From the Serengeti to
Scenically, Kilimanjaro can be something of a non-event, spending most of its time with its head shrouded in cloud. But when this veil lifts, typically in the late afternoon, it’s difficult to imagine a more inspirational sight than this distinctive snow-capped outline towering a full 5km above the likes of Moshi or
For hikers, the so-called Roof of Africa – its upper slopes protected in a 755 sq km national park – is one of the world's most accessible high summits, reached via a sequence of vegetational zones spanning everything from tropical forest to arctic waste. The ascent requires no expertise, but nor should it be underestimated - sub-zero temperatures and giddying altitude changes will test anybody’s physical and mental resources, and a successful ascent is for many the achievement of a lifetime.
Vegetation and habitats
- Below 3,000 metres, jungle-like montane rainforest consists of tall hardwood trees draped in epiphytes and lianas.
- Above 3,500 metres, the pastel heathers and ample wildflowers of the lower moorland zone give way to a bleak lunar landscape dotted with surreal stands of giant lobelias and senecios.
- The Alpine zone above 4,000m receives just 250mm of rain annually, and ground temperatures might fluctuate from 30ºC to sub-zero in the course of a day, resulting in a low floral diversity dominated by mosses, lichens and other hardy species.
Wildlife
- Kilimanjaro is not primarily a wildlife destination, but black-and-white colobus and blue monkeys can be seen in the forest, which also supports elusive populations of elephant, buffalo, leopard, bushbuck and the endangered Abbott’s duiker.
- At higher altitudes, you’re more likely to see tracks and droppings than actual wildlife – though two exceptional records above the 5,000 metre contour involve a frozen leopard discovered in 1926 and a pack of African wild dogs observed in 1962.
- The forest supports a profusion of birds, most audibly silvery-cheeked hornbill and Hartlaub’s turaco. The limited range of species at higher altitudes includes ‘high altitude specials’ such as Alpine chat and scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird.
Activities
- The most popular activity is an attempted hike to the summit, which requires a minimum of five days using the
- Increasingly popular are half-dozen other ascent options, including the very scenic Machame and Rongai Routes, which are uncrowded by comparison to Marangu, but also costlier.
- Extending the expedition over six or seven days will significantly reduce the risk of altitude-related illness, which is the most usual reason for an ascent being aborted.
Getting there
- Kili climbs run through the year, but Dec-Feb offer the driest and warmest conditions, with above average visibility. July-Sep are also relatively dry but not as warm.
- You can arrange a road transfer to any park entrances from Moshi, the nearest major town, or from Arusha. However, most tour operators include all transfers in the price of the hike.
- Guides and porters are mandatory, and it is strongly recommended that all climbs are arranged through a reputable and accountable local or international operator – the savings associated with arranging a hike ‘on the street’ are minimal compared to the increased risk of something going wrong.
Where to stay
- Moshi has a full range of accommodation from basic local guesthouses to established tourists hotels, with snow-capped Kilimanjaro towering above the northern horizon.
- Good hotel accommodation in more rustic surrounds can be found at the villages of Marangu and Machame, close to the eponymous trailheads.
- On the mountain itself, the options boil down to basic hutted accommodation or camping.
Nearby places of interest
- Visitors with no ambition to climb Kilimanjaro (or who want to acclimatise first) could do worse than spend a couple of days exploring the lush forest and lovely waterfalls on the breezy foothills around Marangu, where several pleasant country hotels offer scintillating views of the peaks in clear weather.
- Turquoise Lake Chala inhabits a sheer-sided extinct caldera on the eastern footslopes of Kili – it’s a stunningly beautiful spot, but swimming in the invitingly clear water is inadvisable due to the presence of crocs.