30/04/2018
THE 7 NATURAL WONDERS OF AFRICA
5. MOUNT KILIMANJARO
Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the largest stratovolcanoes in the world reaching 19,340 feet (5,895 m) into the air. As the tallest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro is also the tallest free standing mountain in the world. Kilimanjaro is a composite volcano that includes layers of lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. The volcano is currently inactive with no known history of eruptions. Mount Kilimanjaro has seven distinctive peaks with Uhuru Peak accounting for the mountains highest elevation at 19,341 feet (5,895 m). A 1.5 mile wide crater is featured as part of the Kibo portion of the mountain. The high elevation and proximity to the equator allows visitors to experience a variety of climate types. Kilimanjaro also features a year round snow-topped peak. Although the volcano is isolated, it is part of the line of volcanoes that reach across northern Tanzania. Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania just south of the border between Tanzania and Kenya. Specifically, it is located at the coordinates of latitude: 3°4′33″S and longitude: 37°21′12″E. Mount Kilimanjaro is found just outside the city of Arusha, Tanzania. Although many people fly into Arusha when visiting Tanzania, there is an international airport near the mountain appropriately named, Kilimanjaro International Airport.
The best view of Mount Kilimanjaro comes from approaching the mountain from the northern Kenya side. The majority of pictures seen in magazines and travel guides feature this view. However, the best way to experience Mount Kilimanjaro is through taking a trek up and around the mountain
The six official trekking routes include Machame, Marangu, Lemosho, Rongai, Shira, and Umbwe. The easiest trek comes from the Rongai route, however this is also the least scenic. Machame is one of the more challenging treks, however it does offer the most attractive and scenic views. No matter which route you take, you will need to plan at least 5 to 7 days for the trek allowing for both travel and more importantly acclimation to the altitude. Visitors who plan to trek up Mount Kilimanjaro need to evaluate their own physical abilities. It is imperative to understand that even experienced trekkers will fall victim to some level of altitude sickness. The summit of Kilimanjaro is high enough that either high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) or high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) can occur. You should at least expect to experience shortage of breath, headaches and some elements of hypothermia. Taking 7 days versus 5 days creates a better chance for you to acclimate easier and reduce the altitude effects. Although the summit of Kilimanjaro can be reached through a walk and is not technically a climb, it is still a strenuous trek. According to the Kilimanjaro National Park, only 41% of trekkers actually reach the peak. Plan, prepare and train if you look to explore Mount Kilimanjaro and experience this wonder of nature to the fullest. For all practical purposes, you should plan on experiencing the trek and the views versus encounters with wildlife. Although in the forested area of the mountain there are reports of baboons, civets, leopards, mongooses, honey badgers and servals, they are rarely seen. You could see blue or colobus monkey as they scamper the trees. Your best bet is to focus on the trek, views and acclimation to the altitude. You will have a better chance to view wildlife after getting down from the mountain and exploring Ngorongoro Crater or the Serengeti.