Mount Kilimanjarois highest mountain in Africa also it is highest free standing mountain in the world; it is located in northern part of Tanzania in Kilimanjaro region. Its height is about5895mfrom sea level.
The following are six importance of mount Kilimanjaro to Tanzania
It is tourist attraction hence it is source of foreign earning from tourism
It modifies the climatic condition of Kilimanjaro region making it receive high rainfall through orographic rainfall formation
Rivers flowing from it are source of water to the people living around it.
It is symbol of Tanzania nation since it is known to be home to highest mountain in Africa
The forest around it are source of timber and other forestry products
The Kilimanjaro national park around it is home to numerous species of animals and plants hence it help to preserve the biodiversity of the country
Mt. Kilimanjaro is a climb of 19,340 feet through all kinds of terrain and vastly fluctuating temperatures.
When my husband-to-be asked what I wanted to do for our honeymoon, I was stumped. I’m a travel editor. I’d traveled all over the world. We’d met in the Galapagos. How do you top that? Do you even try?
We both love adventure and the outdoors, and we wanted a once-in-a-lifetime trip that would leave us with a sense of accomplishment, not just a tan.
Then one night it hit me: “We’ll climb a mountain!” What better way to start a marriage than by scaling a high peak together? How symbolic. I paused and added, “What mountain can we climb without a lot of training or ropes?”
There are plenty of mountains where you can do that in the U.S.; Colorado alone is filled with them. But this was our honeymoon, and we wanted to get away, far away, to a land without cell service. All the way to Tanzania.
Mt. Kilimanjaro, the tallest and most recognizable mountain in Africa, fit the bill. It takes hikers through five different ecosystems – from rainforest to alpine desert to arctic snowcap – and climbing 19,340 feet to the top is one of the most empowering adventures you can experience without serious training.
About 35,000 people begin the climb each year. How many reach the summit is an elusive statistic.
We hooked up with the adventure travel company Intrepid, because it has a wide variety of dates for different climbs and a good track record for getting people to the top.
“Kili” climbs take anywhere from five to nine days, depending on your route and how much time you want to take to acclimate to the altitude. All tourists must register at the base and climb with a licensed guide. And at a cost of several thousand dollars, this isn’t something you do on a whim. This is one for the bucket list.
I researched the climb before we left, but there are things I know now that I wish I’d known before I got there. They would have made the climb easier, more enjoyable and less uncomfortable.
1. Kilimanjaro is hard work. The literature describes it as a walk, but just because you don't need special equipment doesn't mean it’s easy. Parts of the trail are very steep and feel like they go on forever. There are sections filled with 2-foot-high boulders that feel like a StairMaster on level 27.
2. Nothing on the mountain will kill you. Except lack of oxygen, which is why you need to acclimate to the altitude. But I wish I’d known we were safe during our first night in an A-frame hut at the Mandara camp. There is an animal that shrieks at night and sounds like it could tear you from limb to limb. It’s a harmless tree hyrax – no bigger than a cat – but I promise it will keep you from getting up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.
3. Toilet paper is currency. I stole a large role of extra-soft toilet paper from the last hotel I stayed in when I was told, at the last minute, that we needed to carry our own TP. And because I had it, I was all of a sudden rich. People would trade candy bars, ibuprofen and, in one case, a delicious block of cheese just for something soft to wipe with. There are bathrooms – long drop toilets – at the camp on Kilimanjaro, but they aren’t stocked with any amenities, including toilet paper. By the way, the only place to go while you’re hiking is in the bushes, often with a crowd of tourists watching you and waving. Our Intrepid guide, Justaz Molel, described them as LWVs – Loos With a View. The problem was the view often went both ways.
4. Your sweat will freeze. And it’s gross. The temperatures reach over 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and sink to below zero at night, and it’s unlikely you’ll take a shower during the approximately six days you’ll be on the mountain. You may find a shower at one of the camps, but the water will be frigid. Better to remain dirty and very, very smelly.
