Its highest point is also known as Uhuru, or ‘freedom’ in Swahili. And, while its fellow cones Mawenzi and Shira are extinct, Kibo is dormant – meaning it could possibly erupt again. It’s estimated that it last spewed out lava around 360,000 years ago so hiking on and attempting to summit the mountain continue to be hugely popular tourist activities.

The mountain, together with the wildlife-rich forests that surround it, are protected as part of Kilimanjaro National Park.

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