The epic trek to the snow-covered summit of Mt Kilimanjaro

Rising 5,895 meters out of the red dust of the plains to poke through the clouds, Mount Kilimanjaro is the only place to find year-round snow in Africa.

Reaching it and its summit is certainly an epic trek, but since it requires no real mountaineering experience, it is manageable for most people in reasonably good shape.

A forest reserve and national park since 1973, the gravel paths that climb the mountain's slopes pass first through misty and dense tropical forest before moving through zones of far drier heath and moorland.

Above these, the mists and clouds disappear to reveal clear skies and crisp nights.

Then, above an elevation of about 4000m, alpine desert takes hold. Barely any vegetation, save for mosses and lichens can eek out an existence here.

Around the rock-and-ice fields that pave the way for the final push to the summit there's only half as much oxygen as at sea level. This means you'll need plenty of time to acclimatize, making a five-day trip the usual minimum, even with required assistance of porters and guides.