5. It’s not always easy on a relationship. Many of the guides will laugh when you tell them you’re doing this on your honeymoon. While some couples find the climb empowering, others actually break up on the mountain. We heard that one honeymooning husband left his new wife alone on the mountain because the climb caused them to fight so much.
6. You need to slow down. Your guides want you to go “pole pole” – Swahili for “slow.” It’s in their best interest, because you’ll give them good reviews if you make it to the top and avoid altitude sickness. But other members of your group may have a different definition of slow. When you start a climb, there is intense peer pressure to “stay with the group.” Our group was composed of very active, very adventurous Australians, and trying to keep up with them made me weep on our first day. I also felt like the mountain passed me by. I hardly remembered anything except staring at my feet, willing them to go faster as my breath grew more ragged. On our second day, one of our guides saw how much I was hurting, grabbed my shoulders and said, “Pole, pole.” While the rest of the group sped ahead, I slowed down. Not only did I feel better, but I noticed things like glacial streams rushing over boulders, chameleons hiding in the branches and butterflies as big as your hand with perfect white polka dots.
7. There are a lot of senior citizens on the mountain. This is either inspiring or, if you are huffing and puffing your way up, incredibly demoralizing. I chose to feel empowered. “Look, honey,” I said to my husband. “If we stay quite fit we can do this again in 30 years.” I didn’t get a response.
8. It is one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever be. So much of the literature talks about the physical aspect of the climb, about pushing yourself to your limits. It talks about the gorgeous view from Uhuru, the summit of Kibo peak. But what we don’t hear enough is that the entire climb is beautiful and other-worldly. So many climbers were so focused on Uhuru, they hardly noticed Mwenzi, the craggy second peak of Kilimanjaro that looms ominously over climbers, since it is near-impossible to climb. They don’t frolic through the willowy elephant grass or take the extra hour to look at some of the clearest night skies in the world.
9. You can be in the best shape of your life and fail to reach the summit. Altitude sickness is an equal opportunity bully. You may be able to run marathons, but the vomiting, nausea and sometimes hallucinations can knock you out well before you reach 19,000 feet. My husband and I are youngish and in good shape. I run almost every day and he goes rock climbing twice a week. Still, altitude sickness was not our friend. We had to bail at 16,000 feet with headaches and nausea worse than any hangover. My husband imagined he saw fish flopping on rocks in the alpine desert. We had to go down or risk serious illness.
Would knowing these tips have somehow changed that? Maybe. Would I do the climb again, knowing we wouldn’t make it to the very, very top? Absolutely.
A WOMAN who was raped and killed while travelling and volunteering in Southern Africa has been remembered as an “adventurous soul” who “lived for life”.
20-year-old Elly Warren was backpacking in Mozambique for three months where she spent her time with a diving group and as a volunteer, teaching African children how to swim.
Ms Warren’s devastated parents were today struggling to comprehend the horrific tragedy.
Her stepfather David Cafarella described her passion for life and animals as infectious.
“She’s just an absolute go getter, she came back from her last trip in South America and worked five jobs, 16 hours a day, she would sleep in her car in between shifts and raised $16,000 ... She booked her trip and went,” Mr Caferella told the Herald Sun.
Elly Warren was an avid traveller.Elly’s father Paul. Picture : Ian Currie
“Elly was just such a determined person and loved travelling by herself ... You’d always worry about her.”
Mr Caferella said he and Ms Warren’s mother, Nicole, tried to talk her out of going to Mozambique but said she was determined to go.
“She was head strong on going ... When she made a decision on doing something she would do it,” he said.
“She was there for 12 weeks, we were talking to her and she was saying it was completely safe. I had a big chat with her just a week ago and that was it ... That was the last time I spoke to her.”
Elly Warren with a picture of her enjoying her time in Mozambique. Picture : Ian Currie
Ms Warren was due home from Mozambique on Monday before jetting off to New Zealand with her boyfriend.
