CLIMBING MOUNT KILIMANJARO: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro has always been something on my bucket list. In November 2019, I finally decided to climb it and it was amazing. I’ve also written all about my experience and journey to the summit (here) and I’ve shared my detailed packing list (here). This post is to teach you everything you need to know before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. I hope you enjoy the read and find the information I’ve shared with you to be useful! 

Mount Kilimanjaro

Being the highest mountain on the African continent, Mount Kilimanjaro is often referred to as the Roof of Africa. With an elevation of 5895 meters (19 341 feet) above sea level, it is also the highest free-standing mountain in the world! Located in Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is part of the 7 Summits.

This dormant volcano is made of three volcanic cones: Kibo (5895m, 19341ft), Mawenzi (5149m, 16893ft), and Shira (3962m, 13000ft). In 1973, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park was established to protect the mountain.. hence why you now need an accredited guide or tour company to climb it. The park was then designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

The climb to the summit is possible through 7 different routes: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai, Northern Circuit, and Umbwe. Here is a quick review of each route:

Marangu

Also known as the Coca-Cola route. (82 km, 50 miles). Marangu is the oldest route of all 7 and is also considered the easiest route by many climbers. You can climb it in as little as 5 days.. but most people do it in 6 days for better acclimatization.

If you are not a big fan of camping or if you have a smaller budget, the Marangu route may be a good option for you.. let me explain:

1- every camp along the Marangu route has huts where the trekkers sleep. Most huts contain 60 bunk beds and some contain up to 120. They also have a common dining space and washrooms. Although a small mattress is provided for these bunk beds, you still need your sleeping bag.

2- Because the Marangu route has huts to sleep in, you don’t need as many porters on your team as you would for other routes (there are no tents or extra equipment to port). That means Marangu is usually less expensive. That being said, Marangu can be pretty challenging for a lot of people because of the poor acclimatization that this route offers.

Machame

Also known as the Whiskey route. (62 km, 37 miles). Machame route is the most popular route on Mount Kilimanjaro. Contrary to the Marangu route, Machame is quite difficult and challenging (hence why the nickname Whiskey route). Trekkers usually hike the Machame route in either 6 or 7 days. It is said to be a very scenic route.

Lemosho

(71 km, 43 miles). Lemosho is the route me and my friend chose for many reasons. First of all, it is by far the most scenic route of all. Every day offers you unique and beautiful landscapes and views.

This route is newer than most, but it is becoming a favorite amongst trekkers very quickly. Due to its amazing acclimatization, the Lemosho route has a higher success rate than many other routes. It can be done in 7 or 8 days. I highly recommend this route to everyone!

Shira

(56 km, 33 miles). Shira route is almost identical to the Lemosho route. Some say that Lemosho is the new and improved Shira. The major difference is that the Shira route starts a lot higher than Lemosho (you need to access the starting point by car) so it is less favorable for acclimatization. Many trekkers will start feeling the effects of altitude as early as the first night.

With the same beautiful landscapes and views as Lemosho, the Shira route can also be done in 7 or 8 days.

Rongai

(81 km, 50 miles). Rongai route is very different from the other as it is the only one that approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the north. For that reason, it usually attracts fewer people. That being said, if you are looking to get away from the crowds of Marangu and Machame, Rongai can provide a more quiet and remote experience. This route can be done in 6 or 7 days.

Northern Circuit

(88km, 53 miles). Being the longest route on Mount Kilimanjaro, the Northern Circuit is highly recommended. It is great for acclimatization and the success rate is quite high. This route takes you through beautiful scenery, including the beautiful and quiet northern slopes. Most people do the Northern Circuit in 9 or 10 days.

Umbwe

(53 km, 32 miles). The Umbwe route is absolutely the most challenging of all. It is very short and steep and does not provide the necessary stages for acclimatization. The success rate on this route is very low. It is a great challenge for very strong and experienced hikers, but definitely not recommended for beginners. Like most routes, you can climb it in 6 or 7 days.

