Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
In 1987 UNESCO listed Mount Kilimanjaro as World Heritage Site because of its natural beauty. The mountain’s ecosystems are as strikingly beautiful as they are varied and diverse. Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. It has three main volcanic peaks, Kibo, Mawenzi as well as Shira. Above the gently rolling hills and plateaux of northern Tanzania rises the snowy peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, it’s slopes and glaciers shimmering above the rising clouds. In 1921, the park was designated a forest reserve until 1973 when it was reclassified as national park. In 1987 declared a World Heritage Site and 2005 expanded so as to include the entire montane forest which were park of the Kilimanjaro Forest reserve. The Park is made up of the cultivated zone or bush land zone, rainforest zone, moorland zone, alpine desert zone as well as arctic zone. On the lowland slopes, much of the mountain is farmland, with coffee, banana, cassava, and maize crops grown for subsistence and cash sale. A few larger coffee farms still exist on the lower slopes, but much of the area outside the national park has been subdivided into small plots. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a real challenge due to the altitude and the rate of ascent, but also extremely rewarding. At the summit you are rewarded with breathtaking views of the African savannah and Rift Valley. Each year it attracts thousands of climbers and adventurers from all over the world.
Activities and attractions
Hiking
This is the most popular activity here taking you hiking at 5,895 meters high to the Africa’s highest summit. The mountain has got two routes for climbing and majorly seven hiking routes and each router is unique in that some are more difficult to hike than others. However, the routes are more rewarding in terms of scenery views and other attractions. Kilimanjaro’s highest peak is always snowcapped throughout the year while other peaks like Kibo provide excellent views of the surrounding town. Hiking is carried out at different times of the year and 5 days are minimum number of days to hike to the summit and back.
Walking safari
This allows you get more closer to nature and its usually done at the lower slopes of the mountain. During the nature walks, you are able to come across different wildlife like olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys as well as different bird species.
Bird watching
The Park hosts over 155 bird species both permanent and migratory birds with forest birds at the top of the list making it a birders haven. Birds here include; African fish eagles, red-capped robin chat, white-cheeked barbet, long tailed trogon, grey hornbill, etc.
Wildlife
The Park is home to different animals like giraffes, elephants, cape buffalos, tree hyraxes, black rhinos etc commonly seen on the lush lower slopes. However, if you want to enjoy more of these animals, we recommend you go for game drive safari in one of the savannah parks in Tanzania.
Climbing routes
There are seven different routes to the summit and all vary in length, difficulty, scenery, traffic, accommodation and other aspects. Climbing routes to Mount Kilimanjaro include;
- Lemosho route
This route is known for its varied and breathtaking scenery and also less crowded with climbers than some of Kilimanjaro’s longer established routes. Although Memosho is a more expensive route, it gives climber plenty of time to acclimatize properly.
- Machame routes
This is one the most popular climbs due to the diversity and beauty of the route. You walk from green rainforest to the beautiful Shira Plateau and the rock lava slopes. The trail circles around the mountain with spectacular views. Another advantage is the gradual ascend, so people have more time to acclimatize, which increases the success rate. This route is less expensive than most others however it has the disadvantage of being quite busy.
- Northern Circuit route
The Northern Circuit is the longest Kilimanjaro route and also one of the most beautiful and enjoyable ones. The route circles around the mountain and offers great views from all sides of the Kilimanjaro. The summit success rate is very high, as the route is long and gives lots of time to acclimatize. This is a great route for those who want to experience all the beauty Kilimanjaro has to offer.
- Rongai route
This route suits the more experienced climbers. Since the ascent and descent are on opposite sides, climbers can see both sides of Kilimanjaro. At the same time this additional transport, to reach the other side, makes the climb more expensive. Rongai is one of the quieter routes, but also dryer and less scenic.
- Maranga route
The Maranga route is the second most popular route and cheapest one to reach the top of the Kilimanjaro. It is the only route that uses the same trail to ascend and descend and offers hut accommodation (camping is not allowed). This route, nicknamed the “Coca-Cola” route, has a reputation of being one of the easiest paths on the mountain. It certainly is the shortest Kilimanjaro route, yet it gives climbers less time to acclimatize and clarifies the lower success rate.
- Umbwe route
This route is known as the steepest Kilimanjaro route and due to its rapid ascend, the success rate is much lower. We advise only experienced mountain climbers, who are used to high altitudes, to climb this route.
- Shira route
This route is very scenic, but also expensive and difficult. We only advise experienced climbers to choose this route due to the high starting point of the route, which gives the body less time to acclimatize.
