Mount Kilimanjaro National Park protects 1,688 sq km around Africa’s highest mountain, whose Uhuru Peak stands at 5,895 m, making Kilimanjaro the tallest freestanding mountain on Earth. The park became a national park in 1973 after decades as a colonial-era forest and game reserve, and UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1987.
The park at a glance
- 1,688 sq km surrounding Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak
- Uhuru Peak reaches 5,895 m, the summit of Kilimanjaro’s Kibo cone
- Declared a national park in 1973, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987
- Built from three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira
A mountain of three peaks
Kilimanjaro is a dormant stratovolcano made up of three distinct volcanic cones: Kibo, the highest and the one climbers summit; Mawenzi, a jagged, technical peak to the east; and Shira, a broad plateau to the west formed by an earlier collapsed cone. The mountain’s slopes pass through several distinct climate zones on the way up, from cultivated farmland and rainforest to moorland, alpine desert and finally arctic ice near the summit.
Seven routes to the summit
Climbers can choose from seven officially recognised routes to the top: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Northern Circuit, Rongai, Umbwe and Shira, each offering a different balance of scenery, difficulty and acclimatisation time. No technical climbing skills are required on the standard routes, but the altitude alone makes proper acclimatisation essential for a safe summit attempt.
Things to do
- Multi-day treks to Uhuru Peak via one of seven established routes
- Shorter day hikes into the lower rainforest zones
- Wildlife spotting in the park’s forested lower slopes
Practical information
- Reached via Moshi or Arusha, both served by Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Multiple days are needed on any route to allow proper altitude acclimatisation
- Best combined with a wider northern Tanzania safari circuit
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park offers one of Africa’s most iconic treks alongside its wildlife-rich lower slopes. Offmap Safaris can build it into a northern Tanzania itinerary. To start planning, visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected]. See also our notes on health and safety and responsible travel.