaro National Park. It is easily accessible by road or air transport.
- Which is the best route to reach Mt Kilimanjaro peak?
Lemosho and Machame routes have the highest success rate. Most people who have used these routes have reached the highest peak. These routes give the body enough time to adapt to low oxygen levels at different altitudes. This helps to prevent acute mountain sickness that attacks most climbers.
- Is climbing Kilimanjaro safe?
Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro is safe. Over 100,000 people climb the mountain successfully every year. But climbing has its risks. Several Mount Kilimanjaro deaths are reported every year. The main cause of these deaths or falls is Acute Mountain Sickness. This can be avoided by not climbing the mountain too high too fast. The body needs time to adapt to changing oxygen levels. This is an important Mt Kilimanjaro fact. Set at least two days at different altitudes for successful acclimatization.
- Which is the best time to visit Mt Kilimanjaro?
The best time to climb Mt Kilimanjaro is between August to September and between January to February. These are the driest months in the region. Traffic is high during this season. The rainy season is between October to December and March to May. Climbing routes may become slippery during these months. The Mt Kilimanjaro hike may be difficult.
- How to get to Mt Kilimanjaro
To get to Mt Kilimanjaro, fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport. It is in the southwest part of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. Many airlines fly directly to this Airport. You can fly to the airport via Kenya or Dar es Salaam. You can also get there by road. Bus transfers are available to Moshi or Arusha, the starting points of the Mt Kilimanjaro hike