MOUNT KILIMANJARO
Mount Kilimanjaro, or ‘Kili’ as it’s frequently called, is the highest mountain in Africa, a dormant volcano standing at a (literally) breathtaking 5,895m. There’s no mountain range flanking it; it stands proudly bang in the middle of the Great Rift Valley, having erupted from the flat plains that surround it a million-odd years ago. As well as looking majestic from a distance, it’s thrilling up close, too, and thousands attempt to reach its summit each year. There are six official routes up, crossing chilly barren slopes up to the ice fields and three volcanic cones at the top, Kibu, Mawenzi, and Shira, finally reaching its highest point, Uhuru on Kibu Peak.
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Trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro
Some 23,000 people set out to summit Mount Kilimanjaro each year, and due to its popularity, many assume that the route is merely a long hike. In fact, climbing Kili is a formidable and physically demanding challenge. It may not be a technical “climb”, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. You’ll need a good level of fitness and a big dose of determination, too.Altitude sickness can affect anyone, and if you experience any of its symptoms, the best cure is to descend – even a couple of hundred metres can make a difference. Younger, fitter travellers are not immune to altitude sickness either – it doesn’t respect age or fitness. In fact, they can actually be more at risk, due to their ability to ascend rapidly.
Staying hydrated is important, and many routes offer the chance to ‘walk high, sleep low’, descending a little each day to camp, which puts a lot less strain on the body. If you do feel unwell, let your guide know. Many trips are equipped with emergency oxygen and the chief guide may even have an oximeter, which clips onto a finger to measure blood oxygen levels – a useful way of establishing if you are acclimatising.
Choosing a route
Each route to the top has pros and cons, so do your research carefully to find the one that best suits your abilities, budget and head for heights. As well as varying in distance and duration, routes vary in difficulty, steepness and scenery. Some feature physically demanding sections that might not suit those with vertigo, while others include places where you have to scramble across scree. Other routes are quieter or particularly scenic, but have off-the-beaten-track starting points that involve a full day of travelling to reach, and push up the trip price.You have to be accompanied by a Kilimanjaro National Park qualified guide to trek on Kilimanjaro and for the best chance of reaching the summit, choose a reputable tour with experienced guides, who understand the risks the mountain poses and will control the pace of ascent. A well organised expedition will also keep you going by providing fantastic porters who will carry your pack and prepare hearty food – stews, potatoes and rice – while looking out for everyone’s safety.
Conditions & accommodation
Our top Tanzania Holiday
Kilimanjaro Machame Route trekking holiday
Physical challenges, camping adventures & humbling sunrises
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Best time to climb
Mount Kilimanjaro
A beautiful way to experience Kilimanjaro’s summit is during a full moon. As well as lighting your way in the dark African night, the moon reflects off the glaciers, which is especially beautiful. These conditions attract more climbers, though – you won’t get to enjoy this sight alone!
Tips on how to climb Kili – Successfully
Andrew Appleyard, from our supplier Exodus, on being prepared for the mountain:“I’ve seen plenty of tears before bedtime on the mountain. Sometimes the person who you don’t think is going to make it to the top walks up there with the greatest of ease, and sometimes the fittest person is the one who’s struggling. Altitude sickness is a complete unknown. But if you do a longer route and have longer to acclimatise, your success rates are higher. My top tip is that if you’re going to do it, do not scrimp on cost. Don’t try and carry tons of your own gear so that you can cut down on porters; it’s just not worth it. There were 11 in our group; I took 10 of those to the summit. The other group on the mountain had 19 people and only three made it. They told us they came up too quickly, they had altitude sickness, they didn’t eat enough food, ran out of water… a whole load of things.”