In the northeastern part of the African state of Tanzania, between the Serengeti and Tsavo national parks, there is Mount Kilimanjaro, which gives its name to the only mountain national park in Africa. With its size, the mountain competes with its counterparts on other continents: Kilimanjaro is the fourth highest mountain of the “seven peaks”. It has no equal on the continent, so it rightfully received the nickname “roof of Africa.” In addition, Kilimanjaro is the largest in the world separately standing mountain: the length of the base reaches 97 km, and its width is 64 km.

General information

The summit of Mount Kilimanjaro consists of three extremities extinct volcanoes of different ages. The height of the mountain is 5895 meters, so it is not surprising that there is snow in its upper part all year round. From the Swahili language, which is the national language of Tanzania, the word “kilimanjaro” is translated in meaning as “sparkling mountain”. The local peoples who traditionally inhabited the lands around the Kilimanjaro volcano and who had never known snow believed that the mountain was covered with silver.

Geographically, Kilimanjaro is located very close to the equator line, but there are large differences mountain peaks predetermined a change in climatic zones, which is expressed in the growth and settlement of species characteristic of areas of other latitudes. In fact, Kilimanjaro is active volcano or extinct? This issue is sometimes controversial, since the youngest part of its geological origin sometimes shows signs of volcanic activity.

Another feature of Mount Kilimanjaro is the rapid melting of the snow cap. Over a hundred years of observation, the white cover has decreased by more than 80%, and over the past half century, the African mountain has lost most of its glaciers. There are remnants of snow cover on two peaks, but according to experts, they too will be completely lost over the next 15 years. Scientists say the cause is global warming. Photo of Mount Kilimanjaro different years of the last century eloquently demonstrate the reduction and gradual disappearance of white areas on the tops of the mountains.

Flora and fauna

The slopes of the mountain are covered with dense tropical forests and surrounded by endless African savannas. Flora and fauna national park Tanzania is rich in species common in these places, as well as unique and endangered ones, for the sake of which the reserve was created.

The large-scale territory of the mountain, both in height and in width, accommodates almost all zones characteristic of the highlands of Africa:

• the southern parts are covered with savannas of varying heights up to 1 thousand meters and at approximately an altitude of one and a half km on the northern slopes;
• foothill forests;
• mountain forests – from 1.3 to 2.8 km;
• subalpine marshy meadows;
• the alpine tundra is the most extensive found in Africa;
• The top sections of the mountain are occupied by alpine desert.

Forest areas located above 2,700 m are included in the protected zone of the national park. The vegetation of Mount Kilimanjaro deserves special attention. Many species characteristic of much more northern latitudes, as well as ancient and bizarre plant forms, grow here. This is croton, calodendron in the forests of the northern and western parts of the mountain (at altitudes from 1500 to 2000 m), cassipore is common even higher. On opposite slopes, ocotea (or East African camphor tree) occupies similar heights. In the areas above them there are rare tree ferns, which are found up to 7 meters in size.

Mount Kilimanjaro lacks the belt of bamboo rainforest found in other similar mountainous areas in Africa. The subalpine zone on different sides is covered with dense vegetation of hagenia and podocarp. The alpine tundra is dramatically different in its appearance and occupancy by living organisms. Plants that are well adapted to harsh high-mountain conditions predominate here - heather, immortelle, adenocarpus, potea kilimanjara, waxweed, African myrsina, as well as numerous herbs from the hardy sedge family.

The fauna of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is no less diverse and amazing. One hundred and fifty species of mammals - almost 90 of them inhabit forests. These include several groups of monkeys, dozens of species of predators, antelopes and bats. The most common in the forests are leopards, monkeys, galagos, buffaloes and others.

Two hundred African elephants travel in the floodplains of the Namwai and Tarakia rivers, periodically climbing to considerable Kilimanjar heights. Where the forests end, small insectivorous mammals live. The slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro are replete with a variety of birds. There are about 180 species of birds here, including: barnacle vulture, common stonechat, Hunter's cisticola, thread-tailed sunbird, white-cheeked raven.

Weather conditions of Mount Kilimanjaro

Climatic zonation natural complex Kilimanjaro in Africa is reflected in temperature patterns and weather conditions in general. The rainy season is well defined here, the weather is changeable, temperatures fluctuate greatly at different altitudes, depending on the time of day. At the base of the volcano, temperatures of 28–30°C are typical, and from three thousand meters and above, frosts down to –15°C are typical. On the slopes of the mountain the following stable climatic zones are distinguished.

