Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a fantastic adventure! It’s the highest mountain in Africa and attracts climbers from all over the world. Are you planning a climb or looking for information about it?
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, standing at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level, offers adventurers a unique and challenging experience. Located in Tanzania, it is Africa’s tallest peak and one of the famed Seven Summits. The mountain boasts diverse ecosystems, from lush rainforests to alpine deserts and glaciers near the summit. Climbers typically choose from several established routes, each varying in difficulty and scenery. The Marangu route, known as the “Coca-Cola” route, is popular for its relative comfort with hut accommodations, while the Machame route offers stunning views and a more varied terrain.
Successful climbs typically take around 5-9 days, allowing for acclimatization to the altitude. Climbers can encounter changing weather conditions, from hot and humid at lower altitudes to freezing temperatures near the summit, necessitating careful packing and preparation. Experienced guides and porters play crucial roles in ensuring safety and support throughout the journey, handling logistics and providing valuable insights into the mountain’s history and ecology.
Reaching Kilimanjaro’s summit, Uhuru Peak, is a remarkable achievement, rewarding climbers with breathtaking panoramic views and a sense of accomplishment. The experience of Kilimanjaro embodies both physical challenge and natural beauty, making it a bucket-list destination for adventurers seeking to conquer Africa’s highest peak.
19,340 ft/5,895 m
42 miles (70km) | Lemosho Route
Rainforest, Heather, Moorland, Alpine, Arctic
Lemosho, Machame, Rongai, Northern Circuit, Marangu, Umbwe Kilimanjaro Hike Lengths 6-9 days Kilimanjaro Hike Lengths
Kibo, Mawenzi, Shira
Average fitness level
1889, Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller
Kilimanjaro Hike Lengths
Average Climb Cost
Kilimanjaro Success Rate
Yes, beginners with little or no trekking experience can climb Kilimanjaro. With proper training and a quality tour guide, your chances of successfully reaching the summit are very high.
The duration of a Kilimanjaro climb varies depending on the chosen route. Most expeditions typically last between 6 to 8 days. Experienced hikers with prior acclimatization can sometimes complete the climb in an accelerated 5-day program. For those opting to stay overnight in the crater, the journey can extend to 9 days or longer.
Compared to other peaks in the Seven Summits, Kilimanjaro offers one of the shortest treks. Climbing Mount Everest takes 6-9 weeks, while Denali and Aconcagua require 2-3 weeks. In contrast, summiting Kilimanjaro generally takes about one week.
Mount Meru has two peaks: the main one is named Socialist Peak, and the lower one is simply called Little Meru. The main summit is, of course, the goal of the expedition, and Little Meru is a bonus for active travelers.
On the second day of the ascent, there’s a half-day remaining after reaching the upper camp, Saddle Hut. Those interested can, accompanied by a guide, hike through the saddle to the summit of Little Meru. The route is relatively straightforward, and on a clear day, the views are breathtaking. Little Meru offers a direct view of Mount Kilimanjaro, allowing climbers to admire its “big brother” from the peak.
Little Meru stands at 3,820 meters (12,533 feet) above sea level. Summiting it is recommended for two reasons: besides the stunning landscapes, it provides additional acclimatization before the early morning start to the main summit. It’s a “golden rule” of mountain expeditions: climb high, sleep low.
Visiting the summit of Little Meru is possible on both 3-day and 4-day programs with Kilimanjaro Mega Expeditions.
The best times to climb Mount Kilimanjaro are from late December to early March and mid-June to late October, when the weather is nearly ideal.
While other months can bring rain, this doesn’t mean there are constant heavy showers. Typically, the rain starts later in the day, giving trekkers a significant window of clear weather each day, even during the rainy season. There are also many days without any rain. Kilimanjaro Mega Expeditions offers discounted climbs during these wet months.
Maintaining a reasonable level of fitness is crucial for climbing Kilimanjaro. While you don’t need to be an athlete to reach the summit, a healthy average level of fitness is necessary. As a guideline, if you can comfortably hike 8-10 km (5-6.2 miles), you are likely fit enough to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Recommended Exercises for Kilimanjaro Hike:
Running: Running is an excellent way to build endurance for your hike. Aim to train until you can confidently jog 4-5 km (2.5-3.1 miles). Consider using the Nike Running Club app for good training programs.
Swimming: Swimming is a fantastic complement to running. It strengthens your entire body and improves heart and lung endurance, making it an excellent addition to your fitness routine. Unlike running, which primarily focuses on leg endurance, swimming engages your arms, core, and legs simultaneously. The buoyancy of water also helps protect your joints while exercising.
Hiking on Rough Trails: If you have access to rural areas with challenging hiking trails, make use of them. Aim for longer hikes, ideally in the 10-15 km (6-10 miles) range. Since much of the Kilimanjaro hike is uphill, training on longer, rougher trails will better prepare you for the ascent.
Tanzania experiences two rainy seasons and two dry seasons. The short rainy season starts in early November and continues until late December, followed by a dry season that lasts until mid-March. After that, the long rainy season begins and ends in mid-June.
If you’re planning to climb Kilimanjaro during the rainy season, consider the northern slopes. According to the Tanzania Meteorological Authority, this area receives five times less rainfall compared to other parts of the mountain. Recommended routes for this period include Rongai, Northern Circuit, and Marangu.
Keep in mind that from June to October, East Africa experiences cold nights. At Kilimanjaro’s high altitudes, nights can be especially chilly. Be sure to check our packing list to ensure you have all the necessary gear.
