Kilimanjaro. 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 massif, only Kipoo (now known as Kibo) for the familiar snowy peak that stands imperious, overseer of the continent, the summit of Africa.
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 – elevation around 900 metres – to an imperious 5,895 metres (19,336 feet). kilimanjaro is one of the world’s most accessible high summits, a beacon for visitors from around the world.
The summit climb is not technical, Kili has a slow incline which makes it accessible even for less experienced hikers. The summit hike typically takes 6-8 days. If you are more limited on time, there are shorter hikes that don’t take you to the summit.
