Am I fit enough to climb Kilimanjaro?

The easiest route up Kilimanjaro is often thought to be the Marangu route, the so called ‘Coca cola’ route. Best known as being the only one that offers hut accommodation, Marangu is also misleadingly referred to as the tourist trail. However, with too many trekkers attempting to summit in the minimum five days required for this route, and many underestimating its physical challenge, it’s actually the route with the lowest success rate.

The choice with the greatest chance of success is the Lemosho route. An estimated 90% of all trekkers who take this track make it to the top. One of the newer routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, this particularly scenic path is also one of the longest, taking up to eight days to complete. Allowing lots of time to acclimatise makes it an ideal choice for anyone new to high altitude environments.

Good fitness will get you so far but when it comes to reaching the top, it’s all down to your ability to adapt to the altitude. While being fitter puts you at a lower risk of developing altitude sickness, it is very difficult to predict whether or not you will be susceptible to it. Someone very fit can suffer, while someone who is new to mountain trekking may find they adapt more quickly to the higher altitude conditions.

If you don’t have the luxury of living in a part of the world that allows you to train at altitude, spending some money training at a specialist centre is an option. But by far the most important thing you can do choose a tour that spends longer on the mountain, allowing you more time to adjust, and not make the ascent too quickly. Routes that allow you to walk high and sleep low, zigzagging up and down over the course of the trek, and taking six or more days to summit, have the highest success rate.

Of course, your guides will be trained to recognise the symptoms of altitude sickness and respond appropriately with first aid, or arrange for you to descend the mountain if necessary. However, it is important that you also keep an eye on your own symptoms and know what to watch out for. For more information, read our guide to avoiding altitude sickness during high altitude trekking.

Start training at least two months ahead of your trip. Think miles over mountains. Whether you’re hiking in the hills behind your house or summiting mountains, what matters most is the amount of time you spend on your feet. Trekking Kilimanjaro requires roughly six to seven hours of solid walking per day, and it’s this that people often find the most tiring. Train in your trip kit. Get used to carrying a heavy bag, it’ll help you get fitter faster and prepare you for any discomfort ahead, and ensure your walking boots well and truly worn in. Cardio is key to being fit enough to summit Kilimanjaro, so take the time to fit in some alternative forms of exercise alongside your long distance hill walks. Cycling, jogging and swimming (front crawl rather than breast stroke) or anything else that gets your heart racing. Strength exercises are also an important part of your training. Think about where you feel the burn after climbing a steep hill – these are the areas you need to focus on. Squats and lunges will work wonders for strengthening your calf muscles, while sit ups, kettle bells and shoulder presses will improve your upper and core strength for stability and carrying heavy gear. Your tour operator will most likely provide you with a training plan and you can also seek the assistance of a personal trainer or advise from someone at the gym.