Mount Kilimanjaro is the crown of Tanzania. With an altitude of 5895m, it is the highest peak in Africa, the highest freestanding mountain in the world, and one of the largest volcanoes. The base of the immense mountain has a diameter of about 70 km. On a clear day his impressive formation can be seen from more than 160 km away, and although it is only three degrees below the Equator, his peak is permanently covered with snow and ice. Elephants, leopards, lions and colobus monkeys are among the residents of the park.

The encircling rain forests ensure the fertility of the lush, lower lying countryside, where the Chagga cultuvate their coffee, maize and bananas. Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed most of the year, although it is inadvisable during the rainy season, which is April and May, and during the short rains in November. The summit of Kilimanjaro is definitely a challenge, and there are risks involved, but it can be reached by any reasonably fit person who enjoys hiking, and reaching the summit will be an experience of a lifetime!

There are five principal hiking trails up the mountain: Marangu, Mweka, Umbwe, Shira and Machame with the most popular - and crowded - being Marangu which takes about five days.

West Kilimanjaro a concession area to the west of Mt Kilimanjaro and South of the Amboseli National Park in Kenya. The drive to West Kilimanjaro is exciting as you are treated to views of the foothills of the majestic Kilimanjaro and occasionally that of its peaks should the cloud cover permit it. As you approach the concession area you will drive through fertile farmlands and villages, see workers carrying their hoes on their way home from the farms before the vegetation changes into the dry savanna. Apart from the wide open savanna you will have a view of Mt Kilimanjaro as well as that of Mt Meru Animals from the neighbouring Amboseli often wander into West Kilimanjaro and on a game drive you can see some of the largest elephants as well as the gerenuk, kudu, oryx, vervet monkeys. As this is a concession area, you also have the opportunity of getting closer to nature on a bush walk accompanied by a guide.

Accommodation in Kilimanjaro

Images of Kilimanjaro