Description

Park history

In 1910 the area was declared as a game reserve and a forest reserve in 1921 before being gazetted as a national park in 1973. It was not until 1977 when Kilimanjaro was opened for public access. The park was declared by UNESCO as a world heritage site in 1987 and voted as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa in 2013. Kilimanjaro is located in Northern Tanzania 48 km from Moshi town and covers an area of 1,668 square km.

How to get there

By road:123 km, a two hour drive from the city of Arusha or 48 km, an hour drive from Moshi town to Marangu Gate and 86km one hour and half drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Best time to visit
Mountain climbing can be done throughout the year. However, the best time is mid June-October and December-mid March.

Tourism activities
Mountain climbing –Climbing Kilimanjaro is not just a climb but a journey from the tropics to the Arctic.The higher you climb,the colder it gets with change in vegetation zones.

Nature Walking safari – Short walking safari

• Marangu via Lauwo waterfall to Mandara (12Km)
• Machame gate to Machame hut (11Km)
• Morum barrier to Shira I (06Km)
• Rongai gate to simba camp (05Km)

Birding:

There are about 179 bird species inhabiting different vegetation zones, thus giving an opportunity to view them in different climatic zones. Birds like White Necked Raven, Lammergeyer and Alpine Chat are commonly seen in high altitude zones.

Camping:

There are 31 camping sites along the seven hiking routes: Off all the camping sites are wilderness with toilets and a park staff house

*  Londorosi Route

This is an ascending route located on the western side of the mountain and it comprised of five stations namely Shira I, Shira II, Baranco, Karanga and Barafu. It also offers the chance of using the Northern circuit and Western breach.

*  Lemosho route

This route is also for ascending located on the western side of the mountain and it comprised of six stations of Mti Mkubwa then join Londorosi route at Shira I.

*  Machame route

This is an ascending route as well located on the South-West of the mountain and it has five stations namely Machame hut, Shira cave, Baranco, Karanga and Barafu.

*  Umbwe route

It is an ascending route located on the South-West of the mountain and it has four stations, the Umbwe cave inside the forest belt and the other three after join Machame route at Baranco camp.

*  Mweka route

This is a descending route located on the southern side of the mountain. It comprised of three stations namely Mweka hut, High camp (Millenium) and Barafu. Visitors form Londorosi, Lemosho, Machame and Umbwe descent using this route

*  Kilema route

This route is for cycling. It has three stations namely Kilemamchele, Maua and Kibo; it is two way traffic.

*  Marangu route

This is route is for ascending and descending with provision of huts along the trail. It has three stations namely Mandara, Horombo and Kibo. On the mountain stations, there are toilets, kitchens, dinning and rooms for clients. Advance booking through a licensed mountain tour operator is mandatory.

*  Rongai Route

It is ascending route with an option of using four or five stations depending on the choice of the climber. Visitors who ascend through this route will descend through Marangu route. Option of four stations includes Simba camp, second cave, third cave and school hut and the second option for five stations is Simba camp, second cave, Kikelelwa, Mawenzi tarn hut and School hut.

                         Additional fees apart from the conservation fees

• Non EAC Citizens/ Tz Expatriates US $ 50
• EAC Citizens TZS 30,000                                    

•          Launching area on the mountain is explored by the operator similarly the landing site in or outside the park

• Non EAC Citizens/ Tz Expatriates US $ 200
• EAC Citizens TZS 100,000

  Three peaks: 

• Kibo, the highest peak (5,895m), is covered by snow throughout the year despite being close to the equator. Conquering this peak is an adventure of a lifetime.
• Mawenzi, the rugged peak (5,149m), can only be attempted by technical climb. Only people with specialized knowledge, skills and equipment are allowed.
• Shira peak: Shira (3962) is the oldest peak that collapsed some 750 years ago while before collapsing was the highest of the three.

Shira Plateau

After collapsing, the Shira peak formed a plateau of outstanding scenic beauty on the mountain. This plateau has an open grassland, heath and moorland with a large concentration of endemic plants including Senecio and lobelias. While on the plateau, one can visit the Shira central cone, the Cathedral and the Needle. Several kinds of migratory mammals such as buffaloes, elephants and elands use this plateau for feeding or salt licking.

Montane Forest

It’s in this area, one finds the largest known population of Abbot’s duiker and various plant species, including endemic plants like Impatiens kilimanjari. Walking through this belt takes ones breath away.

Climbing Tips

• Observe and adhere to all park rules and regulations
• Climbers are advised to have appropriate climbing gears
• Allow plenty of time for the body to acclimatize by ascending slowly
• Do not push yourself up the mountain if your body is exhausted or you have extreme mountain sickness
• Drink 4 - 5 liters of fluid each day. Water is the best but fruit juices are good supplement
• If symptoms of mountain/high altitude sickness persist please descend immediately and seek medical treatment. Our rescue team is always stand-by for evacuation to nearby hospitals.

Rules & Regulations

Do not litter. Do not kill, harass, disturb or feed any wild animals in the Park. Do not enter the park without a valid permit. Do not ignite wildfires . Do not erect, mark or remove any signboard in the Park.

Wildlife & Birds

Title	Conservation Status
African elephant	Vulnerable
African lion	Vulnerable
Black-headed Heron	Least Concern
Helmeted Guineafowl	Least Concern
Little Bee-Eater	Least Concern
Baglafecht Weaver	Least Concern
Variable Sunbird	Least Concern
Augur Buzzard	Least Concern
Southern Hornbill	Vulnerable

SEE ALL