Mount Kilimanjaro, located in Tanzania, is a dormant volcano and the tallest mountain (5,950m) in Africa. It has been a source of awe and inspiration for people for centuries. It was perhaps first mentioned in the writing of Ptolemy, when it was referred to as ‘a great snow mountain’ near the ancient trading town of Rhapta.
Average annual surface temperature has increased 1°C since 1960 and most of the glaciers forming a ragged fringe around the Kibo caldera, the central cone of Kilimanjaro which caught the attention of ancient people, have been lost to melting and to sublimation. This melting has brought about both positive and negative changes for this region: on the one hand there are now fewer water resources for communities living around the mountain, and streams and rivers originating from the mountain are either dried up or have much less water. On the other hand, new lakes are emerging as Mount Kilimanjaro’s melting glaciers find their way into underground rivers, and on the Kenyan side of Kilimanjaro a newly emerging wetland area is attracting flamingoes - previously absent - to Amboseli National Park.
Roam Wild Adventures Founder Helen Soto began her company specifically to help support local community and conservation efforts in Tanzania, and her personal commitment radiates through all they offer to their guests. In a country where tourism generates 17.5 percent of GDP and 25 percent of export earnings ecotourism offer an important support to the Tanzanian economy.
Roam Wild Adventures’ approach to sustainability includes matching its guests’ $20 contributions to Tomorrow’s Air supporting climate conscious travel education and carbon removal innovators.
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Learn more about climate change in Tanzania in this short video from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Association.