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As the largest supplier of tourism to Tanzania we have a unique and strong relationship with our operators, suppliers and ground handlers in East Africa. We believe that a successful climb has a great deal to do with the support team that accompanies climbers up the mountain, and as a result we only utilize candidates of the highest standard. Our teams of guides and porters have all successfully climbed and summated Kilimanjaro at least 15 times before we’ve even considered employing them. All of them have subsequently undergone a strenuous training programme and have been certified by the Tanzania National Parks. To date some of our guides have had over 70 successful climbs!
 

Our Rodger and Tracy on top of the world last November

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Located on the Northern border of Tanzania, Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain at 5895m (19340ft). It is also one of the world’s highest free standing mountains with it’s bulk looming 4800m above an undulating plain that averages around 1000m above sea level. The mountain measures about 60kms across and 40kms wide. There is much confusion surrounding the name Kilimanjaro. Names translated from various dialects of Tanzanian and Maasai people are "Small Hill", "Caravan Hill" and "Mountain of Water", none of which can be confirmed as the original source.

Possibly the best thing about Kilimanjaro is the ability for the average man to experience the beauty of this natural monumental structure. Various routes are available for climbers ranging from novice to experienced.

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Kilimanjaro experiences about 11,500 climbers each year of which there is about a 65% success rate for those to reach the summit. The chances of success are more than doubled if climbers decide to take an extra day to climb the mountain. This allows the body to acclimatize and therefore there is less reaction to the harsh conditions. Children aged 12 years old have successfully reached the summit, but this does not mean that potential climbers should take the task at hand less seriously, because the whole process is extremely tough, but well worth it.

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• The Cultivation Zone (800m or 6000ft)
• Forest (2700m or 9000ft)
• Moorland (4000m or 13000ft)
• High Desert (5000m or 16500ft)
• Summit (6000m or 20000ft)

Each zone is approximately 1000m and a temperature drop of 1ºC for every 200m should be experienced. There is a strange interaction between altitude, rainfall, temperature, plants and wildlife that can be felt and seen as you ascend to the top.

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Most of this zone is like walking through a tropical farmland where local people use the land for livestock to graze and cultivated farmlands. There are no large wild animals, but many smaller one’s such as Galagos and the Tree Hyrax. If you are lucky you may also see a genet. By not buying hyrax blankets, you will be helping with the conservation of this area. Bird life is abundant here with species such as the Bronze Sunbird and Tropical Boubou.

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This is by far the richest zone on the mountain where beautiful montane forest encircles the whole of Kilimanjaro. Much of the rain that falls is absorbed by the thick carpet of leaves and percolates through the soil and porous lava rock, to emerge as springs lower down the mountain. 96% of the water on the mountain originates through the forest zone. Due to all the moisture wide bands of cloud form around this zone, thus preventing evaporation and promotes areas of high humidity. In the forest you are most likely to see some wildlife as this is the most inhabited area. Monkeys are the most common with many Blue Monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys found in most parks. If you are very lucky you will come across leopard and the occasional civet or genet. Buck are common in the area, the most popular species being Duiker, Suni, Bushbuck and Klipspringer.

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This area consists of two parts viz. Heath and Moorland. The heath is charcterised by the heather and heath-like scrubs. From Mandara Hut you will see the giant heather Erica Arborea. This whole area consists of strange vegetation, all unique and very beautiful. When entering the moorland you will see clusters of Giant Lobelias and Senecios. The Senecios have tall stems which act as reservoirs of water. Their cabbage like leaves protects them from the sub-zero temperatures. Some Senecios can grow up to 5m high. You are not likely to come across much wildlife in this area due to the cold temperatures and the altitude, however the vegetation is somewhat eerie but fascinating as it is unlike anything you have ever seen before.

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Extreme conditions dominate this arctic zone with temperatures well below freezing and intense burning sun during the day. Not much can survive here, except again for the lichens. These grow very slowly at not more than 1mm per year, so the grey and red one’s you will see are very old. The oxygen at this level is half that at sea level. There is virtually no liquid and the little that does, immediately enters the porous rock. The rest is locked up in snow and ice. Most people when climbing Kilimanjaro end off at Gilman’s Point. This however is not the end as there is still plenty more if you have the energy and is well worth the additional walk. Should you continue you would eventually reach the "real" summit, Kibo, where you can access Uhuru Peak, Reusch Crater, the Eastern Icefield and the Northern Icefield. Uhuru peak is the highest point at 5895m, Not many people go to the crater, as this is for serious and experienced climbers only. The view from here is truly spectacular, and as we said, is well worth the walk. Not so long ago, along your trek to the summit, you would be greeted by a huge icecap. Sadly global warming is melting this away and experts reckon in a couple of years there will be very little left. Possibly for those interested in climbing this gigantic beauty, it is well recommended that you go earlier than later.

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