Kilimanjaro National Park Tours| Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro| Tanzania Safaris Tours| Hiking Kilimanjaro National Park| Tanzania Tours and Safaris Kilimanjaro National Park Tours
Kilimanjaro National Park is a national park in Tanzania, situated 300 kilometers (190 mi) south of the equator and in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania. The park is located near the city of Moshi and includes the whole of Mount Kilimanjaro above the tree line and the surrounding montane forest belt above 1,820 meters (5,97 ft.). It covers an area of 1,688 square kilometers (652 sq mi), 2°50’–3°10’S latitude, 37°10’–37°40’E longitude.
The Kilimanjaro national park is managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA). The park made US $51 million in revenue in 2013, the second-most of any Tanzanian national park, and was one of only two Tanzanian national parks to produce a surplus during the 2012-13 budget year. TNPA has noted that the park received 58,460 tourists during the 2012-13 budget year, of whom 54,584 were foreigners. Of the park’s 57,456 tourists during the 2011-12 budget year, 16,425 hiked the mountain, which was well below the volume of 28,470 as specified in the park’s General Management Plan.
In the early 20th century, Mount Kilimanjaro and the adjacent forests were affirmed as a game reserve by the German colonial government. In 1921, it was nominated a forest reserve. In 1973, the mountain above the tree line (about 2,700 meters (8,900 ft.)) was reclassified as a national park.
The park was affirmed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization in 1987. In 2005, the park was extended to include the entire montane woodland, which had been part of the Kilimanjaro Forest Reserve. Kilimanjaro National Park is family to the uppermost mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
Mount Kilimanjaro contains three volcanoes, that is Shira in the west (4,269 m) Mawenzi in the east (5,280 m), and the youngest volcano Kibo (5,895m). Shira and Mawenzi are nonexistent and the last major eruption of Kibo was between 150,000 and 200,000 years ago. Today Kibo is inactive but could awaken any day. A variety of animals can be found in the park. Above the timberline, the Kilimanjaro tree hyrax, the grey duiker, and rodents are normally encountered. The bushbuck and red duiker give the impression above the timer line in places.
Cape buffaloes are found in the montane woodland and rare in the moorland and grassland. Elephants can be found between the Namwai and Tarakia rivers and sometimes occur at higher heights. In the montane woodlands, blue monkeys, western black and white colobuses, bush babies, and leopards can be found. The flora on the mountain is also very diverse and some 2,500 species of plants originate here including the pervasive and striking red and yellow impatiens Kilimanjaro as well as the interesting violet viola.
The lower regions of the park are controlled by lush green montane woodlands with almost 140 species of trees. A bit complex up, unique giant lobelias grace the moorland zone. Above 4,000 m visitors find the moonlike desert, where not abundant grows and the land is full of pillars and grime. Nearer to the summit, hikers will be pleased with the attractive sights of glaciers and a deep crater.
ACCESSING KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK, Kilimanjaro National Park Tours| Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro| Tanzania Safaris Tours| Hiking Kilimanjaro National Park| Tanzania Tours and Safaris Kilimanjaro National Park Tours
By road, it’s about one hour’s drive from Kilimanjaro airport and covers a distance of about 128km(80miles) from Arusha.
The nearby International Airport is Kilimanjaro and if coming from Europe, KLM has regular non-stop flights from Amsterdam to JRO. There is also Air Viva that offers connections between Kilimanjaro and several domestic airports like Arusha. As well if you’re coming from Entebbe-Uganda to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, there are usually three flights per week that take a duration of 1 hour and 50 minutes.
KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES, Kilimanjaro National Park Tours| Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro| Tanzania Safaris Tours| Hiking Kilimanjaro National Park| Tanzania Tours and Safaris Kilimanjaro National Park Tours
1. Kilimanjaro Mountain climbing:Kilimanjaro National Park Tours| Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro| Tanzania Safaris Tours| Hiking Kilimanjaro National Park| Tanzania Tours and Safaris Kilimanjaro National Park Tours
The most common activity done in Kilimanjaro is mountain climbing. Climbing Africa's free-standing mountain will give you a thrilling experience you never imagined. Kibo peak is the highest peak snowcapped throughout the year offering magnificent views of the surrounding towns from afar, one of the peaks and the oldest known as Shira peak formed up a plateau providing spectacular grasslands and various plant species with a lot of wildlife.
2. Kilimanjaro Wildlife viewing:Kilimanjaro National Park Tours| Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro| Tanzania Safaris Tours| Hiking Kilimanjaro National Park| Tanzania Tours and Safaris Kilimanjaro National Park Tours
Several various animals can be seen at Mount Kilimanjaro national park though it cannot be compared to other national parks in Tanzania, some of the wild lives to expect while on safari at Mount Kilimanjaro are; vervet monkey, genet cat, honey badger, aardvark, baboon, Columbus monkey, bush babies, elands and elephants mostly seen at the Shira plateau plains.
3.Kilimanjaro Bird watching: Kilimanjaro National Park Tours| Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro| Tanzania Safaris Tours| Hiking Kilimanjaro National Park| Tanzania Tours and Safaris Kilimanjaro National Park Tours
Mount Kilimanjaro national park boasts different species of birds, it is believed to be home to over 150 bird species some of which are migratory birds and others endemic to this area, some of the birds in Mount Kilimanjaro are; white-necked Raven, resident black-shouldered kite, long-tailed trogon, Gabar goshawk, blue napped mousebirds, grey hornbill, African fish eagles, white-cheeked barbet, African pygmy kingfisher, and red-capped robin chat among others. The best time to do bird watching is from November to April when migratory birds from Europe and North Africa are present.
