Welcome to Kilimanjaro National Park Tanzania
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park ( Kilimanjaro national park) is a true definition of East African beauty. This park shelters Africa’s highest point – Mount Kilimanjaro, a very popular creation that holds quite a strong profile. Mount Kilimanjaro, along with its three volcanic cones “Mawenzi”, “Kibo” and “Shira” is a dormant volcanic mountain in Tanzania. It is one of the seven summits and also turns out to be the highest freestanding mountain in the whole world. It is hiked by so many tourists who travel to Tanzania annually and is one of those daring places every adventurous traveler should visit at all costs. The climbing experience is quite physical, tiresome and risky but the feeling of hiking till the Uhuru peak is an accomplishment you will always be proud of hence, definitely worth every effort of your endeavors. The mountain rises approximately 4,900 meters from the base to a breathtaking 5,895 meters above sea level.
Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro National Park is situated near a town called Moshi and can easily be accessed by plane or road via Arusha town. It spans up to approximately 650 square kilometers and is currently under the administration of Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA). Besides the daring climbing adventures that take place in the park each year, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park turns out to be a great wildlife viewing destination too and boasts in various species of fauna. Several species of wildlife can be found in the Kilimanjaro National Park and some of these include the Cape Buffaloes that mainly inhabit the montane forests, grasslands, and moorland occasionally. The African bush elephants can be sighted in between the Tarakia and Namwai Rivers but occasionally wander around higher elevations as well. Grey duikers, Tree hyrax, and various rodents are so popular above the timberline whereas leopards, blue monkeys, and other animals occupy the montane forests. This safari park is one of the best safari destinations in Africa, a fact you will clearly see when you visit. This travel portal highlights all the essential information you will need to plan a safe and superb holiday in Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. For those thinking of climbing Kilimanjaro, you will find all the information you need regarding the climbing fees, safety tips, climbing routes plus so much more.
Discover Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Location Of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park: This national park is located in Tanzania south of the border to Kenya. It is also situated North East of Arusha National Park and a person in Arusha town is very capable of viewing the Mountain clearly from the comfort of their hotels or lodges as the sip a cup of tea. Kilimanjaro National Park covers an area of 1688 square kilometers and is located at coordinates of 2°50’–3°10’S latitude and 37°10’–37°40’E longitude. Mount Kilimanjaro the biggest attraction in this national park is strategically located and one can easily be accessed through different routes which favor the hikers to make their choice depending on the ease of hike. Kilimanjaro National Park can be accessed by road and by flight. One can decide to fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport which is one of the biggest national parks in Tanzania.
Routes for Hiking Mount KilimanjaroMount Kilimanjaro hiking is easier in a way that the trekkers/hikers are able to access different hiking trails which are categorized in the ease of hiking. There are 6 routes that are fully approved for hiking the tallest mountain in Africa to be able to reach the Uhuru Peak. The routes where hiking can be done include; the Lemosho Route which is a 70-kilometer trail that passes through the Londorossi Gate. This route is among the best routes for clients since it has registered high successes to the peak. Another of the routes is the Umbwe Route which is regarded among the hardest routes. Success in this route is hard because of the short acclimatization time. We also have the Shira Route which approaches the mountain from the west close to the Lemosho Route. This route is used by few hikers since it was replaced by an easier route i.e. the Lemosho Route. The Rongai Route is also one of the Kilimanjaro hiking routes and is also among the hardest routes to hike since there is a short time for acclimatization. There is also the Marangu Route commonly known as the “Coca Cola” route and is the oldest route to use while hiking mount Kilimanjaro. It is one of the cheap options for hiking and it also has a permanent dormitory of sleeping huts for the hikers. Finally, we have the Machame route which is the longest route to hike the mountain. It is long but considered a better option by the hikers because it has better acclimatization time. It is also known as the “Whiskey Route“. With all these given routes, be sure to prepare your self by doing some drills for hiking, and also remember to look out for some facts about hiking the Mount Kilimanjaro.
