Why Mount Kilimanjaro is National Park : Mount Kilimanjaro National park is a National Park found in Tanzania near the Kenyan border 300 kilometres south of Equator ,it also lies in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania and near its Town of Moshi. Mount Kilimanjaro National Park covers an area of 1688 kilometres square and it is administered by Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), which was established as a national park in 1973. It is approximately 44 kilometres by road distance from the town of Moshi.
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is one of the most visited tourist places in East Africa ,that makes it the biggest contributor of Tanzania revenue. The reason why Mount Kilimanjaro was made a National Park is to protect it being the tallest mountain in Africa and the tallest free standing mountain in the world. It is one of the seven natural wonders of Africa and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park protects the largest free standing volcanic mass mountain in Africa with the height of 5895 metres above sea level.
Tanzania National Parks Authority report that the park receives an average of over 58,000 visitors per year out of which about 54,000 of them are foreigners and about 16000 hike the Mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Kilimanjaro and its adjacent forests area were declared game reserve by the German colonial government. In 1921 it was changed to a forest reserve and in 1973 the area around the tree line which is about2700 metres was ratified into a National Park. Mount Kilimanjaro National Park was declared a world Heritage site by the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural organisation in 1987.
A climb up Mount Kilimanjaro takes ones through different types of ecosystems from cultivated lands, moorlands ,Heather, Rainforest ,alpine desert and arctic summit. There are several animals to be seen during your visit to the park, but due to high human population who frequently visit the mountain the animals tend to avoid human and that is the reason some of the big mammals are rarely seen during a visit to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. Sighting a substantial animal to write home about will depend on your seer of luck. The lower slopes and the regions around Mt Kilimanjaro region are filled with variety of wildlife.
Wildlife
Some of the big mammals are rarely seen but they are guaranteed in the neighbouring Amboseli National park and Tsavo national park found across the border in Kenya. A variety of animals can be sighted on your way to the top of the mountain the Kilimanjaro tree hyrax, grey duikers, and other rodents are commonly sighted. The Bushbuck and the Red duiker are commonly seen around the Timberline. A herd of Buffaloes can be sighted in the grasslands, Moorland and the Montane forest. Elephants can be found between the Namwai and Tarakia rivers and sometimes moves up at higher elevations. The Montane forest area are inhabited by the blue monkeys, eastern black and white colobus Bush babies and Leopards .
Birds
The whole of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park attracts many birds species due to its different variety of ecosystems from the cultivated lands,. On the slopes of the mountain, the fields provide plenty of food , the forest zone provides plenty of Shelter for the nesting and the barren Upper slopes are ideal for the birds of prey also known as the Raptors.
Some of the birds that you might see or hear them sing on your way up the mountain are; Vultures, Buzzards, ravens ,hornbills, turacos, Shrikes ,Cuckoos, flycatchers, barbets, Chats, woodpeckers, bee eaters and sunbirds.
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Climate
The climate of Mount Kilimanjaro is determined by altitude and time of the day. At the base of the mountain the temperature range between 21°c to 27°c and at the summit ,Uhuru peak the night time temperatures can range between -7°c and -29°c .
The climate is colder and less humid while the landscape is full of shorter ,hardier plants such as the mountain’s iconic senecios and lobelias. The Moorlands landscape is found and extends for up to 4000 metres from which the vegetation becomes even scarce. The summit and the Alphine desert zones are harsh and difficult to live in.
The best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is during the dry months of January and February. This is because the temperature are a bit favourable and also it is less cloudy although sometimes it may have some clouds especially during the afternoons. The Mountain is mostly clearly visible in the early mornings and in the evenings.
There are five climate zones of Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro has five zones as one ascends to the summit of the highest mountain in Africa. The dormant volcanic has the following zones;
1:Cultivation Zone
This region is found at the base of the Mount with an elevation of between 800 metres to 1800 metres. They are found just past the Kilimanjaro gates, these cultivated lands and villages are mostly inhabited by the guides, cooks ,potters and their families in the villages.
Many small villages cultivate the lands, which are fertile and good for farming. They farm mangoes, coffee, avocados and bananas. This area also has many rivers which has its sources from the mountain, emanating from the glacial melt from the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.
2: Rainforest zone
This region receives heavy rainfall ,no matter which route you take ,this region is predictably wet. The first day of hiking one’s has to pass this region, be prepared with a waterproof clothing as this zones receives unpredictable rainfall.
This region has thick forests with a lot of canopy tress ,while passing through the forest. The density of the trees means catching a glimpse of the sky is something rare when passing through this rainforest zone. You also have to be on a look out for the white and black colobus monkeys and the blue monkeys which are the inhabitants of the region.
3 Heather and Moorland Zone
Found between 2800 metres to 4000metre is the Moorlands and the Heather zone . You’ll arrive at this zone on your day two of your hiking. The region fallows the rainforest, which you would have left it behind.
This zone begins with Heather shrubs and proceeds to the tall green and yellow grasses that make up the Moorlands . The Moorland is an elevation which takes you beyond the clouds, from this region one will have spectacular views . The landscapes, the bright blue sky to the open view of the stars at night .
The weather and the temperatures of the region is unpredictable. Sometimes the temperature may rise to about 37°C during the day and 2°Cat night.
Alpine Desert
This is a region of about 4,000 Metres to 5,000 metres. It is called a desert because of its harsh climatic condition, the temperatures are high during the day and very low at night. Volcanic rocks of all shapes and sizes cover this region showing Kilimanjaro’s active past.
The plant life here is very minimal compared to the others parts or zones of the mountain. This is because the plants that survive here must resist the harsh climatic conditions. The zone is also near the kibo peak ,warm clothing is a must because here the temperatures can fall below freezing point.
Arctic Zone
Arctic Zone has an elevation of 5000metres to 5895 metres. The journey here starts at either Barafu cam or kibo hut camp ,this final journey to the roof of Africa is a brutal one. The journey is usually done at night ,during that time the temperatures are extremely low.
You’ll have to pass through scree ,loose dirt and gravel to reach Uhuru peak. The reason why the journey is usually done at night is because at night the frost helps to hold the scree together. This gives hikers a better footing base to climb to the rim of Mount Kilimanjaro to Stella point or the Gilman’s point before making the final push up to Uhuru peak.
The mountain highest point is the Uhuru peak, this point is bitterly cold and harsh environment. Ones has to dress warmly ,covering each part of the body well.
