Mt Kilimanjaro Essentials before you go!
Climbing Kilimanjaro does not require any technical skills or special equipment, just some physical fitness and mental determination. People from all walks of life, from a 7 year old child to an 85 year old man, have successfully reached the summit. But the challenge should not be taken lightly. You need to understand what lies ahead.
Rest assured, you will find all the answers to all your questions here! This list has come from answering countless e-mails and experience with Mt Kilimanjaro since 2003.
Rest assured, you will find all the answers to all your questions here! This list has come from answering countless e-mails and experience with Mt Kilimanjaro since 2003.
Kilimanjaro Weather
Mount Kilimanjaro is located near the equator, so it doesn't experience the extreme temperature changes of other mountain ranges. However, the weather on Kilimanjaro can vary greatly depending on the altitude and time of year.
Here is a breakdown of the weather and conditions you can expect during each month on Kilimanjaro:
Here is a breakdown of the weather and conditions you can expect during each month on Kilimanjaro:
- January to mid-March: This is the warmest time to climb, with temperatures ranging from 20-25°C (68-77°F) at the base of the mountain to -5-5°C (23-41°F) at the summit. It is generally dry with clear skies.
- April to May: This is the rainy season on Kilimanjaro, with heavy downpours and thunderstorms common. It is not recommended to climb during this time.
- June to October: This is the second-best time to climb, with temperatures ranging from 15-20°C (59-68°F) at the base to -10-0°C (14-32°F) at the summit. It is generally dry and clear.
- November to December: This is the short rainy season on Kilimanjaro, with lighter rainfall than April to May. It can still be a good time to climb, but be prepared for wet and slippery conditions.
Which Mt Kilimanjaro Route?
The choice of the Mount Kilimanjaro route depends on a number of factors such as the length of climb, level of difficulty, scenery, and personal preferences. Here is a brief overview of the different routes:
- Marangu Route: This is the oldest and most popular route on Kilimanjaro. It is the only route with permanent huts and can be completed in 5-6 days. The route is considered to be the easiest.
- Machame Route: This is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro and is known for its scenic beauty. It takes 6-7 days to complete and has a high success rate. The route is considered to be moderate in terms of difficulty.
- Lemosho Route: This is a newer and less-traveled route on Kilimanjaro that is gaining popularity due to its scenic beauty and high success rate. It takes 7-8 days to complete and is considered to be a moderate to difficult route.
- Rongai Route: This is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north side and is less crowded than other routes. It takes 6-7 days to complete and is considered to be a moderate route.
- Northern Circuit Route: This is the longest and newest route on Kilimanjaro and takes 8-9 days to complete. It is known for its scenic beauty and high success rate. It is considered to be a moderate to difficult route.
What to pack your day pack for the climb
Packing a daypack for a Mount Kilimanjaro climb is essential as it allows you to carry essential items you will need during the day while leaving the rest of your gear in your main backpack. Here are some items you may consider packing in your daypack for a full Mount Kilimanjaro climb:
- Water bottle or hydration bladder: Staying hydrated is essential, and having a water bottle or hydration bladder with you will ensure that you have easy access to water throughout the day.
- Snacks: You'll need to keep your energy levels up during the climb, so pack some high-energy snacks like energy bars, trail mix, or chocolate.
- Rain jacket or poncho: The weather on Mount Kilimanjaro can be unpredictable, so it's important to be prepared for rain.
- Sunscreen: The sun can be intense at high altitudes, and sunscreen will protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
- Hat and sunglasses: A hat and sunglasses will protect your face and eyes from the sun.
- Warm layers: Temperatures can vary greatly on the mountain, so it's essential to bring warm layers like a fleece jacket, hat, and gloves.
- Camera: You'll want to capture the stunning views from the summit, so bring a camera or smartphone to take pictures.
- Personal medication: If you have any personal medication or first aid items, pack them in your daypack.
- Headlamp or flashlight: If you're climbing in the early morning or late afternoon, a headlamp or flashlight will help you see the path.
Medical Check-Up before climbing
Before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, it is recommended to have a medical check-up to assess your general fitness level and identify any health issues that may affect your ability to climb. Some of the medical check-ups that are recommended include:
- General physical examination: A general physical examination will assess your overall health status and determine if you have any underlying medical conditions that may affect your ability to climb.
