Kilimanjaro National Park (Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Kilimanjaro, in Swahili) is a national park in Tanzania located about 300 kilometers (190 miles) south of the equator in the Kilimanjaro Region, near Moshi. The park includes the entire area of Mount Kilimanjaro above the tree line and the surrounding forest area above 1,820 meters (5,970 feet). It covers an area of 1,688 square kilometers (652 square miles) and is located between 2°50'–3°10'S and 37°10'–37°40'E. The park is managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA). It was created as a national park in 1973. In 1987, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site, and in 2013, it was named one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.

The park headquarters is located in Marangu, about 44 kilometers from Moshi town and 86 kilometers from Kilimanjaro International Airport. In 2013, the park earned US$51 million in revenue, the second-highest amount among Tanzanian national parks. It was one of only two Tanzanian national parks to earn more money than it spent during the 2012–2013 budget year. (The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which includes the Ngorongoro Crater, is not a national park.) During the 2012–2013 budget year, the park welcomed 58,460 visitors, of whom 54,584 were from other countries. In the 2011–2012 budget year, 57,456 visitors came to the park, and 16,425 of them hiked Mount Kilimanjaro. This number was much lower than the park’s maximum allowed number of 28,470, as outlined in the park’s General Management Plan.

History

In the early 1900s, Mount Kilimanjaro and its nearby forests were made a game reserve by the German colonial government. In 1921, the area was changed to a forest reserve. In 1973, the part of the mountain above the tree line (around 2,700 meters (8,900 feet)) became a national park. In 1987, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization named the park a World Heritage Site. In 2005, the park was expanded to include the entire montane forest, which was part of the Kilimanjaro Forest Reserve.

Tourism

Mount Kilimanjaro is the main attraction of the park, and many visitors try to reach its top. Climbing is only allowed on specific paths, and visitors must use licensed guides. These rules are managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA).

The official climbing routes are:

• Marangu Route
• Machame Route
• Lemosho Route
• Northern Circuit Route
• Rongai Route
• Umbwe Route
• Shira Route

Fauna

Many different animals live in the park. Above the tree line, the Kilimanjaro tree hyrax, grey duiker, and small mammals are often seen. These animals are commonly found in this area. The bushbuck and red duiker can sometimes be found above the tree line. Cape buffaloes live in the montane forest and are occasionally seen in the moorland and grassland. Elephants are found between the Namwai and Tarakia rivers and may also be seen at higher elevations. In the montane forests, blue monkeys, eastern black and white colobuses, bushbabies, and leopards live.