Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is a giant mountain in the country of Tanzania, in Africa. It is the tallest mountain on the whole continent. Even though it is close to the equator, its top is covered in snow and ice. It is made up of three old volcanoes joined together.

A Sleeping Volcano

Kilimanjaro has three volcanic cones called Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. Kibo is the tallest part and its peak is named Uhuru Peak. The volcano has not erupted in a very long time, so it is called dormant. Scientists think it last had a big eruption over 150,000 years ago.

Climbing to the Top

Thousands of people try to climb Kilimanjaro every year. The hike takes about a week going up and down. Climbers walk through different zones, from warm rainforests to cold icy peaks. The top is 19,341 feet above sea level.

Fun Facts

• Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world.
• Its snowy cap has been slowly shrinking because of warmer weather.
• The name may come from local words meaning 'mountain of greatness.'

Did You Know?

You can find elephants, giraffes, and monkeys living on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro.