Kilimanjaro National Park
DESCRIPTION
Kilimanjaro National Park is located 300km south of the equator particularly in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania covering an area of 1,688km2. The name Kilima Njaro means a shining mountain in Swahili and the natives who are the Chagga tribe recognize the mountain as the home God. It is the highest mountain rising from 4877m above surrounding plains of 5895m at its peak. The park is one of the highest volcanoes worldwide though dominant having three volcanic peaks which are Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. Mawenzi ceased erupting while Shira collapsed and Kibo continued erupting until about 150,000-200,000yrs ago. The highest point was named Uhuru point after Tanzania’s independence in 1961.
The mountain has five main vegetation zones which include the lower slopes, montane forest, moorland, alpin desert and summit. Hiking in this horrible mountain typically takes 5-9 days depending on the route. There are 6 different routes that provide the opportunity for ascending the summit and these are;
Machame Route which is situated south of the mountain, it is the longest route among all but considered to be the best one because of having a better acclimatization time.
Rongai Route is situated in the north part of the mountain, it is the hardest route since there is short time of acclimatization.
Umbwe Route is situated in the south part the mountain, it is also a hardest route because of short acclimatization time.
Shira Route is situated in the west approaching the and close to Lemosho route.
Lemosho Route is situated in the west and passes through Londorossi gate.
Marangu Route is the easiest and oldest route situated south of the mountain.
HISTORY
At ancient times the local people (Chagga) were aware of the mountain and used it for religious matters. The first European who approached and described the mountain were the German missionaries Johan Ludwig Krapf and Johannes Redmann who travelled to Africa in 1848. In 1889 the German geographer Hans Meyer was the first person to reach the top of the mountain after several attempts. It became a national park in 1973 and a world heritage site in 1987.
WILDLIFE
The statistics of the area have confirmed the mountain being a home of some rare and endemic flora and fauna. There are about 7 primates, 140 mammals, 24 bat species, 2,500 plant species and 179 bird species. The animals available include buffalos, leopards, waterbucks, duikers, bushbucks, monkeys, elephants and warthogs.
WHY VISIT KILIMANJARO
It is among the seven summit famously known in the world hence worthy to visit, you will also have chance to see Ice cap on top of the mountain.
HOW TO GET THERE
By road, the park is accessible just 86km away from Kilimanjaro International Airport and also cars can easily travel to the mountain via Moshi town to Marangu gate.
By Air, the airports close to the park include Kilimanjaro International Airport and Arusha Airport all found in Arusha region.
WHAT TO DO
The main activities to be conducted are Mountain climbing which includes day and night hiking and trekking.
WHEN TO GO
The best moments to hike are from June-October and December-March when the mountain is clear and the summit is easily seen.
TRAVEL ADVICE
Physical and mental fitness is one of the precautions that can make you succeed reaching the summit. Also make sure you climb slowly to increase your acclimatization time and maximize your chance of reaching the summit. Having hiking equipments and drinking a lot of water as well as having ample food is inevitable. Some of the hiking equipments include sun screening waterproof hiking boots, trekking poles, first aid kit, head lamps, extra clothes and sleeping bags.
ACCOMMODATIONS
During hiking you will spend the night resting in the huts as guided according to each stop. You can as well book a hotel or lodge in Moshi and Arusha before and after hiking the mountain. Some of the hotels and lodges close to the park include Honey Badger Lodge, Kilimanjaro White House Hotel (17miles away), Mount Kilimanjaro View Lodge (9.5miles away), Kilimanjaro Wonder Hotel, Salinero Millie Lodge (12miles away), Kaliwa Lodge (14miles away) and Stella Maris Lodge (18miles away). The accommodation far from the park are found in Arusha and they include Ilboru safari Lodge, Olerai Lodge, Mount Meru Hotel and Gran Melia Hotel.