At an altitude of nearly 6,000 meters, frost and hurricane winds are not uncommon, which means that good equipment is essential for climbing Kilimanjaro to avoid frostbite. All necessary equipment is included in the tour cost, which ranges from $1,300 to $3,000. Tour companies assure that climbers will only need money and endurance; everything else is provided by the host party. Despite its popularity among tourists, the mountain is quite dangerous, as confirmed by statistics.
On average, 10 tourists each year from Tanzania do not return home. Similarly, approximately the same number of porters die annually on the African summit, with the main causes being falls, rockfalls, heart problems, and altitude sickness.
Europeans discovered the mountain in 1849, when a German missionary, who claimed to have seen a snowy peak in hot Africa, was initially not believed. However, his observations were later confirmed, and just 13 years later, the first attempt to ascend was made. Until 1889, the summit remained unconquered.
Mass tourist ascents of Mount Kilimanjaro began in 1932. The African peak is characterized by a large temperature variation. During the day, it is often warm enough to wear a t-shirt, while at night, tea left outside the tent freezes. Many African tribes believe in the mountain’s magical power. The Maasai call the summit the earthly residence of their god Ngai, and there are tribes that believe that the souls of the deceased live on
Kilimanjaro. There are also tales of a terrible spirit, Akzhara, who brings famine and only allows some to reach the summit.
The summit of Kilimanjaro is a vast field of rocks, with a breathtaking crater 2.5 kilometers in diameter to the right and glaciers to the left. At the center, there is a wooden sign that reads: “You are now at Uhuru Peak, 5,895 meters, the highest point in Africa!”