Necessary Hiking Gear For Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro: Preparation for hiking mount Kilimanjaro is Key and one ought to take it seriously because missing out on some essentials might cause you to have a bad safari or even one might fail to complete the hike. Unlike other safaris where you spend the night in lodges, on this one you will have to camp and therefore camping gear is very essential. Other important essentials for hiking mount Kilimanjaro include a raincoat with a hood, a synthetic coat, soft jacket, long and short-sleeved shirts, waterproof pants, hiking pants, heavy underwear, sports bra for women among others. The essential headgear includes a brimmed hat, knitted hut for warmth among others. Other essentials include waterproof gloves, boots, woolen socks, gym gloves, sunglasses, waterproof backpack, light towel, sleeping bags, among others. To ease your hiking, you can decide to hire a porter or several of them so that they can help you carry your heavy luggage. These people have hiked this mountain several times and would find it easy for them to carry your luggage.
Best Time to Visit Mount Kilimanjaro: Mount Kilimanjaro is located near the Equator and therefore, the areas around the mountain receive Dry Seasons and wet seasons. Hiking mount Kilimanjaro is quite dangerous when the weather is messy for example during the wet seasons, it is dangerous because of the slippery trails, snow, mud and other weather disasters which might be of harm to the body. Therefore this leaves the Dry season being the best time to hike mount Kilimanjaro. The dry months which are favorable for hiking are the months of December to March and those of late June through to September. Therefore, be sure to book your mount Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari during these months.
Wildlife Species in Mount Kilimanjaro National Park: This being a national park, it harbors quite a number of wildlife species that may be eye-catching to the traveler who is on a safari across the Kilimanjaro Plains and may be planning to hike the great mountain. Some of the wildlife species include the cape Buffaloes who leave in the mountain forest that surrounds the National Park. Another of the most eye-catching species is the African Elephants which are seen in big herds traversing the lands between Namwai and Tarankia rivers. In the montane forest, you will be able to find primate species like the blue monkeys, western black and white colobuses, bush babies, and other species like leopards, giraffes, bats, antelopes among others. It is quite an amazing experience for those who are planning to hike to be able to view different kinds of wildlife species as traverse Mount Kilimanjaro National Park.
TOURIST ACTIVITIES AT KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK
Mount Kilimanjaro, Chala Crater Lake, Kibo Peaks, Shira Plateau, Olpopongi, and other breathtaking beauty can be seen in the park. Mountain climbing is the park’s most popular tourist activity in the park. Nature hikes, mammalian and bird watching, trekking, camping, and a visit to the Maasai tribe are all available to visitors. Here are some of the things to do in Tanzania, specifically in Kilimanjaro National Park, during your safari.
Bird watching
The fact that Kilimanjaro National Park is home to over 150 bird species, with forest birds at the top of the list, is good news for bird lovers. Both resident and migratory birds from all over the world, including Asia, can be found in the park. The local black-shouldered kite, long-tailed trogon, Gabar goshawk, blue-naped mouse birds, grey hornbill, African fish eagles, white-cheeked barbet, African pygmy kingfisher, red-capped robin chat, and white-necked raven are just a few of the birds that may be seen in Kilimanjaro national park.
Hiking
The most popular activity in Kilimanjaro National Park is hiking up Africa’s highest freestanding summit. Thousands of tourists visit the country solely to do so. At 5,895 meters high, Kilimanjaro’s highest peak, which is always snowcapped throughout the year, summiting the Kibo peak provides excellent views of the surrounding town, other peaks of the mountain, such as Shira peak, and the lush greenery. The majority of the days climbing Kilimanjaro are not difficult because the paths are not steep; instead, the challenge is dealing with the altitude.
