Tanzania

Tanzania is a country in the East African community, bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern border lies on the Indian Ocean. The name Tanzania derives from the names of the two states Tanganyika and Zanzibar that united in 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, which later the same year was renamed the United Republic of Tanzania.

Tanzania holds ownership of Africa’s highest peak and the world’s highest free standing mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro. Kilimanjaro is truly a wonder of the world, rising 5,895m (19,341ft) above sea level. Kilimanjaro is composed of three distinct volcanic cones:  Kibo 5,895m (19,341 ft); Mawenzi 5,149m (16,893ft); and Shira 3,962m (13,000ft).  Uhuru Peak is the highest summit on Kibo’s crater rim and the high point of our trek.  We have three different routes up Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Machame, The Lemosho Glades and the Rongai Routes.

Kilimanjaro is a giant stratovolcano that began forming a million years ago, when lava spilled from the Rift Valley zone.  Two of its three peaks, Mawenzi and Shira, are extinct while Kibo is dormant. The last major eruption has been dated to 360,000 years ago, while the most recent activity was recorded just 200 years ago.  Although it is dormant, Kibo has fumaroles that emit gas in the crater.  Scientists concluded in 2003 that molten magma is just 400m (1,310 ft) below the summit crater.  Several collapses and landslides have occurred on Kibo in the past, one creating the area known as the Western Breach which you will come close to the Lemosho and Machame route up Kilimanjaro.