“We were meant to pick her up on Monday where she’d be back here for a few days before going to New Zealand for a couple of weeks,” Mr Caferella said.
“She was meant to come back and spend Christmas at home before getting ready to start her university degree.”
Ms Warren was set to follow her passion with animals and study marine biology at James Cook University in Queensland.
“She was going to start her four year degree in the new year, she took her gap year did all her travelling ... Then this happened,” he said.
“I dropped her at the airport before she left, gave her a hug and kiss, I told her to be safe, she promised me she would ... That’s was it.”
Elly Warren was making the most of life.Melbourne girl killed in Mozambique, Elly Warren.
Mr Caferella said describing her stepdaughters passion for animals was beyond words.
“It was always animals, she loved helping them and saving them, that’s all she loved doing,” he said.
The exact circumstances surrounding Ms Warren’s death are not yet known but Mr Caferella said there was a period where no one knew where she was.
“From what we know, she was with a group of people, they went to a market then to a private residence,” he said.
“What we’re unclear about is whether she left by herself or the others left without her but somewhere between her being with the group something has happened.”
He said his stepdaughters body was found in a toilet block.
“The most frustrating part is that we just don’t know what happened.”
Elly’s family have been left devastated.
Mrs Caferella was too distraught to speak with the Herald Sun today.
Ms Warren’s boyfriend, Luke Tempany, said she would be deeply missed by everyone, especially her little brother Sam.
“I want her to be remembered for her love of the oceans, whales, sharks and all living animals,” Mr Tempany said.
“She had such a beautiful heart that wanted to travel the world diving all the waters, exploring caves and swimming with all different fish.”
Elly’s sister, Kristy Warren, described on Facebook the moment her family learned of the 20-year-old’s death.
“My mum got a phone call from one of the backpackers saying to her that her daughter has been murdered, as I heard that my heart dropped,” she wrote.
“It is a parents’ nightmare to get a phone call like this.”
“You where my blood sister and now your (sic) gone. Words can’t even begin to describe to you.”
Ms Warren’s dad also took to Facebook to express his grief.
“My lovely daughter ... passed away yesterday when overseas. I loved her dearly and I will miss her so much,” he wrote.
“She is now with God.”
Melbourne girl murdered in Mozambique, Elly Warren.
Devastated friends across Melbourne also paid tribute to the adventurous young woman who they say lived life to the full.
“This girl had done more than people in their 50s ... gone but never forgotten,” one friend wrote on social media.
“Everyone please stay safe while travelling overseas.”
Another friend described the 20-year-old has an “angel” with a “heart of gold”.
Another posted: “You were really one of a kind, such a lovely soul”.
Her friends flooded her Facebook page with tributes to the young woman.
“Taken way too soon, a gorgeous girl who had an amazing life ahead,” a friend wrote.
A fishing boat on a beach in Mozambique. Picture: Getty.A map of Mozambique, Africa. Picture: Google Maps.
Another wrote: “I really am lost for words, you were unbelievable you had the strength and the courage to do everything and anything you ever wanted to do, your drive and your passion to live life to its fullest was really inspiring to so many people,
“I’ll miss your laugh, I’ll miss hearing about all the trouble you got yourself into, I’ll miss waking up to a detailed message about what your next plan was, even if we both knew that it was almost impossible, but that really didn’t matter for you,
“The impossible always became possible in anything you set your mind (sic) too, my heart goes out to your family and all of your friends, you truly are an amazing girl, I’ll forever treasure our memories, RIP.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted for comment.
South Africa is one of the world’s natural gems; a treasure nestled at the southern tip of the abundant African continent. Visitors from all around the world descend on the country to take advantage of the stunning climate, accommodation, game reserves, natural attractions, and, of course, the huge variety of wildlife.
