Fascinating facts about Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest freestanding peak in the world, with its highest point standing at 5,895 m. It is also regarded as the highest walkable mountain on the planet, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a trekking holiday.
Travellers who decide climbing Kilimanjaro is for them will find much of interest on their trek, whether they opt for one of the quickest routes to the summit or one of the longest.
Kilimanjaro is in fact made up of three volcanic peaks - Shira, Mawenzi and Kibo. The first two of these are extinct, but Kibo is classed as dormant, with the most recent activity recorded some 200 years ago.
Should you wish to scale the highest point on the mountain, you will need to head to Uhuru Peak, on the southern rim of the Kibo crater. When you reach the top, you will be rewarded by stunning views across the plains below.
You will also find a wooden box at the summit, which contains a book where you can record your thoughts and feelings about your achievement. Nearly all the people who have managed the ascent have written in here, so you can add your personal touch to its pages.
When you begin researching your break, you will discover there are several ways to ascend the mountain. The most popular is the Marangu route, although certain tour operators, like the African Walking Company, do not offer this trail.
This is because the organisation wants its trekkers to have a unique experience that is not spoiled by a large number of people all following the same path.
In fact, if you really want to avoid the crowds, you should try the northern route, a challenging eight-day trek that combines elements of the Rongai and Lemosho trails.
Should you be limited on time, the Rongai path is one of the best to follow, as it takes around five days to complete.
Another option is the Umbwe route, which takes in the slopes on the south-western side of Kilimanjaro.
Regardless of which trail you choose to follow to reach the summit, you will be able to walk through several distinct areas of vegetation, each of which is very different.
When you begin your trek, you will be surrounded by cultivated farmland before you enter the forest a little way up the slopes. There is an abundance of wildlife here, so keep your eyes peeled for creatures such as elephants, monkeys and leopards as you walk.
Leaving the forest behind, you will come to a stretch of moorland as you continue your climb, which then gives way to an area known as the alpine desert. At this point, you will see little more than lichen or moss growing on the rocks.
Finally, you will come to the ice and snow near the summit, although it is worth noting that 82 per cent of the peak's ice cover has disappeared in the last century, according to UNESCO.
Due to its importance as a natural and geological site, Kilimanjaro National Park, which spans 75,353 hectares and covers the entire mountain, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
The park was initially set up in 1910 by the German colonial government as a game reserve and established as a National Park in 1973, although no public access was allowed until four years later in 1977.
