Kilimanjaro National Park

Gazetted as a national park in 1973 and made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, Kilimanjaro National Park protects the whole mountain above the tree line plus the montane forest belt on its lower slopes. Uhuru Peak, on the Kibo cone, reaches 5,895 metres — the highest point in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain on Earth.

A climb crosses five climate zones in a few days, from rainforest through heath and moorland to alpine desert and, at the summit, an arctic zone of glaciers and bare rock. Seven official routes lead up: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, Umbwe, Shira and the Northern Circuit, ranging from five to nine days, with longer routes giving better acclimatisation and higher success rates. Lower-slope forest holds elephant, buffalo, blue monkey and, occasionally, leopard, though most visitors come for the trek rather than the wildlife.