Mount Kilimanjaro with its snow-capped crown at 5,895 metres above sea level is the highest mountain in Africa. Although much higher than the Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest peak at 4,810 m, the summit is accessible to both professionals and keen amateurs. But it is still quite a climb that normally takes at least 6 days.
Those who undertake the challenge await a great adventure on the slopes of this free-standing mountain, which is actually a dormant volcano with three cones. The ultimate climb goes to the summit, but there are also day hikes to the first hut. The easiest trail, the Marangu Route, is known as the ‘Coca-Cola route’, with comfortable huts for lodging and plenty of spots that sell water and food. The greatest danger is altitude sickness, but that can easily be avoided by climbing slowly.