Mountain Kilimanjaro national park is one of the most visited parks in Tanzania. The park got its name from the iconic attraction here; Kilimanjaro Mountain, Africa’s highest snowcapped peak.

Covering a total land area of about 1,668 square kilometers, Mountain Kilimanjaro national park has a good number of tourism attractions and activities that travelers to the park would engage in.

First declared as a game reserve by the German colonial rule in the early twentieth century, it is now among the world heritage UNESCO site rewarding travelers with the best adventure safaris and vacations in Tanzania now.

Mountain climbing. This is the commonest activity in Mountain Kilimanjaro national park. Thousands of world travelers hit the country just to hike up Africa’s highest free standing peak. Hiking up the mountain has several trails like the Marangu route, Rongai route, and others. Summiting the Kibo peak at 5’895 meters high, Kilimanjaro’s highest that is always snowcapped throughout the year gives you spectacular views of the surrounding town, other peaks of the mountain like Shira peak and green surrounding lush.

Wildlife viewing. Mountain Kilimanjaro being the iconic attraction in this park, one might think mountain climbing is the only activity done here. However, the park is also a home to several wildlife species that can be spotted while hiking, cycling or guided nature walks. Even if the wildlife diversity here cannot be compared to the one in other Tanzanian national parks, tourists can’t still fail to see the vervet monkeys, colobus monkeys, baboons, elands, elephants, honey badger and the genet cats.

Cycling. The Kilema route was specifically designed for cyclists who wish to reach the top of Africa’s highest peak by bicycle. Ride through the farmlands of the Chagga people enjoying the beautiful scenery of the surrounding. Note that cycling to the top incurs extra costs and needs to use mountain bikes accompanied by a tourist guide who is well knowledgeable about Kilimanjaro

Bird watching. Just like any other mountain peak in East Africa, say the Rwenzori Mountains of the moon, Kilimanjaro Mountain also boasts quite a good number of bird species. Over 150 bird species call this park a home, both migratory and those endemic to this area. Birders in Kilimanjaro can never fail to see the resident black shouldered kite, long tailed trogon, Gabar goshawk, blue napped mouse birds, grey hornbill, African fish eagles, white cheeked barbet, African pygmy kingfisher, red capped robin chat and white necked Raven among others.

Nature guided walks. Unlike mountain climbing, the nature guided walks don’t aim at reaching the top. This is just a simple way of stretching out the body into nature. Nature walks are commonly done in the lower slopes of Mountain Kilimanjaro. The walk gives you really up close encounters with even the slightest insights of nature. On the walk tourists might come across the black and white monkeys, the colobus monkeys, olive baboons, butterfly species, insects, bird species and several other wonderful features.

Nonetheless, tourists engage in camping, picnicking, filming, scenic viewing and other thrilling self-made activities.

Remember Kilimanjaro mountain national park can be visited all year round, however, the best time would be during the dry season, from mid-June to October and December to June when the snow is reduced and the trails not so slippery.

About accessibility, it’s no hustle, the park can be accessed from Arusha within two hours or one hour from Moshi town, as well as an hour and half drive from Kilimanjaro International airport.

Accommodation in the park is mostly bandas, however, numerous hotels and lodges have been constructed around the park. From the top luxury, midrange to super budget, nothing you can fail to get in Mountain Kilimanjaro national park.