Kilimanjaro National Park is located on the northern border between Tanzania and Kenya. It contains the montane forest surrounding Mount Kilimanjaro and has a total area of 652 square miles (1,688 square kilometres). Mount Kilimanjaro has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of Africa's Seven Natural Wonders.
Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world, may be found in Kilimanjaro National Park. Uhuru Peak, its highest point, is 19,341 feet (5,895 metres) above sea level. Of the three volcanic peaks that make up Mount Kilimanjaro, Uhuru is a portion of Kibo's Kibo cone.
Mount Kilimanjaro and its surrounding national park region stand out from other national parks since nearly all habitats are represented between the mountain's base and peak. The mountain's ascent takes hikers through various ecosystems to its arctic summit, including farmland, forest, heath, moorland, and desert.
The largest mountain on the seven continents makes up the "seven summits," Mount Kilimanjaro is the simplest of these peaks to scale. As a result, Kilimanjaro is the peak that attracts the most significant number of mountaineers.
Seven recognized trails lead to the summit. The Marangu trail is the most popular because of its relative ease and the presence of communal shelters where travellers can rest their heads. The most common reason individuals give up on the climb is that they can't handle the high altitude. Seven-year-olds and 89-year-olds alike have conquered the peak.
Although elephants, leopards, and buffalo are rare, the montane forest is nevertheless worth exploring for the wildlife it may contain. You shouldn't expect to see these things on top of Kilimanjaro. Western black and white colobus monkeys are a lot of fun to watch as they swing from branch to branch.
1. The Three Mt. Kilimanjaro Peaks
Although it lies close to the equator, Mount Kilimanjaro's highest summit, Kibo Peak (5,895 metres), is blanketed in the snow the entire year, scaling it a once-in-a-lifetime expedition.
Mawenzi Peak: is Mount Kilimanjaro's second-highest summit, rising 145 metres and maintaining its glacial features despite its ruggedness.
Shira Peak: The Shira peak, which rises to a height of 3,962 metres, is the oldest peak to have collapsed. It created the Shira plateau, a region of remarkable visual splendour on the mountain home to a variety of big migratory mammals, most notably elands and buffalos.
2. Waterfall
The 2.8 km long waterfall on the Marangu trail offers breathtaking views while strolling through the dense montane forest.
3. Maundi Crater
Maundi Crater offers a panoramic view of Lakes Chala, Jipe, and Nyumba ya Mungu. They receive their water from the majestic Kilimanjaro and are only 15 minutes walk from Mandara Huts on the Marangu Route.
4. Wildlife
Birds, animal species like the bushbuck, red duiker, elephants, cape buffaloes, blue monkeys, eastern black and white colobus, leopards, and over 140 species of mammals, including 7 primates, 25 carnivores, 25 antelopes, 24 species of bat, and 179 bird species, can all be found in the Kilimanjaro National Park.
5. Vegetation zone division
As you climb Kilimanjaro, the vegetation and weather change in response to the shifting elevation. The montane forest, heath and moorland, alpine desert, the summit zone (arctic), and the mountain peak is covered in snow all year round. In a brief tour, the five eco-climatic zones transport you to the equivalent of a trip from the equator to the Arctic.
6. Mountainous Forest
The Kilimanjaro mountain is encircled by a broad band of breathtaking montane forests in the Kilimanjaro national park, which is worth visiting even if you are not hiking the summits. The forest zone is located between 1800 and 2800 metres above sea level.
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