Mount Kilimanjaro could lose its breathtaking ice cap by 2018 as global warming hits one of the great symbols of wild Africa — also known as “the roof of Africa”.

Scientists working for the Tanzania National Parks Authority say that unless climate change is halted, ice on the highest peaks of the famous mountain will melt.

This would bring devastation to the ecosystem of the mountain’s lower slopes, as well as local communities, with less water run-off causing areas of vegetation to dry up, having major knock-on effects for wildlife.

It is believed that 600 elephants at Amboseli national park in Kenya are particularly at risk.

Lorivi ole-Moirana, senior conservator at the authority, this week told eTurboNews, an online news agency, that the peaks are melting fast. Calling for action, he said: “International agreements and initiatives on climate change would be the possible options in saving Africa’s natural heritage.”

Natural seasonal run-off from the glaciers on Mount Kilimanjaro — the tallest mountain in Africa at 5,895m with a base the size of Yorkshire — is also a crucial source of water for communities surrounding the mountain.

Brian Jackman, co-author of The Marsh Lions, said: “It’s shrinking. There is still some snow on the top, but the glacier doesn’t have the icing-cake look that it used to have. It is less dramatic.”

Chris McIntyre, managing director of Expert Africa, also recognises the change.

“It used to be spectacular,” he said. “It’s less so now. It’s a real loss aesthetically and of course it will affect the grasslands the run-off feeds.”

Details: Expert Africa (020-8232 9777, www.expertafrica.com), Tanzania Odyssey (020-7471 8780, www.tanzania-web.com).

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