Category: Mount Kilimanjaro

Tropical climates swing dramatically over time, from powerful year-to-year shifts like the 1997–1998 El Niño to multi-millennial changes such as the once-lush “green Sahara” that thrived roughly 10,000 to 5,500 years ago. Today, three-quarters of humanity lives in the tropics, so these fluctuations carry enormous consequences for societies, agriculture, and water supplies. With modern weather records spanning only a short period, scientists rely on ancient climate archives to understand the full picture: how the tropics influence global energy and water cycles, how they connect to polar regions, and how sensitive they might be to future warming. In a groundbreaking 2002 study, researchers led by Lonnie Thompson drilled the first ice cores ever recovered from Africa, taken from the glaciers atop Kilimanjaro—the continent’s highest mountain, sitting right on the equator in the East African monsoon zone. The nearly continuous, high-resolution record covers the entire Holocene epoch, stretching back about 11,500 years to the present. Writing in Science, paleoclimatologist Françoise Gasse highlights what this new African data adds to our understanding of tropical climate history and why it matters. Mount Kilimanjaro Glaciers: A Vanishing Beauty The team analyzed oxygen isotope ratios (δ¹⁸O) in the ice to reconstruct past temperatures, while spikes in insoluble dust and chemical aerosols served as markers of major dry periods. Sodium peaks hinted at shorter, localized erosion events tied to brief droughts. At the broadest scale, the record reveals two distinct climate eras: a warmer, much wetter phase from roughly 11,000 to 4,000 years ago, followed by cooler and drier conditions over the past four millennia. This long-term pattern matches evidence from lakes, oceans, and land sediments across the northern tropics and equatorial East Africa. Stronger monsoon rains during the early-to-middle Holocene were driven by subtle shifts in Earth’s orbit that increased summer solar heating in the Northern

European travellers dreaming of standing atop Africa’s highest peak or witnessing the thundering Great Migration will soon enjoy simpler, more direct journeys. A wave of new and expanded airline routes from Europe to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is set to transform access to northern Tanzania’s world-famous attractions, including Mount Kilimanjaro climbs and the iconic safari destinations of the Northern Circuit. These developments come at a time when Tanzania’s tourism sector is experiencing strong growth, with international arrivals reaching record levels and the country solidifying its reputation as a premier destination for adventure and nature travel. Know the Direct Flights from Europe to Kilimanjaro International Airports Brussels Airlines Launches Direct Service to Kilimanjaro Brussels Airlines is adding Kilimanjaro to its long-haul African network with new non-stop flights from Brussels (BRU). The service begins on 3 June 2026, operating twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays using an Airbus A330-300 configured with 288 seats across Business, Premium Economy, and Economy classes.This marks the airline’s longest scheduled route and expands its presence in East Africa. The approximately 9-hour-15-minute direct flight eliminates the need for time-consuming connections through Middle Eastern or other African hubs, offering a more seamless experience for passengers heading to the slopes of Kilimanjaro or the nearby national parks. CEO Dorothea von Boxberg highlighted the strategic importance: “Sub-Saharan Africa is our second home, and we’re happy to add an attractive destination to our network on this beautiful continent. Tanzania is a top destination for safaris, and we’re proud to contribute to the local economy by connecting Kilimanjaro to Brussels and beyond.”The new link provides convenient onward access to the Northern Safari Circuit, encompassing Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, and Lake Manyara National Park. Neos Air Brings Seasonal Direct Flights from Italy Italian leisure carrier Neos Air is introducing

