Mount Kilimanjaro National Park

Tanzania Safaris Destination

Mount Kilimanjaro National Park

Mt Kilimanjaro National Park: Home to Africa’s tallest mountain

Kilimanjaro National Park is home to Africa’s highest mountain and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. In 1987 the park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its unique geological form rising from the flat savannah, its diverse wildlife, and its multiple vegetation zones.

Mount Kilimanjaro consists of three peaks. The highest central peak is called Kibo (5,895m) and is a dormant volcano. It is flanked by the smaller Shira in the west (4,269 m) and Mawenzi in the east (5,280 m). However, both are extinct, whilst Kibo last erupted 150,000 and 200,000 years ago and could in theory awaken any day.

Vegetation in Mt Kilimanjaro National Park

The mountain’s vegetation is extremely varied with ~2,500 plant species. Two striking flowers include the endemic Impatiens Kilimanjari, which is a beautiful orchid-like plant and the beautiful Violet Viola Eminii.

~140 tree species can be found in the lush green belt of montane forests. The next vegetative zone, a heath and moorland, is where Giant Lobelias grace the landscape. The alpine desert zone above 4,000 m looks like a moonscape – full of rocks and dust. From the top of Kibo hikers will be rewarded with views of glaciers and three huge concentric craters.

Activities & what to do

The majority of the park’s visitors are hikers with the same goal in mind – to make it to Africa’s highest peak. Our trekking Mount Kilimanjaro page is a good place to find out more.

Scratch deeper and you will discover that one of the best ways to experience the park with its outstanding views, plants and wildlife is during a 4-hour guided walk to the Shira Plateau.

A wealth of wildlife can be seen on your journey there. ~140 mammal species live in the park and on the drive through the montane forests you may get a chance to see 87 of the forest species, such as the Colobus Monkey and the Mitis Monkey. Elephants, leopards, buffalos, and various antelopes including the endangered Abbot Duiker live here. So do ~179 highland bird species and 24 bat species.

But hiking and plantlife are certainly the focus of a visit to the Kilimanjaro National Park. The Shira Plateau walk starts at 3,500m and it is your chance to take in its sounds, and smells, and colours. Enjoy outstanding views of Kibo; the vast plains of Kenya’s Amboseli National Park and the deep Simba River gorge. At the Shira Crater rim stop to see the volcanic cones dotting the landscape. Go at your own pace; enjoy a picnic lunch and discover the wonders of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park.

When to go

Best time to go to Mt Kilimanjaro National Park

In Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, it is possible to experience 4 seasons in one day all year round. Saying that, the best time to go to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is during the dry-season from June to end of October. This season is the period with the best weather on the mountain and the chance of cloud cover obscuring your view is much smaller. Evening and morning temperatures plummet and frosts are common, so remember to pack warm clothes. The park is still accessible during the two rainy periods from November to December and March to May, however the weather is less favourable.

Dry Season

June to Octover Best for walking the trail to the Shira crater or climbing to the summit of Kibo

Green Season

May to June & December to February The best time to experience the national park with fewer people.

Why book with us

Experienced Guides

With years of safari guiding across Tanzania, our team ensures every moment is rich with discovery, comfort, and local connection.

Experienced Guides

With years of safari guiding across Tanzania, our team ensures every moment is rich with discovery, comfort, and local connection.

Experienced Guides

With years of safari guiding across Tanzania, our team ensures every moment is rich with discovery, comfort, and local connection.

What Our Travelers Say

Nothing speaks louder than the voices of travelers who have explored Tanzania with us. Whether it’s a first-time safari or a return journey, our guests consistently highlight our expert guides, seamless organization, and the unforgettable moments we create together.

    
 
 
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   Christian R 
 
 
 
 Verified Excellent experience, we happily recommend Jema Safaris.
Our Tanzania safari was a special trip, beautifully organized by Jema Safaris & Tours from start to finish, and we are delighted that we decided to go on a 3-day, 2-night group safari. Traveling with others turned out to be one of the most enjoyable aspects of the experience. We peacefully explored the famous Serengeti and the legendary Ngorongoro Crater. Our driver guide was very helpful and provided necessary information throughout the trip. As a short safari, our itinerary struck a wonderful balance between wildlife and adventure.
  
 
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   Davide B 
 
 
 
 Verified Great five days Safari in Tanzania
We just came back from an amazing 5-day safari in Tanzania, and it was the best trip ever. On our first day, we went to Tarangire National Park. It was so beautiful, with really big trees and lots of elephants right next to our jeep. For the second and third days, we visited the Serengeti. Having two full days there was great. The wide open spaces were beautiful, and we saw so many animals, including lions and leopards. On day four, we went to the Ngorongoro Crater. It felt like a completely different world, and there were so many animals living close together down there. Finally, on the fifth day, we finished our trip at Lake Manyara. It is a very green park with a big lake, lots of monkeys, and beautiful birds. It was a nice change from the other parks. The animals were great, but our guide, Allan, made the trip really special. He was fantastic! Allan knew so much and explained everything about the animals and nature to us in a simple way. He was always ready to help with anything we needed. The best part was that he was so friendly. During the long drives in the car or when we were just waiting, we could talk and joke with him easily. It felt like traveling with a good friend. If you want to go on a safari in Tanzania, this plan is perfect, and you should definitely ask for Allan to be your guide!
  