At different times of the year, depending on the slope and altitude, cloudiness of varying degrees, increased or moderate precipitation, and thunderstorms are observed. All this affects the visibility and comfort of being on the slopes - the Kilimanjaro volcano in Africa is a favorite place to climb its colorful peaks.

It is believed that the peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania are accessible all year round. However, there are periods that are more convenient for climbing, periods that are more difficult and even dangerous. The most suitable periods are from July to September and January to February. At this time, the weather conditions are the most favorable, and the months coincide with the summer or New Year holidays of tourists. Mountain tours in Tanzania are available from various points at the base. They usually last from 5 to 8 days.

The routes are varied due to the vastness of the territories crossed, acquaintance with the diversity and characteristics of each climatic zone. Tours to the highest points of the volcanic extremities end at sunrise, after which the return journey begins. There are 6 routes in total, mostly by name settlements from which they originate:

• Marangu;
• Rongai;
• Umbwe;
• Machame;
• Lemosho;
• northern traverse.

An expedition to the crater is offered as an additional route.

Hiking in Tanzania is not done alone. Any mountain is a serious test for climbers, even with many years of experience. In addition, to conquer the mountain you need special equipment and equipment, the total weight of which is always better to share with someone. Despite the fact that climbing the mountain is possible both in the direction from Kenya (northern slope) and Tanzania, according to an agreement between the states, only Tanzanian routes are laid and maintained. The Kenyan slope is not equipped with the appropriate infrastructure.

In order to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles on the way to conquering the peak, important conditions must be met.

• Mandatory participation of a guide and assistants (at least 1-2 people), without them it is not possible to climb.
• Appropriate equipment, special shoes, thermal underwear (possibly more than one set), insulated and waterproof things.
• Sufficient physical training, body hardening, strong immunity, responsible attitude to health, competent distribution of energy and strength.

In addition, you will need food, personal hygiene products, and items to ensure basic comfort. A complete list of what is needed for climbing is presented on the website of the company organizing tours in Tanzania. There is also a list of recommended things that are desirable to have with you, but not necessary. So, in addition to clothes and warm things, you must have with you a sleeping bag, sunglasses, a headlamp, trekking poles, and a water flask. In addition to this, the organizing company usually provides a tent, a camping mat, dishes, and camping furniture.

The estimated cost depends on the route, the duration of the ascent, the number of people in the group, and separately agreed conditions. Amounts start from US$1,350 (Marangu route, 8 days) and reach US$4,265 (1-person route with expedition to the crater). At the same time, you also need to take into account where Mount Kilimanjaro is located - the company’s service may include a transfer from the Tanzania airport or you will have to get there yourself.

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Some interesting facts

1. Compared to other mountain peaks, the Kilimanjaro volcano does not seem to be such an insurmountable obstacle, nevertheless it highest points reaches only 40% of climbers.
2. The mountain is conquered not only by absolutely healthy tourists: in 2009, 8 blind climbers were able to climb to its peak, who through their action helped raise funds for 52 blind children.
3. The oldest climber on Kilimanjaro was 87 years old.
4. Every year, about 20 thousand people attempt to climb the mountain.
5. Almost 10 people die here every year while climbing.

Mount Kilimanjaro is not only a unique natural Park, full of amazing creatures, but also a real adventure. And to feel the surge of emotions, to become the owner unforgettable impressions, touch the majesty of Africa - for this you need to visit Tanzania and personally see the unsurpassed qualities of Kilimanjaro.

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Volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai, located in northern Tanzania, is active, but its first eruption was recorded only half a century ago. The local Maasai tribes call this volcano the Mountain of God.

Rising 2,962 meters above the African plains, from a distance Ol Doinyo Lengai looks like a lonely mountain covered in snow. However, the white color of its peak is explained by a completely different reason - it is the only volcano in the world whose lava is rich in carbonate materials.

As sodium carbonate hardens, it acquires a hue that misleads uninitiated people. This unusual composition makes the lava flowing out of the vent in slow, thick black streams almost twice as cold as normal.

Despite the relatively low temperature of the lava - about 500-600C - the threat of eruptions forces local residents to be constantly on alert. The last eruption was recorded in September 2007. The ashes then traveled a distance of 18 kilometers and reached nearby villages.

