When it comes to planning a trip and discovering new names it can take a while to work out what name belongs where. It gets even more confusing when one place has several names.

Kilimanjaro is known as the highest peak in Africa, which is partly true. Kilimanjaro is in fact the name given to the entire mountain which comprises three separate volcanoes. The main volcano is called ‘Kibo’, often also called ‘Uhuru,’ both of which are synonymous with the summit of Kilimanjaro. Kibo is in fact the name of the highest volcano on Kilimanjaro, and Uhuru, is the name of the actual peak on Kibo.

Leaving the summit alone and travelling down the mountain there is another place that causes much confusion. The place is Outward Bound Hut at 4,750m/15,580ft, also known as School Hut. Outward Bound is the name of the world’s largest, non-profit experiential teaching organization focusing on outdoor education programs that allow young people to explore their personal potential. Over the years, the huts name varies between Outward Bound Hut and School Hut, both of which refer to the same camp. There are not really any huts to speak of save for an old mental structure which nestles under the remnants of an old cave. The area is used as a pre summit camp along either the Northern circuit or Rongai route.

Heading down from Outward Bound/School Hut is the Rongai route, which is also known as the Loitoktok Route simply because it starts near the Loitokitok (also known as Oloitokitok) village. And if that is not confusing enough, some folk refer to it as the Nale Moru route, as that is the name of the park gate it starts from.

If we hop over to the opposite side of the mountain on Lemosho route, these is a camp with two names as well. After leaving the Lemosho Glades gate the next camp on the route is called Mti Mkubwa, which simply means, Big Tree Camp in Swahili.

Heading along the Lemosho or Machame route, one eventually comes to an iconic structure; a massive outcrop of Lava Rock which towers up to 4600m. This massive stone structure is called Lava Tower and also sometimes referred to as Sharks Tooth.

Another route which is quite remote and seldom used is the Northern circuit route. This route is sometimes called the 360 degree route and also the Grand Traverse. At the end of the day they are all the same route, but competition on the mountain means some companies market them under different, new and inventive names. On this particular route there is a camp called Pofu Camp which is also referred to by its English translation, Buffalo camp, named as such from the many buffalo or buffalo spoor that can be seen from the camp.

They say all roads lead to Rome, in this case, all route lead to the summit of Kibo, Uhuru Peak.

Happy climbing on Kilimanjaro!

By Debra Bouwer