Climbing Kilimanjaro is truly an amazing and extraordinary experience. The spectacular views, unique flora, and achievement of trekking this mountain cannot be duplicated. For many, Kilimanjaro is a lifelong dream, for others a last minute adventure. If you decide to climb Kilimanjaro, be ready to reach deep, triumph over fears and challenges, and celebrate your climb for many years to come!
We are passionate about Kilimanjaro at Boma Africa, and we will provide you with a safe, affordable, and unforgettable journey to the top Africa’s highest mountain.
Boma Africa’s Founder has worked in the mountain for over 10 years; from porter, to licenced guide, to expedition leader, and finally to director. This deep knowledge of Kilimanjaro ensures every climb is thoroughly planned and executed.
Thousands of people summit Kilimanjaro every year. It is not a technical mountain, but takes a degree of physical fitness, and even more importantly, psychological determination.
Keep reading below to learn about Kilimanjaro or jump to:
About Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa, and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world! It highest point, Uhuru Peak, is 5895 metres (19341 feet) above sea level.
Kilimanjaro is an inactive strato-volcano with three different volcanic cones, Shira, Kibo/ Uhuru, and Mawenzi.
Kilimanjaro is 3 degrees (330km) south of the equator and 88 from the Great Rift Valley. It is in Northern Tanzania, near to the border of Kenya.
Many years ago, Kilimanjaro was a popular destination for different tribes of East Africa, as it is the only place one can find snow! Shifting of peoples and intermarriage led to the development of new ethnic groups. The current tribe of Kilimanjaro region, the Chagga, is actually a newer tribe, made up of the many settling people of those past years. These people live in the first region of Kilimanjaro, the cultivated zone, and you will pass their homes and villages on the way to the park gate.
Zones of Kilimanjaro
Cultivated Zone (800m – 1860m)
This is the lowest zone, where Tanzanians have settled and survive on agriculture of such crops as coffee, banana, corn, sunflower, and more.
Tropical Rainforest (1860m – 2800m)
The second zone is a dense natural forest, providing habitat for wildlife and endemic plants and flowers.
Moorland / Heather (2800m – 4000m)
This zone, the third of five, the trees become smaller and sparse, providing sightings of unique flowers and excellent views. This is where climbers begin the feel the effects of altitude.
Alpine Desert (4000m – 5000m)
Here there is hardly any precipitation, and weather extremes vary throughout the day and night. There are only a few varieties of grass and flowers that can survive here.
Summit / Arctic Zone (5000m – 5895m)
The landscape turns into rock and loose gravel. The glaciers of Kilimanjaro are in this zone, and no life is sustained here.
Weather on Kilimanjaro
The weather varies greatly as you pass through the many zones of the mountain. Your first day, as you pass through the rainforest, the weather is generally mild, and most people are comfortable in a t-shirt. As you ascend it gets colder and colder! At the summit and at your final camp it can be as cold as -20 degrees Celsius. Wind, rain, and snow can happen anytime, so make sure you pack your bag well, having all the gear to prepare for any weather conditions.
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