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Mount Kilimanjaro
National Park
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Kilimanjaro
Climb |
Tanzania
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Mount Kilimanjaro
National Park
|
Kilimanjaro
Climb |
Tanzania
Introduction:
A visit to the highest mountain of
Africa and exploring the flora and fauna
of this region should be a must on your
cards if you are looking forward to a
visit to Tanzania in the near future.
There is an amazing quality of wildlife
and flora in this region and a trek to
Mount Kilimanjaro can be one of those
precious moments of your life, which you
would never like to forget.
Situated in the North Tanzania between
Moshi River and Kenyan border
Kilimanjaro National Park covers entire
region of the Mount Kilimanjaro. The
park region includes the moorland and
highland zones, Kibo, Mawenzi peaks and
Shira Plateau. The park is situated
close to Indian Ocean and influences the
climate of this region immensely by its
size and height.
What to do
Trek to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro,
experience the amazing world of wildlife
in the National Park and appreciate the
natural beauty of the region that is
still untouched despite all the
interference we have created
City at a Glance
Latitude 2°50’ - 3°20’S
Longitude 37°00’ - 37°35’E
Area 756 Sq Km
Altitude 1,830 m to 5,895 m above sea
level
History
The German colonial government declared
Mt. Kilimanjaro and the park as a game
reserve in the early part of this
century. In 1921, the area was further
gazetted as a forest reserve. After 52
years, in 1973, a government notice
reclassified the area as a National
Park. The park was opened for public
viewing in 1977 and from then onwards
there has been a regular flow of
travellers and trekker into this region.
In 1989, UNESCO declared the National
Park as a World Heritage property.
Today, Mt. Kilimanjaro and National Park
is one of the most visited places in
Africa by the tourists who wants to test
their energy and enthusiasm against the
challenge that is it.
Weather and Best Season to Visit
The best time to visit Kilimanajaro
National Park is from July to October
and from December to March. From March
to June is the season of long rains in
Tanzania while from November to January
is the period of short rains. Long rains
are much severe and it is difficult to
achieve anything by going there in that
season.
Attractions
Flora
Entire park region in itself is an
attraction and it is difficult to decide
what to mention first. Montane forest,
moorland, upland moor, alpine desert,
and alpine bogs represent the vegetation
of the park. Major plants and trees
present in the park are health/scrub
plants, grasses like Cyperacease, two
distinct forms of giant groundsel on the
upper Mount Kilimanjaro, Senecio, giant
lobelia, Podocarpus specie, camphorwood,
and understorey of ferns.
Fauna
Inside the park, a number of mammal
species have been recorded above the
treeline. Some of them are elephants (Loxodonta
African (v)), several species of
rodents, grey duiker Sylvicapra grimmia
and eland Taurotragus oryx, bushbuck
Tragelaphus scriptus, red duiker
Cephalophus natalensis, and buffalo
Syncerus caffer. Bird species like
lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus, hill chat
Cercomela sordida, Hunter's cisticola
Cisticola hunteri, and scarlet-tufted
malachite sunbird Nectarinia johnstoni
have also been found but most of them
are few in numbers.
Mt. Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest
mountain in Africa and one of the few
freestanding mountains in the world. It
is a challenge for every trekker and
mountaineer to climb summit. Being home
to some of the most uncommon wildlife
and vegetation types in the world gives
Mt. Kilimanjaro a personality of its
own. John Rebmann, a German, was the
first person to sight the peak in 1949,
but geographer Hans Ludwig Meyer was the
first person who could reach the summit.
Major points that can be climbed are
Mawenzi and Kibo.
WHERE TO STAY
There are lodges and camps that provide
decent accommodation for the travellers.
Mandara, Horombo, and Kibo have the
tourist complexes where you can get the
lodging and food arrangements. Camping
and hut fees in the park area is $40 per
day per person. Moshi is the nearest
large city at a distance of around 38 km
and some good accommodation options are
available there.
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, Mount
Kilimanjaro Travel, Mount Kilimanjaro
National Park Vacations: Mt. Kilimanjaro
National Park is situated in the
northern part of Tanzania and covers the
entire region of Mount Kilimanjaro,
highest walkable summit in the world.
