Kilimanjaro. The name itself is a mystery wreathed in clouds. It might mean Mountain of Light, Mountain of Greatness or Mountain of Caravans. Or it might not. The local people, the Wachagga, don't even have a name for the whole massif, only Kipoo (now known as Kibo) for the familiar snowy peak that stands imperious, overseer of the continent, the summit of Africa.
Not only is this the highest peak on the African continent; it is also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, rising in breathtaking isolation from the surrounding coastal scrubland – elevation around 900 metres – to an imperious 5,895 metres (19,336 feet).
There is an amazing quality of wildlife and flora in this region. Situated in the North Tanzania between Moshi River and Kenyan border Kilimanjaro National Park (at the 2,700m contour) covers the entire region of the Mount Kilimanjaro.
The park region includes the moorland and highland zones. The park is situated close to Indian Ocean and influences the climate of this region immensely by its size and height.The entire park region in itself is an attraction and it is difficult to decide what to mention first. Lush mountain forest, inhabited by elusive elephant, leopard, buffalo, the endangered Abbot’s duiker, and other small antelope and primates. Higher still lies the moorland zone, where a cover of giant heather is studded with otherworldly giant lobelias.
Major plants and trees present in the park are health/scrub plants, grasses like Cyperacease, two distinct forms of giant groundsel on the upper Mount Kilimanjaro, Senecio, giant lobelia, Podocarpus specie, camphorwood, and understorey of ferns.