Mount Kilimanjaro National Park | Kilimanjaro Park
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park (KNP) in Tanzania is located in the northern region of the country and is home to Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. This iconic peak, standing at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), draws adventures and nature enthusiast from around the world. The park offers a variety of trekking routes for those looking to climb Kilimanjaro Mountain, including the Lemosho, Umbwe, Rongai, Marangu, Machame, Shira, and Northern Circuit routes. Each trail provides a unique experience, with stunning scenery and diverse landscape. The Marangu Route is notable for being the only path that offers hut accommodations along the way, making it a popular choice for many trekkers. It typically takes about 5 to 6 days to reach the summit and descend back to the park gates via different trails, trough longer itineraries are common for those aiming to acclimate better or explore more thoroughly. Climbers who opt for other routes might spend around seven days or more on their journey to the top. Mount Kilimanjaro’s diverse ecological zones includes the rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and the polar highlands near the summit. Travelling these zones require a good physical condition to complete all of these different mountain zones during a hiking safari, but hikes can be completed at any time of the year. Climbing teams generally consists of, mountain guides, porters and support staff who ensure safety and assist with logistics. The guides who accompany the visitors while they climb Mount Kilimanjaro safeguard the climbers’ safety and assist when needed. Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcanic mountain with three cones; Kibo (the highest and potentially active), Mawenzi, and Shira (both extinct). One of the seven summits of the earth is Mount Kilimanjaro. Besides trekking, visitors can enjoy tours, explore the lush rainforest and encounter wildlife such baboons, blue monkeys, black-faced monkeys, Bushbabies, Dik-dik, Duiker, Bushbucks, Forest Elephants, leopards, hyenas, buffalo, baboons, mongooses, and Hyenas among others. You can also have the chance to explore the Chala Crater Lake, one of the largest lakes on Mount Kilimanjaro can be located inside the high crater rim of the Chala Crater Lake.
Discover Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Tourists often have the opportunity to enjoy stunning views of the iconic mountain right from their accommodations in Arusha. More so Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, located in Tanzania, is home to Africa’s highest peak and one of the world’s most iconic natural landmarks, Mount Kilimanjaro. Towering at 5,895 m/19,340 ft above sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest mountain and the world’s highest free-standing mountain with three volcanic cones; Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. Kibo is the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and the tallest of its three volcanic cones. It is also predicted to erupt again in the future, whereas Mawenzi and Shira are considered extinct. The highest point along Kibo’s crater rim is known as Uhuru, a Swahili word that translates to “freedom.” Known as the “Roof of Africa,” Mount Kilimanjaro remains one of the most renowned tourist destinations on the continent and worldwide. Its majestic presence attracts adventurers and nature lovers alike. In 1973, the mountain and its six surrounding forest corridors were named Kilimanjaro National Park in order to protect its unique ecosystem and a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage site in 1987.
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Safaris
Everyone who visits Mount Kilimanjaro for activities wishes to hike to the summit. Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania will give you an opportunity to shoot the highest mountain in Africa? At 5896m Mt Kilimanjaro, is one of the Africa’s magnificent great hikes. Mountain Kilimanjaro has beautiful ecosystems of variety of habitats on the slopes you will have an opportunity to film local communities, mountain farmlands, with coffee, cassava, bananas and maize crops. There are several trekking routes, including the Machame, Rongai, Shira, Lemosho, Marangu, and Umbwe routes. Depending on the guest’s level of fitness and the route they pick, climbing the mountain can take anywhere between 6 and 8 days. The park is home to various flora and fauna which include Abbott’s duiker, grey duiker, blue monkey, black-and-white colobus, red forest duiker, bushbuck, eland, galago crassicaudatus, Kilimanjaro tree hyrax, Abbot’s starling, buffalo, small antelope, elephant, leopard, raven, papilio sjoestedti, giant lobelia, moss, lichen
4 Days Kilimanjaro hike and Maasai cultural tour
7 Days Shira route hike to Kilmanjaro
8 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Hike (Lemosho Route)
8 days Kilimanjaro and Serengeti Wildlife safari
11 days Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Kilimanjaro safari
Activities to Do in Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Safari activities on Mount Kilimanjaro offers visitors a unique blend of adventure, nature exploration, and cultural experiences. Located in the northern part of Tanzania, Kilimanjaro is just a few kilometers from Kilimanjaro International Airport, accessible vail the Arusha-Moshi Highway before reaching Mioshi town. Overlooking the expansive Amboseli National Park in Kenya, the iconic peak of Kilimanjaro often shrouded in clouds, is a testament of the region’s diverse ecosystems. The park spans approximately 1,688 square kilometer and is characterized by a variety of habitat, from montane forest to alpine deserts, rising over 1,820 meters above sea level. The park is one of Tanzania’s most popular national parks, coming in third place behind the Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater and was designated a game reserve in 1921, later becoming a forest reserve in 1973.
Hiking:
Hiking tours in Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park Tanzania will give you an opportunity to shoot the highest mountain in Africa? At 5896m Mt Kilimanjaro, is one of the Africa’s magnificent great hikes. It has 3 main volcanic peaks which include Kibo, Shira and Mawenzi. Depending on the guest’s level of fitness and the route they pick, climbing the mountain can take anywhere between 6 and 8 days. Mountain Kilimanjaro has beautiful ecosystems of a wide habitats on the slopes you will have an opportunity to film local communities, mountain farmlands, with coffee, cassava, bananas and maize crops. While on your hiking tours, you’ll also have the chance to encounter a variety of wildlife species.
