Since its official opening in 1977, Mt Kilimanjaro National Park has become one of Tanzania’s most visited parks. Unlike the other northern parks, this isn’t a place to come for the wildlife, although it’s there. Rather, you come here to gaze in awe at a snowcapped mountain on the equator, and to climb to the top of Africa. At the heart of the park is the 5896m Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain and one of the continent’s most magnificent sights.
Kilimanjaro is also one of the world’s highest volcanoes, and it’s the highest free-standing mountain on earth, rising from cultivated farmland on the lower levels, through lush rainforest to alpine meadows, and finally across a lunar landscape to the twin summits of Kibo and Mawenzi.
Kilimanjaro’s third volcanic cone, Shira, is on the mountain’s western side. The lower rainforest is home to many animals, including buffaloes, elephants, leopards and monkeys, and elands are occasionally seen in the saddle area between Kibo and Mawenzi.
A hike up Kili lures around 25,000 trekkers each year, in part because it’s possible to walk to the summit without ropes or technical climbing experience. Non-technical, however, does not mean easy.
The climb is a serious (and expensive) undertaking, and only worth doing with the right preparation. There are also many opportunities to explore the mountain’s lower slopes and to learn about the Maasai and the Chagga, two of the main tribes in the area.
Getting to Kilimanjaro
By Road
Kilimanjaro National Park can be reached by road from Arusha city. The journey from Arusha takes around 120km/3 hours drive.
By Air
Daily scheduled flights to Kilimanjaro and Arusha Airport from Dar es Salaam or Kenya with Auric Air, Coastal Aviation, and Precision Air.
Best Time to visit Kilimanjaro National Park
The Best Time to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro is from June to March. These months offer optimal weather conditions, including clear skies, minimal rain, and abundant sunshine, enhancing the Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing experience. But do remember that these weather patterns can shift unexpectedly, regardless of the season.
Technically, Kilimanjaro is accessible year-round. There are different Kilimanjaro Routes that can be used in the Rainy Season that make it more accessible and provide favourable conditions for the climb. Therefore, we recommend hiking all year round. Try and avoid the primary rainy seasons, April and May are wise due to potentially hazardous trail condition.
Wildlife in Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park is home to many fascinating, beautiful and unusual animals, like the black-and-white colobus monkey. We tell you what animals and birds to look for and where, as well as the climbing routes that are best for wildlife spotting.
Most people heading to Kilimanjaro National Park are going there to climb the mountain, with game spotting not the primary focus. But whether you’re heading there for a climb or a safari, there are many fascinating and rare animals on Kilimanjaro, and we are pleased to introduce you to them below!
But just a note: if you really want to see large African mammals like the Big Five, we recommend going on a Tanzania safari in one of the other major national parks in the region (like Ngorongoro Crater or the Serengeti). There you’ll see enormous game, predators aplenty, and even the Great Wildlife Migration.
Kilimanjaro national Park View
Birds in Kilimanjaro National Park
Sub-Sarahan Africa is a birder’s paradise, and the region surrounding Mount Kilimanjaro is no exception to this rule. Ethereal bird calls echo through the trees as you glimpse about, hoping to catch sight of the dazzling variety of feather and wing fluttering through the canopy.
Opportunities to see some of the beautiful species tropical Africa has to offer will be most abundant in the areas surrounding your hotel and as the trail winds through the cloud forest.
Home to a diverse population of tropical African birds, the cacophony of songs emanating from the trees will provide a magical soundtrack for the surrounding jungle scene.
Kilimanjaro Climate Zones
Mount Kilimanjaro is made up of five major ecological climate zones. They are as follows; Cultivation Zone, Forest Zone, Heather-Moorland Zone, Alpine Desert Zone and Arctic Summit climate zones.
Below we will look at each zone and what makes them unique. You will pass through all of these zones on your ascent of the tallest mountain in Africa. Kilimanjaro National Park is home to a variety of different animals, birds and vegetation.
The four Mt Kilimanjaro climate zones are:
- Rain forest zone (~1,800 meters – 3,000 meters)
- Low alpine zone (~3,000 meters – 4,200 meters)
- High alpine zone (~4,200 meters – 5,000 meters)
- Glacial zone (~5,000 meters to 5,895 meters )
