Uhuru Peak is the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano in Tanzania, East Africa, near the Kenyan border. Reaching an elevation of 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), it is the highest point in Africa and one of the Seven Summits. The name "Uhuru" means "freedom" in Swahili and was given in 1961 when Tanganyika (now part of Tanzania) gained independence from the United Kingdom.
The peak is a major hiking and climbing destination, attracting approximately 30,000 to 35,000 hikers annually. Climbing to Uhuru Peak does not require technical skills, making it accessible to determined hikers with good fitness levels. The trek typically takes 5 to 8 days, passing through diverse ecological zones, from tropical forests to arctic conditions. Though dormant, the Kibo cone on which Uhuru Peak sits has fumaroles that emit gas in the crater, and studies are being conducted to monitor the volcano. A wooden box containing a book sits at the summit for visitors to record their thoughts.
