Kilimanjaro national park Tanzania
Kilimanjaro national park Tanzania
Kilimanjaro national park Tanzania : Kilimanjaro national park in the northern part of Tanzania is where the highest mountain in Africa is found.
There are different hiking trails which are found in Kilimanjaro national park that are used by tourists visiting the destination during their safaris to Tanzania and they include Marangu route, Lemosho route, Machame route, Umbwe route, Shira route, Rongai route.
Marangu route is the only hiking route which offers hut accommodation during a hike on Mount Kilimanjaro and is also the shortest route on the mountain which takes about 5 or 6 days. Other routes can take 7 days or more to get to the summit of the mountain and to descend to the park gates.
Mount Kilimanjaro is at an altitude of 5,895 meters and this snowcapped mountain brings many tourists to the northern part of Tanzania where they engage in safaris around Kilimanjaro national park.
During a hiking excursion in Kilimanjaro national park, it can take about 5 days to get to the summit or more and this depends on the hiking trail which is used for hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Day tours are also carried out during tours in Kilimanjaro national park for those tourists who cannot hike to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Hiking on the mountain starts from the entrance gates of the national park.
The hike on Mount Kilimanjaro takes place through rainforest, bushland, moorland, alpine desert and arctic zone. Getting through all these different zones on the mountain during a hiking safari may require an individual to be fit and the hikes can be carried out at any time of the year.
Hikers, mountain guides and porters accompany the climbers during their hikes on Mount Kilimanjaro. The guides who go with the tourists climbing Mount Kilimanjaro ensure the safety of the climbers and also offer their help during the hike.
Porters during the hike on Mount Kilimanjaro take care of the carry the equipment and luggage used during the hikes while the cooks prepare all the meals during the hike on the mountain.
The forms of accommodation when hiking Mount Kilimanjaro is camping and the hikers sleep in tents which can either be hired or a hiker can use their own camping equipment. The tents can be set up with help of the porters.
During a hike on Mount Kilimanjaro along the Marangu route there is hut accommodation where hikers can spend the night as they climb to the summit of the mountain which is known as Uhuru peak. The hut accommodation includes Horombo hut, Kibo hut and also Mandara hut.
Mount Kilimanjaro has 3 volcanic cones namely Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. Shira and Mawenzi are extinct while Kibo is dormant and can erupt again. Mount Kilimanjaro is among the seven summits of the world.
Apart from hiking which brings many tourists to Mount Kilimanjaro every year, you can also engage in cultural tours and also encounter wildlife species such as black and white monkeys as you move in the rainforest in the national park.
How to get to Mount Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro national park can be accessed by flights to Kilimanjaro international airport and also by driving from Arusha to the park.
The town which is found close to Kilimanjaro national park is Moshi town located at the foothills of the mountain. The distance between Arusha and the national park is about 85 kilometers.
When to visit Kilimanjaro national park
Kilimanjaro national park can be visited during the dry season from June to October and also around January when during a hike on Mount Kilimanjaro, you can enjoy the beautiful views around the mountain.
Weather on the mountain can however be unpredictable and can be visited at any time of the year. The dry season is recommended for hikes on Mount Kilimanjaro since the trails can pose some challenges in the rainy season around April and May and also in November during a hike on the mountain.
The rainy season is also a good time to visit Mount Kilimanjaro for those who wish to avoid crowds during their tours. You can also use hiking routes on the mountain which are visited by less tourists such as the routes found on the northern part of the mountain.
If you are also interested in doing a safari to the wildlife safari destinations around the northern part of Tanzania, a visit to Mount Kilimanjaro is recommended since it is also a good time for wildlife viewing around the national parks.
The best time to visit Mount Kilimanjaro national park can also depend on the budget for a safari. Those traveling to Tanzania on a budget can choose to visit the mountain during the low season since prices are less costly compared to the high season.
Depending on how prepared you are for a hiking experience around Mount Kilimanjaro, you can visit the destination for a Tanzania safari during any month of the year. It is recommended that you prepare for the hike to the summit before doing the actual hike on the mountain. Both experienced and non experienced hikers can climb Mount Kilimanjaro during a trip to Tanzania.
When visiting Kilimanjaro national park for a hike on Mount Kilimanjaro, you can choose to join a group for the hike. During the planning phase of the safari, trusting a tour operator to organize the hike is a good option since they are knowledgeable about the hikes and trips around Tanzania.
Park fees for Kilimanjaro national park
Park fees are among the requirements for engaging in a hiking excursion on Mount Kilimanjaro. The park fee for Kilimanjaro national park is 70 USD per person excluding the 18% tax. Camping fee is 50 USD per person without the 18% tax.
Rescue fee for those hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro is 20 USD per person per trip. This fee is nonrefundable. East Africans pay rescue fees of 2,000 Tshs for hiking tours on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Visit Tanzania and engage a hike on Mount Kilimanjaro during your tour around the highest mountain in Africa.
