Are you planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro? If so, then congratulations – you’re about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime.
But before you start packing your bags for the Tanzania Trip.
There are things you should know about Mount Kilimanjaro
In this blog post, we’ll give you 10 things you need to know before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
From getting in shape for the climb to packing the right gear.
We’ll make sure you’re as prepared as possible for your Kilimanjaro adventure.
What do you need to know before booking for the Kilimanjaro expedition?
Before you go on your trip to Mount Kilimanjaro, it is important to understand the basics.
Here are 10 important things you need to know before booking your climbing.
Once you have this information together, make a booking for your expedition.
1. Getting in shape for the Mount Kilimanjaro climb
Getting in shape for the Mount Kilimanjaro climb is essential if you want to make it to the top.
Here are some tips on how to train for the climb, and what to pack for your journey.
Before traveling to Tanzania for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing. You should be aware of that.
The most successful climbers generally start their training regimen by undertaking shorter climbs.
That will help them develop stamina and endurance.
After building up these basic skills, they move on to longer climbs.
That will challenge them further.
As with any athletic attempt, success requires hard work and dedication.
Don’t expect to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Without putting in the necessary effort first!
2. Altitude Sickness: What It Is And How To Avoid It
Altitude Sickness is a condition that can occur when someone climbs to high altitudes.
Symptoms of Altitude Sickness can include headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, and nausea.
It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of Altitude Sickness to avoid it.
How to avoid Altitude Sickness?
The best way to avoid Altitude Sickness is to slowly ascend to a higher altitude.
This will help prevent any sudden changes in pressure or air density.
Which can cause discomfort or even sickness.
Additionally, make sure you drink plenty of fluids while ascending.
Dehydration can also lead to Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
The importance of a slow ascent cannot be overstated.
If you ascend too quickly, your body may not have enough time to adjust.
And could experience serious health consequences such as Acute mountain sickness (AMS).
AMS is a very serious condition that can lead to death if not treated quickly and accurately.
By following these simple tips, you should be able to avoid them.
Any problems associated with Altitude Sickness while on Mount Kilimanjaro? Read more about Altitude sickness
3. You will eat well healthy and climb well
The foods on Mount Kilimanjaro are made with fresh ingredients.
Unlike the western backpacking trips where most foods are processed. Our clients eat well, real food and natural.
We carry fresh supplies of food and fruits, vegetables, eggs, and grains.
You will be accompanied by our professional mountain chef who takes care of all the meals.
For you and the whole supporting team during your Kilimanjaro climbing.
Whether you need special foods we cater to all.
Whether you are a vegetarian or vegan we got you covered.
Eating nutritional foods is an important element. for the successful climbing of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Day after day while on your climbing you should find yourself losing your appetite.
Bear in mind that a lack of enough energy could contribute to the summit failure rate.
Our team is well aware of that, and we focus on serving tasty foods designed to keep you energized for hiking.
We carry enough food for every client and every staff person to last for some days during your trip.
We always send fresh supplies to the Horombo or Karanga camp.
Depending on the routes you have been climbing with to the peak of Africa. Our clients eat well and they always say that.
You should avoid cheap Kilimanjaro outfitters packages. They always serve low-quality foods that are less nutritional.
That will reduce your success rate in Mount Kilimanjaro climbing.
4. There is no electricity or stable Network and Wi-Fi. Listen to the mountain
There is no electricity like in town or in your home country. Thanks to new technology for now many climbers travel with charger banks.
Instead of depending on ranger post solar systems which are unreliable.
During Mount Kilimanjaro climbing expect to experience real adventure.
There is no stable wife on the mountain. Recently the government installed an internet tower to offer wifi service at the camp. During climbing for Kilimanjaro.
Unfortunately, this coverage is available at Horombo camps only through the Marangu route.
Network connection during your climb is not available in every part of the mountain.
Some routes like Lemosho are typically remote from the first day to the third day of your climb.
You should ask your mountain guides for the best places where you could get a strong network.
In case you need to text or make calls. Sometimes observe when local crews are busy on their phones. It should be areas where a cellular network is available.
Remember this is an outdoor climbing activity. You should buy time to yourself to refresh and disconnect from the noise of city life.
Abandon your tech devices for some days and reconnect with nature.
Nature uplifts our spirits and inspires us to discover more about ourselves.
Do yourself a favor enjoy the mountain and hear the whisper from the peak calling you.
Climbing Kilimanjaro should be your life-changing experience.
5 . Summit night is tough, but why do others make it? Yes you can do it
On other days hiking seems like chewing bubble gums.
The typical day hikes consist of walking short distances for a few hours.
Having breaks before camps and even enjoying the sunset.
Some people feel these days as hard but fun.
But once it comes to summit night the story changes for everyone.
Don’t get afraid, there are a few reasons that make the summit night different.
With the rest of the other hiking days for Mount Kilimanjaro.
During this day you should expect to be awakened around midnight, so forget about the full night’s sleep.
