Mount Kilimanjaro is the crown of Tanzania. With an altitude of 5895m (19.340ft), it is the highest peak in Africa, the highest freestanding mountain in the world, and one of the largest volcanoes. The base of the immense mountain has a diameter of about 70 km. On a clear day his impressive formation can be seen from more than 160 km away, and although it is only three degrees below the Equator, his peak is permanently covered with snow and ice. Elephants, leopards, lions and colobus monkeys are among the residents of the park. The encircling rain forests ensure the fertility of the lush, lower lying countryside, where the Chagga cultuvate their coffee, maize and bananas.

Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed most of the year, although it is inadvisable during the rainy season, which is April and May, and during the short rains in November. The summit of Kilimanjaro is definitely a challenge, and there are risks involved, but it can be reached by any reasonably fit person who enjoys hiking, and reaching the summit will be an experience of a lifetime! The youngest person to make it was seven years old – the oldest seventy-eight!

While thousands of people scramble to the top of Kilimanjaro each year, there are also trails off the beaten track and some technical climbs for the experienced mountaineer.

There are five principal trails up the mountain: Marangu, Mweka, Umbwe, Shira and Machame. These are all hiking routes. The most popular route is the Marangu route. It takes about five days and involves walking about 85 kilometres.