Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania

Kilimanjaro. The name itself is a mystery wreathed in clouds. It might mean Mountain of Light, Mountain of Greatness or Mountain of Caravans. The local people, the Wachagga, don't even have a name for the whole massif.

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa whose formation started 750,000 years ago. The park was gazetted in 1973 as a National Park but had been a game reserve since 1921. There has been human habitation around the mountain for centuries and archaeological discoveries have been made including rings and bowls made from obsidian flakes which were found on the western slopes.

John Rebmann, a German missionary, was the first European to sight the snow capped mountain in 1849 but the summit was not reached until 1889 by geographer Hans Ludwig Meyer. Mount Kilimanjaro is the crown of Tanzania. Rising abruptly from the open planes, capped by snow and frequently fringed by clouds, it is one of Africa's classic images.

At 19,344 feet, it is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest walkable summit in the world. The diameter of its base is an incredible 40 miles. Kilimanjaro is a dormant, but not extinct volcano. Ominous rumbles can some times be heard and gases emerge from the fumeholes in the crater. Although just 3 degrees south of the Equator, the peaks of both Kibo and Mawenzi have permanent caps of snow and ice. During their time on the mountain, climbers pass from a tropical to arctic environment in just a few days. The various trails first pass through lush rain forest before reaching heather and open moorland where giant lobelia and huge, cactus-like groundsel grow.

The highest point on Kibo, and indeed the whole of Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park, is Uhuru Peak, with its spectacular hanging glaciers and stupendous views of the African plains some 20,000 feet below. Also on Kibo is the slightly lower peak of Gillman's Point. These are the goals for most trekkers. The peaks of Mawenzi are for mountaineers only

128 kms from Arusha. About 1 km from Kilimanjaro Airport

Six usual trekking routes to the summit and other more demanding mountaineering routes. Day or overnight hikes on the Shira plateau.

Clearest and warmest conditions from December ro February, but also dry and colder from July-September. View our Tanzania Safari Itineraries or contact us with your queries

		Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park Travel information on the Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park. One of the world's highest free standing mountains, Kilimanjaro by any name, is a metaphor for the compelling beauty of East Africa. Wanderlust can organise an itinerary for a hike to this great mountain for you. Contact us today!

Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park Information.
Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park Information.	Tanzania Parks > Lake Manyara > Arusha Nat. Park > Serengeti > Tarangire Nat. Park > Mt. Kilimanjaro > Ngorongoro > Selous Game Reserve Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park Kilimanjaro. The name itself is a mystery wreathed in clouds. It might mean Mountain of Light, Mountain of Greatness or Mountain of Caravans. The local people, the Wachagga, don't even have a name for the whole massif. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa whose formation started 750,000 years ago. The park was gazetted in 1973 as a National Park but had been a game reserve since 1921. There has been human habitation around the mountain for centuries and archaeological discoveries have been made including rings and bowls made from obsidian flakes which were found on the western slopes. John Rebmann, a German missionary, was the first European to sight the snow capped mountain in 1849 but the summit was not reached until 1889 by geographer Hans Ludwig Meyer. Mount Kilimanjaro is the crown of Tanzania. Rising abruptly from the open planes, capped by snow and frequently fringed by clouds, it is one of Africa's classic images. At 19,344 feet, it is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest walkable summit in the world. The diameter of its base is an incredible 40 miles. Kilimanjaro is a dormant, but not extinct volcano. Ominous rumbles can some times be heard and gases emerge from the fumeholes in the crater. Although just 3 degrees south of the Equator, the peaks of both Kibo and Mawenzi have permanent caps of snow and ice. During their time on the mountain, climbers pass from a tropical to arctic environment in just a few days. The various trails first pass through lush rain forest before reaching heather and open moorland where giant lobelia and huge, cactus-like groundsel grow. The highest point on Kibo, and indeed the whole of Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park, is Uhuru Peak, with its spectacular hanging glaciers and stupendous views of the African plains some 20,000 feet below. Also on Kibo is the slightly lower peak of Gillman's Point. These are the goals for most trekkers. The peaks of Mawenzi are for mountaineers only Getting There 128 kms from Arusha. About 1 km 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. When to go Clearest and warmest conditions from December ro February, but also dry and colder from July-September. View our Tanzania Safari Itineraries or contact us with your queries


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