Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the biggest mountains that are found in Africa. It is the tallest in the continent of Africa and one of the largest standing mountains in the world and therefore ranked among the seven summits in the world. It is located in Tanzania and there exist several theories that explain the origin of this mountain. Mount Kilimanjaro was brought into existence after volcanic action and glaciation. The rocks that erupted later on solidified across the region forming the mountain. This mountain has three cones, that is, Mawenzi, Shira, and Kibo. The Kibo cone is dormant and it is believed that it could erupt again whereas Mawenzi and Shira cones are extinct. For a very long time, Mount Kilimanjaro has been a major tourist attraction with people coming from different parts of the world to experience the cool natural environment by hiking through the mountain.
There are several important things that one is supposed to remember when planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The journey through mount Kilimanjaro takes about 5 to 8 days to complete and it involves several routes depending on one’s preferences. Mount Kilimanjaro can also be accessed through Kenya. All those that wish to visit this great mountain are advised to seek the help of a guide early enough concerning the routes to use as some routes are dangerous and require the service of experts.
- It Takes Between 5 To 8 Days To Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
Several factors contribute to the long duration of movement through Mount Kilimanjaro. The main reason contributing to the many days that one takes to cover the peak of the mountain and back is because of the average distance covered. Many people also believe that the more days you take to cover the mountain the more your chances of getting to the top increase and also the more you get to have more adventures on the mountain. Besides these, there also exist other reasons contributing to the long duration of stay in this mountain and they are as follows.
Rest after moving a certain range of distance is necessary. This helps provide enough time for the body to relax while awaiting the next mileage and many are advised so because it is also healthy. In addition, slow movement helps one adjust to the altitude of the place, which may be hard for some people who have serious health issues. This kind of hiking is mostly advised for people that are very fit in their bodies because at some point people with serious health conditions might not make it to the top of the mountain and back.
- There Are Several Routes To Consider With Varying Rates Of Success
Movement across Mount Kilimanjaro involves several routes that vary in terms of distance, complexity, or change of altitude as one progresses through the mountain. A total of seven routes are involved when hiking through Mount Kilimanjaro. These are the Umbwe route, Shira route, Machame route, Lemosho route, Marangu route, Rongai route, and the Northern Circuit route.
The Marangu and Machame routes are the most preferred routes when moving around the mountain because they are the most established, they are the easiest to move through, and because of the different kinds of seasons that are experienced in the regions covered by every single route. These two routes are also the best because they have one of the best accommodation facilities as compared to the others therein. The other available routes may not be necessarily preferred because some of them require a little expertise when climbing.
- You Can Easily Get To Mount Kilimanjaro From Kenya
In Kenya, one can have a clear view of Mount Kilimanjaro from a distance. The most preferred place to have a clear view of the great mountain of Kilimanjaro is the Amboseli National Park which is located in Kajiado Constituency in Kajiado county. Even though there is a clear view of the mountain, the most preferred place where one can climb through the mountain is by climbing it from the Tanzanian side. This, therefore, concludes that Mount Kilimanjaro is located near the Kenya-Tanzania border.
The distance covered from the nearest point in Kenya to Mount Kilimanjaro is less than 400 Kilometers. Therefore, one may decide to pass through Kenya to get to Mount Kilimanjaro depending on their preference but as many are advised, accessing the mountain through Tanzania reduces the average distance that one covers, and hence this is also economical to the specific individual.
- Acclimatizing For The Change In Altitude Is Critical To Successfully Completing The Hike
Acclimatizing is the process by which the body of an individual shifts and adjusts itself to adapt to the prevailing conditions that are in a certain place. Almost every type of climatic condition is experienced in Mount Kilimanjaro because a walk through the whole mountain is like moving from one latitude to another.
As one moves high up the mountain, the altitude rises whereas the atmospheric pressure keeps on dropping. Much energy is also required by the body to adjust to the prevailing conditions of the altitude to avoid any unusual illnesses that may be brought about by the effect of the rise in altitude.
- It Is Important To Consult Your Doctor For Advice Before The Hike
Everybody planning a hiking journey through Mount Kilimanjaro is always advised to seek specialized medical advice from his or her doctor to avoid unnecessary sicknesses that are due to changes in altitude. As one keeps on moving higher, the atmospheric pressure drops, and the rate of breathing increases, a condition called panting. Panting is the situation where the oxygen supply into the breathing system is less than the amount required by the body.
The body, therefore, adjusts to this condition by producing more red blood cells to produce more oxygen that is used to counteract the less supply of oxygen that the body requires. Failure to seek special guidance from medical experts may lead to unplanned altitude sicknesses that may deteriorate one’s health.
- Consult The Help Of A Tour Guide Or Experienced Climbers For The Necessary Gear
Tour guides play a vital role in the process of hiking through Mount Kilimanjaro. One can’t climb across the mountain without a tour guide, as the policies of the land and the government do not allow such to avoid instances of some people getting stranded where they cannot trace their location.
Before you are allowed to hike across the mountain it is a requirement you register yourself so that you may be connected to your tour guide early in advance. Only the shortlisted routes are used and people are highly prohibited from using external routes such as caves and shortcuts.