From lush tropical rainforests to icy fields of eternal snow, every step along the ascent of Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, offers distinctive and breathtaking views.
From lush tropical forests to icy glaciers, every step of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, unveils distinct and breathtaking vistas. In celebration of the launch of the new Air France Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) – Kilimanjaro (JRO) service beginning on November 18, 2024, we present five extraordinary natural wonders you can encounter during your journey up this majestic African landmark.
Between 1,800 meters and 2,800 meters lies a thick, moisture-laden montane woodland.
From the outset, you find yourself enveloped in the vivid environment of the dense mountain forest nestled below Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This warm and moist region, situated between 1,800 to 2,800 meters above sea level, teems with a diverse array of flora including towering ferns, cascading lichens, and large-leaved trees. As you progress, you’ll encounter the raucous calls of colorful birds, as well as the frequent sightings of blue monkeys and colobus monkeys that populate these woodlands near Mount Kilimanjaro.
At elevations ranging from 2,800 to 4,000 meters, the landscape consists of heath and moorlands.
When you exit the rainforest, you find yourself in a moorland blanketed with heather at elevations ranging from 2,800 to 4,000 meters. Here, the air turns cooler by several degrees, and the scenery transforms dramatically: forests yield to resilient bushes and native flora like colossal senecio and towering lobelias. Meandering paths traverse rolling hills adorned with flowering heather, providing unobstructed vistas of the valleys beneath.
Between 4,000 and 5,000 meters lies the alpine desert.
As elevation rises, plant life becomes sparse. Situated between 4,000 and 5,000 meters lies the alpine desert zone, characterized by a dry, rugged terrain filled with scattered volcanic stones. Harsh climatic elements, coupled with old lava streams from the volcano and diminished levels of oxygen, result in a lunar-esque setting here. Additionally, this region houses one of the most striking landmarks along your journey: the spectacular Barranco Wall—a towering rock formation standing nearly 300 meters tall—which can be ascended via a slender trail, moving in a line as each person clings closely to the precipice side.
At 5,000 metres, glaciers and perpetual snow
Nearing the summit, above 5,000 metres, you enter a world of perpetual snow and glaciers. Although they are receding as of late, Kilimanjaro’s glaciers are still impressive. On the south face of the volcano, the view of the perpetual snows of the Rebmann glacier is one of the most memorable experiences of the climb.
At around 5,895 metres, the crater and the panoramic view from the peak
Half a day’s walking later, the summit of Kilimanjaro is very near. The trek to the Kibo crater is often done at night, as you then reach the rim of the caldera at sunrise. Then you only have a 200-metre walk along the crater (an hour’s walk) to Uhuru Peak, at 5,895 metres. The view from the summit is breathtaking. On a clear day, you can see the expanse of the
Tanzanian savannah
, the adjacent mountains and occasionally even
Mount Kenya
on the horizon.
