Northern Tanzania
Mount Kilimanjaro
The Roof of Africa — 5,895m of Pure Adventure
Best Time
January–March (warmest, clearest)
Park Fees
$0/person/day
UNESCO
No
Area
1,668 km² (national park)
Key Wildlife
Colobus Monkey, Blue Monkey, Elephant
Field Notes
About Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) and one of the world's most iconic mountains. Unlike other major peaks, Kilimanjaro requires no technical climbing skills — it's a trekking mountain, making it accessible to anyone with good fitness and determination.
The mountain is actually a stratovolcano with three cones: Kibo (the highest and the one trekkers summit), Mawenzi (a jagged peak popular with technical climbers), and Shira (a collapsed cone forming a plateau on the western side). Kibo's summit, Uhuru Peak, features glaciers that are rapidly receding due to climate change.
What makes Kilimanjaro truly unique is its ecological diversity. Starting in tropical rainforest at the base, the mountain passes through heath, moorland, alpine desert, and finally the arctic summit zone — five distinct climate zones in a single trek. You'll see colobus monkeys on Day 1 and glaciers on Day 6.
Seven established routes offer different experiences: the scenic Machame and Lemosho routes, the direct Umbwe, the hut-based Marangu, the remote Rongai, and the challenging Western Breach. Each route varies in duration, difficulty, scenery, and crowd levels.
Itineraries
Safari Packages Including Mount Kilimanjaro
Sightings
Wildlife Highlights
Logistics
Practical Information
Fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), 50km from Moshi. Drive from Arusha to any route gate takes 1–2 hours. Most trekkers stay in Moshi before and after the climb.
Field Q&A