Kilimanjaro Archives

Mt. Kilimanjaro Routes…which one is the best?

We are often asked which is the best route on Kilimanjaro and the answer is it depends…

and it depends on you…

Kilimanjaro offers a range of routes to the summit, which vary in degrees of difficulty, scenic beauty and climber traffic on the route, so if you are considering taking up the challenge, carefully select the one that best suits you.

Kilimanjaro offers a range of routes to the summit, which vary in difficulty, scenery and traffic.

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Uhuru Peak…what’s in the name?

Uhuru Peak (5895m), Mt. Kilimanjaro’s official summit, received its name in 1961, the year of Tanzania’s independence from the United Kingdom. Appropriately, uhuru translates as ‘freedom’ in Swahili. The former name – Kaiser-Wilhelm-Spitze – was given to the peak in 1889 by Hans Meyer, the first European to reach the summit, in honor of the then recently deceased Prussian leader, Wilhelm I (1797-1888).

The summit, the highest point on the entire African continent, remains the ultimate goal for many a buck list!

Mt. Kilimanjaro, the roof of Africa.

CLIMBING NEW HEIGHTS TO SAVE HEARTS

August 15 2011, Mount Kilimanjaro: Doctors, volunteers and supporters of Israel-based humanitarian organization Save a Child’s Heart reached the summit of Africa’s highest peak, Mt Kilimanjaro, in an effort to raise $1 million which will save the lives of 100 African children in desperate need of heart surgery.

The twelve climbers, from the United States, Canada, Israel, Ethiopia, and South Africa reached the peak of 19, 345 feet after 6 days of hiking through rainforest, moorland, semi desert, alpine desert and arctic terrain.

“The climbers arrived from different countries, speak different languages and are various ages, but they all share the same goal: to save the lives of children in Africa,” says Emma Hacohen, Project Coordinator of Climb Your Heart Out: Mount Kilimanjaro 2011.

“I have never felt more empowered,” says Simon Fisher, Executive Director of Save a Child’s Heart. “Watching the Save a Child’s Heart medical team perform the first ever pediatric open heart surgery in Mwanza Tanzania and then climbing Mt Kilimanjaro with the full awareness that this is going to lead to 100 more children’s lives being saved – I guess you could say nothing has ever felt this important.”

Prior to the climb, 13 pediatric heart surgeries were performed in Mwanza Tanzania by the Save a Child’s Heart medical team, as well as the first ever pediatric open heart surgery.  Approximately 300 children were examined by the SACH doctors.

Those children who need heart surgery but did not receive it during the mission will be flown to Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, Israel with all expenses paid by Save a Child’s Heart.

Each climber committed to raising a minimum of 10,000 dollars, the cost of saving the life of one child.  The rest of the funds are being raised through generous donations made by supporters of Save a Child’s Heart.

“It was a humbling and exhilarating experience,” says Emma Hacohen.  “At the bottom of the mountain it seemed insurmountable- but taking it one day at a time, slowly, carefully, I sensed we were conquering it.  I guess it’s quite similar to what we are doing at Save a Child’s Heart.  Saving children with heart disease in Africa also seems insurmountable.  But one heart at a time we are making a difference.”

About Save a Child’s Heart: Save a Child’s Heart is an Israel based international humanitarian project providing life-saving heart surgery and follow-up care for children from developing countries, including Africa, Iraq, the West Bank and Gaza.  Last month Save a Child’s Heart received UN special status on the ECOSOC committee and it is now an official UN NGO.

Since its inception in 1996, the Save a Child’s Heart medical team treated over 2,700 children from 42 countries and has examined and evaluated more than 6,000 children.

5 Reasons to Climb Kilimanjaro

Located in northeast Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro has become one of the most popular destinations for adventure travelers. It’s the highest peak in all of Africa, towering over the countryside at 5,895 meters. The mountain itself is composed of three volcanoes, one of which is dormant but could erupt again. Climbing Kilimanjaro has become a challenge for many people, and it’s certainly no easy feat. The climb itself may not be technical but factors like the high altitude, low temperatures and high winds can make it quite difficult. It’s something that should only be attempted by those who are well equipped and in good physical shape.

That said, here are 5 reasons to add climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to your “to-do” list:

It’s an Ecological Goldmine
Most people think of mountains as somewhat barren terrain. Maybe some trees scattered about, and of course, the snow covered peak. But Mt. Kilimanjaro is so much more. Just about every kind of ecological system can be found somewhere on the mountain. The range includes cultivated land, heather, moorland, rainforest, alpine desert and an arctic summit. Not too many places you travel to can offer you a hike through the tropics of a rainforest and then have you staring at arctic glaciers a short time later. It’s simply fascinating.

Conquering One of the Seven Summits
For most serious mountain climbers, getting to the summit is a huge personal triumph. Mt. Kilimanjaro is no exception. Each year, approximately 25,000 people attempt it and nearly two-thirds of them are successful. But those who accomplish the impressive feat have the opportunity to memorialize it by recording their thoughts in a book that is stored in a box at the top of Uhuru Peak. Who wouldn’t want to place their name on that list? After all, it’s the highest freestanding and 4th most prominent mountain in the world! Now that is an accomplishment!

The Amazing Porters
Many of the local people make their income as porters, or guides, who accompany visitors during their climb. Not only do these folks know the mountain like the backs of their hands, but they also know how to get to the top safely. They will undoubtedly amaze you with their stealth and agility in maneuvering up the steep mountain terrain, seemingly without effort. A little known fact is that many of them will also entertain you. What’s better than making it to the top of a challenging mountain climb than being greeted with cheers and songs from the local porters? It’s an unforgettable experience.

The Incredible Surroundings
The varying terrain on Mt. Kilimanjaro is breathtaking enough. But the views throughout the climb are nothing short of spectacular. Explore the different flora and fauna landscapes that change throughout your climb, and observe the interesting craters and rock pinnacles on the way up. Watch the sun rise over Africa as it casts its brilliant light across the panoramic views. Seeing the sights from atop a mountain is simply awe-inspiring. You’ll also likely encounter a variety of indigenous wild life along the way. The surroundings you’ll experience on the way up are almost as amazing as reaching the summit.

The Glaciers/Ice Caps
Sadly, Mt. Kilimanjaro’s world famous ice caps and the variety of glacial formations located on the mountain are slowly disappearing. Since as recent as 1912, the mountain’s snow caps are said to have lost over 80% of their mass. Even more disheartening is the fact that scientists are predicting that Kilimanjaro will be completely free of ice by the year 2020. If you want to experience these incredible feats of nature, time is running out.

The world offers plenty of destinations for adventure travelers. Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro is perhaps one of the very best. With breathtaking and unique natural landscapes, challenging terrain and interesting local culture, a climb up Mt. Kili is a once in a lifetime experience, one not soon to be forgotten.