Page 85 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

62 Africa

these highlands but is unique among active seven days, while the Rongai is the easiest camping
volcanoes in that it produces natrocarbonatite lava, a route and the Marangu is also easy, but
unique occurrence of volcanic carbonatite (USGS, accommodation is in huts. As a result, this route
2003), which means its lava flows at a temperature tends to be very busy in season. Visitors wishing to
of only 510°C. This temperature is so low that the climb Mt Kilimanjaro are advised to undertake
molten lava appears black in sunlight, rather than appropriate research and ensure that they are both
having the red glow common to most lavas. It is properly equipped and physically capable. Though
also much more fluid than silicate lavas. The the climb is technically very easy, the altitude and
sodium and potassium carbonate minerals of the low temperature make this a difficult and dangerous
lavas formed by Ol Doinyo Lengai are unstable at trek. Acclimatization is essential, and even then
the Earth’s surface and susceptible to rapid most people suffer some degree of altitude sickness.
weathering, quickly turning from black to grey in About ten climbers die from this each year,
colour. A few older extinct carbonatite volcanoes together with an unknown number of local
are located nearby, including Homa Mountain. porters – figures for these are guessed at between
10 and 20 (Cymerman and Rock, n.d.).
Tourism Kilimanjaro summit is well above the altitude
at which high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE),
Tourism in Tanzania and Kenya is probably more or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) can occur.
affected by civil unrest and ecosystem impact than All climbers will suffer considerable discomfort,
by volcanism. Nevertheless, all the Eastern Rift typically shortage of breath, hypothermia and
Valley volcanoes are tourist attractions in their own headaches, and though most young, fit people can
right. National parks have been created based on make the Uhuru summit, a substantial number of
these resources and tourism is fairly carefully trekkers abandon the attempt at a lower altitude
regulated by national park regulations. Parks such as (Cymerman and Rock, n.d.). The Tanzanian
Amboseli immediately north-west of Mt Kilimanjaro, medical services around the mountain have
on the border with Tanzania are examples. Amboseli expressed concern recently over the current influx
was established as a reserve in 1968 and became a of tourists that apparently perceive Kilimanjaro as
national park in 1974. The park covers 244 square an easy climb. Many individuals require significant
2
miles and forms part of the much larger 4828km medical attention during their attempts, and many
Amboseli ecosystem, which hosts large concentrations are forced to abandon the climb. An investigation
of wildlife in the dry season, making it a popular into the matter concluded that tourists visiting
tourist destination. It is dominated by Kilimanjaro Tanzania are often encouraged to join groups
and its walking trails. In a similar fashion Tsavo West heading up the mountain without being made
National Park has a varied topography including: aware of the significant physical demands the climb
open plains with Savannah bush and semi-desert makes.
scrub; acacia woodlands; rocky ridges, and more In Kenya, Mt Kenya National Park,
extensive ranges and isolated hills; belts of riverine established in 1949, protects the region surrounding
vegetation; palm thickets and, on the Chyulu hills, the mountain. Initially it was a forest reserve
mountain forest. Towards the Chyulu hills is the before being announced as a national park.
recent volcanic origin with lava flows and ash cones Currently the national park is within the forest
including the Shetani lava flow, an example of a reserve which encircles it. In April 1978 the area
recent volcanic event.
was designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Risks and risk management The national park and the forest reserve, combined,
became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1997.
There are several routes by which to climb Mt The Government of Kenya had four reasons for
Kilimanjaro, namely, Marangu, Rongai, Lemosho, creating a national park on and around Mt Kenya,
Shira, Umbwe and Machame. Of all these of which tourism was the most important. Apart
Machame is by far the most scenic if steeper route from the importance of tourism for local and
up the mountain, and can be traversed in six or national economies the other reasons were the

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