"Kilimanjaro, the Everyman's Everest, is a seemingly easy climb.."

Some are looking for adventure, some are searching for answers. Many will talk to God during the climb. Some will pray as they gasp for breath in the cold, thinning air of the mountain's summit. Kilimanjaro, the Everyman's Everest, is a seemingly easy climb.

Mount Kilimanjaro lies on the border of Tanzania and Kenya, just south of the Equator. To the west lies the Great African Rift Valley, created by tremendous tectonic forces which also gave birth to a string of other volcanoes. One of these, Mount Kenya, was originally much higher than Kilimanjaro.

Kilimanjaro routes Marangu route Machame route Lemosho route Rongai route Umbwe route Western breach route

The three summits of Mount Kilimanjaro, Shira, Kibo and Mawenzi are all of very recent origin. Shira and Mawenzi both have suffered considerable erosion and only jagged peaks remain. Kibo, the central, youngest and highest peak has survived as an almost perfect cone.

Kilimanjaro is a must for adventure seekers coming African safaris. Although East Africa and nearby Olduvai Gorge is thought to be the cradle of mankind it is unlikely that early man would have been attracted to the steep and cold slopes of Kilimanjaro at a time when it was probably very active and dangerous. A Wachagga legend talks of Mawenzi receiving fire for its pipe from his younger brother Kibo.

The Wachagga who live on the fertile volcanic soils around the base of the mountain probably only came to the area about 300 years ago thus this legend suggests very recent activity.

Arab and Chinese traders and historians make mention of a giant mountain lying inland from Mombasa or Zanzibar but few early traders ventured into the interior of the continent. Slave traders passed below it and sometimes raided the villages of the Wachagga but it was not till the middle of the 19th century that a more serious interest was taken in the mountain and attempts were made to scale it.

In 1848 Johann Rebmann a missionary from Gerlingen in Germany while crossing the plains of Tsavo saw Mount Kilimanjaro. His guide talked of baridi - cold, and of tales how a group of porters were sent up the mountain to bring back the silver or other treasures from the summit. They came back only with water. Rebmann's report stimulated great interest in Germany and in the following years several expeditions were organised; first by Baron von Decken then later by Dr. Hans Meyer who finally stood on the highest point on the 5th of October 1889.

Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, now attracts many thousands of walkers each year. On the 1st of January 2000 over 1000 people reached the summit to see the sun rise over a new Millennium

When to Climb
Kilimanjaro can be trekked all year, with advantages and disadvantages each month. Mid-December, Jan, Feb and March are the warmest months, almost clear of clouds. April and early May could get heavy rain or snow, but is good if you want a quiet clear mountain. By late June, July and through August it can be very cold at night but the sky is clear above 3000 metres so there are great views. Through September and October it gets steadily warmer. October is particularly good if you want little or no rain, mild weather and few people on the mountain. November to mid-December is the short rains season. Possibly afternoon thunderstorms but tends to clear in evening with good views at night and mornings. There can be heavy snow towards the summit. All Kilimanjaro treks are challenging and you need a good level of fitness.

Vacations in Kenya    Mt Kenya