Ever wonder what it must be like to climb to the roof of Africa? Can you imagine the view from 19,340 feet. Any reasonably fit person can experience this with a trek up the highest mountain in Africa – Mount Kilimanjaro.
Temperatures: Lower Slopes:
Day Time: 15 to 20 degrees centigrade; Nights Chilly – 5 degrees centigrade.
Higher altitude: Day Time 5 to 6 degrees centigrade, Night dropping to -10 degrees centigrade
Tips on What to bring: Anorak / Fleece / Walking Boots /Trainig shoes /water proofJacket / Pants / Shirt /Trousers / Skirts / Socks / Gloves / Sun Hat / Balaclava /Woolen Hat / Gaiters, /Thermal Underwear /Towel/Toiletries/Toilet Paper/sun glasses / snow goggles/water bottle/walking pole/crampons/flash lights/sun cream/sun block/lip salve/whistle/pen knife/day pack/camera film/emergency foil blanket/ four season sleeping bag/heavy duty sleeping bag/water purification kit and first aid kit/
Arusha – Nairobi
Depart Arusha from your base hotel and drive for 2hrs to Marangu. Trek to Mandara for 7 kms, 4-5 hrs, Ascent nom, Alt: 2700m . Dinner and overnight stay at Mandara Hut (B,L,D).
Starting early in the morning towards Horombo Hut you walk 5 hours, to cover the first 4 km or so, the dense rain forest now gives way to the rolling moorland clothed in knee- high gross tussocks dotted here and there with giant heather trees, some standing up to 9 m high.
Here is perhaps the most pleasant point where the landscape looks nice with flowers etc. , and the sun is refreshingly warm. From here, both Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks are magnificently viewed.
Some animal species are found here, i.e. bush duikers etc. The landscape becomes more rugged and rocky, now you arrive at Horombo Hut and at 3761 m above sea level. Dinner and overnight at the Horombo Hut. You should have warm clothes due to strong winds here.
After breakfast, continue to Kibo Hut through the euphorbia trees and here high altitude causes difficulty in breathing and tiredness is felt.
The path leading you to Kibo Hut passes the water streams and skirts of Mawezi before opening out the Lunar Landscape of the Saddle. It forms a “U” between MAWENZI and KIBO Peaks.
You will have covered 13 km walking 6 Hours from Horombo Hut, and you will be 4732 m above sea level. You will experience the winter night as cold and icy winds encircle the huts accompanied by frost and snow. Dinner and overnight at Kibo Hut.
Wake up early – after midnight for the final attempt on the summit, walk for about 5 hours, the steepest and most difficult part of the route, to GILLMAN’S POINT, at 5681 m above sea level, on the Crater rim. Try again, if your stamina allows, for UHURU Peak, reached in about 2 hours. This is the highest point in Africa. After signing the visitor’s book, descend to Horombo Hut, for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, descend to the MARANGU back to Moshi. Overnight at Spring lands Hotel.
After breakfast depart for Nairobi by shuttle bus arriving Nairobi at around 18.30 hrs.