Bird watching:
Prepared yourself for the melodic songs of numerous woodland birds that can be heard throughout Mount Kilimanjaro National Park as you gear up for your challenging ascent of Africa’s tallest peak. With over 750 bird species documented within the park, Mount Kilimanjaro is a premier destination for bird enthusiasts. Experienced birder often combines their passion for birdwatching with their mountain hike, taking advantage of the opportunity to observe diverse avian life while reaching new heights. While on your birdwatching safari, you’ll have the chance to spot different colorful bird species.
Walking tours:
Walking safaris offers a straightforward and impressive way to connect with nature, unlike the more strenuous experience of mountain climbing. Guided treks around the bases of the mountain provides an intimate encounter with the environment, allowing tourists to observe the smallest details of the surrounding wilderness. These walks provide a fantastic chance to see a variety of wildlife including Abbott’s duiker, grey duiker, blue monkey, black-and-white colobus, red forest duiker, bushbuck, eland, galago crassicaudatus, Kilimanjaro tree hyrax, Abbot’s starling, buffalo, small antelope, elephant, leopard, raven, papilio sjoestedti, giant lobelia, moss, lichen, monkeys, olive baboons, butterfly species, numerous bird species and a number of fascinating species while trekking.
Cycling:
The Kilimanjaro bike trail offers a distinctive opportunity to explore the mountain and its surrounding landscapes. The Kilema trail is currently the only route suitable for reaching the summit by bicycle. Cycling is an excellent form of exercise and recreation, as it has minimal environmental impact and enhances the visitor experience. However, it is advised that only experienced cyclists and guides participate in this activity. They can roam around the park riding through the Chagga people’s farmland while enjoying the breath-taking views of the surrounding. Note that the activity incurs additional expenses as bikers will need a mountain bike.
Attractions in Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Famous for its exceptional climbing and hiking opportunities, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is located in Northern Tanzania right at the border to Kenya. The park spans approximately 1,688 square kilometres (652 square miles) and it is one of Tanzania’s most iconic destinations for visitors. It is about 388km from Dodoma, Tanzania’s capital city. Our experienced team of professionals is dedicated to making your visit to this UNESCO World Heritage site a memorable, once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Birds:
When talk about birds of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is, it means that you will see in abundance though is birdlife. Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is home to over 150 bird species with forest birds topping the list. This makes it one of the best places to carry out an incredible bird watching activity for bird enthusiasts. Some of the bird species you may sight here includes, White-faced Whistling Duck, Helmeted Guineafowl, Crested Guineafowl, Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Montane Nightjar, Grey Crowned Crane, White-bellied Bustard, White-bellied Go-away-bird, White-fronted Bee-eater, African Malachite Kingfisher, Malachite Sunbirds, Mountain buzzards, crowned eagles, Lammergeyer giant vultures to mention but a few.
Wildlife Species:
The wildlife of Kilimanjaro National Park encompasses a diverse array of species, including warthogs, hippos, impalas, dik-diks, zebras, elephants, buffaloes, and giraffes. Less commonly seen are elands and gazelles. Predators such cheetahs, lions, and leopards are frequently encountered, alongside other animals like jackals, hyenas, blue monkey, black-and-white colobus, baboons, Kilimanjaro tree hyrax, Abbot’s starling, raven, papilio sjoestedti, giant lobelia, galago crassicaudatus, moss, lichen and mongooses. Wildlife of Kilimanjaro National Park is stunning to encounter while on safari.
Shira Plateau:
Shira Plateau is another fascinating attraction found at Mount Kilimanjaro national park; the Plateau is situated just a few kilometers to the west of Mount Kibo. Shira Plateau is situated along one of the popular routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. This remarkable plateau is actually a caldera, formed from the collapse of volcano that became inactive over 500,000 years ago. Walking across the plateau, visitors experience the remnants of this ancient volcanic structure. Shira Plateau is highly valued by wildlife enthusiasts because of its exceptionally diverse biodiversity, particularly among its animal species.
How to get to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park was gazetted in 1973, officially opened for tourism in 1977, declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987 and Natural Wonder of Africa in 2013. Its size is 1,712 square kilometers. Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is straightforward, with several transportation options available depending on your starting point.
By air. Most tourist fly into Tanzania’s main international airports, either Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro International Airport near Moshi and Arusha. Kilimanjaro International Airport is the most convenient gateway for visitors heading directly to the park, located approximately 35 kilometers from Moshi and about 45 kilometers from Arusha. There are various daily scheduled flights to Kilimanjaro and Arusha Airport from Dar es Salaam, which takes about 1 to 1.5 hours or Kenya with Auric Air, Coastal Aviation, and Precision Air.
By road means. Travelers can also reach Kilimanjaro by from neighboring countries such as Kenya or by taking long-distance buses from other parts of Tanzania. However, this option may involve longer travel times and multiple transfers. The other seven gates of Rongai, Machame, Londorosi, Lemosho, Kilema, Mweka and Umbwe are located around the mountain base and can be reached by road.
Best Time Visit to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
The optimal time to visit Kilimanjaro National Park is during the dry season, which extends from June to October. This period offers the best weather conditions for trekking and sightseeing. However, January is also a feasible time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and enjoy its breathtaking scenery. While the mountain can be visited year-round, weather patterns tend to be more unpredictable outside the dry season. It is generally recommended to hike Mount Kilimanjaro during the dry months, as the trails can be challenging and slippery during the rainy seasons of April and May, as well as November. For tourists seeking a quitter experience, visiting during the rainy season can be adventurous, as it results in fewer tourists. Additionally, the less- frequented northern routes of the mountain are ideal for those who prefer a more solitary adventure. Visiting Mount Kilimanjaro National Park also pairs well with a safari in northern Tanzania’s wildlife parks, making its an excellent time to observe animals in their natural habitat.
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