Kibo summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. Photo credit: Yosemite.

Kat Lewis wrote this guest post about the top natural attractions that will blow you away on Kilimanjaro.

While the views from the top of Kilimanjaro’s Uhuru Peak are undoubtedly spectacular, this is far from the only natural sight that will impress you during your time trekking on the mountain. I’ve put together a list of some of the most amazing attractions to look out for on two of Kilimanjaro’s top trekking routes - Rongai and Shira.

What to look for on the Rongai route

The Rongai route is the only trail to approach Kilimanjaro from the north, which means many of the landmarks you pass differ significantly from the other tracks you can follow to the top of the mountain. Here are a few of its most impressive sights:

• Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey - The Colobus monkey inhabits the equatorial forest that you’ll walk through early on in your trek. Keep your eyes peeled for these striking black and white primates in the tree canopy.

• Mawenzi Tarn - Mawenzi Tarn is one of Kilimanjaro’s two extinct volcanic craters, with its rocky spires towering above the moorland that you’ll be walking across to reach your camp at its base. It looks spectacular, rising up ahead of you, and is equally stunning when you get a little closer. You’ll have a particularly amazing view of it when you reach Gillman’s Point on your summit attempt.

• The Saddle - The saddle between Mawenzi Tarn and Kibo (above), Kilimanjaro’s dormant crater, is unlike anything else you’ll see on your hike. This landscape is often described as lunar thanks to the barren nature of this alpine desert. There is little life up here, but there are amazing views on every side, with the plains spreading out below you and Uhuru Peak towering ahead.

Three Sydney-based mountaineers took the Shira route on their climb of Kilimanjaro.  Video courtesy of aussie7summits.

What to look for on the Shira route

The Shira route, which approaches from the west and leads you across the Shira plateau, also boasts its fair share of impressive sights. The following are among the most striking things to see:

• Shira Plateau - The Shira Plateau is a stunning place to walk through, with this wild landscape offering amazing views in every direction. You can see the plains and farmlands on the slopes below you if you look to the west, while in the east you have an unrivaled view of the Kibo crater. On a clear day, you can also see Mount Meru in the distance to the west, with the peak towering above the clouds that hide its lower slopes.

• Shira Cathedral - This is a rock formation that juts out of the moorland on the edge of the plateau. There are spires and towers surrounding the main rock that make it resemble a cathedral.

• Western Breach - You’ll typically get the best views of the Western Breach on your fourth day of your hike on the Shira route. The Western Breach is a large crack in the Kibo crater wall that was created by a lava flow. The rock face is now covered in glaciers that provide a striking contrast to the dark color of the crater walls.

• 
Stella Point sunrise - On your final day of hiking, you’ll leave your camp in the dark with the aim of reaching Stella Point in time to watch the sunrise over Mawenzi Tarn. This will provide a welcome rest before you continue on your journey to the Roof of Africa.