4. Kilimanjaro Cycling:Kilimanjaro National Park Tours| Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro| Tanzania Safaris Tours| Hiking Kilimanjaro National Park| Tanzania Tours and Safaris Kilimanjaro National Park Tours
Tourists can make their safari more experimental by cycling to the highest peak of Africa through the Kilema route; an additional fee might be added for this activity. There are three main stations. The cycling will expose you to the farmlands of the Chagga people. However, this activity should be done by well-experienced mountain bikers accompanied by a tourist guide who’s knowledgeable about Kilimanjaro.
5. Kilimanjaro Camping, Kilimanjaro National Park Tours| Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro| Tanzania Safaris Tours| Hiking Kilimanjaro National Park| Tanzania Tours and Safaris Kilimanjaro National Park Tours
To have an exclusive bush experience, camping within the 32 camping sites along the second hiking routes will be memorable. The campsites provide comfortable accommodation and bush toilets as well as mouthwatering meals to suit your hiking experience.
6. Kilimanjaro Nature guided walks,Kilimanjaro National Park Tours| Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro| Tanzania Safaris Tours| Hiking Kilimanjaro National Park| Tanzania Tours and Safaris Kilimanjaro National Park Tours
Guided nature walks can be done at the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro forest canopy and tourists can encounter a lot of primates like the red-tailed monkey, olive baboon, white and black Columbus monkey, and a lot of plant species not forgetting the panoramic views of the Chagga farmlands and neighboring towns.
7. Kilimanjaro Picnicking, Kilimanjaro National Park Tours| Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro| Tanzania Safaris Tours| Hiking Kilimanjaro National Park| Tanzania Tours and Safaris Kilimanjaro National Park Tours
Mount Kilimanjaro national park boasts 13 picking sites where tourists can enjoy this activity in the uninterrupted wilderness, the picnic sites are; Daraja refu, Kilimamchele, Wona, Last water, Machame halfway, and Jiwe la mbula among others. Tourist can enjoy their packed lunch from one of these sites.
8. Kilimanjaro Filming,Kilimanjaro National Park Tours| Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro| Tanzania Safaris Tours| Hiking Kilimanjaro National Park| Tanzania Tours and Safaris Kilimanjaro National Park Tours
Mount Kilimanjaro being Africa’s free-standing mountain offers panoramic views suitable for filming adventure movies, one of the famous films that scooped an award was done from Kilimanjaro this was done in 1952 and the title was the snows of Kilimanjaro.
KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK LODGES AND ACCOMMODATION, Kilimanjaro National Park Tours| Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro| Tanzania Safaris Tours| Hiking Kilimanjaro National Park| Tanzania Tours and Safaris Kilimanjaro National Park Tours
Kilimanjaro has only a few accommodations located in distinct areas of the park.
1. Kambi Ya Tembo, Kilimanjaro National Park Tours| Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro| Tanzania Safaris Tours| Hiking Kilimanjaro National Park| Tanzania Tours and Safaris Kilimanjaro National Park Tours
Kambi ya Tembo, translated as “camp of elephants” is a welcoming and comfortable tented accommodation not far from the entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park. Sited on a private and unrestricted concessionary area – Sinya, the camp is not bounded by any park restrictions.
Set on a small crest with spectacular views of Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, the extensive lightly wooded South Amboseli plains and the cone of Mount Meru and other dormant volcanoes, Kambi Ya Tembo is an off-the-beaten tourist track by a bouncy transfer journey, but well worth the discomfort for the wonderful African nature safari welcome that awaits. The food at the camp is fresh, tasty, and generously supplied. Staff will offer you additional helpings. Drinks are generally inclusive of meals. Dishes are imaginative, well-cooked, and nicely presented.
2. Ndarakwai Ranch Camp, Kilimanjaro National Park Tours| Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro| Tanzania Safaris Tours| Hiking Kilimanjaro National Park| Tanzania Tours and Safaris Kilimanjaro National Park Tours
It is primarily a wildlife conservation project, partly funded by the profits of the fantastic African safari hybrid camp situated in acacia woodland overlooked by the surreal sky island that is the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the shining mountain, as it appears to float over the southern Amboseli Plains in Northeast Tanzania, part of the Kilimanjaro Conservancy NGO project.
The camp has got 15 huge, thatched roof, self-contained tented canvas lodges with integral modern bathroom facilities and solar hot water, affording surprising comfort and convenience in this remote Kili location.
Most of the food is locally sourced, or home-grown if otherwise unavailable. The aim is to encourage local community initiatives whilst making certain of utmost freshness and purity of supplies.
3. Shu’mata Camp, Kilimanjaro National Park Tours| Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro| Tanzania Safaris Tours| Hiking Kilimanjaro National Park| Tanzania Tours and Safaris Kilimanjaro National Park Tours
Shu’mata-means “Paradise” in Maa, the Maasai language. This extravagantly flamboyant luxury camp perched on a small hill overlooking the Maasai steppe: arid, featureless grassland from which rises a single three-headed volcanic monolith, the world-famous “Shining Mountain”; Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa.
It has Five sumptuous and spacious tents set up in the boutique African style made famous by the novelist, Ernest Hemingway, who took every self-indulgent luxury with him on an Africa expedition safari. Shumate dining is literally a moveable feast. Meals are served in the fabulous mess tent, or at picnic spots around the camp, by the campfire, or out on a lunch trip to the Kilimanjaro foothills.
NOTE: Safari prices will be availed to you on request. Enquire from here for your price quotation.
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