Kilimanjaro national park, is located 300 kilometers (190 mi) south of the equator and in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. The park is located near the region of Moshi, the park includes the whole of Mount Kilimanjaro above the tree line and the surrounding montane forest belt above 1,820 meters (5,970 ft.). Kilimanjaro national park covers an area of 1,688 square kilometers. The park is administered by the Tanzania National Parks Authority.

Kilimanjaro national park was established in 1973. It  encompasses of Mount Kilimanjaro which is the highest mountain in Africa, snow caped and world’s highest free standing volcano and comprises of two dormant volcanoes (Kibo 5,895 m.a.m.s.l and Mawenzi 5,149m.a.m.s.l) respectively , Tanzania Tours.

Climate in Kilimanjaro national park.

Kilimanjaro national park has two rainy seasons in a year, the wet season is from March to May during which it rains around the mountain base and snow accumulates on its peak. The dry season is from the nights are cool and the days completely clear. Kilimanjaro national park is located at an altitude between 1700 meters to 5895 meters with annual average rainfall ranging from 828 millimeters alpine desert to 2500 millimeters at montane forest.

Attractions in Kilimanjaro national park.

Kilimanjaro national park is endowed with a diverse variety of attractions ranging from terrestrial wilderness to permanent glaciers on the mountain peaks.

Three peaks.

Kibo peak which is the highest peak (5,895 meters) on Mount Kilimanjaro, is covered by snow throughout the year despite being close to the equator, conquering this peak is an adventure of a lifetime.

Kilimanjaro national park
Three peaks of mountain Kilimanjaro

Mawenzi peak. Is the second highest peak which forms Mount Kilimanjaro 5, 145 meters, the peak is rugged and maintain the features of glaciation.

Shira peak. The Shira peak has an altitude of 3, 962 meters, is the oldest peak that collapsed and forms a shira plateau with outstanding scenic beauty on the mountain with several kinds of migratory large mammals such as buffalos, elephants then especially the elands.

Montane Forest.

Kilimanjaro national park has awide band of exceptionally beautiful montane forest encircles the whole of Kilimanjaro from about 1800-2800 meters, the forest zone is worth a visit even if you are not climbing the peaks. Marangu nature trails is particular taking you through this forest belt which supports a variety of plant species especially the endemic plants like Impatiens Kilimanjaro to thrill while on Tanzania Safaris.

Zonation of vegetation.

The five eco- climatic zones take you to the equivalent of a trip from the equator to the artic in a brief tour, as tour climbing Kilimanjaro, vegetation and weather changes in response to the changing elevation from montane forest, health and moorland, alpine desert and the summit zone (artic) and the mountain peak is covered by the snow all year- round.

Lauwo Waterfall.

Lauwo waterfall is located along Marangu route 2.8kms provides a spectacular experience while enjoying walking inside the thick montane forest.

Maudi Crater.

Maudi crater is located just 15 minutes’ walk past Mandara huts on the Marangu route the crater provides a panoramic view of Lakes Chala, Jipe and Nyumba ya Mungu, all of which derive their waters from the Majestic Kilimanjaro.

Kifinika Cultural Site.

Kifinika cultural site is a site along Marangu route that is scared by the local Chagga people, the site historically, was used for cultural rituals.

Wildlife.

Kilimanjaro national park has got a various number of wildlife that is the birds, animal species like the bushbuck, red duiker, elephants, cape buffalos, blue monkeys, eastern black and white colobuses, leopards, the park consists of a total number of over 140 species of mammal, 7 primates, 25 carnivores, 25 antelopes, 24 species of bat and 179 bird species.

Kilimanjaro national park
Wildlife in Kilimanjaro Park

Activities done in Kilimanjaro national park.

Mountain Climbing.

Mountain climbing to Kibo peak takes you 5 to 8 days depending on the route you have used, the more days, the higher and the possibility to conquer the summit. Six mountain trails can take a climber to the highest point in Africa, each route offering different attractions and challenges.

Mountain Cycling.

The tourists in the Kilimanjaro national park have a chance to cycle inside the park. There are two routes, one for summit bound visitors (Kilema route) and the second one for non-summit visitors (Shira plateau), these routes are equipped with picnic sites and resting points.

Mawenzi Technical Climbing.

Mawenzi is the second highest peak on Mount Kilimanjaro,   the technical climbers can hike the present seven sub-peaks enjoying the view of cliffs, complex of gullies and rock faces.

Paragliding.

Tourists can as well fly the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and here the tourists may use parachutes or wingsuits while undertaking this activity in the park.

Filming.

Kilimanjaro national park, the highest free standing mountain, not only climbers but also professional  filmers, the fampis film, the snows of Kilimanjaro (1952) centered on Ernest Hemingway work that also worn two Oscars at the 25th Academy awards was shot from this park.

Game viewing.

Kilimanjaro national park offers wildlife viewing in the park a number of animals can be seen in the park there are adequate number of animals that can be seen in a park during your safari like the Vervet monkey, genet cat, honey badger, aardvard, baboon, Columbus monkey, bush baby, elands, and where the elephants are mostly seen at Shira plateau plains.

Bird watching.

The tourists during their visit can be able to view different bird species of birds since it’s a home of over 179 bird species and some are migratory while others are endemic to this area the bird species in the park includes the white necked raven, long tailed trogon, Gabar goshawk, blue napped mouse birds, grey hornbill, African fish eagles, white checked barbet, African pygmy kingfisher and many others. The bird watching in the park is best done from November to April when the migratory birds from Europe and North Africa are present.

Kilimanjaro national park
Gabar goshawk

Picnicking.

Kilimanjaro national park boasts with the 13 picnicking sites where the tourists can enjoy the picnicking in the uninterrupted wilderness, the picnic sites are the Daraja refu, Kilimamchele, Wona, Last water, Machame half way, Jiwe la mbula and many others, this activity is done while the tourists are enjoying their packed lunch on the picnicking sites.

Entrance fees of Kilimanjaro national park.

Category JULY TO JUNE
  EA (Tshs) Non EA Citizen (USD) Expatriate /Residents (USD)
Of above the age 16 years 10,000 50 50
Between the age of 5 and 15 years 5000 10 10
Below the age of 5 years Free

 

Free Free

Where to stay in Kilimanjaro national parks.

There are accommodations in the park ranging from the mountain huts, hostel and 32 public campsites like Baranco camp, Shira 1 camp, Kibo camp, and many more and the booking for the huts and hostel is done through licensed local tour operators. The mountain hurts includes the Marangu route at Mandara has 118 beds, Horombo 2238 beds and Kibo mountain huts has 90 beds.

How to get to Kilimanjaro national park.

Kilimanjaro national park can be accessed by both road and flight means of transport to reach the park.]

By road.

The park headquarters and one of the ascending gates are at Marangu, about 41km from Moshi town and 86km from Kilimanjaro international airport, 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.

By Flight.

The park can be accessed through the Kilimanjaro International Airport in about 45km to the west in the park.

Kilimanjaro national park is an outstanding universal value, the park covers an area of some 75,575 hectares, and it protects the largest free standing volcanic mass in the world and the highest mountain in Africa, rising 4877 meters above the surrounding plains to 5895 meters at its peak.

book a gorilla trip