Kilimanjaro Facts

Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and the world’s highest free-standing mountain at 19,340. It lies 205 miles south of the equator and stands on Tanzania’s northern border with Kenya. Kilimajaro is composed of 3 extinct volcanoes: Kibo (19,340 feet), Mawenzi (16,896 feet), and Shira (13,000 feet), supporting 5 major eco-zones: rainforest, heath, moorland, alpine desert and
glaciers. After reaching a height thought to be 5900 meters during its last major eruption 360,000 years ago, Kibo has been eroded by glaciers, rivers and landslides to its present height. Recently scientists discovered that Kibo is losing glaciers due to global warming and could perhaps be completely gone in less than 20 years.

In 1889, German geographer Hans Meyer and Austrian mountain climber Ludwig Purtscheller were the first to climb Kilimanjaro.

The origins of the name are not necessarily known. Some people believe the name derived from the Kiswahili name, Kilima meaning mountain. The chagga people, who live at the base, claim to have no name for Kilimanjaro, but did name the dual peaks Kipoo and Kimawenzi.

Around 25,000 per year attempt to summit the top of Africa.