You should save the sleeping folder for future use. Hahaha!
The second thing about this night is very dark.
Seeing where you’re going and what is around you is difficult to tell.
Following the guide is the rule of the game, you follow your guide.
With the help of your headlamp, you will be able to see the path a few steps in front of you.
You will only see the chain of headlamps far above to challenge you to take more steps ahead.
Summit night is very cold. We don’t need to lie about this.
Climbing the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro puts you into the Arctic ecological zone.
Where no plant life or animal lives here.
Bear in mind that the summit night is done in the early morning.
So always expect the cold temperature before sunrise.
The temperature at the summit of Kilimanjaro always turns below freezing point.
You might start feeling like the horror movie, but don’t worry it gonna be alright.
With appropriate layers of clothing and the best climbing gear. This night turned into snacks with coffee.
People prefer to wear four layers or five on top and three to four layers on the bottom, with hats, gloves, and gaiters.
You should endure wind and cold for about 6-8 hours during ascending to Kilimanjaro.
Though it gets warm very quickly when the sun rises. It takes about 9 to 14 hours to descend and ascend to the peak.
From the elevation of 4,000 feet to 9,000 feet.
You will hear your guide and summit potters telling you to climb step by step and slowly, there is no race ( Pole-pole)
Focus on your strength and have courage, why do others make it? why not you?
In the end, reaching the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895m is a great achievement in life.
You deserve a couple of champagnes! You made it to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Africa
6. Mount Kilimanjaro is for everyone. It’s not a technical climb is hiking
Mount Kilimanjaro is home to everyone. Gender, disability, age, or race don’t matter.
Unlike other mountains, Kilimanjaro allows every nature lover to experience its peak.
Others might think of rock climbing, paragliding, or other technical climbing challenges.
Associated with mountains Mount Kilimanjaro is the other story, which is typical hiking.
Despite being the free-standing mountain on Earth. Anyone can climb Kilimanjaro despite their body shape, disability, or age.
You don’t need any technical skills to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
No need for mountaineering equipment like ice axes or ropes. There is no danger of falling off the cliff.
There is no part of climbing trails that needs rock climbing technic either.
Anyone can do it just by walking either with their feet or a wheelchair to the peak of Africa.
Kilimanjaro climbing accommodates people from all walks of life.
Whether you’re an experienced backpacker or a complete newbie. Mount Kilimanjaro has a place for you.
Join other climbers from different parts of the world to the summit of Africa at 5,895m.
7. You don’t have to carry anything. Maybe your day-pack
Apart from being a challenge but Mount Kilimanjaro climb carries the taste of luxury.
You don’t need to carry anything maybe your daypack with a few snacks and a camera.
With other supportive documents and even money if you can.
Kilimanjaro is fully supported by a climbing crew. This includes porters, cooks, and guides.
They go with climbers and do all the work during your climbing. On average one climber needs around four to five people.
You might feel the high number of people but you should feel it when you’re there.
A lot of activities and loads are to be carried from one camp to the other.
Mountain porters carry tents, food, water, and other items.
Including gas cookers for a campsite. Porter set up tents and took down tents.
This is the manual activity from one camp to the other.
But also they do fetch water because water is not available in every camp.
Our clients do not have to spend their energy doing any labor.
Instead, they should focus on hiking and acclimatization for summit night.
Mountain crew or staff carry around and weigh 15-20 lbs. The whole climbing package loads are distributed to the whole team.
Others carry your bags, tents, food, and even your climbing gear to the camps.
It’s an adventure you should dare to take to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.
8. Seven to Eight days are the best recommended days for Mount Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro offers different routes for climbing. These routes differ from one another in terms of time and climbing is difficult.
Umbwe routes are the hardest routes of all followed by Machame routes.
For any climbing route, all routes take you to one place which is Uhuru Peak. Also well known as the summit of Kilimanjaro at 5,895m.
We recommend booking routes that offer seven to eight days of climbing.
This is the ideal plan if you wish to guarantee your success in climbing.
Before we discuss why we are recommending more than 5 or 6 days of climbing.
Let’s look first at statistical data for all climbing routes to Mount Kilimanjaro.
What is the Kilimanjaro summit success rate?
- The summit success rate for all climbers through all routes is 45%
- The summit success rate for all climbers through all 5 days’ routes is 27%
- The summit success rate for all climbers through all 6 days’ routes is 44%
- The summit success rate for all climbers through all 7 days’ routes is 64%
- The summit success rate for all climbers through all 8-day routes is 85%
Now you know exactly why we are recommending seven or eight days long.
The slower you ascend the easier the body acclimatizes.
If you refer to our article on Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS) the first cause of that is fast ascending.
Read more about Mountain Sickness and how to avoid it.
The truth about short climbing to the peak yield for low success rate.
Imagine climbing to the summit for only 5 days.
Meaning you should spend three days and a half climbing from 6,000 feet to 19,340 feet.
While other routes give you up to five days of acclimatization.
