Kilimanjaro National Park

Kilimanjaro National Park, also known as Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, is well-known for protecting Africa’s highest mountain and the world’s largest freestanding volcanic mass, rising 4,877 meters above the surrounding lowlands to 5,895 meters at its Uhuru peak. Mount Kilimanjaro is a breathtaking natural wonder, towering above the surrounding plains and overlooking the savannah from its snow-capped peak. Mount Kilimanjaro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Africa’s seven natural wonders and the continent’s most popular mountaineering destination. Kilimanjaro National Park was established in 1973 and is located in Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Region, about 300 kilometres south of the equator and near the town of Moshi. It is managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA).

Aside from lifelong mountaineering adventures, Kilimanjaro National Park provides spectacular wildlife viewing, with tree hyrax, Cape buffalo, duiker, grey duiker, rodents, red duiker, elephants, and many other animal species found in the park’s montane forest and moorland grassland. Blue monkeys, galagos, eastern black and white colobus monkeys, and leopards are also found in the montane forests. Kilimanjaro National Park also provides excellent viewing opportunities for montane, endemic, and migratory bird species.

Access to Kilimanjaro National Park.

Kilimanjaro National Park is frequently accessible by road; it takes an hour and a half to drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) to the park headquarters (Marangu). Furthermore, the distance from Arusha town to Moshi is 123 kilometres and takes two hours, while the distance from Moshi to Marangu (the park headquarters) is 48 kilometres and takes about an hour. Travellers can also drive there from Tanzania’s largest airport, Julius Nyerere International Airport, which is located just outside of Dar es Salaam, the country’s main city on the east coast. Dar es Salaam is approximately 500 kilometres south of Kilimanjaro National Park and takes about nine hours to drive there. On the other hand, Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is approximately 200 kilometres south of Kilimanjaro National Park.

Wildlife at Kilimanjaro National Park

Kilimanjaro National Park, with its diverse eco-habitats such as montane forest, moorland, and alpine desert, is home to over 154 mammal species, including 7 primates. Elephants, giraffes, and Cape buffaloes are among the large mammals in the park, as are a variety of antelope species such as duikers, waterbucks, and duikers. Other animals found in Kilimadjaro include aardvarks, honey badgers, porcupines, servals, leopards, dik-diks, mongooses, galagos, tree hyraxes, hyenas, and primates like baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and so on.

In addition, Kilimanjaro National Park has 150 to 300 recorded bird species, including montane forest birds, globally threatened species, and endemics. Birders on safari in the park can expect to see Narina Trogon, Scaly Francolin, Hildebrandt’s Francolin, Masked Turtle Dove, Collared Dove, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Rufous-breasted Cuckoo, Mountain Nightjar, Alpine Swift, Marabou Stork, Sacred Ibis, Mountain Buzzard, Augur Buzzard, Striped Coliou, Bar-tailed Trogon, Crowned Hornbill, Grey-headed Kingfisher, and Little Bee-eater, among others. The park is also home to barbets, warblers, weavers, cisticolas, allies, and bulbuls.

Activities at Kilimanjaro National Park

Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro National Park’s most popular tourist activity is hiking Mount Kilimanjaro. At 5,019 metres, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain and the world’s highest freestanding volcano. It is one of Africa’s most difficult climbs, with breathtaking snow-capped peaks and glaciers throughout the year. Mount Kilimanjaro has three main volcanic peaks: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, and five major vegetation zones run from the mountain’s base to its summit: lower slopes, montane forest, moorland and grassland, alpine desert, and summit (snow). Mount Kilimanjaro’s appeal stems not only from its abundance of mammals, birds, and plants, many of which are endangered, but also from its exceptional mix of mountaineering qualities. This includes its elevation, physical shape, snow-capped peak, and separation from the surrounding plains.

Mount Kilimanjaro has seven summit routes for mountaineering expeditions: Lemosho, Machame, Marangu, Rongai, Northern Circuit, Shira, and Umbwe. Each of these routes has advantages and disadvantages, as well as differences in difficulty, scenery, and summit success rate. Reaching the peak (Uhuru) can take 6 to 8 days, depending on the hiker’s fitness and the route chosen. Nonetheless, all of the routes provide incredible explorations of the mountain’s various natural habitats, complete with unique wildlife species. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is an unforgettable experience that provides breathtaking views of the surrounding plains along the way.

Wildlife Viewing

Kilimanjaro National Park also offers something for wildlife enthusiasts, as it is home to a number of unique and endangered species. During a wildlife viewing tour in the park, you can expect to see galagos, elephants, Cape buffalo, duikers, red duikers, elusive leopards, aardwolves, honey badgers, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, mongooses, and more.

Bird watching

Kilimanjaro National Park provides exceptional birding opportunities, with up to 300 species recorded, including resident, endangered, and migratory birds. Birdwatchers can expect to see African Pygmy Kingfisher, Masked Dove, Collared Dove, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Rufous-breasted Cuckoo, Mountain Nightjar, Alpine Swift, African Swift, Marabou Stork, Sacred Ibis, Mountain Buzzard, Augur Buzzard, Banded Conure, Bar-tailed Trogon, Crowned Hornbill, Grey-headed Kingfisher, and Little Bee-eater, among others. Because of the presence of migratory species, the best time to bird in Kilimanjaro National Park is between November and April.

Bicycle Tours

Kilimanjaro National Park also provides cycling opportunities, with well-established routes leading cyclists around the magnificent mountain to the summit, such as the Kilema Route. Cyclists are guided by experienced tour guides through diverse landscapes such as farmland, Chagga local communities, and various vegetation zones teeming with attractive wildlife. Cycling on Mount Kilimanjaro is only possible on mountain bikes that are strong enough to reach the summit. Cycling around the park, on the other hand, provides opportunities for wildlife viewing. This activity is not only exciting, but it is also good for your health and has a low environmental impact.

Explore Chala Crater.

A Tanzania safari in Mount Kilimanjaro National Park can also include a visit to Chala Crater, a beautiful crater lake on Mount Kilimanjaro’s edge. The lake is known for its beautiful waters, which can turn turquoise at times. The lake is suitable for swimming and fishing, with the Chala Tilapia being the most popular fish.

Explore the local culture.

Mount Kilimanjaro is also home to indigenous tribes such as the Chagga and Maasai, who provide memorable cultural experiences such as learning about their lifestyle, customs, and traditions, among others. Most tourists enjoy taking pictures with the tall Maasai people, purchasing their beautiful clothes and jewellery, and watching their incredible traditional dance performances

Primate Trek

Primate trekking is another popular tourist activity in Kilimanjaro National Park. Mount Kilimanjaro is home to several species of primates, including vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, black-faced monkeys, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, and galagos, to name a few, and tracking them in their natural habitats can be exciting. They can be found jumping between the tree canopies looking for food, playing, and caring for their companions. It’s a lot of fun to interact with these entertaining creatures.

Best time to visit Kilimanjaro National Park

The dry season, which runs from June to October and December to February, is the best time to visit Kilimanjaro National Park. During these months, the weather is dry and warm, making mountain hiking easier and wildlife viewing more enjoyable. However, the dry season is also the peak season, resulting in more people and higher prices. If you want to avoid the crowds, the rainy season (shoulder season) from mid-October to November, and March to May, is the best time to visit. During these months, the park is less crowded, and admission is less expensive. Keep in mind, however, that the weather can be more unpredictable during these months, with more chances of rain and cooler temperatures.