If you’re looking for a challenge and want to do something memorable – climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is certainly an experience you won’t forget.
Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano in Tanzania, east Africa rising to a huge height of 5,895 metres above sea level and about 4,900 metres above the ground.
Although you don’t need to be a professional or experience climber to do this trip, however, tackling the ascent takes quite a bit of preparation.
I’ve put together some information to help you plan your trip and ensure you get the most out of your adventure.
1. Choose a Tour Company
Lots of local and international travel operators offer Kilimanjaro climbs. Most companies offer small group tours where you will trek with other international travellers alongside a guide and porters. I recommend book a trip with G Adventures who have very positive reviews and offer several treks throughout the year.
2. Select Your Route
The best place to begin is by deciding which of the six routes you want to follow to the top of Kilimanjaro. Some are less crowded than others, which may influence your choice, while the sights you pass along the way may be another consideration.
For instance, the Rongai route is the only one to approach the mountain from the north, while the Shira and Lemosho trails are well known for their beautiful scenery. Once you’ve decided which of the paths you’d prefer to follow, you need to start looking for a tour operator that offers treks on that track.
Most companies will focus on using one or two routes – for instance if you travel with Explore Worldwide you can ascend Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho or Rongai trails. When choosing which firm to go with, make sure you look at things like their success rate, how long you spend on the mountain and the experience level of the crew you’ll be climbing with.
3. Prepare Physically
Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro, is 5,895 m above sea level, so this climb is very physically demanding, not least of all because of the high altitudes you’ll be walking at as you get closer to your goal.
To make the most of your time on the mountain and ensure that you really do enjoy the trek, it’s best to start preparing several months before you are due to depart for Tanzania. One of the best things to do is go on regular hill walks – which is easy to arrange in the UK (and other countries) and need not cost a lot of money.
As you get closer to your departure date, organise a couple of trips where you can hike for two to three days continuously to help get your body ready for this kind of exercise on the trek. There’s also nothing wrong with hitting the gym to do some cardio workouts and boost your overall level of fitness before you jet off.
4. Pack Sensibly
Kilimanjaro is the highest walkable summit in the world, so you won’t need specialist climbing equipment to reach Uhuru Peak. That doesn’t mean, however, that certain items of trekking gear won’t be helpful.
See what time of year you will be visiting and check that the weather conditions are like – this is very important and can help you to pack right.
Sturdy and comfy walking boots are an absolute must – make sure you’ve worn these in before you attempt the climb – while comfortable, breathable clothing is another essential. Temperatures on the mountain can vary quite dramatically throughout the course of the day and night, so layers are the best option.
Remember, though, that there will be a weight restriction on your main luggage (usually 15 kg) that will be carried by the porters, so avoid taking unnecessary items. You’ll also have your own daypack to carry things like water, your camera, extra layers of clothing and any other bits and pieces you may need while you’re hiking.
If the Kilimanjaro trek is just one part of an extended tour of Africa, you can usually leave any things you won’t need on the mountain in storage in Moshi. Another point worth noting in relation to packing is that on the trek, your kit bag needs to be soft to allow the porters to carry multiple pieces of luggage, so make sure you have an alternative bag if you usually travel with a framed rucksack.
5. Buy Travel Insurance
Don’t leave home without taking out a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers for adventure sports. I recommend World Nomads.
6. Get a Medical Checkup Before Departing
Just to be on the safe side, go for a medical checkup to see if you have no underlying health conditions. You really need to be in great shape for this type of trip. You also also you have all the vaccinations and recommended immunisations before entering Tanzania.
7. Check Your Passport
Tourists seeking to enter Tanzania should be in possession of a valid passport, at least six months prior to expiration. Make sure you check yours well in advance of departure.
8. Search Flights
Tanzania isn’t the easiest or cheapest country to get to, and to get the best deals book flights well ahead of your departure date. I recommend using a website like Skyscanner to compare prices.
9. Enjoy
Climbing Kilimanjaro really is one of the those bucket list adventures and with all the preparation and apprehension, don’t forget to saviour every moment. Chat to your tour guides, learn more about them, Tanzania and the culture, and be sure to take a million photos to make everyone back home jealous.
10. Leave Time to See More of Tanzania
You don’t want to rush home after completing a Kilimanjaro trek, you’ll need a lease a few days to relax and recover and there are lots of places you can visit. You could head to the beautiful island of Zanzibar to rest of some of the best beaches on the continent, or book a dream safari – Tanzania has some of the best National Parks on the continent. View my Tanzania travel tips for more recommendations what to do.
