The Mountain
About Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, rising to 5,895 metres (19,341 feet) above sea level. Located in northern Tanzania near the town of Moshi, it is the tallest free-standing mountain on Earth, a dormant volcanic massif that towers above the surrounding savanna plains in one of the most dramatic geological formations on the planet.
Unlike many of the world's great peaks, Kilimanjaro requires no technical climbing equipment: no ropes, crampons, or ice axes on the standard routes. What it demands instead is physical fitness, mental determination, and the patience to acclimatize properly. With the right guide, the right route, and the right mindset, Kilimanjaro is achievable for most healthy adults.
The Five Ecological Zones
One of Kilimanjaro's most extraordinary features is its journey through five distinct climate zones as you ascend:
800-1,800mCultivated Zone
Coffee plantations, banana groves, and Chagga villages
1,800-2,800mMontane Forest
Dense rainforest with blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, and 140+ bird species
2,800-4,000mHeath & Moorland
Giant heathers, giant lobelias, and the dramatic Shira Plateau
4,000-5,000mAlpine Desert
Stark, arid landscape. Temperature swings of 40°C between day and night
5,000-5,895mArctic Summit Zone
Glaciers, ice fields, and Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa