Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park
Known to many through Ernest Hemingway’s book, the snows of Kilimanjaro, mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in the world that is not part of a mountain range and is definitely one of the world’s most impressive mountains. Kilimanjaro means “shining mountain;” it rises from an average altitude of about 3300 feet (1000m) on the dry plains to 19,340 feet (5895 m), truly a world-class mountain. On clear days the mountain can be seen from over 200 miles (320 km) away.
The mountain consists of three major volcanic centers: Kibo (19,340 ft./5895 m), Shira (13,650 ft./4162 m.) To the west, and Mawenzi (16,893 ft./5150 m.) To the east, the base of the mountain is 37 miles (60 km) long and 25 miles (40 km) wide. The park covers 292 square miles (756 km2) of the mountain above 8856 feet (2700 m). The park also has six corridors that climbers may use through the forest reserve.
Hikers pass through zones of forest, alpine, and semi desert to its snowcapped peak, situated only three degrees south of the equator. It was once thought to be an extinct volcano, but due to recent rumblings, it is now classified as dormant.
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro was definitely a highlight of my travels. For the struggle to reach its highest peak I was handsomely rewarded with a feeling of accomplishment and many exciting memories of the climb.
Kilimanjaro may in fact be the easiest mountain in the world for a climber to ascend to such heights. But it is still a struggle for even fit adventurers. On the other hand, it can be climbed by people from all walks of life that are in good condition and have a strong will. Mind you, reaching the top is by no means necessary; the flora, fauna and magnificent views seen en route are fabulous.
The first written record of Kilimanjaro was by Ptolemy 18 centuries ago. A Christian missionary, Johann Rebmann, reported his discovery of this snowcapped mountain, but the Europeans didn’t believe him. Hans meyer was the first European to climb Kilimanjaro, doing so in 1889.
The most unique animal in this park is the abbot’s duiker, which is found in only a few mountain forests in northern Tanzania. Other wildlife includes elephant, buffalo, eland, leopard, hyrax, and black and white Colobus monkeys. However, very little large game is seen.
The best time to climb is January-march, august and October during the dryer seasons when the skies are fairly clear. January and February are warmer while October is cooler.
July, November and December are also good, while April and may should be avoided because of heavy rains and overcast skies. I, of course, happened to be in Tanzania in April, but I still made the climb and thoroughly enjoyed it.
From April-may, during the long rainy season, the summit is often covered in clouds with snow falling at higher altitudes and rain at lower altitudes. The short rains (October- November) bring afternoon thunderstorms, but evenings and mornings are often clear.
Many routes to the summit require no mountaineering skills. Mountaineers wishing to ascend by technical routes may wish to get a copy of guide to Mt. Kenya and Kilimanjaro, edited by Iain Allan.
The park headquarters are located in Marangu, about a seven-hour drive from Nairobi, 2vi hours from Arusha. Children less than ten years of age are not allowed over 9843 feet (3000 m).
Travelers wishing to see Mt. Kilimanjaro but not climb it may do so (provided the weather is clear) from within the park, from Arusha national park or Amboseli National Park (Kenya).
Related Information
Shira Plateau Route
Shira Plateau Route This Is A Very Scenic And Yet Seldom-Used Route, Providing Great Views Of Kilimanjaro And The Rift Valley And Probably The Best Wildlife Viewing On The Mountain. A Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle Is Needed, And The Roads May Be Impassable In The Rainy Seasons. The Route Is Hard To Find. Be Sure To Have A Guide Who Knows The Way. Drive North From The Moshi-Arusha Road At Boma La Ng'ombe To Londorossi Gate, Located On The Western Side Of Kilimanjaro. Continue On To A Campsite. The Track Ends Shortly Thereafter, At 12,200 Feet (3720 M). The Defunct Shira Hut (12,467 Ft./3800
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park The Real Attraction Of This Park Is The Spectacular Back¬drop Of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Also, Rhino May Be Seem Here, And This May Be The Best Park In Kenya To See Elephant. Elephant Memories, A Fascinating Book By Cynthia Moss, Is Based Prima¬rily On Her Research In Amboseli. This 150-Square-Mile (390 Km2) Park Is Probably The Most Crowded In The Country, And A Large Portion Of It Has Been Turned Into A Dust Bowl. However, Elephant, Lion And Giraffe Are Easily Found, And Watching And Photographing Them As They Pass In Front Of Majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro Is A Sight To
Ruwenzori Mountains