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The landscapes of South Africa offer the full spectrum of habitat types (from dense green forests to arid deserts, and everything in-between), making them ideal for thousands of species. These include exciting predators, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and a huge variety of fascinating insects. These different species are found in plentiful abundance in the game reserves and national parks of the country, as well as in the wild and natural countryside, where they live free.
The Big 5 is one of the main attractions to South Africa in terms of its wildlife. This group includes the African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Lion, Black Rhino, and Leopard. This combination of predator and mighty terrestrial mammals makes for a once-in-a-lifetime sighting of some of the world’s most impressive species.
SOUTH AFRICA'S BIG FIVE
Elephant
The African Elephant is the largest living land mammal, one of the most impressive animals on earth. The Elephant's muscular trunk serves as a nose, hand, extra foot, signaling device and a tool for gathering food, siphoning water, dusting, digging and a variety of other functions. The long trunk...
Buffalo are extremely large, ox-like animals. Standing approximately 65 inches at the shoulder, adult males have a mass of up to 1760 pounds and females weigh up to 1650 pounds. To support the large body, the legs are very heavy. Front hooves are larger than the hind because of the extra mass they...
Lions are the second largest members of the feline family in the world. Lion are tan in colour and have a slightly white under-body, with a tuft of black hair at the end of their tails. Most cats live a solitary existence, but the lion is an exception. It has developed a social system based on teamwork...
The rhinoceros is a large, primitive looking mammal that in fact dates from the Miocene era millions of years ago. In recent decades rhinos have been relentlessly hunted to the point of near extinction. Since 1970 the world rhino population has declined by 90 percent, with five species remaining in the world...
The most secretive and elusive of the large carnivores, the leopard is also the shrewdest. Pound for pound, it is the strongest climber of the larger cats and is capable of killing prey far larger than itself. The coloring of the leopard varies from white to bright golden brown, spotted with black spots and...
Avian enthusiasts are well-rewarded when they visit this country, and are reminded to bring their binoculars and identification aids.
MAMMALS
There are about 230 mammal species to be found in South Africa, which include a collection of impressive predators. These make for fabulous sightings on any game drive or safari. Of these hundreds of species, there are two that are critically endangered (De Winton’s Golden Mole and the Riverine Rabbit) and 11 that are endangered (including the African Wild Dog, the Mountain Zebra, Sei Whale and Blue Whale). These numbers are in line with the IUCN statistics.
Endemic mammals include the Cape Elephant Shrew, Cape Mole-rat, Cape Grysbok, Bontebok, Cape Kudu, Springbok and the Cape Horseshoe Bat.
Marine mammals are a major draw-card to South Africa, thanks to its extensive shoreline. Dolphins can frequently be seen frolicking along the coast, swimming in schools of up to 200 or 300 individuals. Whales (such as the Humpback and Southern Right whales) appear along the local coast between July and December, and promise fabulous performances for those on the shore or on formal whale-watching tours.
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
The wild side of Africa is intriguing and wondrous, presenting fascinating species. Some look prehistoric, others frightening, but all are important contributors to the local biodiversity. The reptiles that are endemic to this country include the Geometric Tortoise, Speckled Padloper, Southern Adder, Giant Girdled Lizard, and the Cape Legless Skink.
Amphibians that can only be found in South Africa include the Table Mountain Ghost Frog, Knysna Spiny Reed Frog, and Mistbelt Chirping Frog.
SOUTH AFRICA TRAVEL
Start planning your wildlife adventure to South Africa here: Accommodation on SA-Venues.com is presented complete with reviews, photo galleries and online booking functionality, but allows you to deal directly with each establishment represented. You will be spoilt for choice as the options for accommodation in South Africa are varied and include excellent hotels, game lodges, guest houses, smaller B&Bs and and many self catering options for you to choose from, such as holiday homes, cottages and apartments. Enjoy your travel planning.
To learn more about the individual wildlife species that can be enjoyed whilst visiting a game reserve in South Africa and enjoy the wildlife photos in the galleries please use the menu on the left or browse through the information provided above.
