Top 11 Reasons to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro : For many individuals, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro has always been an once-in-a-lifetime experience. About 40,000 individuals from all over the world visit its grounds each year. In fact, the record-breaking peak has gained so much popularity that some have begun to refer to it as “Every man’s Everest.” But why is this mountain so well-liked? Why is climbing so appealing to everyone? Consequently, if you’re considering escalating your experience, here are 11 reasons to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
- One of the Seven Summits
As the “Roof of Africa,” Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the Seven Summits of the world. It is the tallest peak in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world, rising to a height of 20,000 feet. One of the most stunning natural wonders in the entire world is Kilimanjaro. It has a variety of wild species in their native settings, as well as snow-capped peaks and lush green rainforests.
- Beginner-friendly
Kilimanjaro is regarded as the least difficult and most challenging of the Seven Summits to climb. To reach the summit, hikers do not require technical expertise, specialized training, or mountaineering supplies. Prior climbing expertise is not necessary! In actuality, climbing Kilimanjaro is a very strenuous, high-altitude hike. But anyone who is able to acclimatize and is in reasonable shape can reach the peak. In actuality, the eldest and youngest climbers on the peak were 86 and 6 years old, respectively, according to the Guinness World Records.
Additionally, Kilimanjaro has wonderful route alternatives with a range of difficulty levels. The best part about this is that you can tailor your ascending strategy to your skill level. The routes for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro are as follows:
- Machame: “The most popular”
- Marangu: “The only one with hut accommodations.”
- Lemosho: “The most scenic”
- Rongai: “The easiest”
- Shira: “The one with the highest starting point”
- Umbwe: “The shortest, steepest, hardest”
- Northern Circuit: “The newest and longest”
- It is said to be the greatest natural wonder in the world.
Mount Kilimanjaro is known as the “Greatest Natural Wonder of the World” because of its breathtaking views, extraordinary hiking experience that feels like traveling from the Equator to the North Pole, the year-round snow-covered mountain surrounded by parched savannah, and amazing life forms. Out of the other 1,000,809 mountains on the globe, choosing Mount Kilimanjaro as your next adventure destination is not surprising. It is an unbeatable vacation spot for anyone looking for exciting activities because of its breathtaking natural beauty and incredible trekking options.
- Unique plants and animals
Kilimanjaro has a lot of diverse wildlife. As expected, the forest zone at the bottom of the mountain is home to more creatures than any other area. Wild species including colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, honey badgers, bush babies, and even black rhinos may be present if you’re lucky.
Wildlife sightings in heath, moorland, and the terrain above can be uncommon. However, mouse species, elands, duikers, bushbucks, and high-altitude spiders are frequently sighted nearby. Additionally, giraffes, leopards, and buffalos occasionally roam the hillsides.
Lions occasionally roam the Shira Plateau, and on the northern side of the mountain, notably along the Rongai Route, you can see animals, primarily elephants, sauntering up the slopes from the Kenyan park, Amboseli National Park, which is located at the base of the mountain on that side.
Exotic living forms have also found a home at the high peaks of Kilimanjaro. Some of these are unique to certain Seven Summits. The delicate elephant flower, groundsel plants, and the charmingly peculiar Kilimanjaro tree are a few examples of them.
- It’s a World Icon.
Not only is Mount Kilimanjaro the tallest free-standing mountain in the world and Africa’s highest peak, It is also included in seven other world summits. Mount Kilimanjaro, which rises 5,895 meters above sea level, has a perpetually snow-capped peak. With Mawenzi, Shira, and Kibo as its three volcanic cones, Kilimanjaro’s allure never wanes. Shira and Mawenzi are both extinct volcanoes, with Shira collapsing to form the lovely Shira Plateau. The highest peak, Kibo, is dormant and is predicted to erupt once more in the future. This volcano last erupted 360,000 years ago.
- An indescribable way to exercise
Being physically active and keeping fit are good ways to live. But what could be more rewarding than climbing a famous peak and taking in the breathtaking views? A trek to Kilimanjaro is certain to give you an experience you won’t soon forget because of its wonderful flora, fascinating animals, and beautiful surroundings. You would rate this as the best “workout session” of your life.
- Fantastic photo opportunities
It’s hardly surprising that Kilimanjaro is one of today’s top destinations for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts. A photograph taken on Mount Kilimanjaro will be genuinely spectacular, featuring animal photos, world-class avifauna, thrilling adventures and experiences, and, of course, the jaw-dropping views from above. No need for a filter. Just the splendor of Mother Nature.
In addition, the mountain is exceptionally well-kept in comparison to other high summits. You will notice that Kilimanjaro is clean and that, despite the large number of people, the Park Authority has done an excellent job of preserving the mountain’s untamed feel.
- International access
To reach this well-known mountain, travelers from all over the world can easily fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (airport code: JRO). It takes 45 minutes to drive between the towns of Moshi and Arusha, where the airport is situated. Moshi or Arusha is 45 minutes away by car from the entrance of Kilimanjaro National Park.
Taking a charter flight is another option for getting to the park from the airport. There are flights available every day, with an average flight time of 30 minutes. The fact that there are numerous ways to get to Kilimanjaro from abroad is fantastic. Local flights from these airports to Kilimanjaro are easily accessible, whether they’re flying into Dar es Salaam in the south of Tanzania, Nairobi in Kenya, or even Johannesburg in South Africa.
- It offers a profound personal accomplishment.
Many people travel to the famous mountain to climb it to commemorate significant life events like retirement, marriage, graduation, and many others. Nevertheless, besides these outstanding accomplishments, Mount Kilimanjaro provides you with a solid reason to be happy for years to come. You have, after all, felt on top of the world. So, not only did you succeed in climbing to one of the world’s highest summits, but you also managed to sign your name in a secret journal that was concealed within a wooden box on Uhuru Peak-Kilimanjaro’s summiting peak. As a result, your achievement becomes a permanent part of history, Top 11 Reasons to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
- The easiest of the seven summits
Technically speaking, of the Seven Summits, Mount Kilimanjaro is the simplest to climb. Ropes, technical equipment, or prior mountaineering knowledge are not required. Although children under the age of 10 are not permitted in the park, the youngest person to reach the peak was six years old, and the oldest was 86. That does not imply that Mount Kilimanjaro is risk-free. Ten climbers each year are typically killed by rockslides and acute altitude sickness.
- Climate Change
A popular location for researching climate change is Kilimanjaro. In his film An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore included images of the area’s fast melting glaciers. The glaciers are estimated to be roughly 11,700 years old based on ice core data. But within the next 20 to 30 years, they will all be extinct. Teams of experts conduct intensive research to try to pinpoint the precise cause of this phenomenon.