The world’s highest freestanding mountain is Kilimanjaro. One of Africa’s youngest volcanoes, it is fully contained within Tanzania and lies three degrees below the Equator. Reaching nearly 6km into the sky, the mountain stretches across an area of over 5,100 km2 and looks down on Kenya on its northern border.
Its summit is always covered in ice, providing a unique challenge for climbers and hikers alike. Africa’s highest mountain, at 5,895 meters, is one of the fabled Seven Summits. Any reasonably fit person can climb Kilimanjaro, though it’s not something to be taken lightly. There are multiple routes to the top but hikers should allow a minimum of five days for the journey. The trail ascends from tropical rain forests through heath land and alpine desert before arriving at Uhuru Peak’s permanent glaciers.