Kilimanjaro National Park

Welcome to Kilimanjaro National Park located in Tanzania. It is home to the highest mountain in Africa – a snow-capped, free-standing volcano. The park comprises two dormant volcanoes, Kibo (5,895m a.m.) and Mawenzi (5,149m a.m.), and one extinct volcano, Shira (3,962m a.m.s.l). The origin of the name Kilimanjaro is uncertain, but it is believed to be derived from the Swahili word Kilima, meaning “Mountain,” and the KiChagga word Njaro, meaning “Whiteness,” giving the name “White Mountain.”

The park covers an area of 1,712 km2 and was established as a National Park in 1973, opened for tourism in 1977, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, and a Natural Wonder of Africa in 2013. Climbing to the top of the mountain is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Climate-wise, the park experiences two rainy seasons annually. The wet season is from March to May, during which it rains around the mountain base, and snow accumulates at its peak. The dry season is from late June through September, during which the nights are cool, and the days are completely clear. The park’s altitude ranges from 1700 m to 5895 meters, with annual average rainfall ranging from 828 mm in the alpine desert to 2500 mm in the Montane forest.

The park can be accessed via Kilimanjaro International Airport, which is about 45 km to the west, or by road via the Marangu route. The Park Headquarters and one of the ascending gates are located at Marangu, about 41 km from Moshi town and 86km from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The other seven gates of Rongai, Machame, Londorosi, Lemosho, Kilema, Mweka, and Umbwe are located around the mountain base and can be reached by road.

Kilimanjaro National Park is home to many attractions, including permanent glaciers on the mountain peaks, three peaks, and a wide band of exceptionally beautiful montane forests. The park has five eco-climatic zones, which provide a unique experience of a trip from the equator to the Arctic in a brief tour. As one climbs Kilimanjaro, vegetation and weather change in response to the changing elevation from montane forest, heath and moorland, alpine desert, and the summit zone (arctic). The mountain peak is covered by snow all year round.