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, Mt.
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
About Mount
Kilimanjaro : Mount
Kilimanjaro Climbing
KILIMANJARO is the highest mountain in
Africa and the tallest freestanding
mountain known to man. It is a mountain
where you can hike for more than 90
kilometers, gain 4 000 meters in
altitude, traverse rain forest,
moorland, alpine desert, snow fields and
ice cliffs, all virtually on the
equator! A truly unforgettable and
fascinating adventure.
Some History
Kilimanjaro has intrigued modern man for
the past century. There's no denying
that the human spirit thrives on
exploring and conquering the unknown.
Although it was spoken of in the second
century, Mount Kilimanjaro was only
"discovered" by the western world in
1848, when the German missionary
Johannes Rebmann came within sight of
the mountain, explored the area and
traversed the lower slopes. He submitted
his findings to the Royal Geographical
Society, but his description of a
snowcapped mountain in eastern
equatorial Africa was doubted by these
"experts". During the following years
there where a number of unsuccessful
attempts by various explorers to conquer
the summit and it was only on the 6
October 1889 that Dr. Hans Meyer, with
Ludwig Purtscheller an experienced
alpine mountaineer, managed to reach the
summit successfully. The expedition
consisted of many porters, guides and
advisors. It took the intrepid Meyer
almost 6 weeks to reach the summit, 6
times as long as it takes the average
climber today. At the centenary of this
climb in 1989 one of their Tanzanian
guides was still enjoying live at an age
of 118 years!!
The Topography
Kilimanjaro rises from plains at
approximately 2000 meters, right up to 5
895 meters. An ancient volcano, it now
lies dormant except for some tell tale
signs of fumaroles in the ash pit. Two
other peaks, namely Mawenzi and Shira,
flank the main peak of Kibo. These peaks
form spectacular photographic backdrops
when viewed from various vantage points
along the routes to the summit.
The different routes to the summit pass
through five ecological zones, being the
cultivated lower slopes, Montane forest,
heath and moorland, alpine desert and
the ice capped summit.
The lower slopes of the mountain are
mainly used for agricultural purposes.
The climate here is ideal for the
production of coffee, an industry that
Tanzania is famous for. Further up, a
rain forest belt encircles the mountain
up to about 2 00 meters. As you proceed
higher, you pass through the heath which
changes into moorland, semi-desert at
altitude, progressing into total desert
and finally into an alpine region with
permanent ice glaciers. The higher
slopes are covered with scree, loose
stones resembling gravel, making it more
difficult to negotiate. The main
glaciers edging their way down the
slopes of Kibo are Heim, Rebmann, Decken,
Arrow and some smaller ones. These
glaciers form the permanent ice cap of
the mountain, although they are, as a
result of global warming, believed to
receding each year.
The Climate
Being only 3 degrees south of the
equator, Kilimanjaro is influenced by
the passage of the Inter-tropical
Convergence Zone. There is a constant
feeling of summer, and there are two
rainy seasons to keep in mind. The
highest rainfall occurs from March
lasting until about the end of May. This
is monsoon time. Slightly less rain
falls during the short rainy period,
which occurs from around October to
November, but can extend into December.
Apart from these factors, climbing
Kilimanjaro remains fairly constant
throughout the year.
The maximum rainfall occurs in the
forest belt, where it can reach up to
2000 mm per year. At the summit, which
can be, describe as a "high altitude
desert", the rainfall reaches less than
100 mm per year. Rain (and snow at
higher altitudes) can however be
encountered at any time of the year.
The average temperatures at the foot of
the mountain is 25°-30° C and on the
summit, it can range from minus 10° -20°
C. At 3000m the day temperatures range
from 5°-15° C, and at night frost is
normally encountered. Clearly a large
variation, making it more interesting to
summit the mountain.
How difficult is the climb-can I do it
About 22,000 climbers set out every year
to conquer the Kilimanjaro peak. Several
well-marked hiking routes lead to the
summit of the mountain. To use the word
"climber" is not always correct.
Although none of these hikers routes
really requires mountaineering skills,
hiking to the "roof of Africa" is
physically and mentally demanding and
should not be under estimated. As much
as 40% of those who set out to climb
Kilimanjaro turn back before they reach
Uhuru peak.
