MT. KILIMANJARO PACKAGES
Mt Kilimanjaro is located in the Kilimanjaro Region in Moshi town, Tanzania
Mount Kilimanjaro lies on the border of Tanzania and Kenya, just south of the Equator. To the west lies the Great African Rift Valley, created by tremendous tectonic forces, which also gave birth to a string of other volcanoes. One of these, Mount Kenya, was originally much higher than Mount Kilimanjaro.
The three summits of Mount Kilimanjaro, Shira, Kibo and Mawenzi are all of very recent origin. Shira and Mawenzi both have suffered considerable erosion and only jagged peaks remain. Kibo, the central, youngest and highest peak has survived as an almost perfect cone.
Although East Africa and nearby Olduvai Gorge is thought to be the cradle of mankind it is unlikely that early man would have been attracted to the steep and cold slopes of Kilimanjaro at a time when it was probably very active and dangerous. A Wachagga legend talks of Mawenzi receiving fire for its pipe from his younger brother Kibo. The Wachagga who live on the fertile volcanic soils around the base of the mountain probably only came to the area about 300 years ago thus this legend suggests very recent activity. Another of their legends talks of demons and evil spirits living on the mountain and guarding immense treasures. Stories are told of a king who decided to go to the top; few of his party survived and those who did had damaged arms and legs.
Arab and Chinese traders and historians make mention of a giant mountain lying inland from Mombasa or Zanzibar but few early traders ventured into the interior of the continent. Slave traders passed below it and sometimes raided the villages of the Wachagga but it was not till the middle of the 19th century that a more serious interest was taken in the mountain and attempts were made to scale it.
In 1848 Johann Rebmann a missionary from Gerlingen in Germany while crossing the plains of Tsavo saw Mount Kilimanjaro. His guide talked of baridi - cold, and of tales how a group of porters were sent up the mountain to bring back the silver or other treasures from the summit. They came back only with water. Rebmann's report stimulated great interest in Germany and in the following years several expeditions were organized; first by Baron von Decken then later by Dr. Hans Meyer who finally stood on the highest point on the 5th of October 1889.
Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, now attracts many thousands of walkers each year. On the 1st of January 2000 over 1000 people reached the summit to see the sun rise over a new Millennium
At the heart of the park is the 5,896m, Mt. Kilimanjaro Africa’s highest peak and one of the continent’s magnificent sights. It’s also the highest Volcano’s and among the free standing mountain in the world, rising from cultivated farmlands on the lower levels, through lush rainforests to alpine meadows, and finally across a barren lunar landscape, to the twin summits of Kibo and Mawenzi
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MT. MERU PACKAGE
Mt Meru is a great preparation hike for climbing Kilimanjaro, or a spectacular trek for those not compelled to do Kilimanjaro. You will hike past wildlife, the landscape is spectacular, and sunrise on the summit has Kilimanjaro as the backdrop.
While typically done in only 4 days, it’s not as easy peak to summit. To reach the top, there is some scrambling on rocks in the dark and at high altitude. You should be prepared for at least 10 hours of hiking on the summit day. For an easier hike, you can climb just to Rhino Point for sunrise, and then descent Mt Meru in Arusha National park, the park requires all groups to be accompanied by a park ranger, they will carry a rifle which is available to scare away advancing animals such as Elephant’s or Cape Buffalo’s. You will also have your own guide, who is managing the crew and watching out for your safety.