For instance 7 Days Machame Route or 8 Days Lemosho Route.
Why spend your hard-earned cash, time, and energy becoming ill on the mountain after a couple of days?
Bare in mind this is your trip you have all right to enjoy and make the most of it to the peak of Africa.
Though not guaranteed for everyone to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro.
But making wise decisions increases your odds of reaching the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.
9. Mount Kilimanjaro climbing is not cheap.
Yes, we mean it! Climbing Kilimanjaro is not cheap at all. It’s going to cost you more than you think.
We are sorry to tell you that but let the truth shine the light.
Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania, a developing country in Africa.
Though the fees for climbing this mountain are not cheap.
The government imposed high direct fees for non-residents. T
he daily fees for Kilimanjaro with the exclusion of 18% VAT are more than $130 per day for a climber.
Any priced package you are shared by tour operators is made up of mandatory park fees.
Climbing outfitters have no control over this cost.
Apart from mandatory fees for Kilimanjaro, there are other extra costs for your climbing.
The supporting team for your climbing needs to get paid.
As you can be there you can feel how climbing is tough.
At Blessing, Safaris rewards our crew with high wages on the mountain.
This has a lot to do with team spirit but also supports the economy of local people.
As we stated before, an average climber needs around 3 to 4 staff.
So think about 10 climbers to Kilimanjaro requires about 40 people.
All of this falls into the climbing equation cost for your trip to Kilimanjaro.
Our main focus is to provide high-quality service to our climbers.
We stand out from the crowd by offering standards. ( mid-range guide service) to luxury guide service on Kilimanjaro.
Other operators may charge very cheap but don’t get deceived. They should compromise your service.
Finally, you have no one to blame rather than your own decision to climb with cheap operators.
Don’t overpay or underpay for your Kilimanjaro climbing trip.
Is your adventure, you should make it fun and memorable.
Refer to our guide for Mount Kilimanjaro Packing Fees
Refer to our Tipping Guide for Mount Kilimanjaro
10. Mount Kilimanjaro best combines with Africa Big Five Safari
Mount Kilimanjaro could be your priority.
But visiting Tanzania without enjoying the big five safaris you will miss a lot.
The good news about climbing Kilimanjaro is flexibility.
To explore other safari destinations available in Africa.
Mount Kilimanjaro is positioned in a strategic location for wildlife safari in Tanzania.
Is located in the northern tourism circuits of Tanzania.
Northern circuits are the best place for game drives.
Easy to visit other parks in Tanzania.
This includes Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, and Serengeti National Park.
The best-combined trips for Mount Kilimanjaro can either be for 5 5-day safari or above.
Depending on your budget and the time you have for a safari in Tanzania.
If you’re interested in a combined safari with Mount Kilimanjaro.
Talk to our safari experts who are happy to assist you. Contact us now
But also you can check out our combined trip for Mount Kilimanjaro: 14 Days Camping Safari
Extra Tips for Things to know before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is best combined with Zanzibar island
After the long rally of ups and downs, it’s time now to forget the hustle.
After Mount Kilimanjaro climbing it is possible to visit the island of Zanzibar.
Combining the climbing and beach holiday is the ideal safari plan for Tanzania.
After six or seven days of sweating, freezing, and long hiking, the beach is here. Zanzibar is home to Swahili and Arabic people.
The fascinating history of this Island is awesome. Apart from history, Zanzibar is a vibrant city with different activities for visitors.
You can decide to visit Prison Island. Spice tours, Snorkeling, dolphin trips, and many other excursions.
Request for a customized trip to Mount Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar from our team. But also you can read more about Zanzibar Island
Mount Kilimanjaro is best combined with a cultural experience
You might wonder how is this possible. Yes, it’s possible.
Tanzania is not only for Kilimanjaro climbing but also is home to more than 130 ethnic groups.
The history and authentic cultures are the hallmarks of this country.
Whether you want to learn about the Maasai people or the bushmen of Tanzania.
You can visit Datoga or Hadzabe near Lake Natron in the southwest of Serengeti.
Each community in Tanzania is proud of its customs and traditions.
After you’re climbing you could decide to experience life with local communities.
You can volunteer in schools or take part in socio-economic activities run by locals. Is that not wonderful?
If yes, request your customized trip plan with us.
Conclusion
Reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is an incredible feat.
That takes hard work and dedication.
But it is so worth it when you finally make it to the top and see the stunning views.
Be sure to prepare in advance by getting in shape and packing the right gear for your journey.
Remember to book in advance for your climbing.
But also make sure you focus on climbing Kilimanjaro during the dry season.
With preparation and planning, you can have a successful climb to the peak of Africa.
As we conclude this topic about “ 10 things to know before climbing Kilimanjaro”.
We would like to remind you also to make sure you pay for your travel insurance.
In case you need any help with planning for your Mount Kilimanjaro trip.
Our team will be happy to assist in organizing your climbing trip to Kilimanjaro. Feel free to contact us now.
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