Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro is Tanzania's national park with Africa's highest point - Mount Kilimanjaro. From the Swahili language, the name of the mountain translates as "firing mountain". A snow hat on top in clear weather can be seen even from large distances.
Kilimanjaro National Park lies in the region of the same name, 128 km from the city of Arusha. In 1910, Germany, whose colony was then Tanzania realized that it was necessary to save these places for descendants and created a hunting reserve. In 1921 he received the status of a forest reserve, and in 1973, a national park was declared on this territory above 2700 meters on the mountain. In 2005, the territory of the Kilimanjaro National Park was increased from 753 km2 up to 1668 km2.
Every year, up to 10,000 people conquer Mount Kilimanjaro, for them 6 routes were laid here to climb the mountain. You should also admire the Shira plateau or go fishing on Lake Chala. The highest point of the mountain is Kibo peak ( 5895 meters ), and the base of the mountain is 60 km. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, and also the highest single mountain in the world. The mountain appeared as a result of the movement of tectonic plates, and 3 of its peak appeared due to the activity of the volcano. Sometimes in the craters you can see gas emissions, since the volcano is still not rotten. The volcano Kilimanjaro mentioned the Ptolemy for the first time, drawing it on its map, but only in the 17th century did Europeans see the glaciers of the mountain in the heart of Africa.
Climbing to the top of Kilimanjaro, travelers go through several plant zones: crops grow on the slopes below, beautiful rainforests spread over 2 km, in the crowns of which many birds took refuge, and small animals hide in the bush. From 3 km heathers, lichens, shrubs begin to dominate. Near the snow hat, only some varieties of mosses and flowers can get along, but oddly enough buffaloes and leopards come across here. In addition to them, on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, you can meet lions, elephants, various monkeys, and over 170 species of birds.
Serious preparation is desirable for climbing the mountain, almost all tourists go here to get unforgettable impressions, enjoy the views that open from the top, see a variety of animals and birds. It is best to climb mountains from August to October and in January-February. At other times, it is very hot or heavy rains. It is worth considering that there are sharp temperature drops and powerful winds on the mountain.
Kilimanjaro is watching the cleanliness of the slopes, huts for recreation are erected at high altitudes, and the routes are well marked.
