From lush tropical rainforests to the unending snowy peaks, every step of your climb up Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, offers distinctive and breathtaking vistas.

From lush rainforests to icy glaciers, every step of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, offers distinctive and breathtaking views. In celebration of the launch of the new Air France flight from Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Kilimanjaro (JRO), beginning on November 18, 2024, we present five stunning natural vistas you can encounter during your journey up this majestic African landmark.

Between 1,800 meters and 2,800 meters lies a thick, moisture-rich 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 and 2,800 meters elevation, teems with an abundance of life including towering ferns, cascading lichen, and stately trees. As you progress, the calls and chatter of distinctive avian species, alongside frequent sightings of azure-hued monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys, fill the woodland atmosphere around Mount Kilimanjaro.

At elevations ranging from 2,800 to 4,000 meters, the landscape consists of heather and moors.

When you exit the rainforest, you find yourself in a moorland region blanketed with heather, situated between 2,800 and 4,000 meters above sea level. Here, the temperature noticeably decreases by several degrees, leading to dramatic shifts in scenery: trees yield to resilient bushes and native flora like towering ragwort and colossal lobelia. 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 region.

As elevation rises, plant life becomes sparse. Situated between 4,000 and 5,000 meters lies the alpine desert region, characterized by its dry, stony terrain dotted with volcanic stones. Harsh climatic elements, coupled with old lava streams from the volcano and insufficient oxygen levels, lend this place a lunar appearance. This section also houses one of the journey’s standout features: the spectacular Barranco Wall, a towering rock formation measuring nearly 300 meters in height. Climbing up involves navigating through a tight passageway along the edge of the precipice, proceeding in a line.

At an altitude of 5,000 meters, you’ll find glaciers and permanent snow cover.

As you approach the peak, rising over 5,000 meters, you find yourself in an area where snow never melts and glaciers dominate the landscape. Despite their recent retreat due to climate change, Kilimanjaro’s glaciers remain awe-inspiring. Particularly striking is the sight of the Rebmann Glacier on the mountain’s southern slope; witnessing these eternal snowfields offers one of the most unforgettable moments during your ascent.

At around 5,895 metres, the crater and the panoramic view from the peak

After half a day’s hike, the peak of Kilimanjaro is almost within reach. Typically, the journey to the Kibo crater begins during the night so that trekkers arrive at the edge of the caldera just as the sun rises. From there, it’s merely a 200-meter stroll across the crater—a short one-hour walk—to get to Uhuru Peak, which stands tall at 5,895 meters above sea level. The vista from the top is absolutely stunning. On days with excellent visibility, you can gaze out over vast expanses below.
Tanzanian savannah
, the nearby mountains and occasionally even
Mount Kenya
on the horizon.