Today, hikers make up the bulk of all
those who conquer Kilimanjaro, and the
mountain is in fact one of the highest
peaks accessible to hikers in the world.
Of course there are extremely severe
climbs available, including some grade
3+ climbs, but those we leave to the
professional alpine climbers and
experienced mountaineers. The
information on this website is primarily
concerned with the hiking routes, which
"the average hikers" can follow
successfully.
With the adequate preparation any
reasonably fit person above the age of
12 years can reach the summit
successfully, in fact the oldest person
to date to reach the summit was a
Frenchman Valtee Daniel at an age of
87!!
Preparation both physically and mentally
is the keywords for success-- this web
site contains valuable and comprehensive
information obtained from 9 years of
experience and through the feedback from
more than 4300 clients. We believe it
will positively contribute to your
chances of successfully conquering
Kilimanjaro.
CHOOSING A ROUTE
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!
Technical climbs
No Technical climbs or adventure
activities such as paragliding, cycling
or skiing are aloud on Mt. Kilimanjaro.
TIPS AND PLANNING FOR SUCCESS:
What To Know
We boast of
years of experience in leading hikers
and climbers to the summit of
Kilimanjaro. Our experienced guides have
a proud summit success rate averaging
between 96% - 98% and have safely guided
over 5500 clients to the top of the
mountain. This internet guide aims to
provide the potential Kilimanjaro
climber with valuable and accurate
information on climbing Kilimanjaro,
which will hopefully contribute towards
increasing your chances of a successful
summit attempt. We have complied this
information over years of experience as
well as from feedback from previous
clients. From all the information
provided in this guide, the tips listed
on this page is probably the most
important.
Before The Climb
Be properly equipped
An essential part of your preparation
will be to ensure that you are well
equipped for your summit attempt. Print
our final checklist and mark it off, to
ensure that you are. Click on Final
Checklist to get to this very important
step in your preparation.
Be physically prepared
It is important that your body is
adequately prepared for the physical
challenges of Mount Kilimanjaro. We have
developed a fitness training program
which will assist you in getting your
body in shape for your Kilimanjaro
summit expedition.
Mental preparation
It is possible to summit Kilimanjaro
successfully. Many before you have
succeeded. This should be topmost in
your mind when preparing for the summit
attempt. You should always remain in a
positive state of mind, but not overly
arrogant. Try to anticipate various
different scenarios, which you may
possibly encounter on the mountain and
try to work out the most suitable course
of action, mentally by yourself or even
as a group. Your mental stamina will,
with out a doubt, make the really
difficult sections, like from Kibo to
Uhuru or from Barafu to Uhuru, easier to
complete. Remember if you are properly
equipped, you have taken everything as
indicated on the final checklist, you
are physically prepared and have all the
knowledge gained from this internet
guide - you will be mentally confident
for the physical part of Kilimanjaro..
Adequate travel insurance
Make sure that you have adequate travel
and medical insurance, which will also
provide you with cover for the climb up
Kilimanjaro.
On The Mountain
Go slowly
Go slowly - "Pole Pole" as they say in
Swahili! This is also very important
during your first days of climbing. Even
if you feel well, slow down and enjoy
the scenery.
Drink enough water
Make sure that you drink at least 3 - 4
liters of liquid a day - preferably
water. For your first day it is
recommended that you take along fresh
water, which may be purchased at the
hotel in Moshi or
Arusha before your climb. Try to
get the bottles with the screw tops,
this way you will also have containers
in which to take water further up the
mountain. Running water on the mountain
is safe to drink from day-2 onwards, but
care should still be taken. If you are
not used to fresh water in nature,
prevent any inconvenience by using water
purification tablets. REMEMBER! A
functioning "body water balance" is one
of the keys to a successful climb!
Walk high - sleep low
If possible and especially on your
acclimatisation day "walk high - sleep
low" Try to do a short evening stroll to
a higher altitude and then descend to
sleep at the camp at a lower altitude.
This is essential on your
acclimatisation day.
Climb light
Climb as lightly as possible, this
becomes even more important on your
summit night.
