Beginners Guide For Kilimanjaro Climb

Where is Mount Kilimanjaro located?

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak on the African continent, standing at an impressive 5,895 meters (19,340 feet). This majestic mountain is a snow-capped volcano located in northern Tanzania, East Africa, just three degrees south of the equator. The nearest airport to Mount Kilimanjaro is Kilimanjaro International Airport. The precise coordinates of the mountain are 3.0674° S latitude and 37.3556° E longitude. It is situated approximately 190 miles (300 kilometers) south of the equator.

How tall is Mount Kilimanjaro?

Mount Kilimanjaro rises proudly to a height of 5,895 meters (19,341 feet). However, this doesn't imply that your ascent will commence right from the foot of the mountain. The majority of lodgings, in proximity to Kilimanjaro are situated at altitudes ranging from 700 to 1,000 meters above sea level. The starting points, for the trails are positioned at elevations exceeding 1,600 meters.

Best time to climb Kilimanjaro

The fact that it has no technical sections during its climb and is thus accessible all year around makes for a versatile destination if you want something big. But remember, some times of the year are better than other times to climb: consequently you may find it a lot easier and more enjoyable.

This is what you can expect on selected periods in the year as far as climbing:

January – Early March

This period is recommended if you are an enthusiast of staying dry on your way to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The weather is not only favorable but also less crowded.

June – September

This time of year usually has some of the most stable weather conditions and that is why it attracts a lot of tourists who want to go mountaineering. While this is still a great month for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, one must be prepared to put up with extra foot traffic along the trail leading to the summit. We suggest booking your tour later in June since chances of rain increase as you get closer and closer to autumn.

Off-Season

The above season's gaps are the “off-season months” for Mt. Kilimanjaro Climbing (April-May and October-November). Quarter PounderIf you really wanted to hike all the way up there during these months of summer and fall, technically they are still "open.

Mount Kilimanjaro Climb Difficulty

Furthermore, one thing we can all agree on with absolute certainty is that Kilimanjaro climbing does not come easy. You will need preparation towards your body - spiritual or otherwise in the weeks to Mt.Kilimanjaro trekking trip should be solely based upon conditioning / getting every muscle & bone moving. With that being said, Kilimanjaro is an ideal peak for altitude novices, and many first-timers have succeeded in reaching the top of Africa's highest point as it needs no technical climbing knowledge or equipment. 

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro does not require technical tools like ropes, helmets or harnesses but you must be quite fit as well own some determination and mental attitude. Trekking at high altitude is the toughest aspect of this trek, but with our blog on how to avoid Kilimanjaro Altitude sickness during climb gives you all the tips for dealing while walking at these altitudes.

Can beginners climb Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro presents an opportunity, for novice climbers. With preparation and physical readiness, newcomers can conquer the peak in Africa. Make sure you are well equipped to maximize your chances of reaching the top.

As previously mentioned Kilimanjaro does not require climbing skills. Is suitable for beginners with limited experience. The main challenge lies in acclimatizing to altitude. If you are not accustomed to camping it may pose a difficulty. To ensure you are fully prepared, for your journey we have compiled a guide that will walk you through each step of reaching the summit.

Altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro Climb

Your body does not handle sudden heights above a certain level; this is referred to as altitude sickness. The least severe form of altitude sickness, acute mountain sickness (AMS), is more irritating than alarming. More than 75% of people climbing Mt Kilimanjaro have AMS symptoms when they reach an altitude above 3,000 m (9,000 ft). Note that the height of Mount Kilimanjaro is 5,895 m (19,340 ft). Consequently, one should expect some sort of AMS.

Although AMS has a number of symptoms, which include headaches, nausea, dizziness, poor or interrupted sleep, general fatigue and loss of appetite resulting from the aforementioned difficulties at higher altitudes. So these symptoms are usually not anything to worry about but they could also make your climb more difficult.

However, in some cases the symptom may become worse among a few people and anyone showing signs of severe altitude sickness is advised to terminate the ascent and come down the mountain as quickly as possible.

Kilimanjaro altitude sickness tips

Walk slowly, and take it easy on those hills!

While climbing, increase your fluid intake and as a start drink about 3 to 4 self-filled liters of water per day.

Do not drink with you to ascending, do not smoke.

You should see a doctor first before you climb Kilimanjaro. If you have anaemia talk to your doctor about taking an iron supplement.

Pack some medicatons with you - Diamox.

