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Rising above the hot and dusty Maasai Steppe in northern Tanzania is a Mountain with its flat top white with snow stark against the blue African sky, it is Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, the highest free-standing mountain in the world, and one of the largest volcanoes ever to burst through the earths surface. Situated only three degrees below the Equator with snow and glaciers covering its peak,and just under four miles high it can be seen from more than 100 miles away on a clear day.
Kilimanjaro is in fact a young mountain, roughly one million years ago there was probably a large river where it now stands. The formation of the Great Rift Valley two or three million years ago left deep fractures in the earths crust, and eventually many volcanoes broke through in the Kilimanjaro region. Circa three quarters of a million years ago Mawenzi – Shira – Kibo broke through the surface to reach a height of about 16,000 ft, and stretched in an east-south-west direction for about forty miles. Shira became extinct and collapsed and became a Caldera. The north – east side was covered by fresh eruptions from Kibo and the rest was eroded forming the present plateau with a height of 13,140 ft. Mawenzi and Kibo grew until they reached almost 18,000 ft and their lava mixed forming the saddle. Mawenzi became extinct first, its center collapsing like that of Shira. In a explosion the entire eastern rim burst releasing debris and water over an area of over 400 miles, creating a spectacular gorge.Lava seeping through cracks formed “dykes” which eroded and gave Mawenzi its jagged outline and pinnacles reaching to 16,890 ft.
From circa 16,400 ft (5,000m) there are Arctic conditions.Virtually the only water is in the form of snow and ice, the Oxygen is half that at sea-level, and the radiation from the sun is extreme. The only vegetation is Lichens that grow very slowly, about 1mm per year and can live for hundreds of years. The only life that can exist in these conditions are a few spiders living on insects borne by the wind. The summit is a crater which was once was a rounded dome that collapsed , inside is a inner crater which is called the “Reusch crater” inside which is a cone rising 390 ft above Gillmans point. The hot gases and yellow sulphur deposits show that the volcano is still active.
Tourists who come to climb Kilimanjaro will be surprised by ever-changing fauna, which is known as “vegetational zonation” a term used to describe the fact that certain plants will only grow at certain altitudes, leading to distinct bands of trees shrubs and flowering plants that change with height. within these types of habitat live animals that have adapted to certain extent to mountain life. The bands of vegetation range from lush rain forests to permanent ice fields. Each zone occupies roughly 3,280 ft (1,000 meters) of altitude. Generally the temperature falls about 1’C for every 656 ft (200m) increase in altitude.
Mount Meru – the fifth highest Mountain in Africa at 4,566 metres (14,990 feet). Its peaks and eastern footslopes are protected within the Arusha National Park, Meru offers unparalleled views of its famous neighbour Mt. Kilimanjaro, while also forming a rewarding hiking destination in its own right.
Passing first through wooded savannah where buffalos and giraffes are frequently encountered, the ascent of Meru leads into forests aflame with red-hot pokers and dripping with Spanish moss, before reaching high open heath spiked with giant lobelias. Everlasting flowers cling to the alpine desert, as delicately-hoofed klipspringers mark the hike’s progress. Astride the craggy summit, Kilimanjaro stands unveiled, blushing in the sunrise.
Ol Doinyo Lengai, also known as ‘Mountain of God’ in the Maasai language, is the only active volcano in Tanzania and the third highest peak in the country. Located in the Gregory Rift, which is just south of the nearby Lake Natron in the Arusha region of Tanzania. The volcano is a popular hiking destination for those looking for a unique challenge. It’s one of the steepest hikes I’ve done in my life with 1600m of elevation in just five kilometers. The peak reaches 2,962m and is an interesting geological destination with the carbonatite rock derived from magma, a unique feature in this region
The hike takes anywhere from 6-10 hours and the summit attempt often begins in the middle of the night to reach the peak of the volcano. This early start is to enjoy the sunrise from the summit and to avoid the harsh heat of the region, which can often reach 50 degrees celsius.
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