The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide To Kilimanjaro Trekking – Have You Got What It Takes? Over 30,000 people try to climb Kilimanjaro every year, and for many, it is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to do something amazing.

For people who want to learn more about Kilimanjaro hiking, we’ve put together this guide for people who have never climbed Mount Kilimanjaro before.

Trekking up Kilimanjaro

It’s not as easy as you might think to climb Kilimanjaro. Because of this, you should be completely ready for your mountain trek, including knowing how to climb it and when the best time is.

Besides that, you should also make sure you have the right gear. You will stay safe on your climb because you have the right gear and know where you are going.

We’ve put together the best guide for people who are new to hiking Kilimanjaro. Do what we say and get ready to climb the hills.

Kilimanjaro: Where Is It?

Kilimanjaro is in the northeastern part of the country, close to the border between Kenya and Tanzania. Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and the city of Arusha are the closest airports and towns.

The Kilimanjaro volcano in Tanzania is made up of three cone-shaped volcanoes: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira.

Tell me how high Mount Kilimanjaro is.

5 995 meters (19,340 feet) is how high Kilimanjaro is above sea level. It is the world’s tallest rock that stands alone, and it’s also the tallest point in Africa.

When is the best time of the year to climb Kilimanjaro?

When it’s dry is one of the two best times to climb Kilimanjaro. The area only has two seasons because it is in Tanzania: the wet and the dry.

From July to October, it stays dry most of the time. The second dry season lasts from December to February. You can see Mount Kilimanjaro from these two windows very well.

You could try trekking Kilimanjaro during the rainy season if you’re an experienced tourist, but we really don’t think you should. You are more likely to fail, so it is safer and better to wait for the dry seasons.

How long does it take to climb Kilimanjaro?

Mount Kilimanjaro hiking can take anywhere from 5 to 9 days, depending on the route you choose.

Kilimanjaro has eight well-known routes. These are Umbwe, The Western Breach, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai, the Northern Circuit, and Shira. All of which come from different places on the mountain.

Everyone knows that half of the people who try to climb will fail. You can avoid it by taking longer paths, which are also known to greatly increase the number of people who successfully climb Kilimanjaro.

Most of the time, the best methods work 85% to 95% of the time and last between 8 and 9 days.

Some tour guides say that the five-day Marangu Route, which is also called the “Tourist” route, is the best and least expensive choice.

The problem with this method is that it doesn’t work very often. This is because of getting used to the higher elevation.

That’s because people don’t have time to get used to the thin air as they go up the mountain. But a lot of people take it because there are huts along the way where you can sleep.

But the very top part of the climb is very steep, making it hard to finish.

Why do people think trekking Kilimanjaro is hard?

It is possible to trek up Kilimanjaro, though it is thought to be a difficult task. On the trails, it doesn’t look like there is much risk of getting hurt if you fall. There are also no technical hills or drops that are very steep.

There are a few short sections where you’ll need to scramble (with your hands and feet), but the rest of the way up is just climbing.

The slope, on the other hand, makes it hard. At sea level, there is about twice as much oxygen in the air as there is at the top of Kilimanjaro.

When the body doesn’t have enough air, it goes through stress. The body needs to adapt so that it can keep working at high elevations without getting sick. Gradual rise is the best way to lower your risk of getting altitude sickness.

Do I need a guide to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

People who want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro must always have a qualified guide from Kilimanjaro National Park with them.

A head guide, an assistant guide, a cook, and porters make up most climbers’ teams. But it’s important to always have a leader and do what they say.

They’ve been that way many times, so they know what to do to keep you and everyone else safe.

Mount Kilimanjaro’s temperatures and where to camp
While Kilimanjaro is in Africa, which is known for its very hot weather, some people think that it never gets cold there.

The mountain’s peak, on the other hand, is very cold and windy, especially at night. The coolest days here are usually between 20 and -20 degrees Celsius.

Because of this, if you’re serious about your Kilimanjaro hiking trip, you need to make sure you bring the right clothes for the cold weather. You need to bring thermals and good walking boots.

Most of the time when you climb Kilimanjaro, you camp. On one road, there are really nice places to sleep. Even though you camp most of the time.

You are allowed to camp, but you can’t have a campfire on the mountain. The wood we have on hand is just not enough to support open fires. Propane-powered stoves are used to cook the food.

There are public bathrooms at each spot, and they are cleaned often. The bathrooms can get dirty, though, when the camp is busy. When you book with some companies, they may give you a temporary toilet to use.

The last thing you should know about climbing Kilimanjaro is that there are no facilities like bathrooms or showers. You can clean up with baby wipes if you want to. But most people can handle not taking a shower for up to 9 days.

What You Need to Climb Kilimanjaro

There is a lot of gear that you need to climb Kilimanjaro. The climb goes through a number of different ecological zones, from the jungle to the Arctic zone, where it ends.

When it’s cold or wet outside, your mountaineering gear should keep you safe, dry, and protected from the elements.

You will need gear, good shoes, and technical clothes made of materials that are waterproof, warm, and breathable. It comes with a day pack, a sleeping bag, and a duffle bag.

Check with the company you are booking with to see if they state that you need to bring your own tent.

How Much Does It Cost To Climb Natron?

There have been huge price increases in the business for trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro. A lot of people like the 8-day Lemosho Route, which costs about $3,000 a person.

The cost is mostly made up of park fees, with employee pay coming in second.

For less than $2,000, cheap, low-quality companies can also do this climb. Some high-end businesses charge up to $6,000 for the same service.

Just because a company “looks good” or had a “good deal” doesn’t mean you should choose them.

Trekkers with trained guides are the only ones who can finish the climb. Anyone else must have access to emergency medical care.

The best businesses will always get great comments from customers and be respected by other businesses in the same field.

You should really do your research and look around. Being cheap isn’t always the best thing to do in this case.

Getting shots and having travel insurance

To protect themselves from typhoid, hepatitis A, and tetanus, people traveling to Tanzania should get the following shots.

There is a high risk of malaria in most of Tanzania. To avoid getting it, you should take anti-malaria medicine and avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes.

Wear long sleeves and pants, especially after dark, cover up with bug repellent, and sleep under a mosquito net to avoid getting bitten.

Because Kilimanjaro is so high above sea level, there aren’t many bugs on the mountain. Even so, Kilimanjaro is thought to be in the jungle area.

Besides that, you need to make sure you have trip insurance. You need to get trip insurance that covers hiking at high elevations (up to 6,000 meters).

It’s just in case something goes wrong while you’re on the mountain. You should be fine on the way there, but it’s still important to have it in case.

In conclusion

There is no better guide than the one you just read if you want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro as your first experience. We’ve talked about everything you need to know before you start making plans for your climb and finally making your dream of trekking Mount Kilimanjaro come true.

You should really pay attention to everything we said above. This will get you ready for the mount and give you the confidence to face it safely.

Don’t be afraid to get in touch with us if you need any kind of help. We will make sure that your time at Tanzania Zanzibar Safari is as fun as it can be and that your Kilimanjaro trekking is as safe and exciting as it can be.