Kilimanjaro

Official Name United Republic of Tanzania Capital City Dar es Salaam Transferring to Dodoma soon Currency Tanzanian Schilling Languages Swahili, English, and local languages

The extinct volcano of Kilimanjaro is one of the world's most recognizable peaks. It rises dramatically above the dusty East African plains. The impressive snow-capped summit rewards the hiker with awe-inspiring views of a magnificent landscape. Hikers must travel through one of Africa's best-known game reserves and then climb through four ecosystems, offering a full mountain experience when they ascend the continent's highest peak.

Rising to an altitude of 5895 meters above sea level, snow- capped Kilimanjaro, known as Kili to the locals, is Africa's highest and the world's tallest free- standing mountain. The three peaks of the mountain are Shira (4160m) in the west, Mawenzi (5280m) in the east and Kibo (5895m) in the center.

At the foot of Kilimanjaro lie small villages. The natives work at banana plantations. Natives cultivate coffee plants under the banana trees. Towering Grewillea trees are planted to give shade to the banana and to coffee plants. Grewillea trees are also used as wood in construction.

One can see corn and banana plants near the village Machame. Kilimanjaro summit is seen in the background.

Altitude: roughly 6,000 to 9,200 feet Drenched by about six and a half feet of rain each year, the rain forest is dripping, humid, and bursting with life. In the lower forest, sycamore figs and palms festooned with hanging mosses crowd river gorges, while higher up, huge camphorwood trees soar as much as 130 feet into the clammy air. The treetops are alive with blue and colobus monkeys, while a variety of different antelope species inhabit the forest floor, along with their chief predator, the leopard. Elephants, buffalo, and giraffes may be seen on the western and northern slopes, while the occasional lion may saunter across the forest floor.

The Rain forest at the foot of the mountain provide an ideal climate for vegetation to thrive. Some trees reach 200 feet tall. These towering giants form a canopy high above the ground. The area is usually shrouded in mists.

The forests are here are ever green. Things are always blooming and growing. You'll find very tall trees covered in lush mosses. It's kind of like walking through a green cathedral. All above you is a beautiful mass of green. The beauty inspires a hushed reverence.

Apart from its dramatic geological features and beautiful vegetation, Mount Kilimanjaro is also notable for its plentiful bird life inhabiting the rich forest zone near the equator. The mountain can be climbed almost any time of the year, although it is often wet in the rain forest during the rainy season between March and May. The best time to climb is from August to November. The ascent can be made by any reasonably fit person with the assistance of a guide and porters via the gentle Marangu route. Every climber is required by law to have a registered guide. Porters will carry your gear (although, if you are looking for that extra challenge, porters are not necessary), so all you will be carrying are your daily needs in a daypack.