Ruwenzori Mountains The Third Highest Mountains In Africa (Behind Mts. Kilimanjaro And Kenya), The "Mountains Of The Moon" Are The Highest Mountain Chain On The Continent. Permanently Snow-Covered, Over 14,800 Feet (4500 Meters), These Jagged Mountains Are Almost Perpetually Covered In Mist. The Mountain Chain Is Approximately 60 Miles (100 Km) Long And 30 Miles (50 Km) Wide, And The Highest Peak, Margh-Erita, Is 16,762 Feet (5109 Meters) In Altitude. A Number Of Permanent Glaciers And Peaks Challenge Mountaineers. How¬ever, Mountaineering Skills Not Are Needed For The Hike Itself— Only For Climbing The Glaciers Or Peaks. Unlike Mt. Kilimanjaro And Many Other Mountains
Shimba Hills National Reserve
Shimba Hills National Reserve This 74-square-mile (192 km2) reserve of rolling hills and forests is located an hour's drive south of Mombasa and ten miles inland. At 1500 feet (460 m) above sea level, this is a good place to cool off from the heat of the coast. From the park one has magnificent views of the Indian ocean, and Mt. Kilimanjaro can even be seen on exceptionally clear days. Wildlife includes elephant, buffalo and leopard. This is the only park in Kenya with sable antelope. Accommodation - class b: * shimba hills lodge is a three-story "tree hotel" with 64 beds, overlooking
Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park This Highly Underrated Park Is Predominately Inhabited By Forest Animals While In The Other Northern Parks Savannah Animals Are The Most Prevalent. Arusha National Park Is The Best Place In Northern Tanzania To Spot Black And White Colobus Monkeys And Bushbuck, And To Photograph Larger Species With Mt. Kilimanjaro Or Mt. Meru In The Background. Early Morn¬ings Are Best For This Since Mt. Kilimanjaro Is Less Likely To Be Covered With Clouds. Wildlife Is More Difficult To Spot Here Than In The Other Northern Parks; Do Not Expect To See Large Herds Of Game. However, You Are Allowed To
Lunatic Express
Lunatic Express Highly Recommended For Train Buffs Is The Overnight Train Between Nairobi And Mombasa For A Taste Of Old-Time Colonial Kenya. Dinner And Breakfast Are Served On This Journey Which Passes Mt. Kilimanjaro In The Night. There Are Daily Departures From Both Nairobi And Mombasa. Nairobi National Park Nairobi National Park Is Only Eight Miles (13 Km) South Of Nairobi And Sporadically Has An Abundance Of Game (Depending On The Weather) Including Rhino (On Our First Visit We Saw Three) Lion, Cheetah, Hippo And A Variety Of Antelope — A Bit Of Everything But Elephants. There Is Something Very Strange About Being In
The West Mt. Elgon National Park
The West Mt. Elgon National Park Seldom Visited, This 65-Square-Mile (169 Km2) Park Is A Huge, Extinct Volcano Shared With Uganda, And At 14,178 Feet (4321 M) Is The Second Highest Mountain In Kenya. Mt. Elgon Also Has The Giant Afro-Alpine Flora Found On Mts. Kenya And Kilimanjaro. The Forests Are Often So Thick That A Full-Grown Elephant Could Be Standing 20 Feet (6 M) From The Road And Not Be Seen. Buffalo, Waterbuck, Andbushbuck Are More Likely To Be Spotted. Kitum And Makingeny Caves Are Unique In Having A Good Portion Of Their Size Created By Elephants. Small Herds Often Enter
Zones
Zones Mt. Kilimanjaro Can Be Divided Into Five Zones By Altitude: 1) Cultivated Lower Slopes, 2) Forest, 3) Heath And Moorland/ Lower Alpine, 4) Highland Desert/Alpine, And 5) Summit. Each Zone Spans Approximately 3300 Feet (1000 M) In Altitude. As The Altitude Increases, Rainfall And Temperatures Decrease; This Has A Direct Effect On The Vegetation Each Zone Supports. The Rich Volcanic Soils Of The Lower Slopes Of The Moun¬tain Around Moshi And Marangu Up To The Park Gate (6000 Ft./ 1830 M.) Are Intensely Cultivated, Mostly With Coffee And Ba¬nanas. The Forest Zone (5900-9185 Ft./1800-2800 M.) Receives The Highest Rainfall Of The Zones,
The Butawu Route
The Butawu Route The Butawu Route Is The Only Route Regularly Used On The Zaire Side Of The Ruwenzoris. All Other Routes Are So Overgrown With Vegetation That They Are Virtually Impossible To Climb. On The First Day, It Takes Five To Six Hours Of Hiking From The Park Headquarters At Mutsora (5600 Ft./1700 M) Through Small Fields Of Bananas, Coffee, And Other Crops To Reach Kalonge Hut (7015 Ft./2135 M). The Hut Sleeps 16 Persons, And There Is Room For Tents Nearby. On The Second Day, One Passes Through Areas With Giant Stinging Nettles And Bamboo Forest Over 100 Feet (30 M) High.
Mt. Kenya National Park
Mt. Kenya National Park Kenya's Highest Mountain And The Second Highest On The Continent, Mount Kenya Lies Just Below The Equator, Yet Has Several Permanent Glaciers. Mt. Kenya's Two Highest Peaks, Batian (17,058 Ft./5l99 M.) And Nelion (17,023 Ft./5188 M.), Are Accessible By About 25 Routes And Should Be Attempted Only By Experienced Rock Climbers. Point Lenana (16,355 Ft./4985 M.) Is A Nontechni-Cal Climb Accessible To Hikers In Good Condition And Is Best Climbed In The Dry Seasons. January-February Is The Best Time To Go When Views Are The Clearest And Temperatures Are Warmer On Top; July-October Is Also Dry But Colder.