Mount Kilimanjaro is located in the northeastern part of Tanzania on the African continent. It is situated in the Kilimanjaro region, near the border with Kenya. The mountain is approximately 200 miles from the Equator, 225 kilometers south of Nairobi (Kenya’s capital), and 160 kilometers east of the East African Rift System.
The mountain rises to an elevation of 5,895 meters above sea level, making it the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
The journey to hike Mount Kilimanjaro often starts from Moshi or Arusha towns in Tanzania. Arusha is about a 90-minute drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport, while Moshi is just a 40-minute drive from the airport. Mount Kilimanjaro has three distinct volcanic cones:
- Kibo: The highest at 5,895 meters above sea level.
- Mawenzi: The second-highest at 5,149 meters.
- Shira: The lowest at 3,962 meters.
Shira and Mawenzi are considered extinct, but Kibo, the youngest and highest cone, is dormant and could erupt in the future.
Seven established routes lead to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro:
- Lemosho route
- Rongai route
- Marangu route
- Machame route
- Shira route
- Umbwe route
- Kilema route
The Kilema route is the only one that allows hikers to reach the summit by bike.
Getting There
Kilimanjaro International Airport is the main gateway for travelers visiting Mount Kilimanjaro. Several European airlines have daily flights to this airport.
Alternatively, tourists can fly to Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and drive to Kilimanjaro International Airport or take a domestic flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Another option is to fly to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya and drive to Kilimanjaro.
Although Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania, some say the mountain is “in Tanzania, but the views are in Kenya” because the most scenic views of the mountain can be seen from Amboseli National Park in Kenya.
The best time to visit Mount Kilimanjaro is during the dry seasons, from June to August and December to February, when the weather is ideal for hiking.
If you visit during the wet season, it is recommended to use the Rongai route, which is less affected by rainfall.