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SAFARI
ITINERARY
MOUNT
KILIMANJARO
 
Mount Kilimanjaro
National Park is 128km from Arusha town, which covers an area of
755sq km (about 470sq miles), and Kilimanjaro is the crown of
Tanzania. Rising in absolute isolation, at 5895 meters (19,339
feet), Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain and one of the
accessible high summits, a beacon for visitors from all around the
world. Most climbers reach the crater rim with little more then a
walking stick, proper clothing and determinations. Kilimanjaro can
be climbed at any time of the year but the best is considered to
be from August-October and January to March. It is wet in the
rainforest during the rains in April, May, June and November.
December through to February is the warmest months
At
5895, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest, as well as the
youngest, of the three volcanic peaks of East Africa, Mount Kenya
5,199 m and Elgon 4,321m being the other two. Their oldest lava
may be only some 1 Million years old, and small-scale activities
on the Kibo peak has probably taken place within the last couple
of hundred years. Kilimanjaro is a “Central Vent” type of
Volcano, which gives it an oval shape in plain view.
The
dimension of its base are about 80 x 48 km, elongated in the East
– South – East direction. The older rock of its three main
peaks are broadly similar, being mainly trach basalts, dark grey
rocks containing lighter co loured feldspar crystals. The younger
rock of Kibo is, however, of a different composition, and includes
nephelirites and nepheline – synites which contain glassy
crystals of nepheline.
Of
the three peaks, Shira to the west at 4006m is the lowest as well
as the oldest of them. Its original crater has undergone
considerable erosion, leaving only part of the former rim.
Mawenzi
to the east rises 5149m and has a steep craggy profile, due in
part to intensive action of glacial ice. Kibo, the central peak is
the youngest and best preserved of the three. Its crater area has
a complex structure consisting of a number of more or less
concentric features. There is an outer caldera not larger than
2.5km in diameter, resulting from an eruption followed by the
collapse inwards of part of the summit.
The
highest point, Uhuru peak is on the southern rim of Kibo Caldera.
Within the caldera is an inner cone some 820m cross, which also
contains another cone and crater called the Reusch Crater, some
340m in diameter.
ROUTES
Marangu Route
The main tourist route and by far the most popular route and some
claim the easiest route to Uhuru Peak. The 5-day option, which is
available on this route, makes it the least expensive route on the
mountain. A 6-day option with an extra day of acclimatisation is
however also available. This is the only route, which provides
comfortable sleeping huts, equipped with beds and mattresses at
every campsite. Mineral water, soft drinks, beer and chocolates
are also sold at every camp. All the camps on this route have
radio contact with the Park Headquarters
Machame
Route
This is probably the most scenic and most beautiful route to the
summit. The 6-day route is however physically more challenging
than the Marangu route. The day walks are longer and steeper,
however the summit night is one hour shorter. The scenic traverse
of the Western Breach offers some stunning views! Only tented
accommodation available, which can be less comfortable and will
require a good sleeping bag and hiking mattress.
Umbwe
Route
This route is one of the shorter but also one of the more
difficult routes to reach Uhuru peak--but quiet spectacular. Umbwe
is known for its caves. The first night you actually sleep at the
Umbwe Cave Camp with two more caves that can be visited on route
the following day. Also sometimes used as a descending route.
Shira
Route
The Shira Plateau is one of the most scenic and most fascinating
areas on Kilimanjaro. Depending on the weather conditions you can
drive by 4 wheel drive vehicles, to within a 1/2 hours walk of
Shira Hut (4000m). Even this drive is very spectacular indeed and
offers some magnificent views of Mt Meru and the Great Rift Valley
in general. Game is often sighted and the road features some
striking vegetation changes ranging from forest, grassland, heath
to moorland. The fast ascend by vehicle to about 4000m will
require additional acclimatisation, after which it will be
possible to ascend Uhuru Peak either via the Western Breach or via
the Barafu hut
Mweka
Route
This route can only be use as a descending route for all the
western routes.
Lemosho
Route
It is a remote, unspoiled and very beautiful route to the Roof of
Africa. The forest around the Lemosho Glades is rich in big game
animals such as elephant and buffalo, which may sometimes require
a game ranger to accompany climbers on the first day. This route
is however a long route which requires 7-days for a comfortable
completion, which also makes it more expensive
Rongai
(Naro Moru) Route
You can start this route from both the Tanzanian side of the
border or from Rongai in Kenya, but all park fees and arrangements
must be made at the Marangu gate. The route may only be used for
ascend and the Marangu route must be used for descend. There are
several big caves along the route, which are used by the porters
to overnight for the first two nights.
Western
Breach / Arrow Glacier
An alternative final ascend route which can be taken from all of
the western routes, sleeping at magnificent Arrow Glacier on your
summit night. The western Breach poses a very difficult walk up
steep scree with some rock scrambling occasionally required. Snow
cover makes scree easier but an ice axe is then required. It is
also possible to sleep an extra night inside the Kibo Crater
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