Coffee and banana fields rise up and define the lower slopes of the mountain where the mountain's forest begins. An average of 80 inches of rainfall a year make the forest home to some botanical treats. Tree ferns in this region are known to grow up to 20 feet, and giant lobelia often reaches 30 feet. At an altitude of about 9,000 feet, the forest gives way to grasslands and shrubbery, and elephant can sometimes be spotted roaming the high slopes. At about 13,000 feet life begins to recede, a result of extreme weather conditions inhospitable to anything more than small mosses and lichens. Once the summit area is reached, three glaciers and three volcanic peaks sit in lofty, placid contemplation of the tremendous plains over 3.5 miles below. 

The national park was established in 1973 and covers an area of 756 sq km. The altitude rises from 1,829m at the Marangu Gate to 5,895m at Kibo Peak. Although it can be climbed throughout the year it is worth avoiding the two rainy seasons (late Mar to Mid-June and Oct to beginning of Dec) when the routes become slippery. Probably the best time to visit is Jan to Feb and Sep to Oct when there is usually no cloud. The mountain was originally located in a part of British East Africa (now Kenya). However the mountain was given by Queen Victoria of England as a gift to her cousin, and so the border was moved and the mountain included within German Tanganyika, now known as Tanzania. 

Seasons: The best times to climb Kili is in the cool, dry months from Jun-Oct, or the hotter, dry months from Dec-March. 

Wildlife: You may see: Bushbabies, hyrax, elephant, buffalo, leopard, eland colobus and blue monkeys, bushbusck, duiker, bushpig, wild dog, lion, serval. 

Precautions: Malaria area - minimize mosquito bites by wearing light, long sleeved clothing and using effective insect repellents (containing Diethyltoluamide DEET) on exposed skin. Sleep under treated mosquito netting or ensure that the doors and windows of your accommodation are screened against mosquitoes. Having a fan or air-conditioner on at night will further suppress mosquito activity. Currently, the three effective anti-malaria tablets are Mefloquine (Lariam or Mefliam), Doxycycline and Malarone (Malanil). It is still possible to contract malaria while on malaria prophylaxis. Note that Lariam may present serious side-effects - please test before you depart.