Destinations: Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro, the roof of Africa, the tallest solo standing Mountain in Africa, is found in Tanzania in the Northern Region of Kilimanjaro within the Kilimanjaro National Park a volcanic mountain, dormant ofcourse. Kilimanjaro has the height of 5895m covering 6500km². It was officially established as a National park in 1973 under TANAPA authority, it’s comprised of a variety of vegetation changing with height. The people in these areas around Kilimanjaro are the chagga Tribe, famous for the banana trees you will see on your way.

The first time Mount Kilimanjaro was documented was in by Johannes Rebmann in 1848 a German explorer and later Hans Meyer would be the first European to summit Kilimanjaro to the peak in 1889.

Mount Kilimanjaro has 6 major routes,

1. Marangu Route, located in the east is 5-6 days adventure track and is best accessed from Kilimanjaro region. It is also with Bandas in every point and thus requires less equipments such as tents for shelter. Marangu as a geographical loction is an evergreen vegetation with rich history and lots of beautiful waterfalls connecting to the mountain.
2. Machame Route, is on the road Moshi-Arusha, Machame is one of the busiest routes, a 7 days route full of adventure and lots to discover. Unlike Marangu which has huts the rest of the routes are for campers and tents are mandatory.
3. Lemosho/Shira Route, this route is the west, the closest to Arusha, a 8-11 days route, it is said that the longer you take the more likely you are to make it to the Top of Africa. Increasingly attractive this has always brought positive feedback from our clients, well, they all have, but the most interesting thing about this route is you get to see the most of the mountain and explore two routes, as you will descend to Mweka gate.
4. Umbwe route, is also another route located between Mweka and Machame route, the shortest and the most challenging route in approach to reaching the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Umbwe is in the south a five days trek would conquer this magnificent route, physical fitness is on high alert in this approach.
5. Rongai Route, the eastern approach to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro, the route lays along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. Thick vegetation in these parts of the mountain. It’s one of the roads less travelled, would be best for people who aren’t fans of crowds. It is also the driest after, a few kilometers from the gate. Would recommend this during the stormy season April and May where climbers are likely to stay dry and warm while the south remains stormy and cold. Rongai is a 6-7 days climb route.
6. Mweka Route, mostly used for descending due to its steepness. Mweka remains that way different from the others. You can climb from all routes and descend from Mweka gate. It’s in Kibosho another part of the Chagga land.

 All these leading to the top and the floor of Mount Kilimanjaro. There’s also an interesting way to explore Kilimanjaro by going around the mountain, Biking. This is also in both camping and tenting depending on the interest of the adventurer, it can also be by driving where mostly you will visit the surrounding areas of Kilimanjaro all the way around. However, you find it interesting, exploring it your way is what’s important.

Mount Kilimanjaro can be accessed from either Arusha or Kilimanjaro region, it largely depends with the route you are going to use and what your after dates are like. For those that go to safari in the northern circuit Arusha would be best, for those that go to Mkomazi and the east, Kilimanjaro is the ultimate best.