{"id":8,"title_en":"Kilimanjaro National Park","title_sw":"Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Mlima Kilimanjaro","content_en":"<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:16px\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif\">Kilimanjaro National Park<br \/>\r\nThe park was gazetted in 1973, officially opened for tourism in 1977, declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987 and Natural Wonder of Africa in 2013. Its size is 1712 Km2 .<br \/>\r\nGetting there The park can be accessed by road or flight via Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School &ndash; about 45 km to the west. Marangu gate is the Park Headquarters and one of the ascending route is located 41 km from Moshi town and 86 km from Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School. The other seven gates of Rongai, Machame, Londorosi, Lemosho, Kilema, Mweka and Umbwe are located around the mountain base and can be reached by road.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:16px\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif\"><strong>Climate<\/strong><br \/>\r\nThere are two rainy seasons in a year mainly influenced by the prevailing trade winds. The short rainy period is from October to November and 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 to September and from December to early March during which the nights are cool and the days completely clear and thus provides good climbing conditions.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:16px\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif\"><strong>Attractions<\/strong><br \/>\r\nThe Park is endowed with a diverse variety of attractions ranging from terrestrial wilderness to permanent glaciers on the mountain peaks. Three Peaks Kibo, the highest peak [5,895m] is covered by snow throughout the year though located near the equator and to many climbers, conquering this peak is an adventure of their lifetime. Mawenzi [5,149m] is rugged and opened for technical climb. Shira [3,962m] is the oldest peak that collapsed and forms a shira plateau with outstanding scenic beauty on the mountain habited with several kinds of migratory large mammals such as buffaloes, elephants and elands.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:16px\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif\"><strong>Montane Forest<\/strong><br \/>\r\nA wide band of exceptionally beautiful montane forest encircles the whole of Kilimanjaro from about 1800 &ndash; 2800m. The forest zone is worth a visit even if you are not climbing to the peaks. The present nature trails in particular take you through this forest belt. This belt supports several plant species, including endemic ones like Impatiens kilimanjari.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:16px\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif\"><strong>Birds and Animals<\/strong><br \/>\r\nThe park harbors more than 179 bird species inhabit the different vegetation zones. At high altitudes, the White Necked Raven, Lammergeyer and Alpine Chat are common. The mountain also inhabits 140 species of mammals; 7 primates, 25 carnivores, 25 antelopes and 24 species of bat. Hikers may see various animals including the Black and White Colobus Monkey, Blue monkey, Forest Duikers and small mammals like Myosorex zinkii which is endemic to Mt. Kilimanjaro.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:16px\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif\"><strong>Zonation of Vegetation<\/strong><br \/>\r\nFive eco-climatic zones take you to the equivalent of a trip from the equator to the arctic in a brief tour. As one climbs Kilimanjaro, vegetation and weather changes in response to the changing elevation from montane forest, heath and moorland, alpine desert and the summit zone (arctic). The mountain peak is covered by snow all year-round.<br \/>\r\n&bull; Kifinika Cultural Site This is a sacred site along Marangu route that is used by the local Chagga people. Historically, the site was used for cultural rituals.<br \/>\r\n&bull; Maundi Crater Located just 15 minutes walk past Mandara huts on the Marangu route the crater provides a panoramic view of Lakes Chala, Jipe and Nyumba ya Mungu, all of which derive their water from the majestic Kilimanjaro.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:16px\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif\">&bull; <strong>Lauwo waterfall<\/strong><br \/>\r\nThis waterfall is located 2.8 kms from Marangu gate. It provides a spectacular experience while enjoying walking inside the thick montane forest.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:16px\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif\">&bull;<strong> Lake Chala <\/strong><br \/>\r\nLake Chala is located about 30 minutes&rsquo; drive from Himo town. Although situated outside the Park, the lake is an important geological link to the park. This deep fresh water lake can be visited prior to, or after climbing the mountain<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:16px\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif\"><strong>Tourism Activities<\/strong><br \/>\r\nClimbing to the Summit Climbing to Kibo peak takes 5 &ndash; 9 days depending on the route. Seven mountain trails can take a climber to the mountain peak, each route offering different attractions and challenges.<br \/>\r\n&bull; Mountain Cycling On two wheels tourist has a chance of cycling to the roof of Africa. There are two routes which are used for cycling, one for summit bound visitors (Kilema route) and second one for non summit visitors (Shira plateau).<br \/>\r\n&bull; Crater Camping Camping in the crater provides unique visitors&rsquo; night experience. While at the crater tourists can visit the unique bench-shaped like glaciers, the formation that can only be found at Mount Kilimanjaro<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:16px\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif\"><strong>Paragliding Tourists<\/strong><br \/>\r\ncan fly from the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and may use parachutes or wingsuits while undertaking this activity.<br \/>\r\n&bull; Mawenzi Technical Climbing Mawenzi is the second highest peak on Mount Kilimanjaro. Technical climbers can hike the present seven sub-peaks while enjoying the view of cliffs, complexity of gullies and rock faces.<br \/>\r\n&bull; Non summit tourism activities includes, visit to the water falls, walking on nature trails, visiting maundi crater and cultural sites such as kifinika [in the park] and cultural camps in the villages around.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:16px\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif\"><strong>Available tourism facilities<\/strong><br \/>\r\n&bull;Huts The park provides huts accommodation for mountain climbers using Marangu route at Mandara, Horombo and Kibo mountain stations.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:16px\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif\">&bull;Camping There are profesionaly designated camping sites with toilet facilities on the wilderness routes of Rongai, Mweka, Umbwe, Machame, Lemosho, Kilema and Londorosi. Also rescue services for the sick and injured including first aid and radio communications are available in all mountain stations.<br \/>\r\n&bull;Trail Network The network of nature trails offers a spectacular scenic beauty of the vegetation zones. Each trail represents distinct flora and fauna with a view of the mountain peaks, geological features and physical chalenge to climb differs significantly between the trails.<\/span><\/span><\/p>","content_sw":"<p>&#39;<\/p>","photo_url":"0a51595b61123e15d3b8b2b9399a8916.jpeg","slug":"antiquities","active":"1","created_at":"2024-07-12T14:20:25.000000Z","updated_at":"2024-07-30T16:23:03.000000Z","deleted_at":null}