17 Interesting Facts About Mount Kilimanjaro

Everyone knows that Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. But did you know that a group of local tribesmen reside permanently on the mountain?

There are many more interesting facts about Mount Kilimanjaro. And today, we’ll be happy to share as much as we can with you, so you can become familiar with the place.

Keep reading to get up and close with the ‘Roof of Africa’.

  1. It is the tallest mountain in Africa

At 5,895 meters, Mount Kilimanjaro boasts the greatest height among all the mountains in Africa. It towers proudly over the plains and grasslands of Tanzania, and is at least 2,000 feet higher than its closest competitor, Mount Kenya.

  1. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain in the world

Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. A freestanding mountain is one without any nearby mountain of equal height.

It exists because erosion has washed away the other rocks on the surrounding landscape. This is why the terrain around such mountains is usually flat or slightly sloped.

Freestanding mountains like Mount Kilimanjaro are usually composed of hard, erosion-resistant material.

  1. It is one of the Seven Summits

The Seven Summits are the tallest mountains across each continent of the world. By virtue of its height, which is the topmost of all mountains in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro belongs to this group. The other six mountains in the ‘Seven Summits’ group are as follows:

  • Mount Everest in Asia
  • Mount Aconcagua in South America
  • Mount McKinley in North America
  • Mount Kosciuszko in Australia
  • Mount Elbrus in Europe
  • Vinson Massif in Antarctica

  1. A group of Swahilis called the mountain Kilimanjaro

After visiting Tanzania, a German explorer and linguist named Johann Ludwig Krapf stated that the Swahilis along the East African Coast called the mountain Kilimanjaro.

According to him, the name ‘Kilimanjaro’ is derived from a combination of two elements: ‘Kilima’, which means ‘mountain’; and ‘Jaro’, which means ‘caravans’. Apparently, the mountain got this name because people could see caravans from afar while standing on the hill.

Other scholars speculate that the suffix in Kilimanjaro is actually ‘Njaro’, meaning ‘Whiteness’— an appreciation of the shining ice cap on the mountain.

  1. Mount Kilimanjaro is the permanent home of the Chagga people

Chagga Tribe 17 Facts about Mount KilimanjaroA large group of people belonging to the Chagga tribe have resided on the mountain for thousands of years. This tribe was once known for performing elaborate rituals, ranging from puberty rituals, circumcision, bride fattening, and burial rites. But, due to their constant contact with German missionaries, they have since eliminated that part of their culture.

Today, the Chagga people live in beehive huts and rely on farming for their livelihood. They’ve developed the otherwise barren landscape into fertile farmland for growing crops like bananas, sweet potatoes, and coffee. They have also invented an organized surface irrigation system to maintain their farmlands.

  1. Mount Kilimanjaro has existed for over 500,000 years

No one knows when Mount Kilimanjaro was actually discovered. But what’s certain is that the Chagga-speaking people of Tanzania have lived in the mountain for at least 500,000 years.

Mount Kilimanjaro originated from the eruption of three volcanic cones: Shira, Mawenzi, and Kibo. After a while, Shira and Mawenzi went extinct, leaving Kibo a solid foundation to grow into Kilimanjaro.

  1. There is snow on the mountain

Although snow is rare in Africa, you can find it in large amounts on high mountains like Kilimanjaro. This is because such mountains only contain minimal airflow. So, when moist air hits the rocks, the absence of airflow enables the air to rise and cool until it turns into snow.

The best time to find snow on the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro is during the rainy seasons (March – June and November – December). Rainfall deposits enough water for the mountain to convert into snow.

  1. Mount Kilimanjaro is only dormant, not extinct

Although Mount Kilimanjaro has not erupted in a long time, it could experience an upsurge in the future. The last eruption took place only 200 years ago, and it dispersed tiny volcanic cones and vapor across the peak.

  1. There are nine different routes you can take to the summit

There are nine different routes you can take when hiking Mount Kilimanjaro: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Northern Circuit, Rongai, Mweka, Umbwe, and Western Breach.

The Marangu route is the oldest, and the only one with permanent accommodation for trekkers. There are many huts on this route where you can stop for the night.

However, it has a low success rate.

