/ 28 December 1999

THOUSANDS TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO

MORE than 1000 foreign tourists are this week expected to climb Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, as part of millennium celebrations. “We expect more than 1000 people to take part in the expedition despite the hiking of fees to check the influx for environmental reasons,” James Lembeli, public relations manager in the Tanzania National Parks Authority, said late on Monday. Camping charges have gone up from $40 to $80, he added. Tourism Minister Zakia Meghji called on the international community to support Tanzania’s efforts to conserve the environment around the 5895 metre high mountain.

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