Knowing the flights from your country in Europe when you come to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and safari is important, but most importantly, knowing that Kilimanjaro International Airport is the connecting hub to these destinations, most importantly, Mount Kilimanjaro and Arusha. Since Arusha serves as Tanzania's safari capital, it is logistically easier to access parks like Serengeti and Tarangire. Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro from Arusha, Kilimanjaro International Airport, are the best and easiest places to land before your adventure. Imagine stepping off a plane after a comfortable flight and seeing the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro rising dramatically in the distance. Thanks to a growing number of direct flights from Europe to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), that dream is now more accessible than ever. JRO serves as the main gateway to northern Tanzania’s world-famous attractions — from climbing Africa’s tallest mountain to exploring the incredible wildlife of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara. Here’s everything you need to know about flying directly to Kilimanjaro from Europe in 2026 and beyond. Why Direct Flights to Kilimanjaro Matter Most travellers heading to Kilimanjaro for a climb or safari previously had to endure long layovers in the Middle East or via Nairobi/Dar es Salaam. Direct flights cut travel time dramatically (typically 7–9 hours), reduce fatigue, and make multi-destination trips much smoother. This is especially valuable for high-altitude trekkers who want to arrive feeling fresh and ready for the challenge ahead. Kilimanjaro International Airport Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) - Dar es Salaam Current Direct Flights from Europe to JRO Here are the established direct options available right now: Airline From Frequency Flight Duration Notes KLM Amsterdam (AMS) Frequent (often daily) ~8h 50m Most reliable and popular direct route Edelweiss Air Zurich (ZRH) Seasonal ~8h 10m Excellent Swiss leisure

The 2026 FIFA World Cup (June 11 – July 19, 2026) is the biggest edition yet, with 48 teams and 104 matches co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This year's tournament falls right in the peak season of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, when the weather is most favourable to climb, cool and dry to be exact, in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. Even though Tanzania has not qualified or has never qualified, unfortunately, there are many football fanatics spread across the country. It is a great season for soccer fans after the UEFA Champions League match between Arsenal and PSG concluded. As the Arsenal fans across East Africa celebrate, what about football fans from around the world? For a tournament that takes place every four years, to some, it must mean a lot, because many people from different nationalities and ethnicities climb Kilimanjaro every year. Now, you are one of our climbers; we have you covered, but be aware that on the mountain, it is almost impossible to watch. You might get some updates from our guides at the camp, but it is not possible to follow live matches on TVs while climbing. I will give you two main reasons: lack of electricity and lack of signal up there. It is the first World Cup with three host nations and expanded to 48 teams. For climbers heading to Mount Kilimanjaro, Moshi (the main gateway town) is the ideal base. You can comfortably watch matches before your climb, during acclimatization/rest days, or after descending. Most hotels, lodges, and sports bars in Moshi have satellite TV (Azam TV or DStv/SuperSport) and will screen big games. On the mountain itself, live viewing is not practical, but many operators can update you on scores or arrange post-climb viewing parties. Climbing Kilimanjaro in July,

In what could possibly be the most successful summit window of the mountain’s enduring draw, a record 274 climbers summited Mount Everest from the Nepali side on Wednesday, shattering the previous single-day high from that route. The figure comfortably beat the old mark of 223 summits set on 22 May 2019. Because China has issued no permits on the northern (Tibetan) side this season, all attempts this year are funneled through Nepal, making the southern route even busier than usual. Photos and videos from the mountain showed long lines of climbers moving through the final ridge near the summit, particularly in the section known as the “balcony.”Nepali tourism officials described the day as historic but not unexpected, given the volume of climbers. They noted that coordination between expedition teams helped manage the congestion, even though queues formed in the upper sections of the climb. Record Permits, Record Revenue Nepal has issued a record 494 climbing permits this spring season — 389 to men and 105 to women from 55 different countries. At the current fee of $15,000 per permit (an increase from the previous $11,000), the Himalayan nation is set to earn more than $7.4 million from Everest alone this year. Overcrowding Concerns and Safety Mountaineering experts have long warned that large numbers of climbers increase risks, especially in the “death zone” above 8,000 metres, where oxygen levels are critically low. Despite the concerns, many operators say the situation remains manageable when teams are properly equipped.“If teams carry enough oxygen, it is not a big problem,” said Lukas Furtenbach of Austria-based Furtenbach Adventures, who currently has 40 clients on the mountain. He compared the crowds to popular Alpine peaks such as Germany’s Zugspitze, which sees thousands of hikers on its summit on busy days. This season started later than usual