Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
overview
Kilimanjaro National Park is 1,688 square kilometres in size, including the free-standing Mount Kilimanjaro. Tanzania's Moshi area is close to Kilimanjaro National Park.
In 1973, it became a national park, and in 1987, UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site. Mount Kilimanjaro, located at the centre of Kilimanjaro National Park, is the park's most well-known landmark.
At 5,895 meters above sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's tallest peak and a stratovolcano that is three million years old. The three volcanic cones on the mountain—Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira—were created roughly a million years ago.
Kilimanjaro National Park's vegetation and wildlife
At the national park's edge lie the native Maasai people's grasslands and bushlands. This area also has streams from the peak and a belt of tropical vegetation.
Elephants, antelopes, primates, and the endangered Abbott's duiker can all be found there. The area is a great place to go birdwatching because it is home to over 179 different species of birds.
After 4000 meters of rainforest, where the terrain shifts to towering stems of huge lobelias, alpine meadows can be discovered. Only lichens and mosses cling to the rocks above the enormous lobelias.
After there, snowfields lead to three craters: the dormant Shira and Mawenzi, and the peak Kibo, where gas fumaroles are occasionally active.
Warthogs, hippos, impalas, dik-diks, zebras, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, elands, gazelles, cheetahs, lions, leopards, jackals, hyenas, monkeys, baboons, mongooses, and many more are among the many animals that may be found in the park.
What to see in and around Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Located in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, Materuni Waterfall is a breathtaking 90-meter waterfall. You can reach the base of the waterfall, where the water pools in a gorgeously clean tiny pool that is safe for swimming, after a quick but strenuous walk down a woodland route. Along the way there and back, you cross little footbridges, creeks, and banana and coffee plantations. Look out for small animals such as birds, duikers, and monkeys.
Shira Plateau is located on one of the roads leading up Mount Kilimanjaro, just a few km west of Mount Kibo. It's a caldera, this magnificent plateau. You will be walking on the ruins of a volcano that ceased to exist more than 500,000 years ago as you traverse the plateau. Because of its incredibly rich variety, particularly among species, this is a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
Chala Crater Lake is situated in a caldera that was probably created by volcanic activity on the Kilimanjaro, in the shadow of the mountain, on the Kenya-Tanzania boundary. Depending on when you choose to visit, the lake's pristine waters may be turquoise blue, midnight blue, or even a magnificent emerald. Our skilled and informed tour handlers will advise you on the best time of year to travel.
Olpopongi, which offers one of the most genuine Masai experiences in all of Africa, is where visitors may learn the most about the local culture. As you experience and savour delicious local cuisine, Masai family customs and legacy, and a welcoming staff that distinguishes us from other operators, you will see the Kraals where these early settlers have long resided. Because Olpopongi is so special, you can experience real Masai culture without interfering with their daily routines or entering their private homes and villages.
Every traveler should attempt to reach the top of the world by climbing Kibo Peak, which is among the best places to do it. It is the tallest peak in Africa and one of the three volcanoes that make up Mount Kilimanjaro! Fantastic views are assured throughout the year. The only summit that keeps snow all year long is this one. Knowing that you are in good hands, our tour handlers will teach you a lot about this location.
One of the well-known activities in the Kilimanjaro region is a visit to Kikuletwa Hot Springs, which is situated in the Chemka Hot Springs Campsite. As you feel the wonderful water of the hot spring, swimming in it would undoubtedly rank among the nicest pleasures.
This is one of the main ecotourism destinations in the Kilimanjaro region. Visitors may enjoy a stunning nature walk and a forest bike ride while taking in the view of various cultural endeavours that never fail to amaze them.
Melt runoff from Kilimanjaro's freezing peak makes the lower slopes a suitable place for farming. This region's coffee farmers are well-known for their smooth, fresh-tasting, 100% Arabica coffee. Coffee plantation tours are a popular post-Kilimanjaro activity, which makes sense given how lovely a skilfully prepared cappuccino or Americano is after a week of roughing it up on the mountain!
Since Momela Lake is a sanctuary for a variety of local and migratory water bird species, it is understandable that it is one of the most picturesque places for tourists to visit while in the Kilimanjaro region. It also provides an exhilarating canoe ride and an excellent opportunity for bird watching, particularly for avian enthusiasts.
Take a stroll around Ngurdato Forest's perimeter
This 4 km-wide caldera is a wildlife haven of beauty and lushness. The crater is different from its well-known counterpart in that it is a no-go area. It is sometimes referred to as the "little Ngorogoro Crater," which makes sense considering how similar it is to Ngorongoro Crater. Visitors are only permitted to walk along the crater's western and southern rims and gaze down on the animals in order to protect them. As it’s a relatively shallow caldera (just 100 m deep), the view of the crater floor and its myriad occupants is the perfect eco compromise.
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park activities.
1. Mountain climbing
One of the most popular pursuits in Kilimanjaro National Park is mountain climbing. Among Africa's most daring climbs is this one.
Mount Kilimanjaro may be reached via seven different routes: Lemosho, Machame, Marangu, Rongai, Northern Circuit, Shira, and Umbwe. Additionally, there is the Mweka path, which is a descent-only route. Cost, scenic variation, and summit success rate are only a few of the advantages and disadvantages of each of the seven Kilimanjaro routes.
Reaching the summit gives you the chance to see nearly every kind of natural system at once. Cultivated land, rain forest, heath, moorland, alpine desert, and an arctic peak are among the ecosystems.
With breathtaking vistas of the surrounding plains along the way, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is an incredible experience.
2. Observing wildlife
Nature hikes and game drives, both day and night, are good ways to see wildlife. With about 30 animal species, there aren't many animals in this national park.
These include giraffes, elephants, buffalos, zebras, impalas, warthogs, hippos, and dik-diks. A leopard may be seen in the park on lucky days.
3. Observing birds
Kilimanjaro National Park is a great place to go birdwatching because it is home to more than 179 different kinds of birds. This covers endemic bird species that are unique to this region of the world.
Turacos, silvery-cheeked hornbills, kingfishers, cuckoos, bee-eaters, African Pittas, and many more are among the most often sighted birds.
4. Trekking with primates
Primate trekking is a must-do activity in Kilimanjaro National Park because of the abundance of diverse primate species, including baboons, blue monkeys, black-faced monkeys, and many more.
In the rainforest of the park, these primates can be seen swinging from tree to tree.
5. Take a look at Chala Crater Lake
At the Kenya-Tanzania border sits Lake Chala, a crater lake. Depending on the season, the lake's waters shift from turquoise to emerald green, making it a suitable location for the site.
Visitors can also observe the lake from the camps that surround it.
When to go to Kilimanjaro National Park is the best.
Your interests will determine when Kilimanjaro National Park is best visited. From July to October, when foliage is dry and scarce, animals are easier to see.
A shallow salt lake develops later, in mid-March, April, and May, when the heavier rains come. While the nests of weaver birds are protected by lush new foliage, wadders congregate in the shallow salty sea. This is the ideal time of year to observe birds.
Kilimanjaro National Park Access
A flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport and a subsequent drive to the national park are the suggested modes of transportation. Kilimanjaro International Airport is 76.5 kilometres from Kilimanjaro National Park, a 1.5-hour journey with breathtaking scenery.
Other national parks in Tanzania's northern circuit provide access to the park as well.
Kilimanjaro National Park lodging options
The western portion of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is home to the majority of the park's lodging options. On the park's mountain slopes are a few cabins and campsites.
In Moshi town, hotels outside Kilimanjaro National Park are also an option.