ABOUT THE MT. KILIMANJARO

Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. Standing at 5896 m / 19,340 ft, Kilimanjaro rears up out of the surrounding African plains to form a snow-capped challenge for any hiker. It is a mountain in the northeastern of Tanzania, and includes the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak, which is done through one of the Seven Summits. Previously thought to be extinct, Kilimanjaro has now been confirmed as merely dormant and may still erupt at some point in the future. Hence, it is a giant Strato-volcano, not currently active, but with Fumaroles that emit gas in the 1½ mile wide crater on the main summit of Kibo that eventually leads to the point Uhuru.

The climb to Uhuru Peak is considered to be a relatively straight-forward endeavor; however, ample time must still be provided for proper acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness. A young mountain in geological terms, Kilimanjaro was formed around 750,000 years ago as lava flowed from faults in the Great Rift Valley. Two other peaks that lie on extinct volcanoes are Mawenzi Peak at 5149 m / 16,890 ft, the third highest peak in Africa (after Mount Kenya), and Shira Peak at 3962 m / 13,000 ft. Due to the mountain’s gentle slopes and lack of large cliff faces, it is one of the few mountains of the world easily tackled by the non-technical climber. Most basically fit people can make it to the peak, although your chances are improved if you take time to acclimatize to the altitude rather than rushing the trip. There are a number of routes available for climbers, including the easiest and most popular Marangu route, the scenic Machame route, and the steep but fastest Mweka route.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is possible at any point during the year (though the best chances for clear weather are January-February and June to September—the dry seasons); hence, due to the mountain's equatorial location as well as its high elevation, climbers can experience almost every climate type on earth during the journey to the top, as Kilimanjaro is also known for its all year round snow topped summit. In addition to being a challenge for mountaineers, Kilimanjaro is also a National Park filled with unusual plants and animals that change as you rise in altitude. There are five distinct vegetation zones on the mountain, each with its own appeal.

The first zone is on the lower slopes, from 800 – 1800 m / 2624 – 5905 ft. This zone is outside the park and is used for cultivation and livestock. Human habitation has changed natural scrub and lowland forest into grasslands and farms. You'll find small animals in this area, such as bush babies and Genet cats, but very few larger animals. This area is excellent for bird watching however with sunbirds, mouse birds, and robin chats in abundance.

The second zone is between 1800 – 2800 m / 5905 – 9187 ft and is mostly covered by forests. Over 96% of the water that falls on the mountain originates from this zone. Frequently covered by fog, the tall date palms, fig trees, junipers and olive trees are festooned with lianas and moss. This area contains the majority of the mountain's wildlife, with Colobus monkeys, leopard, elephant, bushbuck, reedbuck, duiker and bush pigs that are all common.

The third vegetation zone, located between 2800 – 4000 m / 9187 – 13,120 ft is classified as a low alpine zone. Heath, moorland, heathers, tussock grasses and grasses cover this area. Small animals are found in this area; mole rats and other rodents are the most common. Birds of prey often visit this area, with buzzards, eagles and ravens that are the most often spotted. Highland desert makes up the fourth zone, ranging from 4000 – 5000 m in altitude / 13,120 – 6400 ft. Only the very hardest of plants survive in this area where temperatures drop below zero degrees centigrade at night and frozen ground water uproot plants. Bare, rocky slopes are covered with hard lichens, the odd tussock grass and moss balls. Very few animals live at these altitudes, with just a few insects and spiders found deep in the tussocks.

The final vegetation zone is the summit area. Starting at 5,000 m / 16,400 ft and continuing to the peak, this area has Arctic conditions. Crusty lichens and the very occasional spider are the only forms of life in this area where virtually all water is permanently frozen. Bare rocks, snow and ice form the landscape here. A superb park for hiking, even if the summit is not your aim, Kilimanjaro offers a wonderful experience to all its visitors.

THE 7-DAY MT. KILIMANJARO CLIMB

There are 2 popular routes; namely, the Marangu route, commonly known as the “Coca Cola” route, and the Machame route, also known as the “Whiskey” route. Kiliclimb initiative will use Machame route which is the most scenic route on the mountain. With the Machame or South Circuit route, we will circle halfway around the mountain with great views from all angles. This route is approximately 40km versus 20km on the Marangu route. It will comprise of strolls and everyday hikes through the montane forest, the moorland, across, the semi-desert and Alpine desert and finally Uhuru, through boulder fields and scree.

The expedition will be done over a period of 6 days, so acclimatization is easier, and the success rate is fairly high. One benefit of the Machame route is its quick rise to relatively high elevations and a short ascent to the Lava Tower site before descending back to Barranco Camp on the same day. This follows a climber’s motto of ‘climb high, sleep low’, which helps in altitude adjustment. The initial steep ascent will help you acclimatize better. Below is overview of the Machame route that will be taken.