Extra weight will slow you down and will
also make breathing more difficult.
Packing
Remember that you will be on the
mountain for at least 5 or 6 days. You
need to take enough clothing, especially
socks to last for this period. Due to
frequent rainfall as well as numerous
streams on the routes, it is advisable
to pack items individually in your bag.
These individually packed items should
be wrapped in plastic bags to prevent
them from getting wet in case of rain or
of being accidentally dropped in a
stream.
Clothing
You will require the correct underwear,
thermal hiking socks, gloves (preferably
mittens), warm head protection, rain
coat, sunglasses and sun protection
cream. Also remember your hiking boots,
hiking/running shoes (it is not
necessary to walk with boots or climbers
shoes until the last sections where
scree and rocks are encountered), and
very importantly, a walking stick /
ski-pole. One of the most critical items
of clothing is a an outer jacket. You
want it to perform the functions of
keeping you warm, protect you at
temperatures of as low as minus 25
degrees Celsius, keep the wind out and
yet still "breath". Try to avoid tight
fitting clothing or underwear. This will
hamper circulation, causing either cold
or discomfort on the mountain. A
balaclava is a must, as it will protect
your face against cold, wind, sun and
snow. Other clothing like shorts,
sweaters and T-shirts are strongly
recommended, especially during hiking on
the lower slopes, when the day
temperatures are still high.
The only way to ensure that you are
dressed warmly is to follow the
principal of wearing the correct
clothing layers, starting from against
the body. A common mistake made by
climbers is to wear almost everything
they have and to start off with cotton
against the skin. Cotton absorbs
moisture perfectly, and moisture trapped
against the skin will result in a
definite lowering of the body
temperature, which could even lead to
hypothermia. It is therefore very
important to use proper thermal
underwear with "wicking" properties (a
fabric which has the ability to draw
moisture away from the body) and thus
enabling it to evaporate to the outside.
The middle layer should provide the
insulation and a product like polar
fleece will be adequate in this regard.
The outer layer should be windproof,
waterproof and breathable. Products like
Ventex, Goretex or Jeantex offer these
properties. Short of altitude and
physical exertion, cold is one of the
most serious obstacles when attempting
to summit Kilimanjaro. After securing
your booking with us, you'll receive a
comprehensive document, to guide you
through the steps of purchasing the
correct gear.
Take a ski - pole
A ski - pole is essential. Use of ski
poles reduces external and internal
loads on the knee joint by up to 20%.
Using 1 ski pole is a must, but 2 poles
are recommended. Buy one or hire one but
take one with you.
New batteries
Replace your head lamp and camera
batteries with new ones on your summit
night.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
AMS commonly affects people at high
altitude, who are not accustomed to high
altitude conditions. AMS can be lethal
if not treated immediately or if its
symptoms are ignored. Probably 70% of
all people climbing Kilimanjaro will
suffer to some extent from AMS. You
should familiarise yourself with this
condition and take preventative care.
Malaria
Malaria occurs below 1800 meters and you
should use the recommended
prophylactics. Please consult your
doctor about these. Currently, there are
various preventative medication products
available which will be effective
against the malaria strains currently
found in Tanzania. Women using oral
contraceptives should consult their
physicians before using prophylactics.
Other Useful Tips
Wet wipes
There is no washing water at Kibo and
Arrow Glacier camps. Wet Wipes are very
useful.
Snacks
Take enough snacks like energy bars etc.
Adequate sun protection
Wear a good quality pair of sunglasses
(with UV protection) and use adequate
sun protection cream with a protection
factor of at least 20+
Thermal flask
Use a thermal flask for your water on
the summit night, other water bottles
might freeze solid.
Camera
Taking pictures with a fully automatic
camera at the summit of Kilimanjaro is
possible, and most people do this. The
secret is to always have a new battery
in your camera when going into cold
areas at high altitude. A mechanical
camera works just as well, provided you
have the knowledge to operate it
successfully. Cameras exposed to cold do
not cease functioning, but remember,
that if you keep your camera inside your
jacket and the lens becomes warm,
chances are that it will form
condensation when suddenly exposed to
extreme cold. This condensation will
freeze under conditions at the summit.
