Mt. Kilimanjaro
National Park
Mount
Kilimanjaro National Park covers an area of 1668 sq km and is located in
northern Tanzania close to the town of Moshi, 200 miles South of the
Equator.
 The Park has been a game reserve since 1921 and was
designated a National Park in 1973. The park was declared a World Heritage Site
by UNESCO in 1987.
The rainforest is home to many species of animals and
birds including,
leopard,
rhino,
elephant,
buffalo.
Kilimanjaro is the highest
mountain in Africa, and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world,
reaching a height of 5895 meters (19,336 feet). It is a dormant volcano, with
the diameter at its base being 40 miles. There are two main snow capped peaks,
Kibo and Mawenzi.
The vegetation around and up the mountain is very
diverse and varied. Montane forest occurs between 1700 m and 2800m.
From about 2800m to 4000m it is a Semi-Desert where giant groundsels
(Senecio Kilimanjari) that seem to guard the heights, are
abundant.
Above 4000m the landscape is alpine desert which supports
little life other than mosses and lichen. From here to the summit the land
gradually changes into barren, bare rock and loose scree slopes.
 The summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m), is on the
volcanic crater rim, with glaciers on the surrounding slopes and in the crater
are several ice fields.
Most people visit the region for the purpose of
climbing the mountain. There are six main
routes up the mountain ranging in degree of difficulty:
Machame Route
Marangu Route “Coca Cola
Route"
Lemosho Route
Rongai Route
Umbwe Route
Shira Route
---> Suggested List of Equipment for the
Climb
---> Best Time to Climb
Please
respect the park and keep it's beauty for future visitors to enjoy, take all
your own litter away with you.
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