Preparation for Kilimanjaro Climb

Staying in shape is important, for tackling Kilimanjaro. However you don't have to be an athlete to reach the summit. Being in health should suffice. As a rule we recommend evaluating if you can comfortably walk 8 10 km (5 6.2 mi). If you can manage that then you are ready to take on Mount Kilimanjaro.

A beneficial workout for preparing for the Kilimanjaro hike is running. Keep practicing until you can comfortably run 4 5 km (2.5. 3.1 miles). You can find training plans, on the Nike Running Club app.

Additionally, it is a great complimentary for swimming. Benefit 7: This is a full-body activity that will enhance your heart and lungs. That makes it perfect to throw into a run. One For leg volume mostly. Apart from that swimming goes one step further by using the arms, core and legs in combination. Water buoyancy is also beneficial for individuals aiming to reduce joint impact during exercise.

And lastly, if there are any rural areas around you with wilderness hiking trails that will be perfect. Opt for longer ones, preferably between 10 and 15 km. Most of the Kilimanjaro hike is uphill so take that into consideration. Get out of the city and train in the countryside over longer distances to prepare yourself for Roof-of-Africa.

Insurance Requirement

Yes, in order to hike Kilimanjaro you are required to have travel insurance that covers you appropriately for high altitude trekking up to 6,000 meters. All participants must have travel insurance for the high altitude, remote location and extreme conditions that can occur on Kilimanjaro trek. The insurance provider of anyone going on a Kilimanjaro climb will need to be presented before the trek begins.

When you have travel insurance it should protect you in situations, like;

 cancellation of your trip

 interruption of your trip

 missing connecting flights

 delays during travel

 lost luggage

 any events, such, as getting hurt or sick or needing emergency medical transport

Visa

Visa on arrival is not available at tanzania so you will have to obtain it in advance. The visa fee is, around US$50 for citizens. Remains valid for, up to three months. You are to fill in the online form, make payment and submit your application online. Internally, the form you have filled will undergo a review and processing. After this process, applicants receive email notifications on whether their applications were accepted or rejected. They may also keep track of their application statuses through the internet system. Moreover, they may need to go for interviews in nearby Tanzanian embassies or consulates if necessary.  

Permits to climb Kilimanjaro  

Kilimanjaro Climbing Required permit These permits - entry & camping, rescue and personnel fee- are a must for your climbing experienceMount Kilimanjaro. These permits, also called park fees, are a crucial part of travel and you tour company will normally make on your behalf with the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority. Therefore, ensure that required permits are on top of your preparation list.

Food

Each climber on our Kilimanjaro treks with Boldhimalaya is fed a diet high in calories, protein and carbohydrates that have been selected to fit the strenuous mountain environment. Our carb and calorie dense special menu for energy.

Special: Breakfast -- porridge, pancakes (in some form or another), fruit in the morning(afternoon) with eggs, sausage and toast w/ jam. Lunch or dinner can be soup of butternut, tomato, leek,cabbage/beef and vegetable/biltong,tomato/ chicken, cold potatoe dishes/spaghetti,and an additional protein as well e.g. stew & fresh veg salads with either avo. Meal courses are accompanied by delicious sauses and dressing For Dessert, Mangoes Bananas Pineapples Oranges. They provide you with essential nutrients The camp is always self serve with coffee and tea.

We also offer longer and separate meal plans for vegetarians, vegans or gluten free climbers. We will try to help with other diet restrictions also. During the trek, our guides will always make time to stop for tea with biscuits. However climbing Kilimanjaro is still intense in terms of energy required to the activity. Therefore, we advise that you pack a few items like energy bars and fruit or any protein-rich substance. Buy these ahead of time from home. Well, you have access to numerous brands and products when it comes to your country unlike Tanzania.

Accommodation

We offer top notch mountain tents. Serve up meals. You should be ready, for a mountain experience lasting five days, with accommodations either shared or single depending on your preference. If camping isn't your thing the Marangu Route provides mountain huts for you to stay in.. There's some news. Most tours (including ours) book you a hotel stay for the first and last nights of your journey and each morning you'll wake up to the delightful scent of freshly brewed Arabica coffee often sourced from the slopes of Kilimanjaro itself.

How is the toilet and shower facility in the climbing trail?

Each of the Kilimanjaro routes has public toilets at every camp stop but they are not that fancy. I mean, this is a wooden hut surrounding a deep pit in the earth that does not offer much privacy and is not very clean as it gets used by nearly all people on the mountain.