Therefore, keep your camera dry at all
times. Moisture will freeze at the
summit which WILL cause your camera to
stop functioning.
Film
ASA 200 film is good for taking
photographs in relatively little light.
You might reach the summit just before
sunrise and may not wish to wait due to
the altitude and the cold. After
sunrise, film with ASA 200 or 100 are
fine. There are numerous classic photo
opportunities, some of which are only
available in low light conditions. If
you can, and if you are a serious
photographer, we recommend that you take
a small, portable tri-pod with you. Also
remember that it is sometimes so cold
that you cannot hold the camera steady.
Mountain water
The stream water high on the mountain
Kilimanjaro has been tested and has been
found to be fit for drinking. However,
if you would like to be on the
safe-side, use water purification
tablets or ask your guide to boil the
water for you. This can be done in the
evening. You can fill your flasks in the
morning, ready for the next part of the
climb.
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Tanzania is a
travelers paradise. Within a limited time,
you can climb Mount Kilimanjaro, go on a
safari in Tanzania, into the Serengeti plain
- home to some of the largest concentrations
of animals anywhere on the planet -, and
finally end your time relaxing on the
beaches of the exotic spice island of
Zanzibar. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest
mountain in Africa - and one of the most
climbed mountains in the world. Anyone who
is reasonably fit can climb Kilimanjaro and
trek for one week up to see the actual
fabled snows of Kilimanjaro, which sits just
south of the Equator.
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Easily known as the
"Coca-Cola route", Marangu is by far the
most popular route to the summit of
Kilimanjaro. This could partly be as a
result of the fact that the Marangu is the
least expensive route, but more so, perhaps
the fact that it is possible to do the
Marangu route in 6 days, thereby getting to
the summit one day earlier than on the
Machame route. It is the easiest route to
Kilimanjaro Uhuru Peak but least scenic.
Read
more...... |
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Sometimes called the
Whisky Route. This is a popular route up
steep paths through magnificent forests to
gain a ridge leading through the moorland
zones to the Shira Plateau. It then
traverses beneath the glaciated precipices
of the Southern Ice fields to join the
Barafu Route to the summit. This is probably
the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. All
your equipment and supplies are portered and
a cook prepares all your meals. Where
accommodation on the Marangu route is in
huts, the Machame route offers strictly
tents only. This makes Machame route better
suited to the slightly more adventurous
hiker, rewarding him with a scenic splendor
such as not seen on the Marangu route. The
Machame route is normally completed in a
minimum of 6 days.
Read
more......
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Rongai Route This
remote and less frequently used route is the
second easiest route to Kilimanjaro. The
approach to the mountain is from the
less-forested north side and the descent is
by the Marangu Route. There are several
variations, the one described below is a
longer route taking in Mawenzi Tarn.
Read
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Umbwe Route The Umbwe
route is one of the shortest routes to the
Southern Glaciers and the Western Breach. It
is probably the most scenic, non-technical
route on Kilimanjaro. It is quite taxing,
primarily due to the relatively fast ascent
to higher altitude, but the rewards are
plentiful.
Read
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Lemosho Route This is
the longest and most remote route to
Kilimanjaro. After beautiful forests and
moorlands it crosses the Shira Plateau to
meet up with the Machame Route. Groups may
be accompanied on the first day by an armed
ranger as the forests around the Lemosho
Glades are rich in buffalo, elephant and
other game.
Read
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At 5,199 m, Mount
Kenya is the second highest peak in Africa. It
is an ancient extinct volcano, during whose
period of activity (3.1–2.6 million years ago)
it is thought to have risen to 6,500 m. Mount
Kenya is one of the most impressive landscapes
in East Africa. There are three main climbing
routes, which penetrate the forest and the
moorland - Naromoru, Sirimon and Chogoria.