Deciding which route is best for you plays a big role in your success. Did you know that about half of the people that try to climb Mount Kilimanjaro fail? Adequate preparation is essential to a successful climb.. which brings us to my next point: planning.

Planning

I won’t lie.. the amount of time you need to prepare a climb like this is insane. You need physical preparation, mental preparation, and of course a lot of packing, doctor visits, information, research, etc. In another post, I will share my complete packing list with you, so please bear with me. For now, let’s go through all the planning I did pre Kilimanjaro.

Physical Preparation

A few months before our climb, my friend and I started physically preparing for it. Some people say you need to start running and training up to a year before.. but we did not find that to be true (with our level of fitness).

We both started running a few times a week (about 5km at a time) and doing some home exercises for endurance and strength about 3-4 months before. In my opinion, if you are able to run about 4 or 5 kilometers without stopping, you are in good enough shape for Kilimanjaro.

We didn’t find the climb to be very challenging physically because we walked up so slowly. However, if you are not used to walking long distances, going on 4-5-6 hour walks can be very good preparation for the climb.

For me, the most challenging parts are the oxygen deprivation (which can cause altitude sickness) and maintaining a good mindest throughout the journey. Unfortunately, unless you live close to a high mountain, it is difficult to prepare your body for altitude sickness. That being said, doing a few breathing exercises in the months leading up to the climb can definitely help.

Mental Preparation

Mental preparation is crucial as you want to maintain a good mindset throughout your journey. I found that researching a lot about the mountain and the climb beforehand gave me confidence and helped me remain positive during hard times.

Set goals with yourself and make agreements with your climb partner(s). For example, my friend and I agreed that we would never complain and that we would never ask how much time there was left during our climb. We stuck to these 2 things and it made our climb enjoyable!

We definitely had an amazing and positive experience (even though it was extremely challenging at times). Successfully climbing such a big mountain is all about mindset.. so prepare yourself!

Other Essential Preparation

Before any trip, you should do some research and figure out what you need in terms of visas, vaccines, pills, etc. For us (being Canadians), the visa process was quite easy. We had the option of applying for an eVisa and paying the 50$ US fee online or buying our visa directly at the airport upon arrival in Tanzania. For Canadians, the visa is good for 30 days at a time.

If you are from another country, I recommend you find all the information necessary to make sure you have the appropriate visas and paperwork.

In terms of vaccines, the yellow fever vaccine is recommended when traveling to Tanzania so my friend and I both got it. We also brought Malaria pills and Altitude Sickness pills (Diamox) with us.

It is a good idea to visit your doctor a few months before you leave and give them all the details of your trip: where you are going, for how long, how many days your climb will be, how high the summit is, your recent travel history, any allergies, etc. I have reviewed everything I brought in my personal pharmacy/first aid kit in another article that you can find here.

This may sound redundant, but please do your research! Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, for many of us, is a once in a lifetime experience. You want to put all the odds in your favor and feel ready and confident!

The Climb

Although the preparation is super important, the climb is where everything happens. There are many things that only someone who has done the trek can tell you, so here are a few:

Bring Snacks That you Love Eating

With altitude also comes a lack of appetite. The higher you get on the mountain, the tougher it gets to eat all your food.

Even though they provide amazing meals, it is a great idea to bring some snacks that you know you love (protein bars, dried fruits, chocolate, etc) because it might be the only thing you want to eat at times. The food they gave us was delicious, but sometimes you need a bit of comfort, and having your own snacks will do just that.

Don’t underestimate the power of having your favorite protein bar in the middle of an 8 hour walk day.

Pay Extra to Rent a Private Toilet

Honestly.

I can’t stress it enough.

Having a private toilet on your campsites is the best.

Obviously, during the day, you go behind a tree or a rock or whatever you can find.. but when you wake up in the middle of the night and are freezing cold, you will not want to go find a rock or a tree. Most companies only charge about 100$-200$ extra for the toilet.

Be sure to talk to your tour company and make arrangements beforehand. They will need to add an extra porter to the team if you want a private toilet, so please let them know as early as you can (and plan your tip accordingly).

