Mountain Climbing in Kilimanjaro: Top Outdoor Adventures Awaiting You

Standing in the iconic African Great Lakes region of East Africa, the 3 giant volcanic cones of Mount Kilimanjaro make up the highest mountain in Tanzania. Kilimanjaro is also the highest mountain in on the continent of Africa. Standing at 5,895 meters above sea level, it also holds the title of one of the Seven Summits, and also one of the Volcanic Seven Summits. Another crown for the spectacular region, Mount Kilimanjaro is part of a larger national park protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The king peak of Africa: Mount Kilimanjaro soars to an unparalleled height on the continent of Africa. Measuring 5,895 meters above sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Tanzania, as well as the highest peak in the whole of Africa. It’s topped with a permanent frosty cap, creating varying terrain for climbs. The majestic mountain offers unparalleled mountain climbing adventures on the whole continent. Come to Kilimanjaro to conquer a Seven Summit.

Classic climbing: You have to go back all the way to 1889 for the first recorded summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Ever since, it’s become one of the world’s strongest magnets for outdoor sports and adventurers. The area of the mountain has expanded to include the whole montane forest of the region, and has been declared a World Heritage Site. Climbing opportunities here are unbound and various with different difficulties and routes available.

Iconic wildlife: Mount Kilimanjaro and the larger national park that contains it is populated with wildlife. The Kilimanjaro tree hyrax, the grey and red duiker, and the Cape buffalo roam above the timberline. Elsewhere you will catch sight of elephants wandering between rivers. When you head into the montane forests, then you’ll be able to glimpse blue monkeys, leopards, and the black white colobuses monkey, all breathing vibrant life into the mountainside.

When it comes to Kilimanjaro’s climate, it’s important to be prepared for four distinct climatic zones, each requiring careful packing.

The journey begins between 800 and 3,000 meters in the rainforest zone, where lush tropical vegetation, orchids, and monkeys thrive amidst high humidity. As they continue upward, climbers enter the low alpine zone, characterized by grasslands and fewer plants and animals. Nighttime temperatures here often fall below freezing—a trend that persists with increasing altitude.

At around 4,200 meters, trekkers reach the high alpine desert, where days are hot, dry, and sunny, while nights plunge well below zero. Managing sun exposure and dealing with dust becomes crucial, making sunscreen and wipes essential.

Finally, at approximately 5,000 meters, the glacial zone begins. Oxygen levels drop to about half of what they are at lower elevations, and climbers face extremely high-altitude arctic conditions. Success on Kilimanjaro depends heavily on having the right gear for each climate zone and allowing proper time for acclimatization, both of which an experienced guide can greatly assist with.

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Visit between January and March, and September and October, for ideal mountain climbing conditions.

There are many routes to explore the beautiful Kilimanjaro. Choosing the route will depend mostly on your preferences and expectations, and with some prior training and an experienced guide to show you the way, and especially to help coordinate logistics, you should be able to reach the summit without trouble. Below, find a brief description of each of the routes you can take to the "Kili" top!

Machame Route- The most popular route on the list, Machame, enjoys a high success rate. It is also known as the “Whisky route”.

Marangu - If whisky is not your thing, or you like it Lemmy style, then you can try the Marangu or “Coca-cola route” which is also one of the easiest.  The nickname of this route is because the huts on the way up sell soft drink. Additionally, they also offer dorms to sleep in, so for those who prefer a hut to a tent, this is the route for you.

Rongai- to approach the summit from the less forested north side, take the more remote Rongai route, where you will meet fewer people on the way without much variation in difficulty.

Lemosho– with its panoramic views, this is one of the newer more scenic alternatives to tackle Kilimanjaro. Choose from a 6 to 8-day summit tour here.

The last two routes are less frequently chosen. Umbwe is the steepest and thus not the best for acclimatization. On the other hand, the Northern Circuit is a longer option.

The average trip time to the summit on most routes is a week.

The only route up Kilimanjaro that has proper huts is the Marangu route. All the rest have campsites, which is another reason why it is best to go with a guide who can arrange tents and other aspects of logistics. Also, on the way up, you will find "toilets", mostly little huts with holes in the ground. Additionally, campsites are reputed to be a bit noisy, so packing in some earplugs might come in handy for early or light sleepers!

