10 Things You Should Know Before Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro 

Are you planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro? If so, 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 share 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 the Kilimanjaro expedition?

Before you go on your Mount Kilimanjaro trip, it is important to understand the basics.

Here are 10 important things you need to know before booking your climb.

Once you have this information, 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 to reach the summit.

Here are some tips for training for the climb and packing for your journey.

Before traveling to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, you should be aware of that.

The most successful climbers generally begin their training regimen with shorter climbs.

That will help them build stamina and endurance. After building these basic skills, they move on to longer climbs.

That will further challenge them, as with any athletic endeavor, because 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 may include headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, and nausea.

It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of Altitude Sickness to prevent it.

How to avoid Altitude Sickness?

The best way to avoid altitude sickness is to ascend slowly to higher altitudes.

This will help prevent sudden changes in pressure or air density.

This can cause discomfort or even sickness. Additionally, make sure you drink plenty of fluids while ascending.

Dehydration can also cause Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).

The importance of a slow ascent cannot be overstated.

If you ascend too quickly, your body may not have time to adjust.

And could experience serious health consequences, such as acute mountain sickness (AMS).

AMS is a serious condition that can be fatal if not treated promptly and accurately.

By following these simple tips, you should be able to avoid many of the problems associated with Altitude Sickness.

3. You will eat well, stay healthy, and climb well

The food on Mount Kilimanjaro is made with fresh ingredients.

Unlike Western backpacking trips, where most food is processed, our clients eat well, real, natural food.

We carry fresh produce, including fruits, vegetables, eggs, and grains.

You will be accompanied by our professional mountain chef, who will handle all meals.

For you and the whole supporting team during your Kilimanjaro climb.

Whether you need special foods, we cater to everyone.

Whether you are a vegetarian or a vegan, we’ve got you covered.

Eating nutritious foods is important for the successful climb of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Day after day, while on your climb, you should find yourself losing your appetite.

Bear in mind that insufficient energy could contribute to the summiting failure rate.

Our team is well aware of that, and we focus on serving tasty food designed to keep you energized for hiking.

We carry enough food for every client and staff member to last several days throughout your trip.

We always deliver fresh supplies to the Horombo or Karanga camp.

Depending on the routes you have been climbing, you reach the peak of Africa. Our clients eat well, and they always say so.

You should avoid packages from low-cost Kilimanjaro outfitters.

They always serve low-quality, nutritionally poor food.

That will reduce your success rate on Mount Kilimanjaro.

4. There is no electricity or a stable network and Wi-Fi. Listen to the mountain.

There is no electricity like there is in town or in your home country. Thanks to new technology, many climbers now travel with power banks.

Instead of depending on ranger post solar systems, which are unreliable.

During a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, expect to have a real adventure.

There is no stable wife on the mountain. Recently, the government installed an internet tower to provide Wi-Fi service at the camp. During climbing Kilimanjaro.

Unfortunately, this coverage is available only at Horombo camps via the Marangu route.

Network connectivity during your climb is not available everywhere on the mountain.

Some routes, like Lemosho, are typically remote from the first day through the third day of your climb.

You should ask your mountain guides for the best places to build 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 with cellular network coverage. Remember, this is an outdoor climbing activity.

You should buy yourself some time to refresh and disconnect from the noise of city life.

Abandon your tech devices for a few 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 that calls 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 feels like chewing bubble gum. 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 are hard but fun. But once it comes to summit night, the story changes for everyone.

Don’t be afraid; there are a few reasons the summit night is different from the other hiking days on Mount Kilimanjaro.

On this day, you should expect to be awakened around midnight, so forget about a full night’s sleep.

You should save the sleeping folder for future use. Haha!

The second thing about this night is very dark. Seeing where you’re going and what’s around you is difficult.

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 ahead of you.

You will only see the chain of headlamps far above, challenging you to take another step forward.

The night of the summit is very cold. We don’t need to lie about it.

Climbing to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro places you in the Arctic ecological zone.

There is no plant or animal life here. Bear in mind that the summit night is scheduled for the early morning.

Expect cold temperatures before sunrise. The temperature at the summit of Kilimanjaro is always below freezing.

You might start feeling like a horror movie, but don’t worry, it’s gonna be all right.

With appropriate layers of clothing and the best climbing gear, this night turned into snacks with coffee.

People prefer to wear four or five layers 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 the ascent of Kilimanjaro.

Though it gets very warm quickly when the sun rises, it takes about 9 to 14 hours to reach the peak.

From an 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 strengths 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.

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; it’s hiking.

Mount Kilimanjaro is for everyone. Gender, disability, age, or race don’t matter.

Unlike other mountains, Kilimanjaro allows every nature lover to reach its peak.

Others might think of rock climbing, paragliding, or other technical climbing activities.

Associated with mountains, Mount Kilimanjaro is another story, typical of hiking.

Despite being the free-standing mountain on Earth.

Anyone can climb Kilimanjaro regardless of their body shape, disability, or age.

You don’t need technical skills to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

No need for mountaineering equipment such as ice axes or ropes. There is no danger of falling off the cliff.

There is no part of the climbing trails that requires rock-climbing technique.

Anyone can do it by walking, on foot or in 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 around the world at the summit of Africa, 5,895m.

7. You don’t have to carry anything. Maybe your daypack.

Besides being a challenge, the Mount Kilimanjaro climb offers a taste of luxury.

You don’t need to carry anything, maybe your daypack with a few snacks and a camera.

With other supporting documents and, if possible, money.

Kilimanjaro is fully supported by a climbing crew, including porters, cooks, and guides.

They go with climbers and do all the work during your climb.

On average, one climber needs about 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 transported from one camp to the other.

