Kilimanjaro is the highest free-standing mountain in the world that hosts about 40,000 trekkers every year. This highest African peak is the major source of tourism in Tanzania. So what makes it so famous? Let’s look at the best reasons why you should be choosing Kilimanjaro as your next big trek!
Offers Treks of All Magnitudes
The phrase ‘Seven Summits’ refers to the highest mountain on each continent. Even after being the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro is considered the most undemanding summit of the Seven. You need no typical mountaineering gear or technical know-how to make it to the top. Can you believe that according to Guinness World Records, the youngest person to climb the summit was just 6 years old and the oldest 86? Kilimanjaro offers amazing route options with varying trekking grades depending upon the fitness level of the person.
Nature’s Wonder
Standing at 20,000 feet, Kilimanjaro is one of the most beautiful natural wonders of the world. Lush green rainforests, snow-capped mountains, a host of fauna in their natural habitats and an opportunity to experience 5 climatic zones as well as 6 ecological zones from bottom to top are some of the major attractions. Moreover, the park authorities take proper care of their asset and the mountain seems surprisingly free of trash, even after hosting the large influx of trekkers that it receives.
Availability of Supporting Infrastructure
Kilimanjaro is one of the few mountains that offers proper facilities that supplement the trekkers. Availability of lodging around the mountain, gears for renting, ground transportation, porters and guides, and even huts along the Marangu route makes it an ideal setting for all trekkers. No wonder that the success rate on some routes is as high as 90%!
Personal Accomplishment
People often take up challenging tasks to come out of their comfort zones, and Kilimanjaro offers exactly that. One can also use it as a symbol to mark the end or beginning of something valuable, like college life or marriage. Some even use as a means to get over their limitations including disability, fear of heights or bring attention to causes like autism, women empowerment or even for raising charity. For example, on June 29th, 2009, eight blind trekkers made it to the summit in a bid to raise awareness and funds for 52 blind children in Arizona. Thus, whatever your cause, Kilimanjaro can offer you an amazing sense of accomplishment.
Affects Local Lives
Can you believe that tourism due to Kilimanjaro and Safaris contributes a staggering $20 million per year to the Tanzanian economy? And all this in a region which is still considered one of the poorest in the world. Thus, not only would you be living a dream by deciding to climb the highest African peak, but would also end up affecting dozens of lives, including those of guides, cooks, porters, and staff of tourism agencies, travel companies, as well as hotels.
Eternal Memories
Most of the climbers who have made their way to the summit have recorded their thoughts in a book that is placed on the top of the Uhuru Peak in a wooden box. Thus, you can leave an eternal mark on the mountain for decades to come, just like the footprints that an astronaut leaves on the moon.
Fantastic Opportunity for Photos
Owing to its scenic views, Kilimanjaro offers a plethora of picturesque settings to click amazing photographs. Thus, it proves to be an amazing attraction for photographers and nature lovers.
Unusual and Intriguing Case
Kilimanjaro continues to be a huge attraction for scientists due to its intriguing nature and being a stratovolcano, it is a subject of numerous scientific studies. Kilimanjaro has been formed due to the continuous lava flow, which hardened to form rigid layers. Although the mountain has been dormant for the past 200,000 years, one of its 3 volcanic cones, Kibo, is still considered to be active and can erupt again in the future. Trekkers who climb up to the rim of the volcano’s crater can still smell sulfur from the volcano’s lava.
There are just too many reasons to climb this beauty and no list can cover it all. So do not think twice while pondering over the quality of the trek and accept the challenge with welcoming strides.
