Mount Kilimanjaro

Crowned by the Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, Kilimanjaro National Park is one of Tanzania Popular parks In 1987, UNESCO declared Kilimanjaro a World Heritage Site due to its uniqueness.

The Kilimanjaro Mountain is located in the Northern Tanzania right to the border to the Kenyan republic in Eastern Africa.

Rising abruptly from the open plains, capped by snow and frequently fringed by clouds, it is one of the Africa classic images. Kilimanjaro is a dormant but not extinct volcano.

Apart from a mountain, the park offers other attractions and there are some rare and endemic species of flora and fauna. 2,500 species of plants and 140 mammal species have been recorded.

Major tourism activity in the Park is mountain climbing in which tourists climb the mountain by using routes available.

Any reasonably fit person can conquer Kilimanjaro. Total climb normally take five to six days and involves four or five overnight stays in comfortable mountain huts.

There are several routes including Marangu, the easiest to climb and therefore the more popular, Machame, Shira, Umbwe and Rongai are other routes.

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highlight of most visitors’ experiences in Tanzania. Few mountains can claim the grandeur, the breathtaking views of Amboseli National Park in Kenya, the Rift Valley, and the Masaai Steppe, that belongs to Kilimanjaro. Hiking on the ‘rooftop of Africa' — the highest point on the continent at 5896 metres — is the adventure of a lifetime, especially because, if paced well, everyone from seasoned trekkers to first-time enthusiasts can scale the snowy peak. For more information, see the ‘Mountain Climbing‘ section under ‘Things to Do.

Location: Northern Tanzania, near the town of Moshi.

Getting there

• 128 km (80 miles) from Arusha.
• About one hour’s drive from Kilimanjaro airport.

NOTE:

• Climb slowly to increase your acclimatization time and maximize your chances of reaching the summit.
• To avoid altitude sickness, allow a minimum of five nights, preferably even more for the climb. Take your time and enjoy the beauty of the mountain.