Kilimanjaro National Park

Covering an area of 1,668 sq km (641 sq miles), Kilimanjaro National park is home to the highest mountain of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. Although there are some wildlife, the park is not famous for wildlife viewing like other northern circuit parks.

The mountain has three main volcanic peaks such as Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira among which Shira is the oldest peak and Kibo is the youngest peak.

The majestic mountain is believed to be the mountain of light, greatness and caravans. The giant stratovolcano stands at a height of at 5895m and the glacier peaks touch the clouds.

The ecosystem of the mountain is strikingly beautiful. Coffee, banana, cassava, and maize crops are grown in the lower slopes of the mountain. There are seven official routes to reach the peak such as Marangu Route, Machame Route, Rongai Route, Umbwe Route, Lemoshao Route, Shira Route and the Northern Circuit Route.

Chagga is the oldest culture that is being intimately tied to the mountain. Now the Chagga tribe is one of Tanzania’s richest, largest and powerful ethnic groups because of their fertility of the land.

The Wildlife:

Baboons, civets, mongooses and servals can be seen strolling inside the park. The distinctive black-and-white tail monkey, blue monkeys and chipmunk-like tree hyra are the shy companions.

The Avifauna

The different vegetation zones of Kilimanjaro are great for different types of avifauna. The noisy, scavenging, garrulous white-necked raven is present in almost every region. The impressive variety of birds include alpine chat, the streaky seed-eater, dazzling scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird, colourful robin-chats, cheerful greenbuls, alpine swift, and nectar-loving sunbirds.