Mount Kilimanjaro National Park

Kilimanjaro. The name itself is a mystery wreathed in clouds. It might mean Mountain of Light, Mountain of Greatness or Mountain of Caravans. Or it might not. The local people, the Wachagga, don't even have a name for the whole massif, only Kipoo (now known as Kibo) for the familiar snowy peak that stands imperious, overseer of the continent, the summit of Africa.
Kilimanjaro, by any name, is a metaphor for the compelling beauty of East Africa. When you see it, you understand why. Not only is this the highest peak on the African continent; it is also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, rising in breathtaking isolation from the surrounding coastal scrubland – elevation around 900 metres – to an imperious 5,895 metres (19,336 feet).
Kilimanjaro is one of the world's most accessible high summits, a beacon for visitors from around the world. Most climbers reach the crater rim with little more than a walking stick, proper clothing and determination. And those who reach Uhuru Point, the actual summit, or Gillman's Point on the lip of the crater, will have earned their climbing certificates.
And their memories.
But there is so much more to Kili than her summit. The ascent of the slopes is a virtual climatic world tour, from the tropics to the Arctic.
Even before you cross the national park boundary (at the 2,700m contour), the cultivated footslopes give way to lush montane forest, inhabited by elusive elephant, leopard, buffalo, the endangered Abbot’s duiker, and other small antelope and primates. Higher still lies the moorland zone, where a cover of giant heather is studded with otherworldly giant lobelias.
Above 4,000m, a surreal alpine desert supports little life other than a few hardy mosses and lichen. Then, finally, the last vestigial vegetation gives way to a winter wonderland of ice and snow – and the magnificent beauty of the roof of the continent.
About Kilimanjaro National Park
Size: 1668 sq km 641 sq miles).
Location: Northern Tanzania, near the town of Moshi.
Getting there
128 km (80 miles) from Arusha.
About one hour’s drive from Kilimanjaro airport.
What to do
Six usual trekking routes to the summit and other more-demanding mountaineering routes.
Day or overnight hikes on the Shira plateau. Nature trails on the lower reaches.
Trout fishing.
Visit the beautiful Chala crater lake on the mountain’s southeastern slopes.
When to go
Clearest and warmest conditions from December to February, but also dry (and colder) from July-September.
Accommodation
Huts and campsites on the mountain.
Several hotels and campsites outside the park in the village of Marangu and town of Moshi.
More info on accomodation

NOTE:
Climb slowly to increase your acclimatisation time and maximise your chances of reaching the summit.
To avoid altitude sickness, allow a minimum of five nights, preferably even more for the climb. Take your time and enjoy the beauty of the mountain.

NOTE 2:
NEW RATES FOR PORTERS AND GUIDES
(JUNE '08)
Porters
USD 10 per day
Cooks
USD 15 per day
Guides
USD 20 per day

Elections

Zanzibar holds presidential elections despite opposition's boycott

Voting has taken place in Zanzibar's repeat presidential polls despite the opposition boycotting the ballot following a controversial decision to annul an October election. Security was tight during the poll.

Some 500,000 voters were eligible to cast ballots in presidential and legislative elections of Tanzania's semi-autonomous islands.
The security situation in Zanzibar has been tense following the arrests of Civic United Front (CUF) activists and leaders. The authorities also banned public rallies to avoid conflict between rival parties.
The election rerun took place after the Zanzibar Election Commission (ZEC) annulled the results of the first poll in October on allegations of fraud. However, diplomats and election observers said they found no evidence of "massive fraud" as claimed by the ZEC chairman, Jecha Salim Jecha.
CUF leaders alleged the cancellation of the October vote was meant to prevent their leader Seif Sharif Hamad from forming government. Sharif had declared himself the winner before results were officially announced.
"We did all that we could to assure everyone that we are not taking part in the rerun," Twaha Taslima, the CUF's chairman, said in an interview prior to the vote. "They said it was not the legal way of withdrawing, therefore we are going with your names."
The CUF Deputy Secretary Nassor Mazrui told DW that he was grateful for opposition supporters partaking in a boycott of the election.
"We are happy that people have agreed to our call to boycott this illegal election and we commend them for showing the highest level of passion, peace and understanding. We will not accept any results from this election, but we will continue to fight for true democracy and the rule of law in our country," Mazrui said.
Hopeful for a win
The election commission said everything had been in place for Sunday's polls. "We have ballot papers ready. We have 1,583 polling stations, and polling officers with materials ready," Jecha said.
The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) was hopeful for a victory for incumbent president Ali Mohamed Shein in the rerun. CCM Deputy General Secretary in Zanzibar Vuai Ali Vuai told DW after the closure of poll stations that everything had gone smoothly.
"We are very much hopeful that Zanzibaris will continue being calm till the official results are announced by the electoral body according to the laws," he said.
Tanzanian President John Magufuli backed the election rerun for Zanzibar despite the boycott and fears within the international community that a fresh poll could trigger violence. However, veteran journalist and political analyst Salim Said Said told Deutsche Welle that the lack of such uproar should not be taken as a positive indicator:

"One of the democratic barometers is the number of people taking part in elections. What happened today in Zanzibar was a very small number of people at the polling stations, where some electoral officers found themselves sleeping. This precisely means that a majority of people have boycotted the election," Said explained.
Tension unlikely to ease
Irrespective of the outcome, observers believe the election is unlikely to ease political tensions on the archipelago. The CCM is concerned that a CUF victory could lead to the collapse of the 52-year-old union with the mainland.
"The democratic future of Zanzibar is bleak," said senior CUF leader Nassor Ahmed Mazrui. "There are violations of human rights just because we oppose the fresh polls, but we will continue opposing them, even after the elections," he added.
Zanzibar Police Commissioner Mkadam Khamis told DW that everything remained under control with polls underway and no reports of any serious incidents.
"The situation is very, very peaceful and would like to thank all people for their cooperation and accepting our call not to stop others who want to vote," Khamis said.
Popular for its sandy beaches and tropical climate, Zanzibar has a history of contentious and at times violent elections.