Drygalski Glacier

Drygalski Glacier is an ice formation on the northwest slope of Mount Kilimanjaro that descends from near the summit to approximately 4,800 meters elevation. The ice field sits above the snowline and is bordered by steep mountainous terrain.

The glacier was named after German geographer Erich von Drygalski, who conducted expeditions in polar and alpine regions. It historically formed part of a larger ice complex that included multiple neighboring glacier formations.

Scientists and researchers regularly study this glacier formation to understand climate patterns and geological processes in the equatorial mountain regions.

Access to the glacier area requires special permits and professional mountaineering equipment for a multi-day trek through Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. The journey is physically demanding and should only be attempted with experienced guides.

The ice provides meltwater that feeds rivers and ecosystems across the lowlands of northern Tanzania. This water supply from an equatorial glacier is an unexpected resource for the region's biodiversity.