Mount Kilimanjaro Ecosystem

Kilimanjaro is perhaps the largest freestanding mountain in the world, rising more than the 5,000 m (16,400 ft) above the East African plain at 800 m (2,625 ft).  The mountain is only 530 km (330 miles) south of the equator, and less than that to the Indian Ocean.  The mountain is totally within Kilimanjaro National Park, measuring approximately 60 km west to east by 40 km north to south (37 mi by 25 mi) and encompassing 755 sq.km. (290 sq. mi.).  Because of its great height and its geographical location, Kilimanjaro contains five distinct ecological zones, each occupying approximately 1,000 m (3,300 ft) of altitude and each with unique flora and fauna:

• Lower slopes/Cultivation Area - 800 - 1,800 m (2,625 - 5,900 ft)
• Montane forest zone - 1,800 - 2,700 m (5,900 - 8,860 ft)
• Heath and moorland zone- 2,700 - 4,000 m (8,860 - 13,125)
• Alpine desert zone - 4,000 - 5,000 m (13,125 - 16,400 ft)
• Summit zone - 5,000 - 5,895 m (16,400 - 19,341 ft)

Lower Slopes/Cultivation Area:  This region of the mountain receives the greatest annual rainfall and features many rivers formed by glacier run-off from the top of Kilimanjaro. This zone is made up of farmland and small villages where many of the porters and guides working on the mountain come from.  The farmland in this region is largely used for coffee production, and some of Africa’s best coffee comes from the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Bananas, avocado, mango and other fruits are also grown on the lower mountain.

Montane Forest Zone:  The forest zone encircles a majority of Mount Kilimanjaro, but most of the rain on the mountain falls on the south and the east side so the forest is much denser here than to the north on the Kenyan side of the mountain. The flora and fauna are diverse but the animals are very elusive. Blue and Colobus monkeys are seen on certain routes.

Heath and Moorland Zone :  The montane forest quickly gives way to the heath and moorland zone. Temperatures here are erratic - daytime temperature can be above above 100° F (40^oC) but drop below freezing (32° F or 0° C) at night. These temperatures combined with less rain, gusting winds, giant heathers, wild grasses and a rocky trail replaces the forest very quickly. Tall grasses replace the heather progressing to the moorland zone. Large fields of wild flower cover sections of the mountain and clouds floating at eye level will frequently be seen.

Alpine Desert Zone:  This area of the mountain is truly a desert with annual rainfall less than 20 cm (8 in) and what plant life exists at this altitude must withstand both the oppressive sun and sub-zero temperatures.  There is also evidence of the mountain’s violent past with fields of volcanic rock of all shapes and sizes. 

Summit Zone:  Characterized by ice and rock, there is virtually no plant or animal life at this altitude. Glacial silt covers the slopes that were once concealed by the now-receding glaciers visible from Kilimanjaro’s crater rim. Nights are extremely cold and windy, and the day's intense equatorial sun is powerful.