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Lemosho Route This is
the longest and most remote route to
Kilimanjaro. After beautiful forests and
moorlands it crosses the Shira Plateau to
meet up with the Machame Route. Groups may
be accompanied on the first day by an armed
ranger as the forests around the Lemosho
Glades are rich in buffalo, elephant and
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Kilimanjaro Climb Expedition tips and advice
to follow:
>Find a good tour operator: You can
only climb Kilimanjaro with an organized
trek and along established routes, so you
have to go with an expert operator. The
Kilimanjaro climbing operators vary from
excellent to downright negligent so be
selective and try not to be too cheap if you
want to have the most enjoyable climb
experience. you can count on
Kilimanjaroclimbexpedition.com
>Book in advance: If you intend to
climb Kilimanjaro, be sure to book in
advance. This will enable you to go in high
season, which is January-March and
September-October. High Season is a good
time to go simply because the weather
condition is safest for Kilimanjaro
climbing.
>Get fit & prepare well: Break in
your hiking boots and walk the dog; climb
stairs; hike some hills with a pack on.
Walking is the best way to prepare yourself
for the long hike up Kilimanjaro to ensure
you have right fitness. You need to build up
stamina. It's a good idea to get a basic
medical check-up before you go. You don't
want to be dealing with an ingrown toenail
or worse at 18,000 feet. Travel insurance
that includes medical is also a must.
>Pack well: Pack light but make
sure you have everything you need to deal
with altitude and variation in temperatures.
Don't worry about carrying it yourself since
a porter/s will take up to 30lbs (15kg) of
your personal gear in a duffel bag. You can
rent some equipment and clothing locally but
you may end up with teeny sleeping bags and
a fraying pink jacket. See our recommended
climb checklist.
>Choose your convenient route: Make
sure your hike is at least 6-7 days to
provide the much needed Kilimanjaro
commodity, acclimatization if you want to
have maximum success. Any shorter and you
will not be properly acclimatized. Routes
vary in degree of difficulty, traffic and
scenic beauty. The least difficult routes
are Marangu and Rongai; the more difficult
routes are Machame, Umbwe and Lemosho. The
longer routes may have more difficult hiking
but you'll be more acclimatized and your
chances of reaching the summit are therefore
higher. The longer western routes also allow
you to start your summit day at a more
reasonable hour. For details on each route
see route descriptions.
>Dealing with altitude: Pace
yourself; you will hear the Swahili phrase
"pole pole" - slowly slowly, heed it well.
Drink lots of water about 4-5 liters a day
is recommended. Luckily the mountain streams
after the first day are good to drink and
naturally cooled. Walk high and sleep low.
Take a walk to a higher elevation during the
day and come back down to sleep. Consult a
doctor before you go and get some medication
to prevent altitude sickness. Also make sure
your guides are carrying the proper medical
equipment such as oxygen, radios and a
recompression bag to deal with altitude
sickness if it arises.
>Reaching the summit: The hardest
part of the trek. Pace yourself, be
determined, and you will reach the Uhuru
peak. The final ascent is usually timed so
you can watch the sunrise over the crater
and distant plains. Enjoy the view take a
few photos and get back down before you get
too affected by the high altitude. Take a
well earned nap.
Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania stands at
19,340 feet (5895 m) and is Africa's tallest
mountain. The attraction of hiking up Mount
Kilimanjaro is that it's not a technical
climb so no equipment such as oxygen and
ropes are necessary. But it's no walk in the
park. As you you'll see from the images
below, trekkers make their way through 5
climatic zones before reaching the summit.
Weather changes from moment to moment and
the high altitude wreaks havoc on the body
and mind...read more.
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Kilimanjaro
Climb Tanzania Kilimanjaro National Park
Information climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro routes Kilimanjaro trekking
hiking Machame Marangu Rongai Lemosho Umbwe
Kilimanjaro Travel Vacations.
East Africa travel destinations that we
include in our catalogue include Kenya,
Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. East Africa is
home to the safari, since this is where the
African savannah is at its best and the
plains are filled with wildlife. Hikers also
come to East Africa to enjoy the mountains,
including Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania),
Mount Kenya, Mount Longonot and Mount Meru.
The East African coastline has some of the
best beaches in the world, including the
famous spice island of Zanzibar. Mount
Kilimanjaro National Park Kilimanjaro Climb
Tanzania Kilimanjaro National Park
Information climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro routes Kilimanjaro trekking
hiking Machame Marangu Rongai Lemosho Umbwe
Kilimanjaro Travel Vacations.
