MOUNT KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK

Without a doubt, climbing Kilimanjaro is one achievement in your life and of course of the world's great adventures and challenges in the world. Kilimanjaro the name itself is a mystery wreathed in clouds. It might mean Mount o f Light, Mountain of Greatness or Mountain of Caravans. Or it might not. The local people the Wachagga don’t even have a name for the whole massif only kipoo (and now know as Kibo), for the familiar snow peak that stands imperious overseer of the continent the summit of Africa.

Kilimanjaro, by any name, is a metaphor for the compelling beauty of East Africa. When you see it you understand why. Rising in absolute isolation at 5,895 metre Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain and one of the world’s most accessible high summits, a beacon for visitors from around the world. Most climbers reach the crater rim with little more than a walking stick, proper clothing and determination.

Those who reach Uhuru Point the actual summit. A journey up her slopes takes you on a climatic world tour, form the tropics to the arctic. The grassy and cultivated lower slopes turn into lush rainforest inhabited by elusive elephant, leopard, buffalo and antelope. Higher still heath and moorland covered with giant heathers, becomes surreal alpine desert and finally ice snow and the magnificent beauty of the top of the continent.

The Various routes to the Summit:

THE MARANGU ROUTE – 7 Days 6 Night ( 5 Days on Trek )

Marangu route known as the 'Coca-Cola' route, because it is the most popular route up the mountain this is the easiest route to take to ascend Kilimanjaro, offers walking on gentle forest and moorland paths up to 4700m.  Above, screen leads to Gillman's Point on the often snowy crater rim which is followed to Uhuru Peak. Accommodation is in the huts.

THE MACHAME ROUTE – 8 Days 7 Nights ( 6 Days on Trek )

Machame routes is more physical demanding and tougher.  Steep forest paths, easy scrambling and airy ridges lead to the final screen and hence the crater. Accommodation is camping in the mountain dome tents.

RONGAI ROUTE – 6 Days 7 Nights ( 5 Days on Trek )
This route is less tourist route,  fast gaining in popularity and is considered to be one of the easiest routes up the mountain. It is the only route starting from the north side of the mountain at Rongai a small village close to the Kenya border. The climbing conditions are drier on the northern side of the mountain and there are spectacular sweeping views over the broad flat Maasai lands. Overnights are spent camping in tents. The summit is reached via the east side of Kibo and the descent is via the Marangu route.