Climbing Kilimanjaro general information

The Kilimanjaro climb is the experience of a lifetime! Do you also want to go to “the roof of Africa”? View our top selection of Kilimanjaro trips below. Whether you want to join a group or want a private climb, we ensure an unforgettable trip that is arranged down to the last detail. Do you have questions? Feel free to ask our specialists. Read more information about the most beautiful routes under our offer.

General tips for climbing Kilimanjaro

There are a number of elements that have a major influence on you reach the top. These are:

  • The distribution of the elevation rises per day
  • Good equipment and guidance
  • The distances to be covered per day in combination with your physical condition
  • Acclimatization

Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes and Travel:

Would you like more information about the routes you can choose if you want to climb Kilimanjaro? Then you are in the right place. Here we take a closer look at the most popular Kilimanjaro routes to the top. There are several routes to climb to the top of Kilimanjaro, each route is unique and looks at different aspects of the mountain. You can of course combine your Kilimanjaro trip with a safari or a holiday on Zanzibar. View our full range of Tanzania trips.

The different routes we will talk about are: the Marangu route, the Machame route and the Lemosho route. These are the most common routes to the top.

Machame route

The Machame route, also called the “Whiskey Route”, is a popular route and ensures that many climbers reach the top due to the equal elevation rises. This route starts with a hike through the beautiful rainforest and has equal elevation rises per day. Because this route travels around the mountain, you will see a wide variety of views and beautiful landscapes.

This route offers good acclimatization possibilities (getting used to the altitude). There is a good variation in height rises and falls, you often hike high and then descend a bit again to sleep lower. In this way your body gets used to the different heights and the risk of altitude sickness is significantly reduced. This is also called the ‘hike high / sleep low’ principle.

Lemosho route

The Lemosho route is a very beautiful and unique route and has the highest success rate of all routes. Unlike the other routes, the Lemosho route starts on the west side of the mountain. Here you have many beautiful views that you do not have on other routes. It will also be a bit quieter the first days. This allows you to enjoy more peace and privacy during the climb. It therefore feels like you are really exploring yourself. On the 4th day the route joins the Machame route.

This is one of the most beautiful and completes Kilimanjaro routes.

In addition, the route is good for acclimatization because the ‘hike high / sleep low’ principle is also used here.

 

 

 Marangu route

The Marangu route is also known as the “Coca-Cola route”. The Marangu route is the oldest and most famous of all. Some people prefer this route over other routes because you spend the night in huts, as opposed to camping in tents. In the high season it can therefore get very busy in the huts. In the rainy season this route is popular because you sleep in huts.

The Marangu route is the cheapest of all routes. You will see the least of the beautiful landscapes that Kilimanjaro has to offer during this route. You climb up the same route as you go down. . You only climb up instead of the other routes that use the ‘hike high / sleep low’ principle. .

Best time to climb Kilimanjaro

Would you like to climb Kilimanjaro but have no idea when to go? Then we have a few tips for you! Fortunately, Kilimanjaro can be climbed all year round, but there are certain periods when it is less easy than other periods. The rainy season in Tanzania is from mid-March to early June. You can expect that a lot of rain will fall during the climb. Most people choose not to go during this time as you will be walking in the open air anyway and staying in tents on most routes. Chances are that your things will not stay dry.

For some people, however, this is just the time to go, because there is hardly anyone on the mountain and you can enjoy the climb and the beautiful surroundings in peace. In addition, the environment is extra beautiful because everything is green and the plants are blooming. So it depends on what you want to experience.

Because the weather on the mountain can be very unpredictable, it is not always possible to say with certainty what exactly the best time to travel is. However, there are certain periods that are generally better than other periods and are therefore also the more popular travel periods.

For many, February is the best time to go because this is one of the hottest months, when the temperature at the top will be the most pleasant. The entire period from December to February is the most popular time to climb Kilimanjaro. November is also a good period, but there is often a short rainy period during this time. This means that short, heavy showers can fall, which often fall at night or in the early morning. The walking days are often very beautiful due to the rain, because of the green environment some people choose to come during this period, partly because the temperature is just right.

Others choose the period from June to October. This period is outside the rainy season, but it is the coldest period on the mountain.

Preparation for climbing Kilimanjaro

To climb Kilimanjaro it is important that you have a good condition. The height, the simple facilities and the rugged terrain demand a lot from your body. You have to take into account that your body will be under a lot of stress. This is due to the impact of very different temperatures and different heights, but also because you will have to continue for a number of days under these circumstances. Anyone who is reasonably active and has a healthy lifestyle should in principle be able to make it. However, the more preparation and training you do, the less arduous the climb will be for you. This allows you to enjoy the climb more. We therefore advise you to regularly go hiking a few weeks before the climb with a backpack with some books in it, so that your body can get used to the aggravated conditions.

Cost of climbing Kilimanjaro

The costs of the various climbs are found at Kilimanjaro Itineraries in our Kilimanjaro Package.

 Tips

All guides, cooks and porters receive a salary; however it is common for them to receive tips as well. . We advise you to give a crew tips wherever you wish because tips is not mandatory.

What kind of equipment should I bring?

Below you will find a list of the necessary equipment for the trip. The huge majority can also be rented from us. Also try to avoid bringing cotton, it gets wet and does not dry on the mountain. It is better to bring polypro, merino wool, silk or fleece fabrics.

  • Waterproof jacket (not water-repellent)
  • Waterproof pants
  • Warm jacket (ski jacket or down jacket)
  • Comfortable pants (for over the thermal pants, but under the waterproof pants)
  • Warm pants (for evenings & the night when the top is reached)
  • Thick hiking socks (at least 6-8 pairs)
  • Mountain boots (waterproof with ankle protection)
  • Leggings (for over your shoes to keep them dry)
  • Poncho (optional)
  • Gloves (thin and thick waterproof & windproof gloves)
  • Thermo clothing
  • Water bottle
  • Camelback
  • Sunglasses
  • Balaclava (kind of balaclava)
  • Walking sticks
  • Backpack (this is carried by the porters – soft backpack)
  • Day backpack
  • Waterproof cover for your backpack and other bags
  • Sleeping mat
  • Sleeping bag (resistant to cold)
  • Main light + extra batteries
  • Good sturdy clothes (long and short sleeve shirts, fleece, hiking pants and shorts)
  • Sunburn
  • Cap / Hat & Warm hat
  • Bandana / buff (kind of scarf)
  • Lip balm (with sunscreen)
  • Energy bars / gel (count on at least 2 per day)
  • Biscuits & snacks
  • Simple first-aid kit with blister plasters
  • Toiletry bag with; toilet roll, soap, toothbrush, towels, antibacterial gel)
  • Plastic bags / sacks (for keeping clothes and sleeping bag dry)
  • Small towel
  • Camera + extra batteries (You cannot charge your camera on the mountain)
  • Small pillow (optional)

Medication:

  • Diamox (pills for altitude sickness)
  • Paracetamol / Ibuprofen
  • Diarrhea tablets
  • Personal medicines