Logo The Travel Cafe Cape Town
KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK

- Kilimanjaro National Park - 
home to Mount Kilimanjaro

Ask for a quote now!
 
As the name suggests, this beautiful park is home to Mount Kilimanjaro, towering over the surrounding landscape at a seriously impressive 5,895m /19,340ft – making it not only the highest mountain in Africa, but also the largest free-standing mountain in the world. 

Kilimanjaro is the epitome of East African natural beauty. There is no more iconic picture of Africa than that of a giraffe or an elephant peacefully grazing in the savannah under the shade of an acacia tree, with the perfectly shaped Kilimanjaro and its snow-topped peaks filling the background. 

Besides its obvious aesthetic beauty, Mount Kilimanjaro’s ecosystem is also so unique that it was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1987. The mountain has five main vegetation zones. These are, from the lowest to the highest point: Lower slopes, montane forest, heath and moorland, alpine desert and summit. 

Due to this diversity of habitat and the soil rich in volcanic minerals, Kilimanjaro provides a haven for a record breaking 671 avian species as well as grazing herds of zebra, wildebeest, and buffalo and countless antelopes. Underground water streams resulting from the melting of the glaciers, provide water in abundance and as a result, you will find some of Africa’s healthiest elephants herds right here. 
The volcanic soil also accounts for the region’s famous coffee plantations. Moshi, a town nestled at the foot of the mountain, is one of Tanzania’s most beautiful towns, surrounded by rolling fields of coffee, bananas, cassava, and maize crops. A visit to a coffee plantation is highly recommended to learn more about the journey from bean to latté. 
However, the highlight and goal of most visitors who wish to include this park in their Tanzanian itinerary, is simply: Mt. Kilimanjaro. Few mountains can claim the fame, the prestige and the views that the “Rooftop of Africa” provide its visitors. Successfully reaching the summit truly is the adventure of a lifetime, and a major bucketlist experience. 

Compared to the rest of the Seven Peak, the tallest mountains on each continent, reaching the summit of Kili is relatively easily achieved. While you will need perseverance and some stamina, there are seven routes to the top, some well suited for even inexperienced hikers without extraordinary levels of fitness. 

Machame is one of the easiest routes for beginners and offers the most comfort with overnighting options in huts instead of camping. It usually takes 5 days, but you can choose to add an extra day for altitude acclimatization. Camping routes include Lemosho, Shira and Machame, while they are suitable for more experienced hikers, they also offer more scenic beauty. 

If selecting the right route for you sounds overwhelming, fear not – that’s exactly where we at The Travel Cafe come in. Based on your unique needs, we will discuss your requirements in depth before recommending the route we believe will that would suit you best to successfully achieve your dream of safely reaching the summit, while having the best time ever!
View sample itineraries to Tanzania

Each region is unique!

Click on the different regions below to find out more about the unique beauty each offers, and when the best time is to visit.

- Best time to visit Kilimanjaro National Park -

Best time to visit Kilimanjaro National Park

Winter (June to September): The best time to go to Kilimanjaro is during the dry season from June to September. While June will still have some bitterly cold nights, especially as you get closer to the top of the mountain, the weather should be dry with very little to no precipitation. Most travellers choose to visit in August, for slightly warmer temperatures, making June much quieter with almost climber-free routes.  

If you are not an experienced hiker, we strongly recommend July and August as it is much easier to hike on dry slopes. Temperatures are very hard to predict, and it is worth mentioning that in winter temperatures can drop as low as -20°C / -5°F at the summit. We will discuss the needed gear with you in depth, to make sure you have an enjoyable experience whatever the weather. Visiting Kili between June and September has the added bonus of working beautifully with a safari in the Serengeti (click here for more about that destination). 


Summer (January to March): January to March is summer and our second favourite time to visit Kilimanjaro as these warm months bring dry weather, mild temperatures and sunny days with beautifully clear blue skies. As this dry season is shorter, make sure to plan your hike in February if you are a beginner, so as not to catch either the last of spring rains or the beginning of the autumn rains. If you do not plan to climb Mount Kili, this is also a beautiful season for travel. 


Spring (November- December):  Spring will bring short rains, and this is not the best time to climb Kilimanjaro. Rain can start mudslides, rocks are more slippery, and you may catch quite a bit of snowfall once you approach the summit. Only experienced hikers should contemplate climbing during this season. If your main interest is the surrounding scenery, however, and visiting the base of Kilimanjaro, then this season is perfectly fine as the rains at the base are short and refreshing. 


Autumn  (April - May):   Autumn is the worst season to visit Kilimanjaro if your aim is to reach the summit. Most reputable tour operators do not offer climbs during these months at all, as the danger is considered too great. Only expert hikers should consider this season, and even then, it may not be considered worthwhile, as the rains and the snowfall will greatly reduce visibility, robbing you of some magical views.

Contact us now!

 View more itineraries to Tanzania

Share by: