Introduction |
Northern Circuit |
Southern Circuit |
Coastal Circuit |
Western Circuit
Please select the National Park or Game Reserve from the list below:
Northern
Circuit
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro, by any name, is a
metaphor for the compelling beauty of East Africa. When you see
it, you understand why. Not only is this the highest peak on the
African continent; it is also the tallest free-standing mountain
in the world, rising in breathtaking isolation from the surrounding
coastal scrubland – elevation around 900 metres –
to an imperious 5,895 metres (19,336 feet).
Kilimanjaro Mountain is a World Heritage Site, its outstanding
features are its 3 major volcanic centers, Shira in the west,
Mawenzi in the east and the snow-capped Kibo in the center. Kilimanjaro
is one of the world's most accessible high summits, a beacon for
visitors from around the world. Most climbers reach the crater
rim with little more than a walking stick, proper clothing and
determination. And those who reach Uhuru Point, the actual summit,
or Gillman's Point on the lip of the crater, will have earned
their climbing certificates.
And their memories.
But there is so much more to Kili than her summit. The ascent
of the slopes is a virtual climatic world tour, from the tropics
to the Arctic.
Even before you cross the national park boundary (at the 2,700m
contour), the cultivated footslopes give way to lush montane forest,
inhabited by elusive elephant, leopard, buffalo, the endangered
Abbot’s duiker, and other small antelope and primates. Higher
still lies the moorland zone, where a cover of giant heather is
studded with otherworldly giant lobelias.
Above 4,000m, a surreal alpine desert supports little life other
than a few hardy mosses and lichen. Then, finally, the last vestigial
vegetation gives way to a winter wonderland of ice and snow –
and the magnificent beauty of the roof of the continent.
Location:
Near Moshi town, 2 hours drive (128 km) from Arusha or 1 hour
drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Things to Do:
Six usual trekking routes through the Kilimanjaro Forest Reserve
to the summit: Marangu, Mwika, Umbwe, Machame, Shira and Rongai.
Day or overnight hikes on the Shira plateau. Nature trails on
the lower reaches.
Time to visit:
Clearest and warmest conditions from December to February, but
also dry (and colder) from July-September. The ascent and the
descent take 5 to 6 days. The mountain can be climbed by any normally
fit person, with the assistance of a guide and porters.
Animals:
Elusive elephant, leopard, buffalo, the endangered Abbot’s
duiker, and other small antelope and primates.
For safari packages,
please visit Northern
Circuit Safaris
section on Packages page
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