Considering a Visit to West Kilimanjaro?
Located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, this remote community-owned Wildlife Management Area provides travelers with access to a wild and incredibly scenic corner of Maasailand. Thought of as being off-the-beaten path, West Kilimanjaro is a concession area to the west of Mount Kilimanjaro and south of the Amboseli National Park in Kenya. In the east it is shadowed by the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro (learn more about this in our Kilimanjaro National Park guide) and towards the southwest lie Arusha National Park and Mt. Meru. Here, Maasai herdsmen co-exist with a remarkable variety of wildlife.
A major attraction of West Kilimanjaro is the scenery. Kilimanjaro has a commanding presence when it breaks through the clouds, usually around dawn and dusk, but the horizon is studded with many other peaks, including Mount Meru, Longido Mountain and Namanga Mountain. During the exciting drive to West Kilimanjaro you will be treated to views of the foothills of Kilimanjaro and occasionally its snow-capped peaks. You will also discover the stunning open, empty stretches of savannah dotted with wild bush and acacia woodland.
As the land is leased by the local Maasai community, you can also gain an insight into their culture. As a commitment to conservation and wildlife, the concession works closely with the Maasai.
Wildlife of West Kilimanjaro
West Kilimanjaro at first seems barren and does not have the same animal density as the likes of Serengeti National Park or the Ngorongoro Conservation Area but it promises adventures nonetheless. The whole area is considered an important wildlife corridor and has populations of elephant as well as species such as lesser kudu, gerenuk, bat-eared fox and striped hyena. The rich birdlife in West Kilimanjaro makes for great birdwatching. Some of the notable species are Masai ostrich, kori bustards, crested francolins, white-headed buffalo weavers, tawny eagles and white-bellied go-away-birds. Your bird checklist will fill up quite quickly during your stay!
Activities in West Kilimanjaro
A stay at West Kilimanjaro is more about the community than wildlife, and a short stay will allow time spent with Maasai communities to provide insight to their remarkable culture. Read more about the Maasai and the other peoples of Tanzania. The bed-night fees for all guests that stay in the concession, annual lease payments and other support go to the local community, which has provided funding for school classrooms and teachers’ houses.
Walking safaris are a great way to get up close to the local flora and fauna, and at West Kilimanjaro visitors can hike with a Maasai warrior, exploring the plains and woodlands. Cultural tours are possible too; visit a Maasai boma and experience how this tribe lives. For those wanting to get an even more unforgettable experience, why not spend one night at a Maasai boma and get a sense of how this semi nomadic tribe live and co-exist with nature. To find out more about this and other immersive, authentic activities, check out our Sababu Experiences.
West Kilimanjaro has a huge potential. The local authorities are trying to work with the many Maasai living in this area to help with conservation efforts as well as setting up anti-poaching units. Besides getting to know the Maasai, relaxing and enjoying the view of the Kilimanjaro or reading a good book are also possible activities in West Kilimanjaro.
Accommodation in West Kilimanjaro
Africa Amini Maasai Lodge is hands down our favorite lodge in West Kilimanjaro, if not in all of Tanzania! For those wishing to include an authentic cultural experience in their Tanzanian safari, a visit and overnight at the spectacular Africa Amini Life Maasai Lodge is a must. This lodge offers an intriguing blend of luxury accommodation with traditional Maasai architecture and cultural activities. A visit there is an experience in and of itself and we recommend staying for at least 2 nights to take in everything it has to offer.
The true highlight of your stay at Africa Amini Maasai Lodge will be your chance to participate in a variety of cultural activities including spear throwing, guided nature walks to learn about traditional Maasai medicine, traditional sundowner ceremony, beadwork lessons, storytelling at the campfire, and much more.
Set up by the not-for-profit Africa Amini Alama charity, Africa Amini Maasai Lodge aims to better introduce visitors to Tanzania to the unique culture of the Maasai people while also helping to sustain and develop the local Maasai community. Run by the Maasai and with all profits going to the local Maasai community for social projects, Africa Amini Maasai Lodge blends western luxury accommodation with traditional Maasai food, architecture, and activities.
For those wishing to see Africa's highest mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa Amini Life's location makes it one of the best places in Tanzania to take in Kili's majesty. Dawn wake-up calls (with coffee or tea) can be arranged. This lodge is truly special and a magical place you won’t forget!
If you have any questions about West Kilimanjaro or about how best to include it on your epic Tanzania adventure, then please get in touch.
