Kilimanjaro National Park

The Peak of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro

Kibo, as seen from Karanga Camp on Kilimanjaro

At 5,895 m, Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa. This volcanic massif stands in splendid isolation above the surrounding plains, with its snowy peak looming over the savannah. The mountain is encircled by mountain forest. Numerous mammals, many of them endangered species, live in the park.

In the 1910s, Mount Kilimanjaro and its forests were declared a game reserve by the German colonial government. In 1921 it was made a forest reserve.

In 1973, the mountain above the tree line (about 2,700 m / 9,000 ft) was reclassified as a National Park and was opened to public access in 1977. The park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.

The mountain is famous and most popular worldwide with people wanting to conquer the summit, the highest point on the entire continent of Africa. While the tourism industry has developed well around the splendid mountain the treks and surroundings remain untouched and take every climber back to nature with a truly exhilarating experience.

Area
1668 sq km (641 sq miles).

Getting there

128 km (80 miles) from Arusha. About one hour’s drive from Kilimanjaro airport.

What to do
Six usual trekking routes to the summit and other more-demanding mountaineering routes. Day or overnight hikes on the Shira plateau. Nature trails on the lower reaches Trout fishing. Visit the beautiful Chala crater lake on the mountain’s southeastern slopes.

Wildlife
Even before you cross the national park boundary (at the 2,700m contour), the cultivated footslopes give way to lush montane forest, inhabited by elusive elephant, leopard, buffalo, the endangered Abbot’s duiker, and other small antelope and primates. Higher still lies the moorland zone, where a cover of giant heather is studded with otherworldly giant lobelias.

Best time to Visit
Clearest and warmest conditions from December to February, but also dry (and colder) from July-September.

Highlights
Kilimanjaro. The name itself is a mystery wreathed in clouds. It might mean Mountain of Light, Mountain of Greatness or Mountain of Caravans. Or it might not. The local people, the Wachagga, don’t even have a name for the whole massif, only Kipoo (now known as Kibo) for the familiar snowy peak that stands imperious, overseer of the continent, the summit of Africa.

Useful Links
- The Tanzania National Parks Website – Kilimanjaro National Park
- Kilimanjaro National Park page on Wikipedia