Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Safari.
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park in northern Tanzania is more than just a single destination; it is a world natural wonder offering a distinct type of safari experience that is different from a typical game-drive-only (i.e. wildlife) park. Towering over the expansive plains, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, at 5,895 meters (or 19,341 feet) at the summit, Uhuru Peak.
The park was established in 1973 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, with a park designation that is primarily focused on the challenge of the mountain and the majesty of the mountain’s heights. Although it is not a park focused on wildlife viewing, the expedition across the slopes of Kilimanjaro is an “ecological safari” in its own right, traversing five unique climate zones, or biomes, while producing one of the most stunning perspectives of nature you will ever experience. It is the combination of this gigantic scale, geological history, and ecological transition that makes the Kilimanjaro safari an adventure of a lifetime for travelers worldwide.
Mountain Kilimanjaro’s Grandeur and Geology
The grand stature of Mount Kilimanjaro, a huge dormant volcanic massif, is its most striking feature. It is made up of three large volcanic cones: Kibo, the youngest and tallest that is officially dormant, and home to the famous Uhuru Peak; Mawenzi, the second tallest and jagged, no longer active; and Shira, the least elevated, oldest cone, that is now a flattened, plateau. Kilimanjaro’s large size enables it to stand alone in “splendid isolation,” a remarkable image visible from many miles away, often with the snow-capped peak dramatically jutting above the dry savannah like a crown.
The glacial cap, a unique sight for a mountain this close to the equator that is rapidly disappearing from climate change, now renders a view of its glaciers highly somber. The enormity of its physical form, the elevation, and then the instant translocation of environments, from the lower slopes to summit, combine to create an exceptional, natural phenomenon, leading to more than 30,000 climbers each year.
An Ecological Expedition: The Five Climatic Zones
What makes a Kilimanjaro “safari,” is an extraordinary trek through the mountain’s five successive climatic or vegetation zones, a journey frequently characterized as walking “from the equator to the North Pole” in just a few days! First the excursion begins in the Cultivation Zone on the lower slopes, where local Chagga people farm coffee, bananas, and other crops in the fertile volcanic soil.
Above this is the dense humid Montane Forest (Rainforest) Zone, from about 1,800m to 2,800m, an important habitat for many types of wildlife and usually cloaked in mist. This dense forest (or jungle) is the home to various primates, like blue monkeys and the pronounced black and white colobus monkeys, larger mammals including Cape buffaloes and at times elephants that migrate utilizing the forested corridors.
As hikers continue upward, the climbers leave the forest and enter the Heath and Moorland Zone, where vegetation changes to unique species such as huge heathers, grasses, and the peculiar, towering giant groundsels and lobelias, all growing sparsely. The environment becomes more open and dry in the zone. Above 4000m, the climate really changes as it enters into the cold Alpine Desert Zone, with only sparse vegetation such as mosses and lichens clinging to the rocks. The extremes above 5000m represent the barren, icy Arctic Zone that consists of rocks, scree, and snow, with the ultimate aim of Uhuru Peak, marking the ultimate elevation. Witnessing the distinct and quick shift of the ecosystem is an important and unforgettable part of the mountain experience.
The Main Adventure: Trekking and Routes
Without a doubt, the main activity in Kilimanjaro National Park is the summit hike. Kilimanjaro is one of the most important world hiking safari destinations and is considered to be the easiest of the “Seven Summits” (the highest mountain on each continent) in terms of technical skill because it is a peak requiring a non-technical hike-up vs a climbing ascent requiring ropes and specialized gear.
While the hike to the summit is technically easy, it is extremely challenging in terms of elevation because the elevation is the single biggest challenge and the reason many attempts fail. Therefore, proper acclimatization like going as slow as possible is essential and that is why most routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro will take anywhere from 5-9 days to summit.
There are seven established routes to the top. Each route offers a unique experience, difficulty level, and scenic aspect. The most well known routes are: Machame Route, which has fantastic scenery, is a bit steeper, and is often referred to as the “Whiskey Route”; Lemosho Route, which is longer, has great scenery and acclimatization; Marangu Route, the oldest and most traditional route and the only route with sleeping huts for all wealth hikers on the mountain. No matter the route, every group will have licensed guides, cooks and porters as part of the crew, who are a critical component of the Kilimanjaro safari, carrying supplies, gear, food and are responsible for your safety and well-being as a hiker.
Other Park Activities and Cultural Encounters
Though the trek to the summit is a primary focus of the park, a Kilimanjaro safari can also involve other forms of enriching experiences that do not include a full summit trek. For those with limited time, or who simply want to participate in a less strenuous activity, the park offers day hikes or nature walks through parts of the lower montane forest, which can be a refreshing option to experience cooler weather, forest wildlife (such as several species of monkeys), and a rich birdwatching environment (as it hosts over 150 species).
There are, additionally, cultural tours located around the foothills that are a very integral part of the regional experience. You can visit with the local Chagga people who live on the fertile slopes of Kilimanjaro, learn of the farming traditions they have employed for centuries, enjoy their local dances, and visit their homesteads. In the case that you were excited for your adventure, there are quite often opportunities for cycling and mountain biking as well, located on parts of the trails around the lower slopes, and sometimes, it can lead you to nearby Lake Chala (a spectacular crater lake that is located on the border with Kenya), a great place for sightseeing and photography.
Logistics and When to Go
Kilimanjaro National Park is easily accessible through the local town of Moshi, which is the main gateway and base for all climbing operations. The mountain is also approachable from the slightly larger town of Arusha. The best time to visit Mount Kilimanjaro is during the two dry times, which are January to March and June to October. During these times, the skies are clear, there is lower rain, and visibility is greater, improving the chance that the summit can be achieved in a spectacular way.
Realistically, however, the mountain is technically open year round if you can tolerate the long rainy season (March to May) when it will be muddy and slippery along the trails and the views may be obstructed by the clouds.
Planning a trip means that you will need to book with a reputable tour operator like African Vacation Safaris, who will make all necessary arrangements including permits and guides, porters, food and camping or hut accommodations, and allow for a seamless journey and professional support during your experience on the majestic “Roof of Africa.”