Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano in Tanzania. It has three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain in the world: 5,895 meters above sea level and about 4,900 meters above its plateau base. Kilimanjaro is the fourth most topographically prominent peak on Earth.
The mountain is part of Kilimanjaro National Park and is a major climbing destination. The mountain has been the subject of many scientific studies because of its shrinking glaciers and disappearing ice fields. Kilimanjaro is composed of three distinct volcanic cones: the highest is Kibo; the next in height is Mawenzi at 5,149 meters; and the lowest is Shira at 4,005 meters.
First climbed in 1889 by German geographer Hans Meyer and Austrian mountaineer Ludwig Purtscheller, Kilimanjaro attracts approximately 30,000 climbers annually. The climb to Uhuru Peak, the highest point, takes five to nine days depending on the route chosen. The mountain is known for its breathtaking views and the unique opportunity to experience five different ecological zones during the ascent.