The Machame route is one of the best for first-time hikers at Mount Kilimanjaro. This is because the majority of the slopes on this route maintain a similar altitude level, thus providing enough time for climbers to adapt to the hike.

The Lemosho route is the most beautiful of all the routes to Mount Kilimanjaro. The trails on this route are lined with a stunning rainforest, which boasts tons of wildlife like small lizards, blue monkeys, and colobus monkeys.

The Shira route is another old route that bears a close resemblance to the Lemosho route. The difference between them is that the Shira route has a relatively high altitude, especially at the beginning of the trail.

The starting point of the Shira route is the Morum Barrier, and it is located west of the Uhuru Peak.

The Northern Circuit Route is the longest route to the mountain. Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro through this trail lasts an average of 9 days— enough time for trekkers to acclimatize to the high altitudes of the mountain.

This must be why almost all the people who use the Northern Circuit Route reach the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Compared to many of the Kilimanjaro routes, the Rongai route is less crowded. Only about 10% of yearly climbers take this route. It starts at the Kenyan border and moves downwards towards the peak of the mountain.

The Mweka route is mostly only used for descending because of its extremely steep terrain.

However, some pro hikers and athletes use the route for climbing up the mountain. If you decide to take the Mweka route while heading down the summit, you should visit Mweka Huts, a mobile tent camp, to pass the night.

The Umbwe route is the shortest route to Kilimanjaro. Despite the low hiking duration, this route has the lowest summit success rate. The success rate of the Umbwe route is so low because the landscape doesn’t encourage gradual acclimatization.

The Western Breach route is perfect for experienced hikers who love extreme sports. This route remains the most dangerous because of the melting glaciers that surround the trails.

When these glaciers melt, they release bound-up rocks. Such incidents could lead to a bad fall for climbers taking the route.

  1. Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller were the first people to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro

Hans Meyer was a German explorer and mountaineering expert who had always displayed a keen interest in maps and other geographic literature. While studying at the university, Meyer explored mountains like the Andes in the US and Mount Rwenzori in the Congo.

Ludwig Purtscheller, on the other hand, was a lover of outdoor adventures as a young child. This initial interest birthed a passion for mountaineering in his teenage years. He joined hiking clubs and alpine expeditions. Even when he got hired as a physical education teacher, he still found time to take frequent excursions to the Alps.

In 1887, Hans Meyer made his first attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, aided by Baron Eberstein. But he couldn’t reach the peak because he lacked the necessary equipment and knowledge to conquer the mountain.

Meyer tried hiking the mountain again with a fellow geologist named Oscar Baumann in 1888. Unfortunately, it was another failed attempt. This time, the geologist failed because he was captured by Swahili and Arab rebels, who were undertaking an armed uprising.

Hans Meyer finally made it to the summit on his third attempt, and this success was informed by two main factors. First, his choice to partner with Ludwig Purtscheller, who had recorded several successful ascents in the Alps. The second factor was his decision to climb the mountain with an experienced local guide, Yohani Kinyala Lauwo, who provided excellent advice and support.

  1. Karl Egloff made the fastest climb of Mount Kilimanjaro

The current record holder for the fastest climb of Mount Kilimanjaro is a Swiss mountain runner named Karl Egloff. On August 13, 2014, he spent a total of 6 hours 56 minutes to ascend and descend Mount Kilimanjaro. This event remains a feat, seeing as most people spend at least six days to reach the Kilimanjaro summit.

  1. Old and young have conquered the mountain

Although hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro requires moderate fitness levels, it is not out of limits for older people. In fact, someone as old as 89 years old—Anne Lorimor— has reached the top of the mountain before.

And she wasn’t the only elder to successfully complete the hike to Uhuru Peak. 86-year-old Angela Vorobera and 88-year-old Fred Distelhorst are other seniors who scaled the journey to the peak.

Even some children, though few, have set foot on the mountain’s summit. At just a bit over six years old, Cobalt Tanner, from New Mexico, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro all the way up to Uhuru Peak.

  1. Hiring a guide is compulsory for all climbers of Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro National Park stipulates that every climber must be accompanied by a registered guide. If your tour is self-planned, you’ll have to hire a tour guide separately. And finding a good, experienced guide for Kilimanjaro is no easy feat.