Kilimanjaro has nearly seven hiking routes to the summit and two routes for descending the mountain; each route is unique in that some are more difficult to hike than others; some routes have a higher chance of reaching the summit than others; and some routes are more rewarding in terms of scenery views, as well as other attractions such as wildlife viewing on your way to the summit. On the lengthier routes, reaching Mount Kilimanjaro Summit Uhuru peak and descending to the finish point takes from five to nine days.
Wildlife viewing
Kilimanjaro National Park is home to a range of habitats and climatic zones that are home to a variety of wild creatures, and you may be able to see some of them when hiking to certain spots. The majority of visitors to Kilimanjaro National Park come to climb the mountain, so game viewing isn’t a priority. There are many fascinating and often unusual creatures on Kilimanjaro, but we recommend going on a Tanzania safari in one of the other big national parks if you want to see giant African mammals like the Big Five in Ngorongoro or Serengeti. There are enormous herds, predators galore, and even the Great Wildlife Migration to be found there.
In the Kilimanjaro national park, especially on the rich lower slopes there are many magnificent animals (and birds) to see. Elephants, Cape buffaloes, black rhinos, giraffes, leopards, servals, hyenas, baboons, monkeys, antelopes, aardvarks, mongooses, porcupines, honey badgers, tree hyraxes, bush babies, and other wild creatures can be found in the Kilimanjaro national park.
Cycling
The Kilimanjaro bike trek is one of the few truly unique ways to see the Kilimanjaro national park and climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The Kilema trail is the only way to get to the top by mountain bike. This activity promotes physical fitness and recreational use of the natural environment with minimal impact, boosting visitors’ experiences. However, it is advised that experienced motorcyclists and guides are the ones to participate in this activity. Ride through the Chagga people’s farmlands while taking in the breathtaking environment. Note that cycling to the summit incurs additional expenses and necessitates the use of mountain bikes.
Walking safari
Unlike mountain climbing, the nature-guided tours do not seek to reach the summit. This is really a simple method of extending/ get more close to the nature. The lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro are popular for nature walks. The trek allows you to get up close and personal with even the tiniest glimpses of nature. Tourists may see black and white monkeys, colobus monkeys, olive baboons, butterfly species, insects, bird species, and a variety of other fascinating creatures while on a stroll.
Walk the shira plateau.
The Shira Plateau, a few kilometers west of Kibo, is on one of the routes to Mount Kilimanjaro. Caldera is the name given to this magnificent plateau. You’ll be walking on the remains of a volcano that erupted over 500,000 years ago as you trek around the plateau. Because of its extraordinarily rich variety, particularly among species, this is a popular destination for wildlife aficionados. In this area, you can take your time and look for elephants, buffalos, elands, and lions, though you should be aware that the environment is dense, so you may have to look for them carefully.
Visit chala Crater Lake
Chala Crater Lake is located in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, near the Kenyan-Tanzanian border, in a crater caused by volcanic activity on the mountain. The pristine waters of the lake can be turquoise blue, midnight blue, or even a magnificent emerald depending on the time of year you come.
Hiking around the lake and down the crater walls is a great way to see the endangered Chala tilapia, which can only be seen here. There are some additional things available as well, although it will be very secluded during the low season. Although there are no lifeguards on duty, swimming is permitted in this Crater Lake.
Discover Olpopongi
Another amazing thing to do during your safari in Kilimanjaro national park. Discover the best of culture at Olpopongi, which offers one of Africa’s most authentic Maasai experiences. You can also visit the kraals, where these early immigrants lived for a long time, learn more about Maasai family traditions and mores, sample local cuisine, and converse with Maasai about their past.
Other things to do in Kilimanjaro National Park include camping, which brings you closer to nature and allows you to enjoy the gorgeous bush or forest of Africa’s highest mountain, one of the unique kinds of experiences you will never forget.
Picnicking: Picnic sites in Mount Kilimanjaro National Park include Jiwe la Mbula, Daraja refu, wona, final water, and others. These picking spots provide unforgettable experiences and help you get the most out of your outdoor time. Tourists can eat their picnic lunch at one of these locations.