Kenya Safari:
Kenya is the original safari country where
the 'safari' (Swahili for travel) begun. In
Kenya, you can mix the idyllic experience of
a tropical beach vacation on the warm Indian
Ocean with an East African wild animal
safari expedition. Combining the two makes
for a unique holiday. Part of your vacation
is filled with excitement as you observe
African wildlife at close quarters, while
part is spent relaxing and soaking up the
sun on a sandy beach.
A beach and safari break in Kenya is an
exotic getaway from the daily routines of
city life. It also makes for the ideal
honeymoon for newly weds, with time to relax
as well as a touch of adventure.
East Africa, including Kenya, does not yet
have a high profile as a holiday destination
in America, but is growing in reputation as
a unique vacation experience. Europeans, and
the British in particular, have less
distance to travel to Africa, and have been
been the mainstay of Kenyan tourism,
attracted by the unique mix of the tropical
beach and African safari vacation. Luxury
vacations have become more affordable as
European currencies have strengthened,
prompting investment in Kenyan tourist
facilities.
Tanzania Safari:
Safari in Tanzania is a worth undertaking.
We are the original safari company offering
quality Tanzania safaris to Ngorongoro
Crater, animal migration tours in Serengeti,
Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
honeymoon vacations in Zanzibar Island,
family holidays in spice island and luxury
beach resorts of pemba island. A variety of
accommodation in Tanzania is offered from
lodge, hotels and safari tented camps...Read
more.
The best time to go for an African safari is
when the animals are easy to find and in
dense numbers. Deciding when to go on safari
depends on what country you would like to
visit and when you are able to plan your
trip. Seasons differ in East Africa so you
can really plan a great safari for almost
every month of the year, if you are flexible
about where you want to go to.....:
Kenya:
The best time to go on safari in Kenya and
experience a huge density and diversity of
wildlife is when the annual migration of
millions of wildebeest, zebra and gnu's
descend on the Mara plains with predators
close behind. The best time to see this
wildlife spectacle is from July to October.
Other parks in Kenya are also excellent and
the best time to visit these would be during
the dry seasons - January through March and
July through October.
With the scarcity of water during the dry
seasons, the animals tend to gather in more
concentrated numbers around permanent water
holes, rivers and lakes, so they are easier
to find. The vegetation is also less lush
which simply means that viewing animals from
a distance is easier.
Tanzania:
If you want to see the Great Migration
unfold, head to Tanzania's northern parks;
the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. The best time
to witness the annual migration is probably
February - March when the wildebeest and
zebra have their young. Not only can you
enjoy seeing baby animals, but the predators
are at the highest number too. Because the
herds also concentrate in the south of the
Serengeti, it's easy to plan your wildlife
viewing in that area and find a safari
company that offers lodging there.
June to November is Tanzania's dry season
and is the best time to visit all the parks
(and you can always hop over to Kenya's
Masai Mara to witness the Great Wildebeest
Migration during this time). Tanzania's
Southern Parks are perfect to visit during
this time since the animals tend to
congregate around permanent water and it
isn't so hot and humid.
All of Tanzania's parks suffer from the
rains which generally fall from March to May
in the North, and from November to May in
the South and West. Roads get washed out and
given the sheer size of Tanzania's parks,
the animals tend to spread out, and this
makes wildlife viewing less satisfying (if
you're looking for sheer numbers of
animals).
December through March can get quite hot and
humid, especially in Western and Southern
Tanzania which makes it a little
uncomfortable to spend a lot of time in the
bush.
If you want to add a hike up Mount
Kilimanjaro to your safari, the best time to
hike is January - March and September -
October.
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Kilimanjaro
Climb Tanzania Kilimanjaro National Park
Information climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro routes Kilimanjaro trekking
hiking Machame Marangu Rongai Lemosho Umbwe
Kilimanjaro Travel Vacations.
