About the Park
Location
Northern Tanzania, near the town of Moshi.
Area
1668 sq km (641 sq miles)
When to go
January-March or June-October are recommended. The chances of encountering snow and colder temperatures occur in the Jan.-Mar. time frame.
Getting there
The park is 128 km (80 miles) from Arusha, about one hour’s drive from Kilimanjaro airport.
What to do
– Six usual trekking routes to the summit and other more-demanding mountaineering routes.
– Day or overnight hikes on the Shira plateau. Nature trails on the lower reaches.
– Trout fishing.
– Visit the beautiful Chala crater lake on the mountain’s southeastern slopes.
Accommodations
– Huts and campsites on the mountain.
– Several hotels and campsites outside the park in the village of Marangu and town of Moshi.
NOTE:
– Climb slowly to increase your acclimatization time and maximize your chances of reaching the summit.
– To avoid altitude sickness, allow a minimum of five nights, preferably even more for the climb. Take your time and enjoy the beauty of the mountain.
Park Map
More Details
The snow-covered splendor of the highest mountain in Africa is visible on a clear day from more than 250 kms away. Kilimanjaro rises from the vast open plains. First mentioned by Ptolemeus (a 2nd Century Greek philosopher and geographer), the largest mountain in Africa and highest free standing mountain in the world, has proved a magnet to climbers, naturalists, travelers and explorers over the centuries. Only three degrees from the equator, the Victorians believed Kilimanjaro’s snow to be a flight of fancy for many years. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and stands at 5,895 meters, three degrees south of the equator. The mountain, a dormant volcano, has two peaks – Kibo and Mawenzi, which are surrounded by dense forests full of dazzling variety of flora and fauna.