Keep Your Electronics in Your Sleeping bag While you Sleep

You will most likely be charging your electronic devices (camera, phone, etc.) overnight.. and some nights get very very cold. If you don’t want your batteries to die down quickly, my best advice is to keep all your devices in your sleeping bag so they stay warm and fully charged.

Keep Your Clothes for the Next day in Your Sleeping bag Overnight

I know I just mentioned to put all your electronics in there, but keeping your clothes warm too is such a luxury on the mountain. It’s way easier to put on warm clothes in the morning than to put on clothes that have been in the cold all night.. trust me!

Pack Layers

I have another blog post outlining with my full packing list, but I wanted to mention it here too. Layers will be your best friends on the mountain.

Drink a lot of Water

This seems so obvious, but it is essential to a successful climb. You need to drink at least 3 liters of water a day while you climb (and you need to drink at least 1 throughout the night).

It may seem excessive but, on the mountain, water is medicine. It is the thing that will help you with altitude sickness the most.

Do Everything Slowly

During the climb, you will hear the words “pole pole” a lot! That Swahili expression means “slowly”. The higher you get, the slower you have to do everything: pack your sleeping bag, get dressed, walk, etc. Any fast movement will give you a headache and sometimes even make you super dizzy.

There are so many other little things that you will learn on the mountain. Every climber comes up with their own tips and tricks. From my experience, these are the top things I would tell anyone who is about to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Prices

This is the topic that most people want to know about: prices. To be honest, you can climb Mount Kilimanjaro for as little as 2000$ US and as high as 20 000$ US. Everything depends on your budget, your needs, the route you choose, the number of days, whether you want a private toilet, etc.

That being said, it is important to look for a good price, but not necessarily the cheapest one out there. There are many fees included in the climb: park fees, food (for yourself and the team), porters, equipment, etc. If you find a company that charges ridiculously low prices, chances are they are cutting the expenses somewhere. They probably don’t have great equipment, or won’t serve you good food, or don’t pay their employees properly. I

t is essential to do your research and choose a good company with good values. This climb is a once in a lifetime experience and you want to get as much value as possible for the price you are willing to pay. Mount Kilimanjaro is not a ”discount vacation” and no one should treat it as one.

Tips

Tips are not included in the price but are very important for the people who work on the mountain. Most companies have a tip system that they disclose on their websites.

Tipping amounts will depend on your route, the number of people on your team, and the all-around experience you got.. (as a rule of thumb, each climber should tip between 20% and 30%).

Remember that these people work extremely hard and in tough conditions and they depend a lot on tips to live (and they deserve it). Be generous.

Many climbers also choose to leave some of their equipment with their team members after the trek. Being 2 young women, none of our equipment would’ve been useful to them so we left some portable chargers, hot pads, and snacks.. really anything we felt they could use.

Fun Facts

• The mountain is equipped with stretchers along the different routes and helicopter pads at almost every camp. These stretchers are called Kilimanjaro Taxis by the people who work on the mountain. You definitely don’t plan on needing a stretcher or even a helicopter, but it’s reassuring to know that they are there should you need them. During our climb, a girl from another group had to be brought down the mountain in a Kilimanjaro taxi because she hurt herself and couldn’t walk. The mountain is very well equipped to deal with these kinds of situations.
• The best months to climb Mount Kilimanjaro are from January to March and from June to October.

As I mentioned in the introduction, you can also find an article about my experience on the mountain and another one with my extensive and detailed packing list on this blog. The combination of all 3 posts will give you absolutely all the information and knowledge you need before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro yourself.

On top of that, if you want to see what it really looks like to climb that beautiful mountain, you can check out my youtube vlog:

I think this pretty much sums up everything you need to know before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Of course, every climber will have different things to say about the mountain, but I hope what I have written will be useful to you.

Should you have any questions or anything you would like to discuss, feel free to reach out to me through email or on my social platforms. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is one of my greatest achievements and I hope you will get to experience this for yourself one day!