Mount Kilimanjaro Fact Sheet
About Kilimanjaro
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World heritage site: Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcanic mountain in Kilimanjaro National Park,
Tanzania, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Height: It is the highest mountain in Africa and also the highest free-standing mountain in the
world at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level, rising 4,600 meters (15,100 feet) from base
to summit
Naming: The meaning and origin of the name Kilimanjaro is unknown. It is thought to be a
combination of the Swahili word Kilima, meaning “mountain”, and the KiChagga word Njaro,
loosely translated as ‘whiteness’, giving the name White Mountain. However, the word Njaro can
also be translated as ‘greatness’, giving the name Mountain of Greatness
Environment: Kilimanjaro is one of the few places on Earth that encompasses every ecological
life zone including tropical jungle, savannah, desert, montane forests, and alpine environments.
Its impressive glacial peak stands out atop all this, looking out across the plains of Tanzania – in
total Kilimanjaro has 2.2 square kilometers of glacial ice
Climbing routes: Kilimanjaro has five common routes to its highest summit; the Marangu,
Machame, Rongai, Lemosho and Mweka route. The Machame and Lemosho routes are popular
and scenic. Marangu is easiest and busy although the last ascent to the crater rim is difficult
Climbers: Kilimanjaro was first ascended by German geologist Hans Meyer, Marangu scout
Yoanas Kinyala Lauwo, and Austrian Ludwig Purtscheller on October 5, 1889. Today, over 35,000
people climb it each year
About the T1D Kilimanjaro Expedition route
The team will take the Machame route (of medium difficulty), ascending over 4,000 meters to reach
the summit – standing proud and tall at nearly 6,000 meters above sea level.
• The team will tackle steep trails for long distances, spending the nights camped in tents and
sleeping bags
• They will trek through a variety of habitats – from rainforest and moorland, to desert-like and
arctic-like conditions; experiencing cold, low humidity, increased ultraviolet radiation, and
decreased air pressure. They will have to manage their diabetes as they pass through these
difficult conditions
• In addition to controlling their diabetes under basic living conditions, arduous terrain and extreme
temperatures they will contend with the daily physical exertion needed for the trek and the risk of
altitude sickness, which affects up to 40% of hikers ascending Kilimanjaro
• Controlling their rate of ascent and duration of exposure to high altitude is critical for them to avoid
experiencing altitude sickness. It is impossible to predict who will be affected by it as there is no
direct link to fitness levels, age or diabetes. This is a difficult challenge for anyone to undertake!