Filming, visiting the water falls, and meeting the locals for a cultural experience are also all part of the Kilimanjaro national park.
ACCOMMODATIONS IN KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK
Accommodations in Kilimanjaro national park can be categorized into two groups, such as accommodations when hiking Mount Kilimanjaro and accommodations before and after hiking the mountain Kilimanjaro.
When hiking the mountain of Kilimanjaro,
You’ll have to sleep in a tent unless you’re trekking the Marangu route, which provides huts for climbers. All hikers on the other seven Kilimanjaro routes are required to camp on the tent. Camping on the mountain is part of the adventure, and your tent will become your own private sanctuary to rest and recoup after a long day on the path. If you don’t want to sleep in a tent while ascending Mount Kilimanjaro, the best alternative is to take the Marangu route, which offers some of the greatest huts with all the amenities you’ll need to enjoy your night while summiting Uhuru Peak.
The Marangu path is the only one with hut accommodations where you can spend the night while trekking to Africa’s tallest peak, Kilimanjaro. The Mandara and Kibo huts each have 60 bunk beds, while the Horombo huts have 120 bunk beds. The dormitory-style lodgings on the Marangu route range from 4 to 20 bunk beds per room. The private room cannot be rented; however, the bed positions are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. As a result, be prepared to share your sleeping shelter with strangers. Although the Marangu Route may be done in 5 days, climbers should allow an extra day for acclimatization. Its disadvantage is that the path might become quite congested especially during the tourism peak season. The following are the huts accommodations in the Marangu route
- MANDARA HUT (2,700 METERS)
On Day 1, the Mandara Hut Campsite is located on the Marangu Route. The journey begins at 1,879 meters and ends at 2,700 meters. It takes 4 hours to hike from the Marangu Route to the Mandara Hut Campsite.
- HOROMBO HUT (3,720 METERS)
On Day 2, the Horombo Hut Campsite is located on the Marangu Trail. The journey begins at 2,700 meters and ends at 3,720 meters. The hike from Mandara Hut Campsite to Horombo Hut Campsite takes around 6 hours.
- KIBO HUT (4,700 METERS)
On Day 4, the Kibo Hut Campsite is located on the Marangu Trail. The journey begins at 3,720 meters and ends at 4,700 meters. The hike from Horombo Hut Campsite to Kibo Hut Campsite takes around 6 hours.
Other visitors hiking Mount Kilimanjaro from routes other than Marangu can stay in tents at several camping locations along the way to the summit of the mountain.
Accommodations after and before summiting Mount Kilimanjaro
The Kilimanjaro National Park is near Moshi, the main town in the Kilimanjaro region, although Arusha, which is only 2 to 3 hours away and has plenty of lodgings, is also close by. There is enough accommodation surrounding Mount Kilimanjaro to satisfy all interests, budgets, and trip kinds, ranging from luxurious wilderness lodges to comfortable tented camps. Whether you’re looking for a place to stay before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or a relaxing safari lodge from which to explore the area, our Mount Kilimanjaro lodging is guaranteed to inspire you and make arranging your Tanzania safari a lot easier.
Kilimanjaro View Lodge, Dual Mountain View Lodge, Kimana Omega Safari Lodge, The W Hotel, Teule Guest House, Kaliwa Lodge, Kilemakyalo Mt. Lodge, and others are some of the accommodations near the Kilimanjaro National Park where you can rest before or after your visit to Kilimanjaro or climb Kilimanjaro. Another alternative is to drive a few kilometers to Arusha, where you will most likely find more hotels to enjoy after or before your safari to Mount Kilimanjaro.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT KILIMANJARO
Tourists can visit Kilimanjaro National Park all year, However Kilimanjaro is best climbed during the dry season, which runs from June to October, and from late December to early March, right after the short rains and before the long rains. Avoid November and March-April if at all possible, as it is the rain seasons and the paths through the forest will be slick and the routes up to the peak, particularly the Western Breach, will be covered with snow.
KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK ECOSYSTEM
There are five distinct ecological climatic zones on Mount Kilimanjaro which includes Cultivation Zone, Forest Zone, Heather-Moorland Zone, Alpine Desert Zone, and Arctic Summit climate zones. On your way up Africa’s tallest peak, you’ll pass through each of these zones. The wildlife, birds, and vegetation of Kilimanjaro National Park are diverse. Walking from the equator to the North Pole has been compared to the five different climate zones on Kilimanjaro, which range from tropical jungle to frigid tundra at the summit. In terms of flora and animal life, each climate zone has its own distinct traits.
The enormous lobelia (Lobelia deckenii) and the big groundsel are two prominent species that grow in the moorlands. Elephants, buffalo, and eland live in the forests of the southern slopes and neighboring areas. Black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, bushbuck, and duikers are among the smaller species that live in the forests. The forests are also home to a diverse range of birds, including the endangered Abbot’s starling.
KILIMANJARO’S LOCATION
Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak, rising to a height of 5,895 meters above sea level. Kilimanjaro is a mountain in Tanzania near the Kenyan border that is part of the Kilimanjaro National Park. Kilimanjaro is roughly 140 miles (225 kilometers) south of Nairobi, Kenya, and about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of the East African Rift System.
KILIMANJARO’S WEATHER AND CLIMATE
The bush regions and rainforests surrounding Mt. Kilimanjaro have an annual temperature range of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 27 degrees Celsius). Because of the park’s proximity to the equator, the temperature rarely changes much during the year, so expect 70 to 80 degrees all year. The hottest months are from January to March. Ascending the mountain, though, the temperatures drastically shift. The temperature varies dramatically at the peak of the mountain. Its great height makes temperatures resemble those of an arctic environment. At such an altitude, temperatures can drop to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 degrees Celsius) during the night. Because of this diversity, it is impossible to categorize the entire region as having a single climate.
November to December and March to May are the wettest months, with rainfall averaging 13.8 inches. June to October are the driest months, with rainfall as low as 0.6 inches. However, the amount of precipitation falls steadily over the course of the year. Because of the park’s characteristics and proximity to the equator, this is the case.
Throughout the year, the humidity remains relatively high, only dropping to 57 percent on rare occasions but reaching 77 percent on others. The spring and summer months have the most humidity, while the fall and winter months have the lowest. Due to the high humidity and precipitation, which causes moisture to stick to the air, there is a lot of fog in this area, especially in the rainforests. Between May and October, the area is primarily affected by northeastern trade winds, with southeastern trade winds having a minor impact between November and March. Maintaining a high level of precipitation in the spring and a lower level of precipitation in the summer, fall, and winter.
WHAT IS KILIMANJARO KNOWN FOR?
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest free-standing peak in the world and the tallest mountain on the African continent. Kilimanjaro features three volcanic cones: Mawenzi, Shira, and Kibo. Mawenzi and Shira are no longer active volcanoes, but Kibo, the highest mountain, is dormant and may erupt again in the future. Kilimanjaro is also noted for being home to a variety of vital wild animals that can be found in the surrounding forest throughout your walk to the summit. Furthermore, Kilimanjaro provides fresh and clean air from the forest as well as clean water from the mountain to the local inhabitants surrounding the mountain and all Tanzanian nationals.
