Kilimanjaro towers nearly 5,900 metres above the plains of Tanzania, making it the tallest mountain in Africa. Unlike most giant peaks, it doesn’t sit in a long range. It’s a stand-alone giant - three volcanic cones called Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira that grew together over millions of years.
Because Kilimanjaro is so tall, climbing it is like walking from the equator to the Arctic in a week. Hikers start in steamy rainforest, then climb through grassy heath, alpine desert, and finally an icy summit. Each zone has its own animals and plants.
Kibo, the highest cone, is still considered a dormant volcano. It hasn’t erupted for thousands of years but isn’t fully dead. Its famous ice cap has shrunk by more than 80 percent since 1912 and may vanish in the next few decades.