But if you work with a tour operator like Climbing Kilimanjaro, you get assigned to a tour guide as part of your tour package.

  1. Over 30000 people attempt to hike Mount Kilimanjaro every year

According to National Geographic, at least 30,000 people embark on the hike to the top of the mountain. But only about half of them reach Uhuru Peak.

  1. The mountain routes are littered with wildlife

The forests surrounding Mount Kilimanjaro contain about 154  mammal species, ranging from elephants and blue monkeys to aardvarks and tree hyrax.

Unfortunately, many of these animals stay away from humans and hide themselves in the thick bush. So, it might be difficult for you to see them.

That said, some climbers have claimed to see monkeys hanging on nearby trees.

  1. Temperatures drop with every climb

As you ascend Mount Kilimanjaro, the temperature will become colder— whether you make the hike in the dry or rainy season. Remember to pack warm clothes, so you’ll be able to withstand the freezing weather.

  1. Altitude sickness usually starts after 3000m

Most hikers on Mount Kilimanjaro start experiencing altitude sickness once they’ve climbed above 3000m.

Altitude sickness is a type of acute illness that occurs at high altitudes. The reason for this sickness is that the body hasn’t adjusted to the drastic change in altitude and the drop in oxygen. Symptoms of altitude sickness are headache, breathing difficulties, and vomiting.

The best way to cure altitude sickness is to descend a few steps. If you don’t want to go down, you can sit and rest until the illness subsides.

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Don’t Just Learn About It

What’s the fun in just learning about Kilimanjaro? You should visit and climb the mountain to experience it fully.

Visit our contact page to learn more about how to plan your Mount Kilimanjaro tour.

Which is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro?

Best Route for Kilimanjaro Climbing

Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa, with Uhuru being the highest point on the African continent, and this has made it one of the top bucket list destinations for many tourists. A Kilimanjaro climb is not an easy fit, regardless of the hiking route you are using, but with the right preparation and team, you can still make it to the summit. seven routes can be used to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, with each of these having its advantages and disadvantages.

So, Which is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro? Choosing the best Kilimanjaro route to use depends on several factors, like what you would like to experience while hiking, your level of preparedness, prior climbing experience, the acclimatization process, the cost of the hike, and your accommodation. Below is a list and breakdown of each of the hiking routes.

Factors that determine which route is best for you on Mount KIlimanjaro. 

Which is the most scenic route on Mount Kilimanjaro?

Answer: Lemosho Route is the most scenic. The route starts from the west, is the most scenic route among all the routes since it offers spectacular views of the mountain from different directions. 

If you want the highest chance of summiting Uhuru peak, the best route to climb Kilimanjaro is the Lemosho route and Machame route for 7 or 8 days. These give excellent acclimatization and an easier summit night.

Most challenging route?
Answer: Staying at the crater camp is the best option if you are looking at the most challenging route because almost 1% of the hikers make it to the summit, and you need special permission to use this route.

Which is the quietest route? The Rongai route is the quietest route on Mount Kilimanjaro, and it is the only route that approaches the mountain from the north.

The most popular route on Kilimanjaro?

Answer: It is Machame is the most popular Kilimanjaro route.

Which is shortest route to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
Answer: It is Umbwe is the shortest, hardest, and steepest route on Kilimanjaro.

Which route on Kilimanjaro has the best Accommodation? 
Answer: It is Marangu, which is the only route that offers hut accommodation.

Which route on Kilimanjaro has the Acclimatization?

Answer:  Machame, Lemosho, and the Northern Circuit offer the best acclimatization to hikers.

Marangu Route: 70 km

Which is the best route to climb KilimanjaroThis is commonly known as the Coca-Cola route (because Coca-Cola soda used to be sold in all the dormitory huts along the route) or the tourist route due to its popularity among tourists because many believe that it is the easiest route on Mount Kilimanjaro. The Marangu route is the oldest and the only route on the mountain that has dormitory-style huts, unlike others where only camping can be carried out.

At a distance of 70km, the Marangu route can be hiked in five or six days with a steady and gradual climb. The beauty of using the Marangu route is that hikers can get to the summit in a short period and have good accommodations.

