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Common name: Kilimanjaro

Original name: Kilima Njaro (Swahili) Oldoinyo Oibor (Masai)

Location: Kilimanjaro National Park, 15 kilometers north of Moshi, Tanzania

Altitude: 5,895 meters (19,340 feet)

First (western) ascent: H. Meyer & L. Purtscheller, 1889

Facts and trivia: Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain in the world – a giant stratovolcano that began forming a million years ago. The highest peak (Kibo) is dormant and could erupt again. In 2003, scientists concluded that molten magma is just 400 meters below the summit crater, which was unknown to us when we were climbing there…

There are 6 official climbing routes: Marangu, Rongai, Lemosho, Shira, Umbwe and Machame. Of all the routes, Machame is by far the most scenic albeit steeper route up the mountain and can be done in 5-7 days. Rongai is the easiest camping route and the Marangu is also relatively easy, but as accommodation is in huts, this route tends to be very busy.

All year long it is possible although most avoid the rainy season (long rainy season is from April to May, the short rainy season is mostly in November/beginning of December).

Don't postpone your trip too long as you might end up arriving at a dusty summit; unfortunately the beautiful glaciers are retreating fast!

Please click here for our Kilimanjaro expedition log, and here for the pictures we made during our expedition