Tanzania's Top 5 Unmissable Landscapes on Your Kilimanjaro Climb (International Edition)
From lush tropical rainforests to icy permafrost, every step of the climb up Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, offers distinctive and breathtaking vistas.
From lush rainforests to icy glaciers, every step of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, unveils distinctive and breathtaking views. In celebration of the launch of the new Air France Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) - Kilimanjaro (JRO) service beginning on November 18, 2024, we present five stunning natural vistas you can encounter during your climb up this majestic African landmark.
Between 1,800 meters and 2,800 meters lies a thick, damp mountain woodland.
From the outset, you find yourself enveloped in the vivid environment of the dense mountain forest surrounding Kilimanjaro’s base in Tanzania. This warm and moist region, situated between 1,800 and 2,800 meters elevation, teems with an abundant variety of flora including towering ferns, cascading lichen, and majestic foliage-laden trees. As you progress, the calls and chatter of distinctive avian species as well as frequent sightings of blue monkeys and colobus monkeys fill the air – these creatures being regular inhabitants of Mount Kilimanjaro's woodlands.
Within an elevation range of 2,800 to 4,000 meters, the landscape consists of heather and peatlands.
When you exit the rainforest, you find yourself in a moorland region blanketed with heather at elevations ranging from 2,800 to 4,000 meters. Here, the temperature begins to plummet significantly, transforming the scenery dramatically: forests yield to hardy bushes and native flora like towering ragwort and colossal lobelia. Paths meander across rolling hills adorned with flowering heather, providing unobstructed vistas of the valleys beneath.
Between 4,000 and 5,000 meters lies the alpine desert region.
As elevation rises, plant life becomes sparse. Situated between 4,000 and 5,000 meters lies the alpine desert zone, characterized by its dry, stony terrain dotted with volcanic stones. Harsh climatic elements, along with old lava streams from the volcano and reduced levels of oxygen, contribute to forming a lunar-esque environment here. Additionally, this region houses one of the most striking landmarks on your journey: the awe-inspiring Barranco Wall, a towering rock formation measuring nearly 300 meters in height. Ascending this wall involves navigating through a slender pathway, proceeding one after another, tightly gripping onto the edge of the precipice.
At elevations of 5,000 meters, you'll find glaciers and permanent snow cover.
As you approach the peak, crossing the 5,000-meter mark, you find yourself in an environment where snow never melts and glaciers dominate. Despite their recent retreat, Kilimanjaro’s glaciers remain quite spectacular. From the southern side of the mountain, the sight of the everlasting snowfields of the Rebmann Glacier ranks among the highlights of your ascent.
At around 5,895 metres, the crater and the panoramic view from the peak
After half a day’s hike, the peak of Kilimanjaro is almost within reach. Often, the journey to the Kibo crater starts during the nighttime so that trekkers arrive at the edge of the caldera just as the sun rises. From there, it’s merely a 200-meter stroll around the crater, which takes roughly an hour, leading you directly to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters above sea level. The vista from the top is absolutely stunning. When visibility is good, one can gaze upon the vastness stretching out before them. Tanzanian savannah , the adjacent mountains and occasionally even Mount Kenya on the horizon.