Mount Kilimanjaro National Park

Explore the best of the African continent by visiting Kilimanjaro National park. The park is one of the best Tanzanian national parks situated about 300 kilometers south of the equator, Kilimanjaro region. It is famous for encompassing the huge name of mountain of light mostly known as Mountain Kilimanjaro which is the highest African mountain. Located in the northern part of the magical Tanzania above the hills and the plateau of Amboseli national park, Kilimanjaro national park is administered by Tanzania National park Authority (TANAPA).

History of Kilimanjaro national park

Mount Kilimanjaro and other adjacent forests were first declared as a game reserve by the German colonial government in the 12th Century. In 1921, it was designated a forest reserve until 1973 when it was reclassified as a national park. In 1987, the park was declared a World Heritage Site by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and in 2005; it was expanded so as to include the entire montane forest which were part of the Kilimanjaro forest reserve.

Attractions at Kilimanjaro national park

Stretching over an area of approximately 1,688 square kilometers, Kilimanjaro national park is a home to various thrilling activities and among them includes the following;

Mountain Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro national park derives its name from this highest snow caped African mountain. Mountain Kilimanjaro rises above sea level to over 4877m for the lowest peak and 5895m for the highest peak. This mountain is the highest volcanic mountain in the African continent. Visit the park and sight the snow peak shinning in the morning and in the evening times during the sunset. Mountain Kilimanjaro is encompassed with thick rainforests which are a home to different primates like monkeys and also bird species.

Wildlife

The wildlife of Kilimanjaro national park makes it the best destination for wildlife safaris in Tanzania. Though its wildlife cannot be compared to that of other national parks like Serengeti national park, Kilimanjaro national park is worth to visit since it hosts a variety of wild animals like cape buffalos, antelopes, elephants and others.

Bird species

Kilimanjaro National park is a home to over 150 bird species where some of them are migratory from North Africa and southern Europe. Among the birds that can be spotted at the park include resident black shouldered kite, the long tailed trogon, white checked raven, blue napped mouse bird, the African fish eagle, horn bills and others.

Activities to do while Kilimanjaro national park

There is a long bucket list of activities that one can involve in while at a safari in Kilimanjaro national park. Among them include;

Mountain climbing

This is one of the most done and booked activity by the visitors in Kilimanjaro national park. Mountain Kilimanjaro climbing is one of the most adventurous climbs in the African continent and a variety of clients book for different sessions to climb up to the peak of the mountain-Kibo. This snowcapped peak provides a clear view of other peaks like Maweza and shira.

Wildlife viewing

Mostly conducted in the montane forest of the park, wildlife viewing helps visitors in Kilimanjaro national park to sight different wild animals. Kilimanjaro national park provides home to a number of primate species including blue colobus monkeys, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, and others. Among the other animals in the park include elands, elephants and these are mostly found in the shira plateau. Other animals’ warthogs, cheetahs, honey Baja’s, lions, jackals, gazelles, and others can also be spotted in the park.

Nature walks

Get a chance of seeing the wild animals at a closer look. Nature walks in Kilimanjaro national park are most done in along the gentle slopes of Mountain Kilimanjaro. Among the species seen during the walk include primates, birds, butterflies, lizards and others.

Bird watching

Kilimanjaro national park is a home to over 150 bird species including the migratory and residential ones. Most of the migratory birds came from southern Europe and North Africa. Among the birds at the park include blue napped mouse bird, the African fish eagle, horn bills, and others.

Best time to visit Kilimanjaro national park

There are two trekking seasons that are considered the best times to visit and hike Kilimanjaro and these are;

January to March

This is the best time for the beginners to visit the highest African mountain. In these months, the mountain area is slightly warmer thus making the snow on the trail less than in the month of September. Due to the minimal rainfall, the skies are clearer at this point thus providing stunning landscape and observation of nearby mountains.

August to September

This is also another season for Kilimanjaro national park visit. This period occurs in the wet season thus making the clouds suspend around the tree-line due to the heavy rains.