The other option is ‘portable private loo’ for you and your group only. It has a portable chemical toilet (with seat) and discreet tent for privacy. Kandoo Adventures include using a portable private toilet with the fee for each climb.

As far as showers go, there are no permanent showers or bathing facilities on Kilimanjaro. You will have to use water or any kind of wipes/ cloths  because there is no shower on climbing kilimanjaro.

Can you climb Mount Kilimanjaro without a guide?

According to the regulation, each group must be accompanied by a native guide. Kilimanjaro rangers refuse entry for those who did not come with a professional guide. Moreover, individual expeditions to the Roof of Africa are not without dangers. There is always a possibility that during the summit night in the peak zone one might suffer from altitude sickness or get hurt. They also facilitate evacuations and other emergencies when necessary.

How long does it take to climb Kilimanjaro?

On one of the seven established routes to Kilimanjaro, it takes between five and nine days to reach the summit. There are numerous factors that determine how long it would take to climb the mountain including the kind of route chosen for your climb, your physicality and mentality strength as well as the time when you will make your trek.

Best route to climb Kilimanjaro

You can climb by one of the seven main routes. Ultimately the way you go about it will boil down to experience level, budget considerations and availability as well as your own whims. All are worth examining to find the best option for your climb of Kilimanjaro — we look at them in this article detailing various routes up Kilimanjaro. For more detailed information on Kilimanjaro climb routes click on 

https://boldhimalaya.com/blog/mount-kilimanjaro-climbing-routes-207

Marangu Route (70 KM / 5-6 DAYS)

The standard approach up Kilimanjaro is also the busiest. It is the only outside of Kili with hutting — sleeps on dorm-style bunks in ramshackle corrugated tin shelters. They pretty much take the same amount of time to climb, but one has a significantly lower success rate because climbers struggle more with altitude on that route.

Machame Route (61km / 6-7 days)

Machame; Machame is the most scenic but toughest of all Kilimanjaro routes. The descent is on a different trail that the way up, to add some variety of new views. Nice acclimatization; some days at higher altitudes with camps lower down. Another one of car key handle path.

Lemosho Route (67 KM / 7-8 DAYS)

Besides, according to the Park statistics, just 20% of hikers reach Uhuru peak from Lemosho (a bit more if you do it in 7 days) but about triple that from Shira. This trail follows the same ridge but it is better maintained, more graded and starts at a lower elevation. Much less crowded than Machame and Marangu, but the drive to the start point takes longer. Route of the recommended ones

Rongai Route (74km / 6-7 days)

This is the only route from North-South, and you will get less rain. Gradual elevation in a quieter area. This increases your chances of spotting wildlife but also means driving will be a little longer. Rongai is a route that we suggest.

SHIRA ROUTE (58KM / 6-8 DAYS)

The Shira trek begins around 3,600 metres an altitude that gives you a better chance of suffering from Altitude sickness. Joins Machame on day 3 This route has an expensive fee compared with the Machame and Marangu for it starts in a relatively remote location but is otherwise largely supplanted by the Lemosho Route.

Northern (88km / 8-9 days)

It follows an ascent on the Lemosho Route and crosses over onto the Shira plateau before looping around to approach Kilimanjaro from its northern slopes rather than more populated eastern reach. It's also the prettiest but since it is a full day ride, this is on the more expensive end.

UMBWE ROUTE (48KM / 6-7 DAYS)

Umbwe: One of the shortest, steepest, and toughest routes according to several sources And this is going to be quite a considerable mount Kilimanjaro mountain climb. Many have already vomited on the bus ride and I'm sure many more will be puking before we even make it through the first day of steep uphill hiking. It is one of the least successful.

Kilimanjaro climb Packing list

Here's a list of essential recommended and extra items you'll need for your Kilimanjaro climb;

Clothing;

 Waterproof jacket, with a 

 Hiking pants

 Sports bra (for women)

 Insulated jacket ( down) with a hood

 Fleece or soft shell jacket

 Lightweight moisture wicking long sleeve shirt

 Waterproof breathable pants

 Gloves

Headwear;

 Sun protection brimmed hat

 Warm knit hat

Footwear;

 Warm, waterproof hiking boots or shoes

 Wool or synthetic socks

Accessories;

 Sunglasses

 Optional waterproof backpack cover 

 Water bottle 

 Lightweight quick dry towel (optional)

Equipment;

 Collapsible trekking poles 

Headlamp with spare batteries 

Warm four season sleeping bag* 

70L to 90L capacity duffel bag 

30L, to 35L capacity daypack