CLIMB MOUNT KILIMANJARO
KILIMANJARO:THE FACTS
Climb Kilimanjaro, Rising 19,340 feet above sea level, Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and the world’s highest free-standing mountain.
Kilimanjaro lies 205 miles South of the Equator and stands on Tanzania’s northern border with Kenya.
The structure is composed of three volcanoes: Kibo (19,340 feet), Mawenzi (16,896 feet), and Shira (13,000 feet).
The local language in Kilimanjaro is Swahili and by the time you’ve reached the summit and returned to base with us you will have learned several local songs!
Kilimanjaro supports five major Eco-Zones: Rain-Forest, Heath, Moorland, Alpine Desert and Glaciers. All of which you will pass through on the Lemosho route to the summit.
With the exception of the Summit Zone, You may see Elephants, Buffalo, and Eland on the Northern Slopes; Black & Bhite Colobus Monkeys, Sykes Monkeys, and Tropical Boubou in the Forest Belt; and birds such as Sun Birds, Augur Buzzard, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Lammergeier and White-Naped Ravens.
The name Kilimanjaro has no certain origin, but one of the most popular theories is that it came from KILMA NJARO meaning “Shining Mountain” in Swahili. The shiny snow on the peak led nearby residents to believe that evil spirits guarded the mountain. This myth could also explain why some referred to NJARO as a Demon that caused cold.
Because they saw fellow tribe members attempt the climb only to disappear or to return deformed from frostbite, the Chagga People, who still live at the base of the mountain, for centuries had no desire to climb Kilimanjaro because they believed it was full of Evil Spirits.
In 1889, German Geographer Hans Meyer and Austrian mountain climber Ludwig Purtscheller were the first to climb Kilimanjaro.
Today, about 15,000 people attempt to climb Kilimanjaro each year, as a spiritual journey or as a personal challenge.
The current fastest recorded ascent of Kilimanjaro with the Tanzanian authorities is 5hrs 38 minutes which was completed by Italian Climber Bruno Brunod in 2001.
WHY CLIMB KILIMAJARO?
In truth the reasons why people come here are in fact as diverse as the clients we have guided to the Summit.
IT’S THE ‘DOABLE’ CHALLENGE
While there are many walking and climbing routes, both technical and non-technical, to the summit of Kilimanjaro, our preferred route is the Lemosho which allows you to acclimatize to the effects of altitude and gives you the opportunity to climb to 5980 meters, with 1200 of those meters climbed on summit night.
This represents a considerable achievement both Physically and Mentally which should not be Underestimated or Undervalued. Indeed there are few other mountains in the entire world that give clients this sense of self satisfaction whilst operating in such a relatively safe and controlled environment. From this perspective we say that Kilimanjaro is a challenge for sure but a doable and highly rewarding one!
SUNRISE AT STELLA POINT
The approach to the summit of Kilimanjaro takes place at night, which can be tough going, but there are few other more spectacular and reassuring sights in the entire world than witnessing the sun rise as you approach Stella Point (5730 meters and 40 minutes from the summit) en-route to the Uhuru Peak. This spectacular sunrise has to be witnessed to be truly believed and this amazing visual feast of vivid colours and contrasting shadings will be an image that will stay with you forever.
THE JOURNEY
On Kilimanjaro Mountain, we have a saying ‘Attitude before Altitude’ and we also believe you are afforded a rare choice in life if you come here. Given the very hectic nature of many of our lives often there is very little time to reflect positively on the things that matter in life. When you come to Kilimanjaro the choice is simple; As you set off you can park all of your woes and worries and leave that accumulated ‘baggage’ on the foothills of the Mountain. Whether you choose to pick it all up again when you leave is your choice entirely, but we hope, with our help, you’ll leave it behind.
We encourage you to place a stone on the Summit that represents all of the things that you would like to leave behind you for good. By asking you to simply place one foot in front of the other and concentrate only on the next ‘step’ you are reminded how our actions on Kilimanjaro mirror the need to perhaps consider tackling issues off the mountain in a similar fashion.
Remember friends Hakuna Matata always…