Kilimanjaro National Park

Kilimanjaro National Park in northern Tanzania centers around Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak at 5,895 meters. Within the park's 1,688 square kilometers, you'll walk through thick montane forests where colobus monkeys swing through branches, cross alpine meadows dotted with giant groundsels, and climb to the snow-capped Uhuru Peak. Look for elephants drinking at forest streams, listen for the calls of silvery-cheeked hornbills, or photograph the mountain's ice fields glowing orange at sunset.

Mount Kilimanjaro's Physical Features

Mount Kilimanjaro has three volcanic cones: Kibo (5,895m), Mawenzi (5,149m), and Shira (3,962m). Kibo's summit maintains a permanent snow cap despite its location just 330km from the equator. While classified as dormant, Kibo's crater releases occasional gas emissions. The mountain's mass affects local rain patterns and temperatures, supporting distinct plant and animal communities at different elevations.

Climbing Routes to the Summit

You can reach Uhuru Peak via six established routes. The Marangu route takes 5-6 days and includes overnight stays in permanent huts. Machame and Lemosho routes involve camping and typically take 6-8 days, allowing more time for altitude adjustment. Licensed guides lead all climbs, and you'll need proper equipment and preparation to manage altitude-related challenges.

Wildlife and Vegetation Zones

The park contains five ecological zones. In the montane forest (1,800-2,800 meters), you might encounter elephants feeding on tree bark, buffalo grazing in clearings, and blue monkeys in the canopy. The heath and moorland zones above contain giant lobelias reaching heights of 3 meters. At the alpine desert zone, temperatures swing from 40°C during day to below freezing at night. Near the summit, only small lichens and mosses grow between the rocks.

When to Visit and Weather Patterns

Plan your climb between June and October or December and March for the driest conditions and clearest views. Heavy rains fall from March through May, making trails muddy and visibility poor. Temperature changes dramatically with elevation - expect 20-25°C in the forest zone and -20°C or lower at the summit. Wind speeds increase significantly above 3,500 meters.

Getting There and Park Access

Enter the park through Marangu Gate, located 40 kilometers from Moshi town and 86 kilometers from Kilimanjaro International Airport. You can fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport or drive from Arusha (about three hours). Different climbing routes start from separate gates: Machame, Londorossi, and Lemosho, each with their own access roads.

Accommodation Options

On the Marangu route, you'll sleep in Mandara, Horombo, and Kibo huts, which have bunk beds and communal dining areas. All other routes require camping at designated sites with basic toilet facilities. In Moshi or Arusha, you'll find accommodations ranging from budget hostels to luxury lodges. The park headquarters in Marangu includes a basic hostel and climbing equipment rental shop.