Kilimanjaro Climb Expeditions, Climbing
Mount Kilimanjaro, an expert comprehensive
guide to trekking snow capped Mount
Kilimanjaro. Mount Kilimanjaro hiking is
done inside Kilimanjaro National Park in
Tanzania and is the highest mountain in
Africa and African
holiday: Masai
Mara trip: Umbwe
route: Kenya
holiday: Kenya offers
excellent value for safaris. Its wildlife
parks are world famous for the quality of
game viewing and the variety of wildlife
preserved through a highly reputed system of
scientific game management. Affordable Kenya
and Tanzania safaris stay in standard camps
and lodges, using Kenya's excellent road
system for transfers between parks. Mount
Kilimanjaro National Park Kilimanjaro Climb
Tanzania Kilimanjaro National Park
Information climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro routes Kilimanjaro trekking
hiking Machame Marangu Rongai Lemosho Umbwe
Kilimanjaro Travel Vacations. |
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African Safari
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Safari tour operators
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Kenya safari
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Tanzania safari
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Kenya safari holidays
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Masai Mara safari trips
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Serengeti safari tour
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Masai
Mara - Serengeti wildebeest migration:
Wildebeest migration to and back from Serengeti into
the Maasai Mara is the single most popular wildlife
spectacle in Kenya. The wildebeest migration is such
a phenomenon it involves movement of over 1 million
animals crossing plains and rivers in the Mara
migration. River crossings are the most spectacular
where the wildebeest of
Mara jump into rivers full of crocodiles and surging
currents. The wildebeest is feted as the clown of
the Savannah. Also known as a gnu, the animal has a
structure resembling a young horse with a heavily
built frontal shoulders and chest and a slender
posterior. Its legs are so slender its intriguing
how it supports the proportionately larger body
frame. The title results from its unusual
behavior considered to other bovids, for example a
gnu herd will usually scatter in different
directions when attacked by a lion.
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Lamu Town began life as a 14th century Swahili
settlement. But the island has seen many
visitors and influences, including Portuguese
explorers, Turkish traders and the Omani Arabs.
Despite all these influences, Lamu developed its
own particular culture which has ultimately
endured. The island is a beautiful place of
rolling dunes and endless beaches, where tiny
villages nestle among coconut and mango
plantations and lateen sailed dhows ply the
waters. Dense mangrove forests fringe the
mainland and the inland sides of the island. The
beach on Lamu Island is 12km of empty sands
backing on to an ocean protected by a reef...Read
more..
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Mount Kenya: Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya plays a crucial role in the life of
the country being Kenya's single most important
permanent watershed and her largest forest
reserve. The fertile soils of its lower slopes
also sustain the growth of the nation's richest
farmlands whilst much of its vegetation is
globally unique. In recent years, however, the
Mountain has suffered greatly from the adverse
effects of deforestation, resulting in large
tracts of its lower slopes being entirely
denuded of trees and occupied by squatters. And,
although much of the vast forest cover remains
intact, the growing demand for timber (Kenya's
staple construction and fuel source) threatens
to lead to even more serious deforestation and
subsequent soil erosion.....Read
more... |
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Bwindi , Uganda
Formerly known as the
'Impenetrable Forest',
this park is home to one of the largest
surviving numbers of the mountain Gorilla in
Africa and a superb location for a gorilla
safari trek..
more |
Zanzibar
Also known as the spice
islands, these exotic islands are one of the
best honeymoon destinations and also make for a
relaxing African beach holiday ...
more
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Shaba National Reserve
It is impossible to talk about the Shaba National
Reserve without mentioning Samburu National Reserve,
and Buffalo Springs National Reserve, because they
are all intertwined, and they form a trio of unusual
and attractive game sanctuaries, and all neighbours.
Shaba is a relatively small National Park being a
little over 239 sq. kms, and it is only 70 kms north
of Mount Kenya, at an altitude varying between
700-1500metres.
Visitors go to Parks to see wildlife, and the Shaba
Game is outstanding. You have a very good chance of
seeing Giraffe, Cheetah, leopard, and lion. You can
add to this gazelle, oryx, zebra, and Gerenuk, but
of course it is the predators that are most sought
after....Read more.
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Kilimanjaro Climb
Tanzania Kilimanjaro National Park Information
climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro Kilimanjaro routes
Kilimanjaro trekking hiking Machame Marangu Rongai
Lemosho Umbwe Kilimanjaro Travel Vacations. |
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