IS MOUNT KILIMANJARO IN KENYA OR TANZANIA?
Is Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya or Tanzania?: This is one of the frequently asked question by most tourists who wishes to have a glance or even hike up the Africa’s highest volcano and the world’s free standing mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro? Well, the truth and the fact you have been hunting for about this Question of where Mount Kilimanjaro is located is finally here. From today, it is important to note that Mount Kilimanjaro is situated in Tanzania and not Kenya though it can as well be viewed from some of the Kenya National parks including Amboseli national park and Tsavo West National park. Most people however, still confuse Mount Kilimanjaro for being in Kenya but the truth of matter is that it stands in the north – Eastern part of Tanzania in boarder with Kenya the reason as to why some people actually think that it is located in Kenya.
Mount Kilimanjaro is situated in Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro National park and is one of the top tourist attractions enjoyed by travelers both in Tanzania and in Kenya though the hike must be done only and only in Tanzania thus Kenya has only viewing points but not the actual hike. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest amongst all mountains in East Africa standing free at a height of 5,895Meters above the see level. Mount Kilimanjaro attracts several tourists across the globe to participate in the hike to the summit though not every hiker manages to get to the top due to the effects related to heights.
To hike up Mount Kilimanjaro, hikers need to pay both the park entrance fees to enable them access mount Kilimanjaro national park and as well pay the hiking fees. Mount Kilimanjaro is managed by the authority responsible for the protection and conservation of all protected areas in Tanzania “ ” .
To participate in Mount Kilimanjaro hike, tourists need to be aged at least 10 years which is the minimum age limit for the hiker though there is no maximum age since even people in their 80s have hiked this mountain successfully. So your fitness level enables you ascend this beautiful free standing volcano.
The most thing to put into consideration before embarking on your Tanzania safari for Mount Kilimanjaro hike is to ensure that you have a medical checkup to know your health status and ensure that you are fit to take over the challenge.
Back to our Question of whether Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Kenya or Tanzania;
Well for several years, Kenyans have greatly tried by all means to market the Africa’s tallest and Worlds free standing volcano, Mount Kilimanjaro as their own reason being that it stands just at the border point of Kenya and Tanzania. However, if you take a good look at the base of this Mountain, you will finally agree with me that Mount Kilimanjaro actually sits in Tanzania and to climb it, hikers MUST obtain the permits from Tanzania’s park management officials.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO VIEW MOUNT KILIMANJARO FROM KENYA SIDE?
Without any doubt, yes, you can easily see Mount Kilimanjaro from Kenyan side. However, this can be achieved from a few viewing points with the best views seen from Amboseli national park that is situated in Kenya in boarder with Tanzania. However, tourists should not be convinced that it is a MUST to view Mount Kilimanjaro. It is only possible if weather permits. This implies that in some days, you may fail to see Mount Kilimanjaro from Amboseli National park. The best spot for viewing Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya is at Observation hill.
ROUTES USED DURING MOUNT KILIMANJARO HIKE
Mount Kilimanjaro has 7 Routes used by Hikers all year round and they include;
- Machame Route
Machame route is known to be the most popular route used by Hikers on Mount Kilimanjaro hiking safari. To get to the summit, Hikers require an itinerary of 6 days/ 5 nights though it is possible to add more days. The hike along Machame route sets of from Machame gate within Mount Kilimanjaro national park across the stunning vegetation cover filled with montane forest, lush and many more that all make the hike so rewarding. Descending might follow the Mweka trail which is one of the easiest way to get back to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. Machame route covers approximately 62km and hikers on this Machame hiking route have to spend overnights in the tents.
- Rongai Route
This is known to be the easiest route amongst all the 7 routes used to hike up Mount Kilimanjaro. This Rongai Route takes hikers through the North eastern part of Kenya – Tanzania boarder. Unlike Machame route, Rongai route is used by about 10% of the hiker and it takes about 7 days/ 6 nights with an opportunity to encounter with lots of attractions including animals like Elephants, buffalo etc. this route can as well be hiked on a 6 days/ 5 nights itinerary though this will exclude the acclimatization which as well limits the chances of getting to the summit.
- Lemosho Route
Lemosho route is one of the most beautiful & scenic route used by hiker on a Tanzania safari to hike up mount Kilimanjaro. Lemosho route is liked by several clients who find it so rewarding with lots of breath taking encounters along the hike. A hike to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro through Lemosho route sets off from the western part of the mountain and can be hiked on a 7 days itinerary or more.
- Northern Circuit Route
The Northern Circuit Route is the longest route of all the 7 routes used to hike Mount Kilimanjaro. It is as well the newest route taking 9 days/ 8 nights to ascend and descent Mount Kilimanjaro. Hikers on this route ascend from the eastern part of the mountain and then descends through the Mweka route. Expect to see more than enough during your hike through Northern circuit Route since the route enables hikers to traverse the mountain at a 360. The entire route covers about 96 Kilometers.
- Umbwe Route
Hiker using Umbwe route just like Machame route set off from the south western part of Mount Kilimanjaro before connecting to the southern circuit to get to Uhuru peak. Umbwe route is known as the shortest though it is the steepest and hardest route to climb on Mount Kilimanjaro.
- Shira Route
Shira route uses the southern circuit which starts from the western part of Mount Kilimanjaro just like Lemosho while during descending, the hikers use Mweka route.
- Marangu route
The Marangu route is one of the best routes to use during Mount Kilimanjaro Hike. Marangu route offers hikers with Hut accommodations unlike other routes where hikers have to camp. Marangu Route starts from the south Eastern part of Mount Kilimanjaro and enables hiker to get to Uhuru peak at the summit through Gilman’s Point. Apart from being the only hiking route with hut accommodation, Marangu route is as well the only route that uses the same route for both ascending and descending.
Note: The best time to visit Tanzania for Mount Kilimanjaro hike like any other hiking safari in East Africa is during the dry seasons including December to February and June to early September.
Conclusion:
“Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania”
