Mount Kilimanjaro

mountain massif in Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania

Kilimanjaro (or Kilima Njaro, which means "shining mountain" in Swahili), formerly Kaiser-Wilhelm-Spitze, is a mountain in northeastern Tanzania. Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain rise in the world, rising 4600 meters (15,000 ft) from the base, and is the highest peak in Africa at 5,895 meters (19,340 ft).[5] It gives a dramatic view from the surrounding plains. Almost 85% of the ice cover on Kilimanjaro disappeared from October 1912 to June 2011.

Mount Kilimanjaro.jpg
The Kibo summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Highest point
Elevation5,895 m (19,341 ft) [1]
Prominence5,885 m (19,308 ft) [2]
Ranked 4th[3]
Isolation5,510 kilometres (3,420 mi)
Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania
Kilimanjaro's location in Tanzania
Kilimanjaro is located in Africa
Kilimanjaro (Africa)
LocationKilimanjaro Region, north east Tanzania
Parent rangeThe Eastern Rift mountains
Topo mapKilimanjaro map and guide by Wielochowski[4]
Age of rock3 million years
Mountain typeStratovolcano
Last eruptionBetween 150,000 and 200,000 years ago
First ascent6 October 1889 by Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller
Easiest routeHiking

Kilimanjaro is also a strato-like volcano. It has explosive eruptions. The last major eruption was about 100,000 years ago.

Climbing and acclimatizationEdit

There are 6 routes up Kilimanjaro: Lemosho, Machame, Marangu, Umbwe, Rongai and Northern Circuit.[6]

Since there are big differences in height, climbers can feel Altitude sickness. 7-, 8- and 9-day routes are recommended (especially for beginners), as on them it will be easier to adapt to less oxygen in the air. The more time is spent being on the slope, the easier it is to acclimatize.[7]


  1. "Kilimanjaro National Park". World Heritage List. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2015. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  2. "Kilimanjaro". Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2012. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  3. "World Peaks with 4000 meters of Prominence". Archived from the original on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  4. Kilimanjaro Map and tourist Guide (Map) (4th ed.). 1:75,000 with 1:20,000 and 1:30,000 insets. EWP Map Guides. Cartography by EWP. EWP. 2009. ISBN 0-906227-66-6. Archived from the original on 2015-07-17. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  5. NHK, "Kilimanjaro: White Mountain of the Equator -- Tanzania, 5,895 m"; retrieved 2012-5-24.
  6. "Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing". Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  7. "High Altitude Acclimatization on Kilimanjaro | Climbing Tips for Beginners". Retrieved 2018-01-18.