Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, is located between latitude 2º50” and 3°10” E, about 330km South of the Equator, Northern Tanzania. Its size is 1688 square Kilometres and comprises of two dormant (Kibo 5,895m a.m.s.l and Mawenzi 5,149m a.m.s.l) and one extinct (Shira 3,962m a.m.s.l) volcanoes respectively. It is the World’s highest free standing mountains that rise on the undulating surrounding plain that averages around 1000m above sea level. It was declared as a National Park in 1973, officially opened for tourism in 1977, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987 and Natural Wonder of Africa in 2013. The Park Headquarters is at Marangu, about 44 Km from Moshi town and 86km from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Climate
The climate is mainly influenced by the prevailing trade winds. There are two rainy seasons in a year. The wet season is from March to May during which it rains around the mountain base and snow accumulates on its peak. The dry season is from late June through September during which the nights are cool and the days completely clear.
During the short rainy period of October – December there is rain during the day whereas the nights and mornings remain clear with excellent visibility. January and February are usually dry, warm and clear with brief rain showers that provides for good climbing conditions.
How to Get There
The distance from Arusha City to Moshi Town is 123Km and it takes two-hour (2hrs), reaching to Marangu (Park Headquarter) from Moshi Town is 48 km and takes an hour (1Hour) drive. It is about 86Km from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) to Park Headquarter (Marangu) by road and it take one and half hour (1Hr30Min). The park can only be reached by road.
Best Time to Visit
Mountain climbing can be done throughout the year. However, the best time is mid June-October and December-mid March.