8 Interesting Things About Mt. Kilimanjaro

It is safe to say many of us have been craving adventure after a few rough years of the pandemic. Traveling and seeing the world's most spectacular sights and majestic mountains is no longer something taken for granted. I began thinking about where or what would be a tremendous unforgettable trip, after a bit of digging I found Helen Soto founder of Roam Wild Adventures who combines her client's thirst for adventure with sustainable tourism. She reeled off lots of amazing African destinations but the one that stood out to me was climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. What could be more adventurous than climbing a mountain in Tanzania. Here are some of the fascinating facts Helen kindly shared with me.

Mt. Kilimanjaro

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Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the world's famous "Seven Summits". It is the tallest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

The Oldest Person to Reach the Summit is 89yrs

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Many notable people have summited Kilimanjaro, including celebrities and professional athletes. The oldest person to reach the summit is an American woman named Anne Lorimor.

The Summit Name is Freedom

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The summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is named Uhuru, or "Freedom". It was given this name by the first president of Tanzania, Dr. Julius Nyerere, to commemorate the country's declaration of independence in 1959.

Sits at the Equatorial Plane

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One of the many fascinating things about Mt Kilimanjaro is that the mountain sits atop the equatorial plane.

It is a Volcano

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The mountain was formed from a volcanic explosion that left behind the crater near the summit that exists today. It's technically an active volcano, although it has been dormant for millenia.

It Consists of Three Peaks

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Mount Kilimanjaro consists of 3 distinct peaks, Kibo Peak, Mawenzi Peak, and the smaller Shira Peak.

55% of Climbers make it to the Summit

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Roughly 50,000 people now visit Mt. Kilimanjaro per year. Of them, approximately 55% actually achieve the summit.

First Climbed in 1889

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The first successful ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro occurred in 1889 by a German geologist named Hans Myer.

Mt Kilimanjaro certainly seems like a bucket list adventure and a stunning place to see, it is one of the many adventures throughout Africa offered by Roam Wild Adventures. The tallest mountain in Africa seems like the perfect place to inspire us to get up, get out and explore this beautiful world we live in.