In the early twentieth century, Mount Kilimanjaro and the adjacent forests were declared a game reserve by the German colonial government and later as a forest reserve. In 1973, the mountain above the tree line was reclassified to include today’s park and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. In 2005, the park was expanded to include the entire montane forest. Today the Kilimanjaro National Park protects the area around the mountain above the 2,700m level and includes the moorland and highland zones, the Shira Plateau, and Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. The word Kilimanjaro is said to mean “Mountain of Light”, “Greatness” or even “Mountain of Caravans”. No one actually knows. However, the local Wachagga people simply call the snowy peak Kibo, which is the central volcanic formation of the large mountain massif.

Standing at 5,895m to its permanently snow capped peak, Kilimanjaro dominates the regional landscape and can be seen for miles. Despite its imperious height, it is one of the world’s most accessible high summits and attracts climbers from all over the world. Even inexperienced climbers manage to reach the crater rim around the peak with little more than a walking stick, proper clothing, and steely determination. But for reaching the summit at Uhuru Point or Gillman’s Point on the lip of the crater, you will earn an official climbing certificate which reflects just how many people fail to reach the top: do not underestimate Kilimanjaro, 50% do not make the summit due to altitude sickness and accident.

The ascent around the slopes is a virtual climatic world tour, with temperatures and life ranging from the tropics to the Arctic, that make for unforgettable climbing but a test for the human body. This is because the routes to the Uruhu peak cross different ecological zones. Throughout the climb, temperatures vary considerably with the altitude and time of day. Mount Kilimanjaro has five major ecological zones, each approximately 1,000m in altitude. Each zone is subject to a corresponding decrease in rainfall, temperature, and life as the altitude increases. 

Of the five routes, the most popular are the Marangu and Machame paths. However, the choice depends on your own preference and experience. Umbwe route hosts small mammals and forest birds among dense forestry and the greater Baranco wall. It is the shortest route of all five but, then again, is by far the toughest, so be careful in your choice.