About Mount Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawensi, and Shira, is an inactive stratovolcano in north-eastern Tanzania. Although it does not have the highest elevation, Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, rising 15,100 ft from its base, and includes the highest peak in Africa at 19,345 ft, providing a dramatic view from the surrounding plains.
The highest point is Uhuru Peak on the volcano Kibo, 19,345 ft. Kibo has a 1.5 mile wide crater on the top of it. As the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak is one of the Seven Summits. The summit was first reached by the Marangu army scout, Yohanas Kinyala Lauwo, German Hans Meyer and Austrian Ludwig Purtscheller, on October 6, 1889. Two other peaks are also extinct volcanoes: Mawenzi at 16,900 ft, the third highest peak in Africa (after Mount Kenya) and Shira at 13,000 ft. Yohanas' Notch is named after Lauwo.
Due to the mountain's equatorial location as well as its high elevation, climbers can experience almost every climate type on earth during the journey to the top. It is also known to many for its year round snow-topped summit.