The towering image of Mount Kilimanjaro is one that visitors, tourists, and climbers will never forget. Mount Kilimanjaro is massive and unique in its own way. But people don’t actually know that there are more things to do in-around Kilimanjaro than just the mountain.

Mount Kilimanjaro and its surrounding areas is a 291 square mile park that is UNESCO protected and a World Heritage Site. The entire area houses several attractions and wonders that should not be missed.

With all that said, let’s experience the wonders of Kilimanjaro.

•    Mount Kilimanjaro

Located in Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is a towering giant that offers visitors a once in a lifetime view that they will never forget. Mount Kilimanjaro is more than 3 million years old, so you can imagine all the secrets it’s hiding.  Located on an elevation of 5,895 m, or 19,341 ft, Kilimanjaro is ranked 4th talent mountain in the world and the tallest on the African continent.

•    Kibo Peak

Kibo Peak is the tallest peak of Kilimanjaro and the tallest in Africa. If climbers want to climb the tallest mountain in Africa, they need to climb Kibo Peak. It is one of the three volcanoes located on Kilimanjaro and it offers climbers a magnificent view of the entire area once successfully climbed. However, trekking up to the peak can be rather hard and it’s recommended only for the pros. With a lot of base camps located at the lower levels, climbing Kibo Peak should definitely be on your bucket list if you’re a serious climber.

•    Shira Plateau

According to Climbing Kilimanjaro, Shira Plateau is located just along one of the climbing routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is located just a few kilometers to the west of Kibo Peak and it represents a stunning plateau of volcanic remnants that expired more than 500,000 years ago. Shira plateau is definitely a place to be if you want to experience exotic wildlife. This is due to the rich biodiversity, which is especially common amongst the fauna. On Shira plateau, visitors and climbers can see elephants, buffalos, elands, lions, and other animals that are unique to the African continent. Be aware as the entire region is pretty dense and you might have to use a machete to get through.

•    Chala Crater Lake

This magnificent Crater Lake lies on the border between Tanzania and Kenya in a crater that was likely formed after a volcanic eruption during the mountains three million year history.

This extraordinary lake changes colors depending on when you’re visiting. Its color can change to turquoise blue, midnight blue, or even emerald. The lake offers amazing activities such as hiking around it, hiking the crater walls, and you can even take pictures of the very rare endangered Chala tilapia that is native only to this lake!

•    Olpopongi

In around Mount Kilimanjaro you can experience the natives living there, especially the Maasai and Kraals. These early settlers call Kilimanjaro their home and they have their own traditions and mores that you can sample for yourself. Furthermore, their food has been frequently called as unique and their cultural heritage is one to be personally experienced. These settlers allow for tourists to sample their culture without interfering with their daily lives or introducing their privacies. They are very open to new people visiting and they make everyone feel like home.