{"id":4118,"date":"2015-04-13T15:33:23","date_gmt":"2015-04-13T15:33:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/streetshepherdsafrica.org\/site\/?page_id=4118"},"modified":"2015-05-07T22:44:20","modified_gmt":"2015-05-07T22:44:20","slug":"the-kilimanjaro-national-park","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/streetshepherdsafrica.org\/site\/the-kilimanjaro-national-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Kilimanjaro National Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

The roof of Africa<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Kilimanjaro<\/strong>, the name itself is a mystery wreathed in clouds. It might mean Mountain of Light, Mountain of Greatness or Mountain of Caravans. Or it might not. The local people, the Wachagga, don’t even have a name for the whole massive, only Kipoo (now known as Kibo) for the familiar snowy peak that stands imperious, overseer of the continent, the summit of Africa and mostly named after “The roof of Africa<\/strong><\/em>” being the highest point in Africa.<\/p>\n

Kilimanjaro, by any name, is a metaphor for the compelling beauty of East Africa. When you see it, you understand why. Not only is this the highest peak on the African continent; it is also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, rising in breathtaking isolation from the surrounding coastal scrubland \u2013 elevation around 900 metres \u2013 to an imperious 5,895 metres (19,336 feet).<\/p>\n

Kilimanjaro is one of the world’s most accessible high summits, a beacon for visitors from around the world. Most climbers reach the crater rim with little more than a walking stick, proper clothing and determination. And those who reach Uhuru Point, the actual summit, or Gillman’s Point on the lip of the crater, will have earned their climbing certificates.
\nAnd their memories.<\/p>\n

But there is so much more to Kili than her summit. The ascent of the slopes is a virtual climatic world tour, from the tropics to the Arctic.\u00a0 Even before you cross the national park boundary (at the 2,700m contour), the cultivated foot slopes give way to lush Montaigne forest, inhabited by elusive elephant, leopard, buffalo, the endangered Abbot\u2019s duiker, and other small antelope and primates. Higher still lies the moorland zone, where a cover of giant heather is studded with otherworldly giant lobelias.<\/p>\n

Above 4,000m, a surreal alpine desert supports little life other than a few hardy mosses and lichen. Then, finally, the last vestigial vegetation gives way to a winter wonderland of ice and snow \u2013 and the magnificent beauty of the roof of the continent.<\/p>\n

About Kilimanjaro National Park<\/strong>
\nSize: 1668 sq km 641 sq miles).
\nLocation: Northern Tanzania, near the town of Moshi.<\/p>\n

Getting there<\/strong>
\n128 km (80 miles) from Arusha. About one hour\u2019s drive from Kilimanjaro airport.<\/p>\n

What to do<\/strong>
\nSix usual trekking routes to the summit and other more-demanding mountaineering routes. Day or overnight hikes on the Shira plateau. Nature trails on the lower reaches.
\nTrout fishing. Visit the beautiful Chala crater lake on the mountain\u2019s southeastern slopes.<\/p>\n

When to go<\/strong>
\nClearest and warmest conditions from December to February, but also dry (and colder) from July-September.<\/p>\n

Accommodation<\/strong>
\nHuts and campsites on the mountain. Several hotels and campsites outside the park in the village of Marangu and town of Moshi.<\/p>\n

NOTE 1:<\/strong>
\nClimb slowly to increase your acclimatisation time and maximise your chances of reaching the summit. To avoid altitude sickness, allow a minimum of five nights, preferably even more for the climb. Take your time and enjoy the beauty of the mountain.<\/p>\n

NOTE 2:<\/strong>
\nNew rates for Porters and Guides (June ’08)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Porters<\/strong> –\u00a0USD 10 per day
\nCooks \u00a0<\/strong> –\u00a0USD 15 per day
\nGuides<\/strong>\u00a0 –\u00a0USD 20 per day<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Mountain Expeditions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Derived from the chagga words \u201cKlima kya Ruwo\u201d or \u201cKlima cha Ruwa\u201d meaning God’s mountain ,Kilimanjaro is a giant stratovolcano reaching an elevation of 19,335.6 ft. (5,895 m) and the only free standing volcanic mountaing in the tropic.<\/p>\n

Also known as Oldoinyo Oibor meanin white mountain or Oldonyo sidai meaning the shining mountain due to its glitering snowy cape, Kilimanjaro ranks highest point of Africa also refered to as the roof of Africa and second highest mountain in the world after the Europe’s Everest.<\/p>\n

Kibo is Kilimanjaro’s highest and youngest cone while Shira in the west and Mawenzi in the east are older cones and make up Kilimanjaro. Kibo has not been active in recent times, but steam and sulfur are still emitted. The top of Kibo’s summit holds a 1 1\/2 mile (2 1\/4 Km) wide crater.<\/p>\n

\u00a0THE SUMMIT & THE ROUTES<\/strong><\/p>\n

MARANGU ROUTE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Route highlights (at every camp\/hut)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n