Kilimanjaro National Park

Kilimanjaro, one of the seven summits of the world, is Africa's highest mountain, standing at 5895 metres (19,340 ft).  Formed from a now-dormant volcano, the mountain actually comprises three peaks, Kibo, the highest and youngest,  Shira, and Mawenzi.  Though Mount Kilimanjaro is located only several degrees off the equator, it still receives snow on the upper slopes, and several permanent glaciers can be found near the summit.  These are however unfortunately rapidly receding.

Kilimanjaro's status as one of the seven summits means that it is a popular destination for climbers.  There are seven sanctioned climbing routes up the mountain, ranging from the Marangu Route, the most popular route (known as the Coca Cola Route due to the availability of amenities such as huts along the way), to some of the lesser known and used routes, such as Rongai, or the more challenging Umbwe.  Most routes take between 5 to 11 days.  Chances of success are higher in climbing the longer routes, as there is a longer period of time for acclimatization, and less of  a chance to experience Acute Mountain Sickness.

The other routes include Machame (the Whisky Route), Londorossi Lemosho, Shira and for descent, the Mweka.

The Western Breach, a route taken by the IMAX team when they filled Kilimanjaro, is currently closed to the public, due to the dangerous Western Breach stretch, for which the route was named.  This section involves a several hour scramble up an unstable wall side with falling rocks.  Other routes involve less scrambling, but do require a midnight ascent.

Kilimanjaro has 5 zones, starting with the forests and moving up to the afroalpine terrain.  Near the summit, the terrain is almost moonlike in appearance.  In the lower zones, it is possible to see herds of elephants and buffalo pass by.