Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest peak in the world on which you can walk. It would seem that snow and Africa are two incompatible things. Nevertheless, the top of Kilimanjaro is covered with white snow all year round. Kilimanjaro is an amazingly beautiful and unique place, which is filled with interesting facts and legends.
- Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the Seven Summits.
The Seven Summits are the highest mountains of the seven continents. The height of Mount Kilimanjaro is 19,341 ft. (5,895 meters) above sea level.
- The exact origin of the name Kilimanjaro is not certain.
The word Kilimanjaro came from the Swahili word ‘Kilim’ and the word of local KiChagga people ‘Njaro’ meaning white Mountain.
- Kilimanjaro has another name
Local KiChagga people call Mount Kilimanjaro ‘Kilema Kyaro’. The word Kilema means not easy and the word Kyaro means to conquer. Jointly, those words mean that is a hard mountain to conquer.
- The territory of the Kilimanjaro has the status of a National Park.
Kilimanjaro was included in the UNESCO world heritage list in 1987.
- Mount Kilimanjaro is located in the Northeastern part of Tanzania.
Kilimanjaro National Park was established in 1973. However, the park was opened for tourists only in 1977.
- Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain in the world.
At almost 20 000 feet (6096 m) it rises above the clouds.
- Kilimanjaro is one of the highest former volcanoes in the world.
The last time the major volcanic eruption happened at Kibo crater 360 000 years ago.
- Kilimanjaro did not have a major eruption for 360, 000, there were only landslides.
However, regularly, clouds of gas are seen on top of the Kibo. This means that the summit may collapse, which in turn will cause an eruption.
- A former volcano consists of three peaks.
The First Is Shira. It is located in the West of Kilimanjaro. The second is Mawenzi, located in the East of Kilimanjaro. According to tourists, it is a beautiful volcano. The youngest and most unpredictable of the three volcanoes is Kibo.
- Kibo is the highest point of Kilimanjaro — the Uhuru peak.
Uhuru peak is the youngest and central of the three peaks, which is covered with snow and glaciers all year round. The peak attracts tourists for climbing and various expeditions.
- Kilimanjaro is a peak accessible to people with no climbing experience.
Climbing this unique mountain can give you an amazing adventure, the impressions of which will not fade for many years…
- German geologist Hans Meyer, an Australian climber Ludwig Purtscheller with the local guide Yohani Kinyala Lauwo are the first climbers of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Hans Meyer made first attempts in 1887 and 1888. But those attempts were unsuccessful because he did not have equipment for snow and ice. Their next attempt was successful. They climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for the first time in 1889.
- People from all over the world come to see the highest mountain, conquer it and see the snow of Kilimanjaro.
Every year approximately 30,000 people climb Kilimanjaro. Unfortunately, due to altitude sickness, many of them fail. Despite the difficulties, many people of different ages managed to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
- Currently, the youngest person who has climbed Kilimanjaro is Keats Boyd from Los Angeles.
In 2008, when he reached the summit, he was just seven years old. What is even more interesting is how he managed to dodge the age rule for small climbers, which is 10 years old.
- Climbing routes to Kilimanjaro.
Two of them are equipped with shelters and huts: Marangu (local “Coca-Cola” ) and Machame (“Whiskey”). The other four are camping routes Lemosho, Umbwe, Shira and Rongai. For the descent there is a separate route — Mweka, they return those who made the ascent of Kilimanjaro by Machame, Lemosho, Umwa or Shira.
- Kilimanjaro has certain rules
It is impossible to organize ascent independently. To obtain a permit (the climbing license) the mediation of a Tanzanian tour operator is required. This is the rule of the Kilimanjaro National Park.
- Moshi-the city locates at the foot of Kilimanjaro.
The city is situated 49.7 miles (80 km) East of Arusha. It is the starting point for visiting Kilimanjaro National Park or climbing the mountain.
- The record-holder among the conquerors of the Kilimanjaro.
In 2001, Bruno Brunod from Italy overcame the Marangu route in just five and a half hours.
- While climbing to the highest peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, you may meet these fascinating animals.
Most of them are lesser-known animals which include Civet, Serval, Genet, Tree-hyrax, Crested Porcupine, and Aardvark.
- Kilimanjaro is associated with many legends.
The local people believe that Gods live on the top of the Mount Kilimanjaro, and dwarfs settled in caves, and ravines hunt and collect berries and roots. In addition, some believe that evil spirits live on the mountain, which, according to the locals, controls the weather on Kilimanjaro.
- Currently, the ice and snow on the top of the mountain are melting.
Some scientists even believe that the Kilimanjaro volcano is gradually waking up. As a result, mountain heats up and melts the snow and ice. Nevertheless, the theory is not proven yet.
- Is Kilimanjaro dying?
Over the past hundred years, the volume of ice has decreased by more than 80%. Scientists predict the complete melting of glaciers in the coming decades.
- The beauty of the Mount Kilimanjaro captivates all people.
The landscapes of the mountain are unique and beautiful. It is recognized as the natural treasure of the earth.
- The flora and fauna of Kilimanjaro are extremely rich and diverse.
In the lower part of the mountain, at an altitude of 1000 meters, there are savannas inhabited by monkeys, leopards, servals, and honeyeaters.
There are coffee plantations on the lower slopes of the mountain, although one can see growing bananas and corn crops.
- The majestic Kilimanjaro volcano was a Muse for many creative personalities.
Books were written, films were made, and songs were dedicated to the Mount Kilimanjaro. Among the most famous literary works that mention the African Mount is Ernest Hemingway’s “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” (1936).
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