Kilimanjaro, the Roof of Africa

Rising to 5,895 meters, Kilimanjaro towers over the plains of northern Tanzania. A dormant volcano, it comprises three cones — Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira — and offers an unforgettable view of the African savannah at sunrise.

Altitude

5895 m

Localisation

3.067° S / 37.356° E

A mountain between sky and earth

The Kilimanjaro is a mountain of contrasts: from tropical forests to eternal glaciers, from Maasai villages to equatorial snows. Its ascent requires no alpine technique, but it does demand endurance and respect for the elements. Each step is a journey between heat, cold, and altitude — a symbol of achievement accessible to all.

1848

First Western observation

The German missionaries Rebmann and Krapf described a snow-capped mountain at the equator, provoking disbelief in Europe.

1889

First documented ascent

Achieved by Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller.

1912

First glacial studies

German scientists mapped the summit glaciers.

1952

National park established

The volcano’s slopes were protected to preserve its biodiversity.

1987

UNESCO World Heritage inscription

Recognition of its universal natural value.

21st century

Glacier disappearance

Researchers estimate that Kilimanjaro’s snow could disappear before 2050, a consequence of global warming.

−3.0665° N / 37.3556° E

Tanzania

5 895 m

Elevation

1889

First ascent

3

Volcanic cones (Kibo, Mawenzi, Shira)

2050

Projected disappearance of the glaciers

Hemingway’s summit

Hemingway’s summit

Kilimanjaro is immortalized by Ernest Hemingway in The Snows of Kilimanjaro. The writer sees it as a symbol of unattainable purity, where dreams meet reality.

The mountain’s porters

Every expedition relies on the silent work of Tanzanian porters. Their endurance and joy despite harsh conditions remind us that a mountain is always climbed together.

Kilimanjaro is a universal summit — a climb more inward than technical.

For Norton Peak, it evokes quiet perseverance and the raw beauty of nature, where every breath is a step toward the sky.

From Moshi or Arusha (Tanzania)

The main ascent routes are the Marangu, Machame, and Lemosho routes, which pass through several climate zones before reaching Uhuru Peak.

“The snows of Kilimanjaro never melt from memory”

Ernest Hemingway