Mount Kilimanjaro National Park

Kilimanjaro National Park is a Tanzanian national park located in the Kilimanjaro region, 300 kilometers south of the equator. Close to the Moshi, the park encompasses Mount Kilimanjaro above the tree line as well as the surrounding montane forest belt above 1,820m above sea level. Kilimanjaro National Park has a total area of 1,688 sq. km and is managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority. Mount Kilimanjaro was first designated as a forest reserve in 1973 by the German colonial government. Later in 1987, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation designated it as a World Heritage Site.

Kilimanjaro is home to numerous animal species including the Kilimanjaro tree hyrax, grey duiker, several cats, and a variety of rodents to mention but a few. In some places, bushbuck and red duiker can be seen above the timberline. Cape buffaloes can be found in the montane forests, as well as moorland and grassland, whereas the elephants can be found between the Namwai and Tarakia rivers, as well as at higher elevations on occasion. Primates such as Blue monkeys, western black and white colobuses, bush babies, and predators like leopards can also be found in the park’s montane forests.

However, Mt Kilimanjaro is the park’s most popular tourist attraction and has made the park one of the most visited national parks in Tanzania since its official opening in 1977. Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain and one of the continent’s most magnificent sights, towers over the park at 5,896 meters. The mountain is also one of the world’s highest volcanoes, as well as the world’s highest free-standing mountain. The volcano rises from cultivated farmland on the lower levels, through the lush rainforest, and to alpine meadows. Many animals live in the lower rain forest, including buffaloes, elephants, leopards, monkeys, and elands.

Activities in Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park

Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro

A hike up Kilimanjaro’s peak attracts approximately 15,000 trekkers each year. This is mainly because the summit can be reached without the use of ropes or technical climbing experience. However, non-technical does not imply simplicity. The climb is difficult and demanding, but it is worthwhile if properly prepared.

There are numerous opportunities to explore the mountain’s lower slopes and learn about the Maasai and Chagga, two of the area’s main tribes. Mount Kilimanjaro has seven official trekking routes for ascent and descent: Lemosho, Machame, Marangu, Mweka, Rongai, Shira, and Umbwe. Machame is the most scenic and a bit steeper route of the three. It can be completed in six to seven days. The Rongai is the most straightforward and least scenic of all camping routes. The Marangu is also a relatively easy route, but it is often very crowded, the ascent and descent routes are the same, and lodging is in shared huts with all other climbers. Furthermore, trekkers taking the Rongai route must pay their fees at the Marangu gate.

People who want to trek to the summit of Kilimanjaro should be properly equipped and capable. Though the climb is not technically as difficult as climbing the high peaks of the Himalayas or the Andes, the high elevation, cold temperatures, and occasional high winds can cause inexperienced trekkers to experience altitude sickness.

Wildlife Viewing

Though it cannot be compared to other national parks in Tanzania, Mt Kilimanjaro National Park is home to over 30 animal species spread across its various attractive habitats and vegetation zones. Some of the wildlife to expect while on safari in Mount Kilimanjaro include the vervet monkeys, serval cats, honey badgers, aardvarks, baboons, colobus monkeys, bushbabies, elands, and elephants, which are mostly seen on the Shira Plateau plains.

On a lucky day, one can even spot some leopards roaming around some park trails.

Birding

The park is home to over 179 recorded bird species, some of which are migratory while others are endemic to this area. The bird species in the park include the white-necked raven, long-tailed trogon, Gabar goshawk, blue-napped mousebirds, grey hornbills, African fish eagles, white checked barbets, African pygmy kingfisher, and many others.

The best time to go bird watching in the park is from November to April when migratory birds from Europe and North Africa are present.

When to go to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park

Because of the clear sky and views, the months of January to March are the best among the warm months. There are brief showers that brighten the sky during this time. Long showers occur from late March to early June, making this the worst time to hike and not recommended at all unless you have prior experience trekking in these conditions. The months of late March to early June are wet due to heavy rains, but the crowds have dispersed and you have the mountain to yourself. June to early October are also dry months, albeit a little cooler with afternoon showers in most cases, but skies are mostly clear.

Because Kilimanjaro National Park is in an equatorial region, the rains are mostly unpredictable, and the weather is mostly up to chance. During the rainy season, it is possible to have mostly dry weather, just as it is possible to have heavy rain during the dry season.

Hikers should climb slowly to maximize acclimatization time and chances of reaching the summit. Allow at least five nights, preferably more, for the climb to avoid altitude sickness and enjoy the beauty of the mountain.

How to access Mount Kilimanjaro National Park

Kilimanjaro National Park can easily be accessed both by road and air transport.

By road: The park headquarters and one of the ascending gates are located in Marangu, about 41 km from Moshi and about 80 km (1-hour drive) from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The other seven gates, which are located around the mountain base can also be reached by road. They include Rongai, Machame, Londorosi, Lemosho, Kilema, Mweka, and Umbwe.

By Air: The Kilimanjaro International Airport is approximately 45 kilometers to the west of the park

Accommodation in Kilimanjaro National Park

Most visitors to Kilimanjaro National Park stay in the cities of Arusha or Moshi. Except when climbing Kilimanjaro, you do not have to lodge within the park. Moshi is closer to the Park’s southern entrance to the park. Arusha is more than two hours away by car, but many people use it as a base for exploring both Kilimanjaro and the safari parks of Tanzania’s Northern Circuit.

Otherwise, accommodation around Mount Kilimanjaro ranges from luxury wilderness lodges to comfortable tented camps, so there is something for everyone’s tastes, budgets, and trip types. They include;