- Cardiac evaluation: Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro requires a lot of physical exertion, which can put a strain on your heart. A cardiac evaluation will help to identify any underlying heart conditions that may pose a risk during the climb.
- Blood tests: Blood tests can be used to assess your general health status and screen for conditions such as anemia or infections.
- Altitude sickness assessment: Altitude sickness is a common concern when climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. A medical professional can assess your risk for altitude sickness and recommend preventative measures.
- Vaccinations: Depending on your travel history and the region you are traveling from, certain vaccinations may be recommended before traveling to Tanzania.
Pre-Climb fitness training
Preparing for a climb on Mount Kilimanjaro requires a good level of fitness. The following are some pre-climb fitness training activities that can be done to prepare for the climb:
- Cardiovascular Exercises: Cardiovascular exercises such as running, cycling, and swimming are great for building up your heart rate and increasing your endurance.
- Hiking: Hiking on trails with varying terrain and inclines can help improve your leg strength and endurance.
- Strength Training: Strength training, such as weight lifting, push-ups, and squats, can help build up your core and upper body strength which is important for carrying a heavy backpack during the climb.
- Stretching: Stretching exercises such as yoga can help increase your flexibility and reduce the risk of injury.
- Altitude Training: To acclimatize to the high altitude on Mount Kilimanjaro, it is recommended to do some altitude training. This can include spending time at high altitude destinations, using altitude training masks, or using altitude simulators.
Travel Documents entering Tanzania
To enter Tanzania, you will need the following travel documents:
- Passport: A valid passport with at least six months validity remaining.
- Visa: A tourist visa is required for most nationalities. You can apply for a tourist visa online or obtain one on arrival at the airport. It is recommended to obtain a visa prior to arrival to avoid long queues at the airport.
- Yellow fever certificate: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.
- Return ticket: A return ticket or proof of onward travel may be required to enter Tanzania.
- Travel insurance: Although not mandatory, it is highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and evacuation in case of an emergency.
Airport arrivals & transfers
Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) with the airport code of JRO; is the main international airport in Tanzania, located in the region of Kilimanjaro. Here's some information about airport arrivals and transfers from KIA:
ARRIVALS:
Upon arrival at KIA, you will proceed to immigration to have your passport checked and stamped. After clearing immigration, you will collect your luggage and proceed through customs. You may be asked to present your passport and travel documents to customs officials.
TRANSFERS:
We offer airport transfers as part of of the package. The transfer from KIA to Moshi typically takes about an hour and a half, depending on traffic.
ARRIVALS:
Upon arrival at KIA, you will proceed to immigration to have your passport checked and stamped. After clearing immigration, you will collect your luggage and proceed through customs. You may be asked to present your passport and travel documents to customs officials.
TRANSFERS:
We offer airport transfers as part of of the package. The transfer from KIA to Moshi typically takes about an hour and a half, depending on traffic.
Accomodation before and after the climb
We are pleased to inform you that our standard Mount Kilimanjaro climb package includes two nights of accommodation for your convenience. You will have one night before the day of starting the climb, allowing you time to rest and prepare for the adventure ahead. Then, after the climb, you will have another night to relax and celebrate your achievement.
Travel & Medical Insurance
Trip deposits are non-refundable and balance payments are only partially refundable (Read Terms and Conditions). Therefore, it is prudent for you to protect your investment against trip cancellation, interruption, delays, airport lugguage loss, and unforeseeable expenses. Your travel insurance must cover high altitude trekking up to 6000m (19685.04ft) to be eligible for helicopter rescue by Kilimanjaro Seearch and Rescue (SAR). It is a private company that provides medical support and helicopter evacuation.
Cash, Card & ATM's
As a foreigner visiting Moshi, Tanzania, it is recommended to carry both cash and cards for transactions. While some places in Moshi accept credit and debit cards, it is best to carry some cash as well, especially for small transactions and places where card payments may not be accepted. Most major currencies, such as US dollars, euros, and British pounds, are widely accepted in Moshi. The main currency is (Tshs.). US Dollar is widely accepted in tourist areas however older notes US dollars printed prior to 2006 are not accepted anywhere in Tanzania or many other African countries. Usage of major credit cards is acceptable in some places and can incurr surcharges between 3 - 5%.
There are several ATMs in Moshi town that accept international debit and credit cards. However, it is important to note that some ATMs may charge high transaction fees, and some may not dispense large amounts of cash.