HOW TO GET TO KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK
Kilimanjaro is easily accessible by both air and road transportation. Fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport if you wish to visit Kilimanjaro (JRO). Mount Kilimanjaro National Park lies a few kilometers south of the airport. Some of the airlines that flies direct to the Kilimanjaro international airport include
Turkish Airlines flies directly from Istanbul to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Precision Air: direct flights from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro airport, Kenya Airways: direct flights from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro airport, KLM: Direct flights from Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro airport, Qatar Airlines flies from Doha to Kilimanjaro International Airport, Condor Air: Direct flights from Frankfurt to Kilimanjaro airport, Ethiopian Airlines flies from Addis Ababa to Kilimanjaro International Airport, and RwandAir flies from Kigali to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
If you can’t find direct flights from your country to Kilimanjaro International Airport, you can fly to Dar es Salaam-Tanzania’s largest city or fly to Zanzibar’s Abeid Aman Karume International Airport. From there, it’s easy to get to Kilimanjaro by taking domestic flights, which are available 24 hours a day. Another option is to fly to one of the adjacent countries that surround Tanzania, such as Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Rwanda’s Kigali International Airport, or Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport, and then connect to Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro International Airport.
THE HISTORY OF KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK
Kilimanjaro National Park has a long history in Tanzania, dating back to the colonial era. For Arab and Chinese traders, the mountain served as a marker. The mountain (described as a snow island in the sky) first appears in the writings of Ptolemy, a Graeco-Roman polymath (a man of many skills) who lived in the first century AD and was a historian, writer, astronomer, geographer, and mathematician. It was not mentioned by Chinese scholars until roughly seven centuries ago.
Johann Rebmann, a missionary, published a story in 1849 that was widely disbelieved. In 1885, the German Protectorate of Kilimanjaro was established. Hans Meyer, a German geographer, and Ludwig Purtscheller, an Austrian mountaineer, were the first to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro in 1889. It was referred to as “Germany’s highest peak” at the time. Kilimanjaro has since become a popular hiking destination for both locals and visitors. Mount Kilimanjaro and its surrounding woods were designated as a game reserve by the German colonial administration until it was assigned to the British as a Protectorate under the League of Nations until Tanzanian independence in 1961.
Kilimanjaro was established as a forest reserve in 1921, following the eruption of Mount Kilimanjaro. To safeguard its unique ecosystem, the mountain and its six adjacent forest corridors were declared a national park in 1973. In 1987, the park was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and in 2005, it was expanded to include the entire tropical forest that had previously been part of the Kilimanjaro Forest Reserve, and where certain species found on a Mt. Kilimanjaro climbing fieldtrip are found nowhere else on the planet. The indigenous Chagga people still farm the lower hills. The blue monkey is one of the many species that dwell in the area surrounding the mountain. Since then, the main attractions of Kilimanjaro National Park have been Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, as well as the park’s surrounding forests and rare wild species.
Since 1973, when Kilimanjaro was designated as a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tanzanian government, in collaboration with conservation international bodies, has been working hard to preserve and conserve the mountain and its surrounding forest in order to maintain its origin, reputation, and identity. Despite the effort of conservation the mountain, According to National Geographic, researchers and other conservationists have been predicting and commenting that the glaciers of Mount Kilimanjaro may disappear as soon as 2030, and some more optimistic scientists project the extinction date for the Furtwangler Glacier to be 2060. However, both dates are well within the lifetimes of many readers.
Kilimanjaro means “mountain of whiteness” or “shining mountain,” according to most linguists and etymologists who investigate the origins of local words. The name is thought to be a blend of two words from distinct tribal languages (“Kilima” means mountain in Swahili and “Njaro” means shining/whiteness in Chagga).
FORMATION OF MOUNT KILIMANJARO
Mount Kilimanjaro’s three summits were made millions of years ago by volcanic explosions. Shira, one of the volcanic cones, is now extinct and degraded, while Mawenzi and Kibo, the other two, “melted” together during successive eruptions. With its iconic Uhuru summit at about 6000 meters above sea level, Kibo is now the highest.