Due to the fact that the lava has a unique composition, when it hardens, it creates a unique landscape in the vicinity of Ol Doinyo Lengai, which cannot be seen in any other corner of the planet. The soft glow of lava flows at dusk, the black color that changes to brown when water hits, the top of the volcano wrapped in false snow is an unforgettable picture. It seems that it was not for nothing that the Maasai called this volcano the Mountain of God - after all, there is nothing similar to it anywhere on Earth, which means that the interest of tourists in this place will not dry up in the near future.

Volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai - PHOTO

There is only one volcano in the world that erupts carbonatite lava: Ol Donyo Lengai in Tanzania. This isn't just another fact for boring scientists: this volcano is actually very unusual place, which has no analogues in the world.

History of Ol Donyo Lengai Volcano

The volcano was formed about 370 thousand years ago and is the youngest volcano in this part of the East African Rift. Certainly, local residents deify this gigantic volcano, which rises high above the dry plains south of Lake Natron. The East African Rift is home to many magnificent volcanoes - Mount Meru and the Ngorongoro Crater are not too far away. But this volcano was special to the Maasai people - it was sacred place called "Mountain of God" (Ol Doinoy Lengai).

This part of Africa was one of the last places explored by white men. The first European visitors to Ol Doyinyo Lengai were German explorers in the late 19th century. This volcano is very active - it erupts every few years. One of these eruptions in 1960 attracted the attention of Canadian geologist John Barry Dawson, who explored this part of Tanzania. He and Ray Pickering descended into the volcano's crater (the first known descent into the crater) in October 1960 and immediately noticed that the volcano was very unusual. Soon after his descent in 1962, his research was published - and the first and only active carbonatite volcano on Earth was discovered.

Since then, Ol Donyo Lengai has been a "playground" for geologists studying it unique miracle nature. Dawson himself continued the research until his death in 2013. Today the volcano is quite a popular tourist attraction. The most powerful visitors climb the mountain under the heat of the equatorial Sun and try to get closer to live volcanic activity. This is dangerous, since a strange volcano is little predictable, and threats can unexpectedly arise even in seemingly calm places.

Almost all volcanoes on Earth erupt lavas, which are composed of silicate minerals. Only a few of them erupted lava, which is more than 50% composed of carbonate minerals - carbonatite lavas. There are about 20 known former carbonatite volcano sites, but Ol Donyo Lengai is the only one that is currently active.
The "Mountain of God" erupts not only carbonatite lava - it produces a very specific, rare type: natrocarbonatite lava. It consists of carbonate minerals - the very rare neurite (Na2Ca (CO3) 2) and gregorite (Na2, K2, Ca) CO3. This material needs a much lower temperature to melt - this lava flows already at a temperature of 500-600 degrees C, and in the daytime it does not even glow - it is just a stream of black slurry. In the darkness of the night, lava glows orange. Regular lavas have a temperature of about 1100 degrees C.

Carbonatite lava is also quite liquid compared to normal silicate lavas - it is the thinnest lava in the world, flowing almost like water - often faster than a person can run. This lava flow looks like dark oil, or a brown cloudy foam. As lava hardens, it turns black and crystalline. But this will not last long: these carbonatite lavas quickly erode. After a few hours the stone turns white due to moisture. If the weather is dry, the lava turns white within a few days. If it rains, the lava immediately turns white. Without a doubt, this is one of the most beautiful places in Tanzania.

It is caused by a chemical reaction similar to lime burning. In this regard, niereite and Gregorite are very rare minerals, which even in geological collections must be stored in an argon atmosphere. During this time, the white lava turns into brown powder. After a few months, the lava is soft - your foot sinks into it when you walk. Thus, the landscape of Ol Donyo Lengai is unique and has no analogues in the world.

Ol Doinyo Lengai is the only active volcano in Tanzania. It is very active and erupts lava and ash every few years. Sometimes, when the content of silicates in the lava increases, volcanic eruptions become explosive - such an eruption occurred in 2007-2008. Before these eruptions, there were many earthquakes - even the lions left the area. It was decided to evacuate people and their livestock to a safe distance from the volcano. During eruptions, the crater often produces gornites - smaller hills and even towers that emit carbonatite lava. Lava sometimes forms short-lived lava lakes.