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Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and also the worlds highest freestanding mountain rising from 1000m to a towering 5896m at Uhuru peak. Three extinct volcanoes namely Shira, Mawenzi and Kibo form the Kilimanjaro. Shira is hardly recognizable as a volcano since only the giant caldera floor forms the Shira plateau at about 3200m. At the Mawenzi on the other hand only the parts of the caldera walls are left in form of steep bare rocky peaks with the highest being Hans Meyers peak at 5149m. Only experienced technical climbers may attempt an ascend. Kibo is the youngest and most majestic of the three. The caldera is still intact and at the ash pit and fumeroles of smoke can occasionally still seen as a reminder of a very active volcanic history.
Kibo which can be attempted by any experienced hiker also forms the rooftop of Africa with Uhuru peak as the highest point.A trekking exploration of the mountain reveals the rich vegetation which consists of cedar, podo and wild olive on the lower northern and western slopes while on the wetter lower eastern and southern slopes, giant camphor, fig trees, ferns lines and epiphytes are a common feature. The tree line is at about 2800m followed by moor land up to 3800m. From there a rocky moonlike landscape, the alpine dessert, stretches all the way up to the permanent ice. Kilimajaro offers the hiker the unique opportunity to experience all climatic zones from the hot tropical climate on the equator to the hostile arctic climate on Uhuru peak in a span of less than a week.
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