Overall, it is best to have a combination of cash and cards for transactions in Moshi, Tanzania.
There are several ATMs in Moshi town that accept international debit and credit cards. However, it is important to note that some ATMs may charge high transaction fees, and some may not dispense large amounts of cash.
Overall, it is best to have a combination of cash and cards for transactions in Moshi, Tanzania.
Hidden costs
There can still be hidden costs that you should be aware of before booking. Here are some common hidden costs that you might encounter:
- Gear rental: If you do not have all the necessary gear for your climb, you may need to rent equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking poles, or warm clothing. This can add up to a significant amount, especially if you are renting gear for multiple people.
- Additional nights: If you need to spend an extra night in Moshi before or after your climb, you may need to pay for accommodation and meals.
- Portable Toilet. There is not much to say about our toilets. They are essential because the public long-drop toilets on Kilimanjaro are horrendous and over-crowded. Our porters empty the holding tanks at the nearest public toilets at every camp. Please note - at Crater Camp there are no public toilets so we use the Clean-Waste toilet kits to bag the waste and carry it down.
- Portable Shower. There is plenty of misunderstanding about our showers on Kilimanjaro. First of all, it is an optional service we provide so you are not forced to shower! We generally set up our showers at the halfway camp on the way to the summit and at Mweka camp after you reached the summit. All outfitters provide bowls of warm water to their clients so they can wash after a long day of trekking. The same amount of water can be put in a sunshower instead of the bowl! This allows you to rinse your whole body with minimum water but the short splash MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE. You will feel refreshed and ready for your next challenge. A short shower is a really good solution to help prevent painful chafe caused by perspiration between the legs and buttocks areas.
- Gamow Bags. Available when sleeping in the Crater. If you overnight in the Crater on Kilimanjaro, simple evacuations are not always possible because you have to ascend higher in order to scale the rim before descending down to a lower elevation. If you are suffering from serious altitude-related symptoms it may be safer to stabilize you by placing you in our pressured altitude chamber for an hour or so. This will fool your body into thinking you are 2000ft or so lower in elevation and the improvement in your condition will buy precious time as we evacuate you over Stella Point and down to safety. A Gamow bag is not needed for treks that do not overnight in the Crater as immediate and fast descending is always possible and preferred.
- Automated External Defibrillator (AED). AEDs are offered as an upgrade option. You must know that these devices are unproven at high altitude in cold/wet weather. They may malfunction, and medical studies have shown AEDs to be very ineffective in most heart-related emergencies when used in hospital emergency rooms. Immediate CPR remains the most important life-saving technique and our guides will do CPR FIRST as it is very important to keep oxygen flowing into the brain while the lungs and heart are pumped. An AED shock will be a last-ditch attempt if CPR fails to revive the patient. Using an AED instead of CPR will waste precious early minutes that may result in serious brain-damage.
- Visa fees: If you are traveling to Tanzania, you will need to obtain a visa. The cost of the visa varies depending on your nationality and can range from $50 to $200.
- International and domestic flights: Unless you are already in Tanzania, you will need to purchase flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam, as well as domestic flights to Arusha if needed.
- Travel insurance: It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical expenses, trip cancellation, and emergency evacuation.
- Additional activities: If you plan on doing any additional activities such as safari, day trips or cultural tours, these will incur additional costs.
Useful tips while climbing
Here are some useful tips for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro:
- Choose the right route: Research and choose the route that best suits your physical ability, level of experience, and time constraints.
- Acclimatize properly: Take the time to acclimatize to the altitude and follow your guide's instructions to avoid altitude sickness.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, which can increase the risk of altitude sickness.
- Dress in layers: Temperatures can vary greatly on the mountain, so it's important to dress in layers that can be easily added or removed.
- Use high-quality gear: Invest in high-quality gear, especially footwear, to ensure your comfort and safety on the mountain.
- Bring snacks: Bring high-energy snacks to help you maintain your energy levels during the climb.
- Listen to your body: Pay attention to your body's signals and don't push yourself too hard. It's important to take breaks and rest when necessary.
- Respect the mountain: Leave no trace and follow the rules and regulations set by the park authorities to preserve the natural beauty of the mountain.
- Enjoy the journey: Remember to take in the beautiful scenery and enjoy the journey, not just the destination.