The downsides of using the Marangu route include not being more scenic since you have to use the same route for the ascent and descent, being always crowded, especially during the peak season, not offering proper acclimatization, causing altitude sickness symptoms, and having a low success rate.

If you are not a fan of camping throughout the week and do not mind crowds, then the Marangu route is the best option for you.

Rongai route: 74 km

Starting from the north of Mount Kilimanjaro, Rongai is the easiest route on the mountain and the most preferred to use during the wet season since it receives little or no rainfall. It is one of the shorter hikes up Mount Kilimanjaro because it ascends much faster compared to other routes. It still has low traffic, although it is gaining popularity with hikers who would wish to hike in a remote and quiet environment away from the busy and more crowded routes.

Rongai’s scenery is not as varied as the routes in the west, but it makes up for it as it goes through the wilderness, giving hikers a chance to spot a few wild animals. It is a moderately difficult hike taking a minimum of either six or seven days (we highly recommend seven days), and it is recommended for hikers with less hiking experience. The Rongai route does not offer proper acclimatization as it does not usually follow the climb-high and sleep-low pattern, comes with a fully catered camping experience, and has an extremely tough hike on summit day.

Umbwe route: 48 km

The Umbwe Route is the shortest hike on Mount Kilimanjaro and, at the same time, the most difficult hike, which should only be attempted by hikers who have enough experience with altitude hiking and are confident. Umbwe is a steep climb and does not offer proper stages of acclimatization, which makes the summit success rate very low. It is a rarely used hike that can be hiked in five or seven days, comes with low traffic, and we usually discourage hikers from using this route.

Lemosho route: 67 km

The Lemosho route is one of the most recently introduced routes on Mount Kilimanjaro and is almost similar to the Shira route since it was introduced to make a better starting point for hikers who were using the Shira route, which starts at a high altitude. The Lemosho route starts from the west, crossing the Shira ridge to Shira camp, and for the first few days, hikers encounter traffic and only start meeting other hikers when they join the Machame route.

This is considered to be the most beautiful Kilimanjaro route, where hikers get panoramic views of the mountain from different angles. It is a highly recommended route that has a high success rate, a good and proper acclimatization process with the climb high and sleeps low process, great scenery, and low traffic.

Northern circuit: 88 km

The Northern Circuit is a highly recommended route for all hikers, has the highest success rate, and is the longest route on Mount Kilimanjaro with an 88-kilometer distance. This is the most recently introduced route approaching the mountain from the west, and the hike follows the Lemosho route at the start (first two days), but unlike Lemosho, which follows the southern side, the northern circuit branches and follows the rarely used and hiked northern slopes.

The Northern Circuit can be hiked in eight or nine days, offering hikers good acclimatization with the climb-high and sleep-low process. The route has a low number of hikers, and the beautiful scenery makes it one of the best routes to use for a Kilimanjaro hike.

Shira route: 58 km

Also approaching Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, the Shira route was the original route before the introduction of the Lemosho route to improve the starting point of the hike and add variation. Shira is a more varied route as compared to the Lemosho route; however, we recommend the Lemosho route over the Shira route because the former offers better acclimatization and hikers start getting altitude sickness symptoms right from the first day of the hike, which starts at around 3600m above sea level.

Shira Route can be hiked in six or seven days, but we highly recommend the seven days for proper acclimatization. And although there are fewer people on the Shira route as compared to the Machame trail, Shira is still more expensive.

Machame route: 61 km

Also known as the Whiskey Routes, Machame is one of the most popular routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, more difficult than the Marangu route, and one that we highly recommend. It is a hiking route that is best suited for adventurous hikers and those who have prior experience with steeper mountain climbs. The route is good for acclimatization because you get to climb high and sleep low, you get to take on the Barranco Wall, and it is the route that will take you to the highest point on the African continent.

The Machame Route starts from the south, with the hike continuing to the east through the different zones before summit day. It offers beautiful scenery; the minimum number of days it can be hiked is 6 and 7, with the 7 days being highly recommended. Due to the heavy traffic experienced on the Machame route, especially during the dry season, the route becomes too crowded, losing some of its splendor.

Whichever route you decide to use, make sure that you are mentally and physically prepared for the hike. To have a successful climb, you should have the right hiking gear, hike slowly, and acclimatize to avoid altitude sickness.