Tanzania's Spectacular Scenery: Top 5 Landscapes to Discover on Kilimanjaro
From lush tropical rainforests to icy permafrost, every step of your ascent on Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, offers distinctive and breathtaking vistas.
From lush rainforests to icy glaciers, every level of Mount Kilimanjaro’s climb unveils distinct and breathtaking views. In celebration of the launch of the new Air France flight path from Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Kilimanjaro (JRO), which begins on November 18, 2024, we present five stunning natural vistas you can encounter during your journey up this majestic African mountain.
Between 1,800 meters and 2,800 meters lies a thick and damp montane woodland.
From the outset, you find yourself enveloped in the vivid environment of the dense mountain forest nestled at the base of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This warm and moist region, situated between 1,800 to 2,800 meters above sea level, teems with an abundant variety of flora including towering ferns, dangling lichens, and stately trees. As you proceed, you'll encounter the raucous calls and chatter of distinctive avian species as well as frequent sightings of azure-hued monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys that populate these woodlands near Mount Kilimanjaro.
At elevations ranging from 2,800 to 4,000 meters, the landscape consists of heather and peatlands.
When you exit the rainforest, you find yourself in a moorland region carpeted with heather, situated between 2,800 and 4,000 meters above sea level. Here, the climate shifts dramatically; temperatures plummet noticeably and the scenery transforms entirely: forests yield to hardy bushes and native flora like towering ragwort and colossal lobelias flourish. Meandering paths traverse undulating terrain dotted with flowering heath, providing unobstructed vistas of the valley floors beneath.
Between 4,000 and 5,000 meters lies the alpine desert region.
As elevation rises, plant life becomes sparse. Situated between 4,000 and 5,000 meters lies the alpine desert zone, characterized by dry, stony terrain dotted with volcanic stones. Harsh climatic elements, remnants of old lava eruptions from the nearby volcano, along with low levels of atmospheric oxygen, contribute to a lunar-esque setting here. Additionally, this region houses one of the most striking landmarks on your journey: the spectacular Barranco Wall—a towering escarpment reaching nearly 300 meters in height—which requires ascending via a slender trail, moving one after another while gripping onto the precipice side.
At elevations of 5,000 meters, you'll find glaciers and permanent snow cover.
As you approach the peak, reaching altitudes over 5,000 meters, you find yourself in an environment where snow never melts and glaciers dominate the landscape. Despite their recent retreat due to climate change, Kilimanjaro’s glaciers remain awe-inspiring. Particularly striking is the sight of the Rebmann Glacier on the mountain’s southern slope; witnessing these eternal snowfields offers one of the most unforgettable moments during your ascent.
Around 5,895 meters high, the crater along with the breathtaking panorama from the summit offers a stunning sight.
After half a day’s hike, the peak of Kilimanjaro is almost within reach. Typically, the journey to the Kibo crater is undertaken during the nighttime so that you arrive at the edge of the caldera just as the sun rises. From there, it requires merely a 200-meter stroll across the crater (approximately an hour’s walk) until you reach Uhuru Peak, standing tall at 5,895 meters above sea level. The vista from the top is absolutely stunning. On days with good visibility, one can gaze out over the vastness of the landscape below. Tanzanian savannah , the nearby mountains and occasionally even Mount Kenya on the horizon.