Kilimanjaro National Park is in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania, 300 kilometres south of the equator. The park is near to the Moshi town and border with Kenya. Mount Kilimanjaro, which is in Kilimanjaro National Park, is 1,688 square kilometres big. It is between 2°50′ and 3°10′ South and 37°10′ and 37°40′ East. The Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) is in charge of the park, and its main goal is to take care of and protect Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain, as well as its habitats, ecology, and wildlife/biodiversity.
Kilimanjaro, which is 5,895 metres tall, is Africa’s highest peak and the world’s biggest free-standing mountain. The Kilimanjaro National Park Authority, KINAPA, is in charge of protecting and preserving Kilimanjaro. With its snowy peak rising high above the savannah, this volcanic massif stands alone and beautiful above the fields around it. There are many kinds of mammals in the park, and many of them are threatened.
Mount Kilimanjaro has three main volcanic peaks. They are called Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. It is Africa’s highest mountain, with a snow-capped peak and glaciers. From the bottom of the mountain to the top, there are five main areas with different types of plants: lower slopes, montane forest, grass and moorland, the alpine desert, and summit. Mount Kilimanjaro is an outstanding instance of a superlative natural event because it has a unique set of features, such as its height, shape, and snow crown, and because it is separated from the plains around it.
Attractions in Kilimanjaro National Park.
Animal species.
Due to a wealth of water and food, a greater number of creatures thrive in the beautiful tropical rainforests at the bottom of Kilimanjaro than in the highlands, which implies that the higher you climb the mountain the few numbers of wild animals will be discovered. Kilimanjaro national park is home to many animals, including elephants, Cape buffaloes, black rhinos, giraffes, leopards, servals, hyenas, baboons, monkeys, antelopes, aardvarks, mongooses, porcupines, honey badgers, and bush babies and among others that can be sighted during the safari.
Bird species.
Kilimanjaro National Park is located within one of the world’s Endemic Bird Areas. 179 highland species of birds have been observed, although species recorded in the upper zones are few in number. On a safari to the park the bird lovers can be able to spot some of the beautiful bird species that includes; rose turaco, emerald cuckoo, Narina trogon, white brown coucal, African pygmy kingfisher, African pitta, trumpeter hornbill, white necked raven among others.
Activities to do in Kilimanjaro national park.
Hiking to Uhuru Peak.
This represents one of the three largest peaks in Kilimanjaro National Park (kibo/Uhuru peak). Depending on the path you take to get there, hiking safari to Uhuru peak takes between 5 and 8 days. Keep in mind that some routes are easy and others are hard, that some routes take a long time to walk and others only take a few days, that some routes are expensive and others are not, and that most routes will give you a good view of Mount Kilimanjaro and the animals. So, if you want to climb to Uhuru Peak, make sure you choose a good way based on what you want to see and how much energy you have.
Bird watching.
Mount Kilimanjaro national park is home to more than 179 types of birds, some of which are migratory and some of which are only found in this area. As you climb the mountain, you can see mountain birds and forest birds in the different types of greenery. Kilimanjaro National Park is home to many different kinds of birds, such as White-necked Raven, local black-shouldered kite, long-tailed kite, and many more. The best time to go bird watching safari is during the rainy season from November to April, when migrating birds from Europe and Asia arrive hence making bird watching safari perfect.
Wildlife viewing.
Kilimanjaro national park is hosts various animal species and more of these animals live in the lush tropical rainforests at the bottom of Kilimanjaro than in the highlands, so the higher you hike or ascend the mountain, the fewer animals you will see. On a wildlife viewing safari in the park you can spot animal species like vervet monkeys, genet cats, honey badgers, aardvarks, baboons, Columbus monkeys, bush babies, elands, elephants, and others.
Cycling.
Along the Kilema route, cycling to Africa’s highest peak is another famous adventure in the Kilimanjaro national park. There may be an extra fee for this activity. You can choose between three main stops. You can ride your bike through the farms of Chagga people. But this safari activity should only be done by skilled mountain bikers who are being watched by an expert tour guide.
Nature guides walks.
Get a chance to get closer to the wildness of Africa, especially the wildness of Kilimanjaro National Park, where you can witness and listen to many different kinds of wild animals, insects, and plants. Tourists can go on guided nature walks through the Mount Kilimanjaro forest canopy, where they can see a variety of primates like the red-tailed monkey, olive baboon, and white and black Columbus monkeys, as well as a wide range of plant species and sweeping views of the Chagga farmlands and nearby towns. In this great tourist safari activity in Kilimanjaro National Park, you’ll be with a park guard who will watch out for dangerous animals and make sure you’re safe.
Other safari activities in Kilimanjaro National Park include camping in various locations across the park, cultural excursions that include visits to the Chagga people who reside in the area encompassing the park, picnicking, videography, and photography.
Where to stay in Kilimanjaro National Park.
Kilimanjaro National Park provides an assortment of accommodations that accommodate the needs of all kinds of guests, starting with camping grounds where you can spend the night, to huts along the road as you approach the mountain, as well as some excellent lodges ranging from budget to mid-range to luxury lodges. But because the park is close to the towns of Moshi and Arusha, you can choose to drive a short distance to those towns after your tour of the park is over. There, you will find a wide range of places to stay. Here are some of the most suggested places to stay the night when you go to Kilimanjaro National Park.
Kaliwa lodge, Mai Kilimanjaro home stay, Teule guest house, Babylon lodge, Mount Kilimanjaro view lodge, Kilemakyalo Mt. Lodge, Elerai camp, Aishi Machame hotel, Kilimanjaro white house hotel and among others.