KILIMANJARO:

THE BASIC FACTS

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1. Dormant volcano: Kilimanjaro is made up of three volcanic cones: Kibo (the highest), Mawenzi, and Shira.

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2. Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain in the world. It is 5895m (19,341ft) above sea level at its highest point, Uhuru Peak. Before reaching Uhuru Peak trekkers pass by Gilmans Point and Stella Point.

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3. The mountain is situated in the East African republic of Tanzania. It is in the north of the country, right against the border with Kenya.

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4. The mountain actually has three summits, of which Kibo is the largest and highest. It is also the only one that has snow and glaciers on it all through the seasons.

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5. The mountain and its surrounding forests were designated a game reserve in the early part of the 20th century. In 1973 Mount Kilimanjaro National Park was established to protect the mountain above the tree line as well as the six forest corridors that extend downslope through the montane forest belt. The park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

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6. Location: The mountain is in Tanzania, near the border with Kenya, and sits on the equator.

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7. Though people say ‘climbing Kilimanjaro’, it is not technically a climb, it is a hike. There is no climbing involved, a long sometimes steep walk.

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8. Summit: The highest point is Uhuru Peak on the Kibo cone, which is named after the Swahili word for "freedom". 

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9. Longer treks increase success: The longer your itinerary, the more time your body has to acclimatize, which increases the likelihood of reaching the summit. 

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10. The first recorded successful ascent was by Hans Meyer from Leipzig with Austrian companion Ludwig Purtscheller, in October 1889.

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Climatic and ecological facts

 

1. Diverse ecosystems: The mountain's altitude creates five distinct climate zones, making it a journey from a tropical rainforest to an arctic desert.

 

2. Shrinking glaciers: The mountain's glaciers are rapidly melting due to rising temperatures and could disappear completely in the coming decades.

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3. Unique flora and fauna: It is home to unique plants, some of which are endemic, and many species of mammals.