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| Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania |
Despite being located near the equator where temperatures are high and snow falling is not typical, the mountain has large expanses of ice glaciers and attracts many visitors from all over the world.
Mt. Kilimanjaro is a critical water catchment for both Tanzania and Kenya. High rainfall and extensive forests belt give its high catchment value accounting for about 96 per cent of flowing water from the mountain. The southern and the south-eastern forested slopes form the main upper catchments of the Pangani River, one of Tanzania’s largest rivers, which drains into the Indian Ocean near Tanga. Its course provides water to the hydropower plants of Nyumba ya Mungu (8 MW), Hale (17 MW) and Pangani Falls (66 MW), which generate some 20 per cent of Tanzania total electricity output. Fishing in Nyumba ya Mungu dam yields a maximum catch of approximately 4,000 tonnes annually. The river also supplies water for large scale farming for lower Moshi rice irrigation scheme. The southern slopes also provide water to Arusha Chini sugarcane plantation. The north-eastern slopes form the catchment of the Tsavo River, a tributary of the Galana River, one of Kenya’s major rivers.
Other attractions within the aspiring geopark include Lake Chala (main crater at the peak of the mountain), parasitic cones and other geological heritages such as the zebra rocks as well several waterfalls,historical sites and cultural value including chagga traditional vessels and boltholes used as means of defense against other tribes especially maasai.
The area has sites and landscapes of international geological significance such as rich aquifer rocks and montane rainforest that produces water which used by the international community (Tanzania and Kenya). Not standing with that, the thick lower montane forests that flourish on a nutritious volcanic soil, contributes greatly as a Carbon sink hence helps in addressing the impacts of global climate change. On other side, sustainable ecotourism and cultural tourism conducted in area has multiplier socio-economic effects that cut across various stakeholders such as Government, private and international community who also participate directly and indirectly in conservation and management of the area. Moreover, the area offers numerous learning opportunities for both local and international community.
Chagga Cultural Heritage
Chagga people are located in the north part of Tanzania, living around base and slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. They are relatively wealth partly due to favorable climate of the area and successful agricultural methods which include extensive irrigation using traditional canals from the mountain. Chagga people grow bananas, potatoes yarms, beans, peas, red millet, bananas and coffees. Within the Chagga community, there are traditional foods such as Mtori, Kitawa, Macharali, Ng’ande, Kiburu ,kitalolo,kisorombewa, Kiumbo, Ndafu, Ngararimo and Shiro. They brew delicious and famous drink called Mbege which is made of millet and banana and left to ferment for 10 days prior to festivities. Chagga traditional instruments which forms important cultural heritage include wooden flutes, bells and drums (Plate 20). In most Chagga communities, singing are part of almost every celebration.
WHAT IS KILIMANJARO KNOWN FOR?
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest free-standing peak in the world and the tallest mountain on the African continent. Kilimanjaro features three volcanic cones: Mawenzi, Shira, and Kibo. Mawenzi and Shira are no longer active volcanoes, but Kibo, the highest mountain, is dormant and may erupt again in the future.
Kilimanjaro is also noted for being home to a variety of vital wild animals that can be found in the surrounding forest throughout your walk to the summit. Furthermore, Kilimanjaro provides fresh and clean air from the forest as well as clean water from the mountain to the local inhabitants surrounding the mountain and all Tanzanian nationals.
KILIMANJARO’S WEATHER AND CLIMATE
The bush regions and rainforests surrounding Mt. Kilimanjaro have an annual temperature range of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 27 degrees Celsius). Because of the park’s proximity to the equator, the temperature rarely changes much during the year, so expect 70 to 80 degrees all year. The hottest months are from January to March.
Ascending the mountain, though, the temperatures drastically shift. The temperature varies dramatically at the peak of the mountain. Its great height makes temperatures resemble those of an arctic environment. At such an altitude, temperatures can drop to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 degrees Celsius) during the night. Because of this diversity, it is impossible to categorize the entire region as having a single climate.
November to December and March to May are the wettest months, with rainfall averaging 13.8 inches. June to October are the driest months, with rainfall as low as 0.6 inches. However, the amount of precipitation falls steadily over the course of the year. Because of the park’s characteristics and proximity to the equator, this is the case.
Throughout the year, the humidity remains relatively high, only dropping to 57 percent on rare occasions but reaching 77 percent on others. The spring and summer months have the most humidity, while the fall and winter months have the lowest.
Due to the high humidity and precipitation, which causes moisture to stick to the air, there is a lot of fog in this area, especially in the rainforests. Between May and October, the area is primarily affected by northeastern trade winds, with southeastern trade winds having a minor impact between November and March. Maintaining a high level of precipitation in the spring and a lower level of precipitation in the summer, fall, and winter.
Wildlife
Kilimanjaro National Park is home to a range of habitats and climatic zones that are home to a variety of wild creatures, and you may be able to see some of them when hiking to certain spots. The majority of visitors to Kilimanjaro National Park come to climb the mountain, so game viewing isn’t a priority. There are many fascinating and often unusual creatures on Kilimanjaro, but we recommend going on a Tanzania safari in one of the other big national parks if you want to see giant African mammals like the Big Five in Ngorongoro or Serengeti. There are enormous herds, predators galore, and even the Great Wildlife Migration to be found there.
In the Kilimanjaro national park, especially on the rich lower slopes, there are many magnificent animals (and birds) to see. Elephants, Cape buffaloes, black rhinos, giraffes, leopards, servals, hyenas, baboons, monkeys, antelopes, aardvarks, mongooses, porcupines, honey badgers, tree hyraxes, bush babies, and other wild creatures can be found in the Kilimanjaro national park.