Titled “THE 53 PLACES TO GO IN 2008” the list ran in the Sunday New York Times Travel Section December 10, 2007 with a circulation of more than 1 million affluent and well-educated readers around the world. The list also appears on the New York Times web site www.newyorktimes.com .

The article refers to the “Snows of Kilimanjaro,” made famous by American literary legend Ernest Hemingway, and predicts that there will be “more adventure seekers to tackle the climb next year (2008).”

Mt. Kilimanjaro, one of the world’s most accessible peaks, is not only the tallest mountain on the African Continent, it is also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. According to Tanapa National Parks, an average of 30-35,000 annual visitors attempt the climb.

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, summit of Africa.  One thing is sure, Kilimanjaro by any name, is a metaphor for the compelling beauty of East Africa.

“Tanzania is honored that Mt. Kilimanjaro, which has given so many adventure seekers from around the globe the thrill and sense of accomplishment of climbing such a legendary peak, has been recommended as a destination for 2008 by such a prestigious newspaper as The New York Times,” said Hon. Prof. Jumanne A. Maghembe, MP, Tanzania Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism. “We are confident that this will boost our numbers from the American market which is soon to become our number one source of visitors worldwide. Hopefully the climbers will take the opportunity to visit our other famous attractions such as the Serengeti, recently named the 7th new wonder of the World by Good Morning America and USA Today, Ngorongoro Crater, the Selous, and Zanzibar just to name a few of our seven World Heritage Sites.”

For more information about Tanzania visit www.tanzaniatouristboard.com; about Mt. Kilimanjaro, www.tanzaniaparks.com;