Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano that last erupted about 200,000 years ago.
There’s a lot about this fascinating and unique mountain that you probably don’t know. If you’re traveling Tanzania in East Africa, you must visit this wonderful location.
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6 Reasons to Visit Kilimanjaro During Your Tanzania Trip
Sure, there’s a slew of reasons why you do not go. It appears to be isolated, tough to climb, and take a long time to achieve. And, and besides, there are lots of other cool things to visit in Tanzania, right?
Yes, but none of the other attractions could compare to seeing and climbing this wonderful place in person. Here are some of the best reasons to include it on your Tanzania travel plan!
1. It’s the Highest Mountain in Africa
That is only one of Kilimanjaro’s many accolades. You obviously know it’s a dormant volcano, but there are three different peaks to it. Kibo is the most known, but Mawenzi and Shira are minor extinct volcano.
Kilimanjaro is also the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, reaching at 5,895 metres. It’s also one of the Seven Summits, a group of the world’s highest mountains. It’s not bad!
2. See Amazing Wildlife
Many people travel to Africa in order to see the continent’s Big Five game animals. The lion, leopard, elephant, black rhinoceros, and buffalo are among these.
Climbers interested to see elephants should choose the Rongai route.
However, when climbing Kilimanjaro or touring the nearby region, there are a plethora of other amazing animals to view.
The forest climate at the mountain’s foot allowed you to view the these species:
- Serval car
- Colobus monkey
- Tree Hyrax
- Aardvark
- Duiker
- Mongoose
- Raven
- Bushbaby
A safari is the best way to observe animals since your guide will know all the finest spots for sightings while also protecting you safe.
In Tanzania, all national parks (including Mount Kilimanjaro National Park) are “free to roam.” This implies that the animals you see on a safari in the country are wild, as they should be for all animals.
In this part of Tanzania, however, there are no deadly predators. Another valid argument to add a visit to Kilimanjaro National Park on your African travel itinerary is to see the climb.
3. Many Natural Wonders to See
Every 1,000 metres of climb on Mount Kilimanjaro brings a fresh climate. The typical temperature at the base, where civilization lives, is 70 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which seems about right.
But then there’s the rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and arctic ice at the top. This is an almost incredible range of climates for a mountain so close to the equator.
This makes Kilimanjaro an ideal mountain for scientists to investigate for a variety of reasons, including climate change effects. The mountain’s glaciers are around 11,700 years old, but they will vanish within the next 20–30 years.
It’s sobering to see global warming develop in front of your eyes, and the experience is sure to stick with you.
On Kilimanjaro, there is also lots of unique flora to behold. Giant lobelia blooms can only be seen on East Africa’s highest mountains. Dendrosenecio Kilimanjaro is a cactus-like plant that only grows on Kilimanjaro, which should come as a shock.
There are way too many more plants to mention. However, this is a one-of-a-kind location, and you won’t have trouble discovering new flora every day on this mountain.
4. Climbers will enjoy the excellent infrastructure.
Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the “easier” of the Seven Summits to climb because none of the hikes need you to be a mountaineer.
Kilimanjaro has seven paths to the top and two routes back down. The length of each trip vary, ranging from five to nine days. Climbers are more likely to reach the top of Kilimanjaro if the number of days is doubled.
The mountain is also very accessible. Every year, hundreds of climbers from Europe arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. And the mountain is only 130 miles from Nairobi and right on the Kenyan border.
There are several sleeping huts, hotels, gear rentals, porters, and restaurants on the ground.
5. Create a change in your society’s economy.
When it came to porters, it’s critical to give back to the local community. Nevertheless, investing more in underdeveloped nations like Tanzania is critical.
Every year, tourists coming to climb Mount Kilimanjaro donate millions of dollars. This allows tour guides, kitchen staff, and trekking firms to create jobs.
6. Check some off your bucket list.
You’ve probably seen photos of delighted, red-faced climbers posing in front of the wooden sign on Kilimanjaro’s summit. And the fact that you’re reading this right now indicates that you’ve thought about going to Kilimanjaro and climbing it.
Are you too planning to travel to Tanzania and then not returning?
Hiking Kilimanjaro, a mountain as iconic and difficult as it is, is a narrative that may be told for years. You may mark something important off your bucket list, which may provide you with a new feeling of purpose.
Kilimanjaro a must on any trip to Tanzania!
A trip to Tanzania will force you to step outside of your comfort zone. It will allow you to meet new people and do things you would not normally do.
Even if you do not attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, just viewing it will be one of the most humbling experiences of your life for all of the reasons listed.
Put in the effort. If you don’t, you may come to regret it.
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