Covering an area of 75,575 ha, Kilimanjaro National Park protects the largest free-standing volcanic mass in the world and the highest mountain in Africa, rising 4877 m above the surrounding plains and reaching 5895 m at its summit. With its snow-capped summit, Kilimanjaro is a superlative natural phenomenon, standing in isolation above the surrounding plains overlooking the savannah.

Criterion Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the largest volcanoes in the world. It has three main volcanic peaks, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. With its snow-capped peaks and glaciers, it is the highest mountain in Africa. The mountain has five main vegetation zones from the lowest to the highest point: lower slopes, montane forest, heath and moorland, alpine desert and summit. The entire mountain, including the montane forest belt, is very rich in species, especially mammals, many of which are threatened with extinction. Because of this combination of features, but especially because of its height, physical shape and snow cap, and its isolation from the surrounding plains, Kilimanjaro is considered an outstanding example of a superlative natural phenomenon.

Integrity in Kilimanjaro National Park

Established in 1973, Kilimanjaro National Park originally encompassed the entire mountain above the tree line and six forest corridors running down through the montane forest belt. At the time of inscription in 1987, the main pressures were mainly on the forest reserve, which served as a buffer zone to the park. The World Heritage Committee recommended that the national park be extended to include more areas of montane forest. Following an extension in 2005, the National Park includes the entire mountain above the tree line as well as the natural forest (montane forest) that was part of the Kilimanjaro Forest Reserve, thus meeting the criteria of integrity. It is important that the extent of the national park is reflected in the boundaries of the area.

The wildlife of the area is important to the Kilimanjaro experience, although the area is not registered in terms of biodiversity criteria. Pressure on elephants, buffaloes and antelopes, as well as deforestation in the forest reserve, were cited as concerns about the integrity of the park at the time of inscription. The park is linked to Amboseli National Park, but corridors to Arusha National Park and Tsavo National Park have been impacted, affecting wildlife migrations.

Conservation and management requirements in Kilimanjaro National Park.

Kilimanjaro National Park is protected under national law as a national park and has a management plan. The area requires efficient organisation, including a sufficient number of well-equipped rangers, to ensure monitoring and implementation of the management plan. An important aspect of the management is to obtain

Kilimanjaro National Park Trails

When people talk about trails, they actually mean routes up the mountain. There are seven different routes that offer options for climbing to the summit.

• Southern routes: Marangu, Machame and Umbwe are the three routes that ascend from the south.
• Western routes: Lemosho, Shira and Northern Circuit are the three routes that ascend from the west.
• Northern Route: There is only one route that ascends from the north, the Rongai Route.
• The Marangu Route, affectionately known as the Coca-Cola Route, is one of the most popular routes for the traditional visitor. It has one of the flatter slopes and offers sleeping huts along the way. It is the oldest and best known route. About 25,000 people attempt the climb every year. Altitude sickness and exhaustion are the main obstacles to a successful climb. About 66% of those who attempt to climb Kilimanjaro are successful.