Mount Kilimanjaro
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is probably the ultimate climbing holiday in Africa! As well as being the ‘Roof of Africa’, Africa’s highest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro is also the world’s premier free standing volcano. At 5895m Uhuru Peak towers over vast African plains. The different culture and wildlife Tanzania has to offer complement the unsurpassed natural beauty you will see all over the mountain. Kilimanjaro National Park consists of the entire Tanzanian part of the iconic mountain, above the 2700m contour line.
There are five vegetation zones to experience whilst climbing Kilimanjaro. The first zone is the fertile Lower Slopes are cultivated and support a dense population. Wild flowers are also prolific in this area. Zone two the Montane Forest covers the lower slopes between altitudes of 1800m and 3000m. Zone three Between 3000m and 4000m lies the Moorland Zone. The slopes are covered in heath-like vegetation and an abundant array of wild flowers. Zone four is the Alpine zone above an altitude of 4000m Mt Kilimanjaro becomes very dry, classified as semi-desert with an annual rainfall of less than 250mm. The Arctic Zone five starts at an altitude of 5000m. Virtually no rainfall and little permanent life make for quite a barren landscape. Mount Kilimanjaro is relatively young and was formed by Rift Valley’s main volcanic activity. It first erupted about one million years ago. Kilimanjaro is equally fascinating to geologists, birdwatchers and botanists, providing spectacular scenery from glaciers to lush tropical forest.
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