About Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is the highest peak on the African continent; it is also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, rising in elevation around 900 meters — to 19,340 feet. Kilimanjaro lies 205 miles south of the equator and stands on Tanzania's northern border with Kenya.

• Kilimanjaro is composed of 3 extinct volcanoes: Kibo (19,340 feet), Mawenzi (16,896 feet), and Shira (13,000 feet).



• Kilimanjaro supports 5 major eco-zones: rainforest, heath, moorland, alpine desert and glaciers.



• A climber may encounter wildlife throughout the lower parts of the climb. Elephants, buffalo, and eland on the northern slopes; black & white colobus monkeys, Sykes monkeys, and tropical boubou in the forest belt; and birds such as sun birds, augur buzzard, mountain hawk eagle, lammergeier and white-naped ravens.



• Coffee and plantains are the chief crops raised on Kilimanjaro's intensively cultivated lower southern slopes. Tourism from mountain climbing has become an important source of revenue.



• The name Kilimanjaro has no certain origin, but one of the most popular theories is that it came from KILMA NJARO meaning "shining mountain" in Swahili. The shiny snow on the peak led nearby residents to believe that evil spirits guarded the mountain. This myth could also explain why some referred to NJARO as a demon that caused cold.



• Nearly 15,000 people attempt to climb Kilimanjaro each year.