Kilimanjaro National Park.
Kilimanjaro National park is one of the beautiful gems of legendary Tanzania. First gazetted as a game reserve and later a forest reserve in 1921, the park is known for hosting the fabled kilimanjaro mountains that are decorated by the colorful adjacent forests. Because of this high conservation and scenic value, the area was gazetted as a National park in 1973 and declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1987. In 2005, the inclusion of the entire montane forest that had been earlier part of the forest reserve saw the expansion of the total land area of the park. Currently, the park covers an area of approximately 1668 square kilometers. A visit to the area rewards you with a series of adrenaline activities within the Kilimanjaro mountains. These mountains are outstandingly great in stature and offer both nature and pleasure! Rising in isolation out of the surrounding savannah to an elevation of 5,895 meters, ‘Kili’ is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Its allure is undeniable, attracting seasoned trekkers and determined first-timers alike from all over the world. A trek to the snowcapped Kibo peak is an unforgettable experience and an essential part of any Tanzanian adventure. In 2013, the park was named among Africa's seven wonders.
Kilimanjaro is a mountain of contrasts and extremes. Your ascent takes you from tropical rainforest to arctic conditions in just a few days and at higher altitudes, winter drives out summer every night. The lower foothills are home to the Wachagga who cultivate the fertile volcanic soil. If you are lucky you can see the inquisitive blue monkey or the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkey high in the lichen covered branches of the rainforest canopy. The rainforest gradually gives way to the heath and moorland, which is covered in giant heather and dotted with giant groundsels. This in turn becomes the surreal alpine dessert where extremes of temperature mean only the hardiest can survive. Finally, there is snow, glaciers and pure exhilaration of the summit zone. The mountain has three volcanic peaks and these include: Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. kibo is the highest point that has Uhuru peak. On top of the mountain, one can have scenic views of Amboseli National park in Kenya as well as stunning views of the great rift.
Treks in Kilimanjaro National Park do not necessarily always lead to Uhuru Peak. There are a number of day and overnight hikes available for those who want to experience some of what this park has to offer, but not the demands of an assault on the summit. Some of the mountain climbing routes include: Machame, Lemosho, umbwe and kilema routes among others. Some of these routes are ideal for cyling. Those who intend reaching Uhuru will pass by a beautiful volcanic caldera called Lake Challa. The clearest and warmest conditions for climbing are from December to February, while the driest are from July-September.
A visit to the park not only offers hiking or climbing opportunities but also the chance to view a number of wildlife species within the area. The wildlife is artistically distributed within the different habitants found within the park. For example, cape buffalos can readily be found within the montane forests while animals like bush bucks are found with the area above the timberline. Other species include the red and grey duikers, elephants and leopards among others. There are also several species of primates within the forest and these include the colobus species and blue monkeys.
Other activities in Kilimanjaro National Park include; Bird watching. Kilimanjaro hosts over 150 bird species which make a bird watching safari possible. Such species include: grey hornbill, African fish eagle, white cheeked barbet etc. Apart from bird watching, there is also cycling through different routes in the park. Alternatively, one can opt for the bush experience by camping in one of the 32 camping sites. Nature walks and filming are some of the other highlights. You will see coffee farms on the lower slopes of the mountains and have opportunities to interact with the local people!
