Kilimanjaro National Park is centered around Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Tanzania and in Africa at 19,341 ft / 5895 m.  A dormant volcano (and the world's largest free-standing volcano), Kilimanjaro towers over an otherwise relatively flat area.  The mountain is big enough to create its own weather patterns.  When the mountain isn't covered in clouds, you get a stunning view of it from the nearest town, Moshi; though I've heard you can spend days in Moshi without ever seeing it.

I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route (8 day / 7 nights) in September 2020 on a private guided trip with a major outfitter.  (Since it was during the pandemic, group tours were not an option, though I would have done one otherwise.)  I also note that traveling during the pandemic likely led to a special, almost spiritual experience. There were only about ten people attempting to summit the day I did, and I had the summit to myself; in high season otherwise there could easily be 400 people summiting and crowds everywhere. The "climb" is more of a trek--there is no technical mountaineering, only a bit of rock scrambling in several places.  Climbing it was a very special experience and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who is in decent physical shape! 

Date of Visit:  September 2020

Rating:  Five stars.  A giant dormant volcano with five different ecosystems on its slopes, plus the opportunity for active outdoor adventure.  What else could a natural site offer?

Logistics:  Moshi is the large town at the base of the mountain, and it's located only about 45 minutes to 1 hour from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is served by a number of international airlines.

The main climbing seasons are December through February and June through October.  You are required to use an organized private or group tour to climb, and there are countless operators to choose from (with varying safety records).  I picked the operator based on its safety record and because it is one of the companies recommended by the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project, which tracks which companies provide fair treatment of local staff (https://kiliporters.org/climb-with-a-partner-for-responsible-travel-company/).

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro can take anywhere from 5 days to 2 weeks, but most of the routes are 7 or 8 days.  In all of the routes, you will start in the cloud forest on the lower slopes of the mountain (where you'll spot birds, monkeys, etc.) and then ascend through moorland to the alpine desert zone and (on the summit day) the artic zone.  Generally, you will climb and acclimatize for a number of days and then on the second-to-the-last day leave "base camp" around midnight or 1am and ascend to the summit, watching sunrise on the way.  You then descend the rest of that day and the final day of the trek.  All of the routes are well labeled and the park is very clean, well-maintained.  However, climbing is popular, and in high season, you may have 200-400 people summiting on the same day as you are.

I chose the Lemosho Route because it is (supposedly -- I have nothing to compare it to!) the most scenic route.  The Lemosho (and seldom offered Shira Route) cross the Shira Plateau, where you have dramatic views of the mountain.  It then meets up with the popular Machame Route for days 3-7 or 4-8 (depending on how long your trek is).

There is a TON of information about the various routes, the physical fitness required to climb, and what gear to pack.

Signs: I did not see a UNESCO plaque, though I admittedly was focused on the trek and not looking for one. If you do trek, there are signs at each camp.