Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania

With the height of 5,895 meters, Kilimanjaro earned the prestige of being Africa’s highest mountain. Apart from the title it owns, Mount Kilimanjaro is a postcard favorite because of the gorgeous sight of the snow-capped summit taking shape over the savannah. Encircled by plains and mountain forests, Africa’s highest is the home to the region’s flora and fauna, group of mammals, and endangered animals. Without a doubt, Mount Kilimanjaro is a symbol of the enthralling beauty of East Africa.

The jewel of Mount Kilimanjaro is the Kilimanjaro National Park. Sitting on the mountain’s upper slopes, the majestic park has an aura of tropical paradise that overwhelms with spectacular mountain scenery. The distinguished World Heritage Site is granted breathtaking backdrop of Uhuru peak, waterfalls such as Materuni and Kinukamori waterfalls, and lakes like Chala Lake.   The park can be easily crossed by adventure-lovers eager to witness elusive animals such as buffalos, leopards, and elephants. Since its foundation in 1977, Kilimanjaro National Park instantly became Tanzania’s most important national park reputed as a world-class destination.

The unique location of Kilimanjaro grants the national park perfect weather for exploration and adventure. Sitting close to the equator, the park enjoys a combined climate of wet and dry season. While it is fine to tour the park at any time of the year, it is important to note that April and May are the wettest months, and June and July are the coolest.  In terms of weather, January, February, August, and September are the perfect months to visit Kilimanjaro, as it is the months where the surroundings have the most vivid shades and the scenery is at its lushest.

The park promises a wide variety of activities for everyone. Here, there are six well-established routes to the peak, as well as more challenging paths for the heavily-experienced hikers. Nature trailing is the usual activity on the lower part of the mountain, while daytime and nighttime hikes are popular in Shira plateau. Visitors may stay for a while here, as there are rented huts and campsites in the park and some fashionable hotels in the village of Marangu and the town of Moshi.

Kilimanjaro National Park serves as the jump-off point of climbers and hikers. When accessing the grandiose mountain, remember that there is no particular hiking skills required—only stamina and strength. The easy-to-climb feature is one of the reasons why almost 80,000 visitors head to Kilimanjaro per year which clearly states that Kilimanjaro is not a remote area, rather, it is one of Africa’s most-visited region. From people with strong interest in mountaineering to travelers who simply want to observe the dramatic views of nature, heading to Kilimanjaro National Park is a must when visiting the northern region of Tanzania.