“The Roof of Africa” as it is called with love, Mount Kilimanjaro is not just the highest mountain in Africa but also the highest free-standing mountain above sea level on earth! It is acclaimed as the highest volcano in Africa. Part of the Kilimanjaro National Park, located in the East African country called Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is a highly sought-after destination for adventure sports lovers from across the globe.
Albeit the desire of climbing Kilimanjaro being on the bucket list of every traveler, we are here to share the top 5 attractions that your clients should try not to miss while they are in the Kilimanjaro region.
Climbing the Mountain
This great mountain stands tall at 5895 meters above sea level featuring 3 volcanic cones named Shira, Mawenzi, and Kibo. A German (Han Meyer) and an Austrian (Ludwig Purtscheller) climbed the mountain for the first time in the year 1889. Thereafter, it became a popular destination for hiking and climbing! It takes about 8 to 9 days for trekkers to reach the summit, taking the services of certified tourist guides it is possible for even beginners to reach the topmost point! Since Kilimanjaro is part of the famous “Seven Summits” of the world, travelers from Europe and USA love to enjoy the trekking experience here. For those not interested in climbing, there is an option of Kilimanjaro 360 which is a bicycle tour around the base of the mountain.
The National Park
The park can be accessed via road from the nearby town of Arusha, usually taken by people traveling to both Kenya and Tanzania on the same trip. It can also be reached by flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport. The white snow-capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro can be seen from any part of the National Park and so those who stay at the National Park can enjoy the amazing views of this great mountain, without having to climb it. The National Park spread across 75,575 Hectares is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts as it hosts multiple mammals and endangered species including the likes of Colobus Monkey, Serval Cat, Tree Hyrax, Duiker, White Tailed Mongoose, and White Necked Raven.
Northern Ice Field
All the glaciers of Tanzania are situated on Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit. The mountain has around 12 glaciers and three ice fields, making it a paradise for those who love to enjoy Snow in the midst of the Savannah. Northern Ice Field is the largest ice body on the Mountain and is located on the western ranges at the prominent Uhuru Peak.
Excursion to Lake Chala
This remarkable water body is a crater lake that overlaps the border between Tanzania and Kenya. The fact that this lake was formed 250,000 years ago is reason enough to visit it at least once in a lifetime. But it has much more to offer than what can be seen in photographs. This astoundingly peaceful lake is just about one hour’s drive from the Kilimanjaro National Park. The lake is also famous for its magnificent change of colors, depending upon the sky and where the person is standing! It could be turquoise or azure or emerald green or simply a mirror image of the sky itself! Perfect place for the holiday mood, just sit down, relax, and do nothing. Adventure seekers can enjoy hiking across the countryside or even kayaking.
Materuni Waterfall, Coffee Tour, and Kikuletwa Hot-Spring
Materuni village is one of the most pristine locations with beautiful surroundings renowned for its organic Arabica coffee. While the guided walking tour to the waterfalls takes only around an hour, your clients can learn about the village, the plants, and the animal species on the way. After they return from the falls, they can see the coffee processing in person and also get to taste one of the most aromatic coffees ever. Later in the day, they can enjoy a visit to the Kikuletwa Hot Spring (also known as Chemka). This natural hot water spring is said to have been formed 2000 years ago after a volcanic eruption. Suggest your clients to carry their swimsuits and enjoy a bath in its soothing waters. For those of your clients who do not want to swim, but love to get wet – they can enjoy a free foot massage from the tiny native black fish that are part of this incredible ecosystem.
Do you think your clients would love to do any of the above activities, but you do not know how and where to book the tour from? Call your T3 Agent right away for some of the best suggestions on the bookings and great commissions to your pocket.