How tall is Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895 metres (19,341 feet) above sea level at Uhuru Peak on the Kibo summit. This makes it the highest point in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

How old is Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro is approximately 3 million years old, formed by volcanic activity. It last erupted around 360,000 years ago. The mountain is composed of three distinct volcanic cones: Kibo (the highest, still dormant), Mawenzi, and Shira (the oldest and most eroded).

How many people climb Kilimanjaro each year?

Approximately 50,000 people attempt to climb Kilimanjaro each year. Of these, around 65% reach the summit (Uhuru Peak at 5,895m). Summit success rates vary significantly by route and itinerary length — operators with experienced guides and longer acclimatization profiles achieve significantly higher rates.

What are the climate zones on Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro has five distinct climate zones from base to summit: Cultivated Zone (800-1,800m), Rainforest Zone (1,800-2,800m), Moorland Zone (2,800-4,000m), Alpine Desert Zone (4,000-5,000m), and Arctic Zone (5,000-5,895m). This ecological diversity means you pass through the equivalent of travelling from the equator to the Arctic in a single climb.

Is Kilimanjaro a volcano?

Yes. Kilimanjaro is a dormant stratovolcano. Its highest peak, Kibo, is dormant rather than extinct — there are fumaroles (volcanic gas vents) inside the crater. The other two summits, Mawenzi and Shira, are extinct. Kilimanjaro last erupted approximately 360,000 years ago.

Kilimanjaro Facts & Statistics

Everything about Africa's tallest mountain. From geology to wildlife to climbing records.

Basic Facts

Height: 5,895m (19,341 ft)

Prominence: 5,895m

Status: Highest mountain in Africa

Location: Northeast Tanzania, Kilimanjaro Region

Nearest city: Arusha (50 km / 31 miles)

UNESCO: World Heritage Site (1987)

Age: ~750,000 years old

Type: Dormant volcanic mountain (not dead)

Last eruption: ~360 years ago

Peaks: 3 volcanic cones (Kibo, Mawenzi, Shira)

Base diameter: ~60 km

National Park: 1,688 km² protected area

The Three Peaks

Kibo (5,895m)

Status: Dormant (most likely to erupt again, though probability is low)

Last activity: ~360 years ago

The highest and youngest of the three peaks. Contains the main crater with Uhuru Peak (the summit). Home to remaining glaciers and ice fields.

Mawenzi (5,149m)

Status: Extinct (no activity for thousands of years)

Prominence: Jagged, rock spires

Older than Kibo. Rarely climbed (not a main route objective). More technical and dangerous to climb than Kibo.

Shira (3,962m)

Status: Extinct

Used for: Starting point for Lemosho route

The oldest peak. Now mostly eroded. Lemosho route climbers start near Shira for maximum acclimatization.

Climate & Weather Facts

Snowline: Currently at ~5,500m (used to be lower before glacier retreat)

Temperature range: 25°C at base to -20°C at summit

Coldest month: July (average summit: -18°C)

Warmest month: October-November (lower elevations reach 25-28°C)

Rainfall: Varies by zone: 100mm-2,000mm annually depending on altitude

Dry seasons: June-October and January-February

Wet seasons: March-May (long rains) and November-December (short rains)

UV intensity: Extreme at altitude (50% more intense than at sea level)

Climbing Facts & Records

Climbing Statistics

~60,000 climbers annually
~40 deaths per year (0.07% mortality)
Industry average success rate: 65%
Mount Kilimanjaro Climb success rate: 95%
Youngest summiter: 7 years old
Oldest summiter: 85+ years

Climbing Records

Fastest ascent: 7 hours 14 minutes (2014, trail running)
Fastest round trip: ~20 hours
Most summits: Guides: 500-3,000+; Tourists: 1-5 typically
Handcycle: First summiter: 2012
Wheelchair: Multiple summits documented
Amputee summits: Numerous documented cases

Geology & Formation

Type: Kilimanjaro is a shield volcano complex formed through multiple eruptions over 750,000 years.

Composition: Mostly cinder, ash, and lava flows. Summit crater still contains ash cone.

Formation history:

Shira formation: ~750,000 years ago
Kibo formation: ~650,000 years ago (overlapped with Shira)
Mawenzi formation: ~450,000 years ago
Last significant eruption: ~360 years ago

Volcanic hazard: Technically dormant, not dead. Eruption risk is extremely low but non-zero. No significant seismic activity or gas emissions suggesting imminent eruption.

Wildlife & Biodiversity

Mammals

Common: Blue monkeys, Colobus monkeys, bushbabies, hyrax, duikers, buffalo, eland

Rare: Elephants, leopards (sightings uncommon but they exist)

Birds

Over 180 bird species recorded. Eagles, buzzards, sunbirds, silvered-cheeked hornbill, crowned eagles.

Insects & Reptiles

Butterflies, beetles, snakes, lizards. None particularly dangerous to climbers.

Most likely encounters: Monkeys in the forest zone (they're curious and fast), birds throughout. Wildlife typically avoids humans.

Water & Hydrology

Water source: Precipitation (rainfall and glacial melt)
Glacial melt: Provides seasonal water to downstream communities
Springs: Multiple springs on lower slopes support local water supply
Streams: Kilimanjaro feeds streams to both Tanzania and Kenya
Climate impact: Declining glaciers = decreasing water availability for 1+ million people

Cultural & Historical Facts

Indigenous people: Chagga (Chaga) people live on lower slopes; have farmed there for centuries
First documented summit: 1848 — European explorers
First Western woman: Ina Brita Akesson (1927)
UNESCO recognition: World Heritage Site since 1987
Tanzanian icon: Featured on Tanzania coat of arms
Climbing culture: Modern adventure climbing industry began in 1970s; exponential growth since 1990s

Environmental Facts & Concerns

Glacier retreat: 85% of Kilimanjaro's glaciers have disappeared since 1912. At current rate, remaining ice could vanish in 15-30 years.

Climate change impact: Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are primary drivers of glacier loss.

Water stress: Kilimanjaro's declining water supply affects 1+ million people dependent on glacier-fed streams.

Ecosystem change: Rising treeline and vegetation shifts visible year-to-year in some zones.

Conservation efforts: Kilimanjaro National Park manages the mountain for sustainability; climbing fees support conservation.

Naming & Meaning

"Kilimanjaro": Etymology debated. Possibly from Chagga word "Kilima" (mountain) + Arabic "jaro" (white), or other historical interpretations.

Chagga names: "Ol Doinyo Oibor" (Chagga) = "The White Mountain"

Colonial names: "Kaiser Wilhelm Peak" (German colonial period) — now called Uhuru Peak (freedom peak)

Peak names: Uhuru Peak (Swahili for "freedom"), Stella Point (named after climber), Hans Meyer Point (early explorer)

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