1: How difficult is it to climb Kilimanjaro?
Climbing Kilimanjaro requires no technical climbing experience and any moderately fit person can summit the mountain. However, one should not undermine this Mountain due to the fact that gradually change of weather and altitude makes most of the alpine to fall altitude sickness. For this reason mark Kilimanjaro as the most difficult thing they have ever done in life time of which isn’t.
2: When should I go?
Kilimanjaro can be climbed at any time throughout the year. The best months to climb are December through March, and September through October, due to the reason that they are warmest and driest months.
3: What is the weather like on Mt. Kilimanjaro?
The Kilimanjaro temperature range from 25oc to 30oc at the foot of the mountain and 0oc and below on top, plus wind and for more information please see weather page.
4: Which route should I take?
Mount Kilimanjaro climbing consists of six official routes to the top which are Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, Umbwe and Shira. The Mweka route is left for descending from other route with exceptional of Rongai (which uses Marangu to descent) and Marangu which you can ascend and descent on the same path.
Marangu and Machame are the commonly used routes but it doesn’t mean that they are the beautiful more than other routes to the top of Kilimanjaro. Basic decision can be made will choosing kind of route to climb they include available time you have, budget, type of accommodation and kind of challenge you are looking for as well as view points.
5: How long does it take to reach the summit?
This depends much on the nature of the person you are? Mount Kilimanjaro has lots of records for the former climbers. For example there some people who have climb for 5 hours to the top, other 1 day and others 2 days but basically their history goes back to experience obtained to Mountain Everest.
Kilimanjaro is officially trekked for a minimum of five (5) days for Marangu route, Six days (6) for Machame route and this is what you will be paying to the park authority. Other parks spend from five days (5) to eight days (8) including the acclimatization days. Yet it will be the decision of the climber which route should they use as per their wishes.
6: How do I cope with the change of altitude?
Always remember to maintain a slow and steady pace from beginning to end. Going slowly allows the body to acclimatize while hiking. Those who start out too quickly will have troubles higher up the mountain as the body will be overexerted. This still holds true if you are spending an extra day on the mountain. Drink plenty of water and get lots of sleep.
7: What kind of climbing gear do I need?
See the Kilimanjaro Packing List.
8: Can children climb Kilimanjaro?
The minimum age set by the National Park Authorities for summiting Mountain Kilimanjaro is 12 years old. However children can climb up to 3700 m and thereafter waiting for their elders to trek down or they can trek down to the gate and meet our tour guide with a vehicle and transfer them to the designated hotel or lodge in Arusha or Moshi.
9: How many guides, porters, and cooks will we have?
Please see our porters’ link for more information.
10: Are the guides trained in first aid and altitude sickness?
Kilimanjaro guides are trained in acute mountain sickness (AMS) and basic mountain first aid. However, they are not doctors or paramedics. Climbers are responsible for bringing their own first aid kit and medical supplies. Under any unlikely event guides or assistants guides are responsible to assist you to trek down at least 3000 m to see if the illness gets better. If the situation is serious they have to quickly call the office for the arrangement of evacuation by helicopter which is an Air Ambulance. See the requirements for the Kilimanjaro Rescue.
11: Are the guides licensed / certified?
Kilimanjaro guides are trained and certified by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority. They start out as porters and work their way up to assistant guide. When they are ready (after about 2-4 years), they go through the national park certification process. This certification isn’t cheap to acquire as one has to be really competent.
12: What’s the food like during the climb?
We are among the best companies which offer reputable and palatable dishes in Mountains climbing as well as camping safaris. See our climbing and safaris menu.
13: Is it better to do a safari first….then the trek? Or do the trek first?
Most people start with the trek and end with the safari, since they finish the hardest part of their trip and are able to relax on their safari. However, depending with the itinerary we can accommodate either way. Due to the schedule some clients starts safari and then join their counterpart arriving from their home for Kilimanjaro only and climb as a team.
14: Can we bring something for the porters?
Please do the needs of donating of anything you wish from the Kilimanjaro climbing gears to anything of their assistance to lifetime.