Mount Kilimanjaro

Africa’s highest mountain, whose montane forest holds turacos, hornbills and highland birds, with no summit climb needed.

At 5,895 m, Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. You do not have to climb it to enjoy its birds: the best birding is in the montane forest belt on the lower slopes, which can be explored on a day walk.

The forest holds Hartlaub’s Turaco, Silvery-cheeked Hornbills and other highland species, with black-and-white colobus in the canopy. Higher up, the heath and moorland bring sunbirds and ravens.

Kilimanjaro is about two hours from Arusha, so it fits easily into a northern birding tour, and the forest walks pair well with nearby Arusha National Park.

Getting there

Moshi is about an hour and a half east of Arusha, and the Marangu Gate is about 45 minutes further up the mountain.

Where to stay

Lodges in Moshi and Marangu, and guesthouses on coffee farms on the lower slopes.

Our guides’ tips

Walk the forest trails near Marangu Gate early, before the mist settles in.
Park fees apply even for a day walk inside the national park.
Bring a rain jacket and warm layer. The forest is cool and often wet.
Combine a Kilimanjaro forest day with Arusha National Park.

Common questions

Do I need to climb Kilimanjaro to see its birds?

No. The best birding is in the forest on the lower slopes, reached on a day walk.

What birds can I see?

Forest species such as Hartlaub’s Turaco and Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, and sunbirds and ravens higher up.

How far is it from Arusha?

About two hours by road to the Marangu Gate.

Safaris that visit Mount Kilimanjaro

No set itinerary here yet. Ask us for a custom trip and we’ll plan one around your dates.

Wildlife

Iconic wildlife of Mount Kilimanjaro

The animals, trees and reptiles our guides look for here, with the best season and where to find them. See the full wildlife guide.

Mammal

African elephant

Loxodonta africana

Tarangire’s big herds are the classic sight: families drifting between baobabs to the river in the dry season.

Seen in

Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park, Ruaha National Park, Arusha National Park, Rubondo Island National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro

Primate

Black-and-white colobus

Colobus guereza

Long white capes and a leap that seems to hang in the air. Arusha National Park’s forest is full of them.

Seen in

Arusha National Park, Usambara Mountains, Mount Kilimanjaro, Rubondo Island National Park

Primate

Blue monkey

Cercopithecus mitis

The quiet grey-blue monkey of Tanzania’s forests, usually noticed by a shaking branch high in the canopy.

Seen in

Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Usambara Mountains, Udzungwa Mountains & Kilombero Floodplains, Gombe & Mahale Mountains, Mount Kilimanjaro, Lake Tanganyika

Birding

Birds to look for in Mount Kilimanjaro

Specialities, endemics and the birds that make this place different, chosen by our birding guides. Browse all birds.

Resident

Hartlaub’s Turaco

Tauraco hartlaubi

A flash of crimson wings in the forest canopy. Arusha National Park is the easiest place to see one.

Seen in

Arusha National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro, Lake Tanganyika

Resident

Silvery-cheeked Hornbill

Bycanistes brevis

A huge forest hornbill with a cream casque, whooshing overhead with every wingbeat.

Seen in

Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Usambara Mountains, Udzungwa Mountains & Kilombero Floodplains, Mount Kilimanjaro

Near-endemic

Abbott’s Starling

Poeoptera femoralis

A scarce starling of highland forest in Kenya and northern Tanzania. The male is glossy black with a white belly.

Seen in

Mount Kilimanjaro

Near-endemic

Kilimanjaro White-eye

Zosterops eurycricotus

A small green-and-yellow white-eye with a broad white eye-ring, found in the highland forests of northern Tanzania.

Seen in

Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha National Park

Activities

Things to do in Mount Kilimanjaro

How a day here is spent, from game drives to walks and boat trips. All safari activities.

Any length, from a morning walk to a 27-day expedition

Birdwatching

More than 1,100 species, dozens of endemics, and guides who find most birds by ear. Our speciality.

Waterfall in the montane forest of Arusha National Park

One to four hours

Walking safaris and nature walks

Leave the vehicle behind. Walk with a ranger to a waterfall, across the plains, or into Eastern Arc forest.

Eastern Arc forest in the Usambara Mountains

Half day to full day

Forest hiking and waterfalls

Hike through ancient Eastern Arc rainforest to Sanje Falls and the viewpoints of the Usambaras.

Explore other Tanzania destinations

More parks, plains and forests our safaris visit, each with its own wildlife, birds and best season.

Arusha National Park

Montane forest, the Momella Lakes and Hartlaub’s Turaco, just 45 minutes from Arusha.

Flamingos in flight over a Rift Valley soda lake

Lake Natron

The Rift Valley soda lake where East Africa’s Lesser Flamingos breed.

Black-winged Stilt wading in shallow water

Lake Eyasi

Seasonal soda lake with flamingos, waterbirds and quiet dry bush.

Grey-headed Gull on a Rift Valley lake, Tanzania

Lake Victoria

Africa’s largest lake, with papyrus specialists and lakeshore birds.

Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus) in reeds, Tanzania

Rubondo Island National Park

Quiet island park with forest birds, waterbirds and sitatunga.

Lake Tanganyika

Clear lake, western forest birds and the gateway to Gombe and Mahale.

Lark Plains

The only place on earth to see the critically endangered Beesley’s Lark.

African elephant walking through dry grass, Tanzania

Tarangire National Park

Huge elephant herds, ancient baobabs and Tanzania’s endemic birds.

Lioness resting in an acacia tree, Tanzania

Lake Manyara National Park

Tree-climbing lions, groundwater forest and a soda lake full of waterbirds.

Ngorongoro Crater

A volcanic caldera with black rhino, lions and big grassland birds.

Wildebeest herds of the Great Migration, Serengeti

Serengeti National Park

Vast plains, the Great Migration and big cats all year round.

Usambara Mountains

Ancient Eastern Arc forests holding Tanzania’s rarest endemic birds.

Wild chimpanzee in the forest at Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania

Gombe & Mahale Mountains

Track wild chimpanzees in the forests where Jane Goodall began her research.

Ruaha National Park

Tanzania’s largest park: big predators, baobab plains and 570+ bird species.

Sunbird perched in the forest canopy, Udzungwa Mountains

Udzungwa Mountains & Kilombero Floodplains

Rainforest endemics, Sanje Falls and the Kilombero Weaver in southern Tanzania.

Start planning your safari

Let’s plan a safari around your interests. Share your travel dates, number of people, the ages of any children travelling, and the birds or wildlife you hope to see. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours with a personalised itinerary and a detailed quote.

Send an enquiry WhatsApp +255 627 415 415