Mountain porters carry tents, food, water, and other supplies.

Providing gas cookers for a campsite. Porter set up and took down tents.

This is the manual activity from one camp to another.

But they also fetch water because it isn’t available at every camp.

Our clients do not have to expend any energy on labor.

Instead, they should focus on hiking and acclimatization for summit night.

Mountain crew or staff carry around and weigh 15-20 lbs.

The entire climbing package loads are distributed across the entire team.

Others carry your bags, tents, food, and even your climbing gear to the campsites.

It’s an adventure you should dare to take to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

8. Seven to eight days are the recommended duration for Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro offers several routes for climbing. These routes vary in duration, and the climbs are difficult.

Umbwe routes are the hardest, followed by Machame routes.

For any climbing route, all routes lead to one place, Uhuru Peak, also 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 first look at statistical data for all climbing routes on Mount Kilimanjaro.

What is the Kilimanjaro summit success rate?

• The summit success rate for all climbers across all routes is 45%
• The summit success rate for all climbers across all 5-day routes is 27%
• The summit success rate for all climbers across all 6-day routes is 44%
• The summit success rate for all climbers across all 7-day routes is 64%
• The summit success rate for all climbers across all 8-day routes is 85%

Now you know exactly why we recommend seven to eight days.

The slower you ascend, the easier it is for your body to acclimatize.

If you refer to our article on Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS), the first cause is rapid ascent.

Read more about Mountain Sickness and how to avoid it.

The truth about short climbs to the peak yield a low success rate.

Imagine climbing to the summit in only 5 days.

That means you should spend three and a half days climbing from 6,000 feet to 19,340 feet.

While other routes offer up to 5 days of acclimatization.

For instance, the 7-Day Machame Route or the 8-Day Lemosho Route.

Why spend your hard-earned cash, time, and energy getting sick on the mountain after a couple of days?

Bear in mind: this is your trip. You have the right to enjoy it and make the most of your time in Africa.

Though not guaranteed for everyone, reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro is still possible.

But making wise decisions increases your chances of reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

9. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is not cheap.

Yes, we mean it! Climbing Kilimanjaro is not cheap. It’s going to cost you more than you think.

We are sorry to tell you this, but we must let the truth shine.

Mount Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania, a developing country in Africa.

Though the fees for climbing this mountain are not cheap.

The government imposed high direct fees on non-residents.

The daily fees for Kilimanjaro, excluding 18% VAT, are over $130 per day per climber.

Any package offered by tour operators includes mandatory park fees.

Climbing outfitters have no control over this expense.

In addition to the mandatory fees for Kilimanjaro, there are other costs for your climb.

The support team for your climbing needs to be paid.

Since you can be there, you can feel how tough climbing is.

At Blessing Safaris, we reward our crew with high wages while on the mountain.

This has a lot to do with team spirit and also supports the local economy.

As we stated earlier, an average climber needs about 3 to 4 staff.

So, think about 10 climbers to Kilimanjaro requiring about 40 people.

All of this falls into the climbing cost equation 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 a mid-range guide service to a luxury guide service on Kilimanjaro.

Other operators may charge very little, but don’t be deceived. They may compromise your service.

Finally, you have no one to blame but yourself for choosing to climb with low-cost operators.

Don’t overpay or underpay for your Kilimanjaro climb.

Is it 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 complements the African Big Five Safari

Mount Kilimanjaro could be your priority, but visiting Tanzania without taking a Big Five safari will leave you missing out on a lot.

The good news about climbing Kilimanjaro is its flexibility, which allows you to explore other safari destinations available in Africa.

Mount Kilimanjaro is strategically located for wildlife safaris in Tanzania.

It is located in Tanzania’s northern tourism circuits, which are the best place for game drives.

It is easy to visit other parks in Tanzania, including Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, and Serengeti National Park.

The best combined trips for Mount Kilimanjaro can be 5 5-day safaris or more, 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.

Extra Tips for Things to Know Before Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is best paired with the island of Zanzibar

After the long rally of ups and downs, it’s time to forget the hustle.

After climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, you can visit the island of Zanzibar.

Combining climbing and beach time is the ideal safari plan for Tanzania.

After six or seven days of sweating, freezing, and long hikes, the beach is here. Zanzibar is home to the Swahili and Arabic people.

The island’s fascinating history is awe-inspiring. Beyond its history, Zanzibar is a vibrant city with a variety of activities for visitors.

You can decide to visit Prison Island. There are spice tours, snorkeling, dolphin trips, and many other excursions.

Request a customized trip to Mount Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar from our team. You can also read more about Zanzibar Island.

Mount Kilimanjaro is best paired with a cultural experience

You might wonder how this is possible. Yes, it is.

Tanzania is not only known for Kilimanjaro climbing but is also home to more than 130 ethnic groups.

The history and authentic cultures are hallmarks of this country.

Whether you want to learn about the Maasai people or the Bushmen of Tanzania.

You can visit the Datoga or Hadzabe near Lake Natron in the southwestern Serengeti.

Each community in Tanzania takes pride in its customs and traditions.

After you’re done 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 so, request your customized trip plan from us.

Conclusion

Reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is an incredible feat.

It takes hard work and dedication. But it is so worth it when you finally reach 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 your climb in advance, and 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 also like to remind you to purchase travel insurance.

If you need any help planning your Mount Kilimanjaro trip.

Our team will be happy to assist you in organizing your Kilimanjaro climbing trip. Feel free to contact us now.

Are you ready to book your dream vacation in Tanzania? Explore these packages. 

7 Days Lemosho route climbing 

6 Days Marangu route climbing

We are your perfect guide wherever your heart leads you—Tanzania, and beyond. You can proceed with booking your Kilimanjaro trip.