Welcome to the Park of the Week Newsletter for August 29, 2024. This week we’re featuring a park named for the tallest mountain in Africa.
Kilimanjaro National Park
Location
Northern border shared with Kenya, Tanzania
Claim to fame
Kilimanjaro National Park is famed for protecting its namesake Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the highest mountains in the world. The mountain’s tallest peak, Uhuru, tops out at 19,341 ft (5,895m).
The national park contains the mountain and its surrounding montane forest. Owing to its extreme changes in altitude, the park features numerous ecosystems, from heath to tropical rainforest to alpine desert.
Reason to visit
The second-most visited national park in Tanzania, Kilimanjaro is popular for those wanting to view or even summit one of the largest mountains on Earth. The climb to the mountain’s peak is not technical, but it is still challenging, taking 6-7 days. Only around 60% of climbers complete the trek, and over 70% of climbers feel some symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness. Still, the hike offers wildlife viewing, a bucket-list physical challenge, and spectacular mountain views.
Wild Fact
Though the origin of the name Kilimanjaro is unclear, the name of its highest peak sends a strong message. Once a part of German East Africa, Kilimanjaro’s tallest peak was given a German name. When Tanzania gained its independence in 1964, the peak was renamed Uruhu, meaning “Freedom” in Kiswahili.
Bonus Wild Fact: Mount Kilimanjaro is actually made up of three volcanic cones, two extinct and one long dormant, though it is possible that it might erupt again.
Thanks for reading. Each Thursday, we send out an image and description of a unique natural or cultural treasure like the one above. Learn new things, explore special places, and find your inspiration: sign up for the free newsletter today.