 
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   Elke 
 
 
 
 Verified Great experience in Tanzania with Tanzanians
My 12 year old daughter and me went on a 4-day safari with Jema Safaris & Tours. After our whole family had done already a safari in Tanzania with one of the big providers in 2023, we aimed for a truly local one this time. Jema Safaris & Tours turned to be a very good choice. Starting with an easy, but professional booking procedure, we felt comfortable and safe all the time. While aligning itineraries all our wishes were considered, response time was very quick and payment procedure was reliable and fair. The suggested accommodations were close to the parks we wanted to visit and thus helped to start game drives early in the morning without long transfers. Especially Osupuko Tarangire Lodge was amazing, with nice views from the dining area and swimming pool. On safari we focused on Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, which is a true paradise on earth. We had incredible wildlife encounters and even got to see 4 rhinos very close. Our guide, Allan K. contributed a lot to this unforgettable experience. He turned out to be a very knowledgeable, thus funny guide, excellent driver and most of all took great care of us and made us feel welcome and safe. Apart from all the information about wildlife and nature he shared insights about life and people in Tanzania, which we appreciated a lot. We can definitely recommend Jema Safaris & Tours. They provide very good service and are a truly local company run by experienced, dedicated and reliable people.
  
 
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   steve 
 
 
 
 Verified Great Day
Today was a great day!! The guide picked me up at the hotel and we started our journey through the towns. Eddie provided lots of great information along the way. Once we got to the village we were joined by a local guide who knew everyone and lead us to the waterfall. The views along the way were amazing. What really made the trip was the time we spent talking and even after many hours the guide wanted to show the city of Arusha with bustling farmer district and shops. It true the guide can make it a good trip or a great one. Thank you for the memories!!
  
 
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   Mirian G 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing safari!
We were so lucky to have Dickson as our Spanish-speaking guide! He spoke the language very well, and was incredibly attentive, friendly, respectful, and responsible. He went above and beyond on the safari to make sure we had a fantastic time! He was very considerate of our personal wish to see big cats. He's also an excellent driver. We would choose him again without hesitation!
  
 
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   lauram06082026 
 
 
 
 Verified A Life Changing Safari with Jema
Jema Safaris provided us with an experience that went beyond our wildest expectations. We decided to book our safari ourselves and Jema worked with us from afar to customize our trip with attention to our budget and our interests. Our guide, Hassan, has proved invaluable: he is steady, thoughtful, good humored, well informed, and an excellent driver. It is a pleasure to spend a week with him. He has taught us so much both about nature and culture in Tanzania. We will certainly travel with Jema when we come back! Jema was fantastic from start to finish.
  
 
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   Harry M 
 
 
 
 Verified Coffee, culture, and the falls, the combination of all of this was truly a special experience for us.
Our visit to Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Tour in Tanzania was one of the most beautiful experiences The one that will be remembered for a lifetime. We began with a scenic walk through lush coffee farms and tiny villages, where everyone greeted us with smiles. Eddy was a perfect and professional as our tour companion. we joined the locals for a traditional coffee-making session, such a joyful and real experience. The aroma of the coffee was heavenly, and tasting our own cup felt so rewarding. Appreciate Jema Safaris and Tours for their hospitable service and to give the gift of an exciting, romantic trip.
  
 
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   Maraus 
 
 
 
 Verified The journey was truly special for us ❤️
We definitely respect Jema Safaris and Tours for their commitment. They have provided good service out of their sense of responsibility. Our day trip at Ngorongoro Crater was amazed by the sheer density of wildlife. Zebras grazed alongside wildebeests, buffalo roamed freely. Everything felt untouched, pristine, and perfectly balanced. George was a fantastic guide. He always laughed with us and explained to us about the animals. We kept thinking about how rare it is to see such harmony in the natural world. The Ngorongoro Crater a reminder of the rawness and beauty of nature.
  
 
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   Jhon Max 
 
 
 
 Verified Our day trip at Zanzibar & we felt pure paradise.
With Jema Safaris was the best journeys in our life. Zanzibar is a perfect blend of culture, nature, and pure beauty. We explored Stone Town's winding alleys, discovering hidden cafe and colorful markets. The local food was delicious 😋. And we tasted some traditional dishes. The beaches wast awesome, white sand, turquoise water, and gentle waves. Walking along Nungwi at sunset felt like a dream. It was a cultural journey that leaves we inspired.
  
 
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   Mcknig 
 
 
 
 Verified We enjoyed the wildlife and natural beauty of Tanzania.
Our family's trip to Tanzania was very peaceful. We connected with Said Hasan at Jema Safaris and Tours and after discussing the safari with him, we finalized the decision for 5 days. We 5 days exploring Tarangire, Serengeti, Lake Mayrana and the Ngorongoro Crater, and every day felt like a new adventure. Our guide ( Eddy and Kareem ) were very helpful and much explained about wildlife and culture. Tarangire was full of elephants and those amazing baobab trees that looked straight out of a movie. In the Serengeti, The most incredible moment was watching hundreds of zebras crossing the Mara River, absolutely breathtaking. We also explored the peaceful lake mayrana. And lastly explored Ngorongoro Crater we felt completely another hidden world. Jema Safaris team made this journey one of the best experiences of our lives.

Tanzania Safaris Destination