Preparing for any high-altitude trek like Kilimanjaro requires careful packing of essential equipment. At Kilimanjaro Mega Expeditions, we provide all necessary group gear for your expedition, including tents, mattresses, tables, chairs, first aid kits, and oxygen tanks. However, you’ll need to bring or rent personal items such as appropriate clothing, footwear, trekking poles, and personal gear. Given the high altitude, anticipate colder temperatures starting from day 2, especially at night. To ensure you’re fully prepared, we’ve compiled a detailed gear list to equip you for the journey ahead.
Embark on an unforgettable trekking experience with our Kilimanjaro climbs, offering a journey to Africa’s highest peak. Mount Kilimanjaro stands majestically at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level, beckoning adventurers with its diverse landscapes and challenging routes.
Alex M2024-03-18 Fantastic trek Job and his team did fantastic work. From the first moment chatting with him, we knew we were in good hands. His attention to safety and professionalism balanced with his sense of humor and fun personality made our trek to the summit of Kilimanjaro an awesome experience. His team is also excellent, from the level of attention and service of the waiter, Emos to the tasty meals prepared by Samora, to the encouragement, positivity and hard work of all the porters, the attention to detail and camaraderie really shined through during the 6-day Lemosho trek. Job and his team delivered on all promises and exceeded our expectations, taking this from a great experience to something very special and unforgettable. I strongly recommend Job and his team to anyone considering the trek. Salim A2023-11-13 Kilimandjaro and safari The trip was amazing the staff was very kind and friendly they take care of us I recommand Job and his staff Thanks a lot Priyanka S2023-11-01 Absolutely outstanding and comfy š Hey guys, I did Kilimanjaro with Job and his team.! They are amazing and super organized.! I personally experienced how Job took care of me whn I was shivering in cold at 5500m height.! Right before summit .! Moreover their company and the staff is sooo much fun and safe and respectful. They ll make you feel like a family.! Food, tents, bathroom, hot water, everything was so great with them.! And they all made my summit easy. 5 star to their work.! They all are superb and hardworking in the town.! I ll visit again to them for my safari trip .! See youš The Hollywood P2023-10-30 Incredible 5* Kilimanjaro Mega Expeditions If you are wanting to take on the challenge of Mount Kilimanjaro then look no further than Kilimanjaro Mega Expeditions! Took the Machame route which was 6 days with lead guide Job and his team! Job is an amazing man and was so accommodating and made our safety his top priority. I couldnāt recommend him anymore he is first class and made the climb a truly unforgettable life changing experience for which I will always be grateful, hope to be back in the future to experience the safari will Kilimanjaro mega expeditions. Thanks Job and your team for everything you are the real heroes and I couldnāt have achieved the Kilimanjaro summit without you. Agnes A2022-12-13 Kilimanjaro 3days challenge Crazy and unique experience ever!!!. Being close to the mountains is always my favourite thing in my life.I climbed kilimanjaro twice so far in 2020 and 2021via machame route. This year i had only 4days off before I catch up with some work.Since it was my birthday month i wanted to spent it in a different way so i came up with 3days challenge to kilimanjaro. I picked up the most Notorious route on Kilimanjaro, UMBWE ROUTE & in the middle of rainy season. So an expert needed to arrange my Mission.Job was my guide his knowledge, good spirit,& positive made me feel like 3days is nothing to meš .Had a great crew 1 cook,and 2 porters these people are truly kilimanjaro warriors.1st day we had to trek/climb from Umbwe cave to barranco camp its about 17km.Its really hard route but i love it the view is amazing. I felt safe ,never had any altitude sickness, no headache I was super okay ,My guide Job was so much concerned especially on our summit day.At 6am I made it to the summit of Kilimandscharo ,what a birthday gift to myself .After that we went all the way down to moshi town.Many thanks to my Crew, glad we did left any behind couldnt have done without them. Looking forward for my next 2days challenge via Umbwe Western breach šŖš¾. Are you planning to summit kilimanjaro?Strongly recommend... Michael W2022-09-02 Amazing tour guides When climbing Kilimanjaro, I was extremely impressed by the level of care and professionalism the guides displayed. They were always ensuring the group was safe and comfortable. On my tour, there were two guides. This was perfect because it allowed our group to split up. For those who wanted to climb quickly went with one guide, and those who are slower with the other. Both guides were extremely friendly and great people. Always wanting to talk, answer questions and get to know you. And when the climb got tough, they were always by our side motivating and pushing the group up the mountain. The guides are Kilimanjaro Mega Expeditions are truly unmatched. Damian H2022-09-02 Best Scenery I've Ever Seen!! For anyone wondering if they should climb Mount Kilimanjaro I have two words for you, DO IT. The scenery is like nothing Iāve ever seen before. My favorite part was waking up in the morning and drinking my coffee while watching the sunrise above the clouds. Climbing Kilimanjaro also gave me an incredible sense of satisfaction. When I finished the climb and reflected on it, I couldnāt believe what I had accomplished. I felt like I could now do anything. Grape Soda2022-05-16 Best experience ever!! Job and his team got us to the summit of Kili back in September, I couldn't recommend him enough!! His knowledge and expertise, as well as his positive attitude ensured that we were safe and in good spirits throughout the entire trek. I even dealt with some health issues along the way, and Job knew exactly how to manage it and get me to a good place mentally and physically to reach the summit. If you climb kili, you have to have Job as your guide!!! Rickson Zacharia2022-04-05 BEST EXPERIENCE EVER This was the best experience at Tarangire National Park the sanctuary of Huge groups of Elephants, Deo as our guide was so friendly, helpful, harming, and caring we had great time with mouth watering foods at Tarangire Kuro Treetops Lodge. Looking forward next year to come again for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro I really recommend travelling with this company for it has the best knowledgeable guides and assist in getting amazing accommodation while in Town also in the Bush
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