Mount Kilimanjaro is made up of three volcanic cones that originated as a result of extensive continental rifting. Volcanic activity is considered to have started some 1 million years ago when molten lava began to burst through fractures in the lithosphere caused by the thinning of the crust. This lava had a low viscosity at first and expanded outward to form a gently sloping foundation. Continued eruptions released heavier, more viscous lava, eventually forming the Shira volcanic cone. The Shira cone fell into a vast caldera (a cauldron-like cavity much bigger than the original volcano) after volcanic activity halted, forming the Shira Ridge. Following eruptions, Kilimanjaro’s two additional main volcanic cones, Mawenzi and the currently inactive Kibo, as well as smaller parasitic cones, were formed.
KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK ECOSYSTEM
There are five distinct ecological climatic zones on Mount Kilimanjaro which includes Cultivation Zone, Forest Zone, Heather-Moorland Zone, Alpine Desert Zone, and Arctic Summit climate zones. On your way up Africa’s tallest peak, you’ll pass through each of these zones. The wildlife, birds, and vegetation of Kilimanjaro National Park are diverse. Walking from the equator to the North Pole has been compared to the five different climate zones on Kilimanjaro, which range from tropical jungle to frigid tundra at the summit. In terms of flora and animal life, each climate zone has its own distinct traits.
The enormous lobelia (Lobelia deckenii) and the big groundsel are two prominent species that grow in the moorlands. Elephants, buffalo, and eland live in the forests of the southern slopes and neighboring areas. Black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, bushbuck, and duikers are among the smaller species that live in the forests. The forests are also home to a diverse range of birds, including the endangered Abbot’s starling.
KILIMANJARO’S LOCATION
Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak, rising to a height of 5,895 meters above sea level. Kilimanjaro is a mountain in Tanzania near the Kenyan border that is part of the Kilimanjaro National Park. Kilimanjaro is roughly 140 miles (225 kilometers) south of Nairobi, Kenya, and about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of the East African Rift System.
KILIMANJARO’S WEATHER AND CLIMATE
The bush regions and rainforests surrounding Mt. Kilimanjaro have an annual temperature range of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 27 degrees Celsius). Because of the park’s proximity to the equator, the temperature rarely changes much during the year, so expect 70 to 80 degrees all year. The hottest months are from January to March. Ascending the mountain, though, the temperatures drastically shift. The temperature varies dramatically at the peak of the mountain. Its great height makes temperatures resemble those of an arctic environment. At such an altitude, temperatures can drop to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 degrees Celsius) during the night. Because of this diversity, it is impossible to categorize the entire region as having a single climate.
November to December and March to May are the wettest months, with rainfall averaging 13.8 inches. June to October are the driest months, with rainfall as low as 0.6 inches. However, the amount of precipitation falls steadily over the course of the year. Because of the park’s characteristics and proximity to the equator, this is the case.
Throughout the year, the humidity remains relatively high, only dropping to 57 percent on rare occasions but reaching 77 percent on others. The spring and summer months have the most humidity, while the fall and winter months have the lowest. Due to the high humidity and precipitation, which causes moisture to stick to the air, there is a lot of fog in this area, especially in the rainforests. Between May and October, the area is primarily affected by northeastern trade winds, with southeastern trade winds having a minor impact between November and March. Maintaining a high level of precipitation in the spring and a lower level of precipitation in the summer, fall, and winter.
VISITORS FACILITIES IN KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK
The National Park was created with tourism in mind, and it receives more than 10,800 visitors each year. Non-climbers can climb the mountain, and the tour is becoming increasingly popular. All visitors climbing the peak must be accompanied by a guide, ideally from a certified tour operator, and take mountain sickness precautions. Despite the fact that there are six paths up the mountain, 91 percent of hikers use the Marangu Trail. On this trail, climbers will find three huts: Mandara, Horombo, and Kibo. Tour operators supply food, lodging, and porters. A mountain rescue squad is stationed at the park headquarters and at each of the huts. There is a lodge, a hostel, a shop, and equipment rental at Marangu route.
Mount Kilimanjaro On TripAdvisor
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