Kilimanjaro National Park is one of Tanzania’s most famous national parks and is home to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the world’s tallest free-standing mountain. The park is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, snow-capped peak, and unique ecological zones.
Covers approximately 1,688 square kilometers
Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) above sea level
Three volcanic cones:
Kibo (highest and dormant)
Mawenzi
Shira
Kilimanjaro National Park has distinct vegetation zones based on altitude:
Cultivated Farmland Zone (outside park boundary)
Montane Forest – Rich in wildlife
Heath and Moorland
Alpine Desert
Arctic Zone – Ice and glaciers at the summit
Elephants
Buffaloes
Leopards
Bush pigs
Blue monkeys
Colobus monkeys
Over 180 bird species, including:
Sunbirds
Eagles
Turacos
Varies with altitude
Dry seasons:
January–March
June–October
Wet seasons:
March–May
November–December
Established as a national park in 1973
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Protected to conserve mountain ecosystems and water catchments
Visitors can enjoy:
Mountain climbing and trekking
Nature walks
Bird watching
Photography
Note: Wildlife viewing is secondary to mountain trekking.
Kilimanjaro National Park is important because it:
Protects Africa’s highest mountain
Supplies water to surrounding regions
Preserves unique ecosystems
Supports tourism and national income
Mount Kilimanjaro is visible from hundreds of kilometers away
Snow exists near the equator
One of the most climbed mountains in the world