Tackling the Kilimanjaro summit is a doable challenge for most people. Of course, if you are not physically fit, you should probably start training around 6 months prior to your trip, as you will need to spend long days hiking up the mountain. No technical skills are required; however, as with all high altitude mountains, acclimatization is a must and going at a steady, slow pace is important, which is why you will hear pole pole (slower, slower) from your porters.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro requires a unique combination of physical and mental strength. On the climb, you gain altitude quickly and since the going is not particularly tough, aspiring climbers tend to overexert themselves, which may lead to altitude-related illnesses.

The best way to both succeed and avoid AMS (acute mountain sickness) is to take it slow and acclimatize properly. This often means hiking between eight and 16 kilometers each day over the course of seven to nine days.

This may sound like a walk in the national park, but at altitudes above 4.000 meters, it can be quite tough. This is why most guides recommend daily aerobic exercises for six months prior to your trip. This can include jogging, swimming and cycling.

Since you will almost certainly be carrying a 20 to 25 liter backpack that may weigh up to 10 kilograms, some strength training, specifically for your legs, upper body and core, is also important prior to embarking on your ascent.

Finally, but perhaps most importantly, mental preparation is a crucial step for would-be climbers of Mount Kilimanjaro. Some guides recommend running a long-distance race, such as a half-marathon, to get you in the mindset of overcoming feelings of doubt and adversity as you take on a physical challenge.

This will come in especially handy on the last days of the climb when you are hiking at nearly 6.000 meters in elevation, where the air is thin and you may be tired from trekking to the start of the climb and the acclimatization hikes.

As you prepare for your ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro, there are a few last-minute preparations that are vital to the success of your trip.

Staying hydrated is one of them. The human body dehydrates much more quickly at high altitude, so it is important to drink plenty of water in the days leading up to the trip as well as on the mountain slopes.

Acclimatization is another important factor to take into account prior to your trip. Many guides offer acclimatization periods during the trek in order to slowly get you used to hiking at altitude. However, since the journey begins at about 3.000 meters in elevation, it is an advantage to have done some higher altitude hiking before you arrive in Tanzania, especially if you are coming from sea level.

Finally, make sure you are well-rested prior to beginning your ascent. Get enough sleep in the run-up to the trip, as you will only become increasingly tired as you climb up Mount Kilimanjaro.

It is also important to make sure your muscles are well-rested. Try to avoid strenuous exercise before the start of the trip and be sure to stretch regularly.

Keeping in mind the variations in climatic conditions, you will need to consider your equipment accordingly. In terms of sleeping, most guides provide tents, however, you will need a four-season sleeping bag, an insulated mattress, and ideally a liner.

As for clothing, you will need thermal, insulating, trekking clothes and shoes, and you will probably benefit from layering so as to adapt to the varying temperatures throughout the day. Waterproof is best, a trekking towel that dries well is always a good investment, trekking poles, and sunglasses, sun hat, warm beanie and gloves are a no-brainer. In terms of accessories, make sure to take sunscreen (both hi SPF and absorbent), baby wipes, toilet paper, water purifying tablets and general medication.

For additional equipment such as crampons and ropes, if you decide on a more challenging climb, you can ask your guide for suggestions and recommendations.

Prices vary depending on group size, the route chosen, and duration of the tour. Tours usually include the guiding fee, accommodation, food and entrance fees, but don't include airfare. Additionally, suggested tips per group are: $15-20 per day for guides, $10-12 per day for assistant guides, $10-12 day cooks, and $6-10 per day for porters. The overall estimated price for a Kilimanjaro summit tour can range from USD $2500-1700 per person. 

Tanzania is a beautiful country to explore, and as such, you should not miss the chance to visit some other gorgeous spots in the area. Some suggestions are:

Kikuletwa Hotsprings- after finding freedom at Kilimanjaro's Uhuru, go on an excursion to the breathtaking Kikuletwa hotsprings and rest your weary bones under the shade of beautiful fig trees.

Materuni Waterfall– One of the longest waterfalls near Moshi. Plus, it comes with a hike through some homesteads, plus the possibility of touring a coffee plantation and tasting banana wine. A must!

Lake Chala– dating back 250,000 years, this stunning lake at the border of Kenya and Tanzania is a beautiful landmark just 8km away from Kilimanjaro and though not necessarily safe to swim in due to the crocodiles that inhabit it, well worth the visit. You can also camp in the area.