Kilimanjaro Trekking
Do you dare to climb to the roof of Africa?
WHY CLIMB KILIMANJARO?
It will be an experience that will mark your life.
If every year thousands of people make the ascent to Kilimanjaro it is because it is one of the greatest adventures and experiences that can be lived on African soil.
At 5,895 meters high, Kilimanjaro is known as the roof of Africa, and once at the summit, which is characterized by being snowy at any time of the year, you can enjoy one of the most incredible landscapes that can be seen in all the world.
It is also known by the name of ” Uhuru Peak ” at its highest point. Mount Kilimanjaro is a volcano triple summit located in northwestern Tanzania, part of the exclusive group of the ” Seven Summits “, being the fourth highest mountain in the world, only behind Everest, Aconcagua, and Mount McKinley.
The National Park Kilimanjaro was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. Along the route you will enjoy many unique ecosystems in the world, meeting you on your way with glaciers, deserts, tropical volcanic, savannah, and jungle scenery.
The Tanzanian government, through the Ministry of National Resources and Tourism, has been planting around 4.8 million trees in indigenous territories around the mountain since 2008 with the intention of helping prevent soil erosion and protect sources. of water, this has been very helpful for the surrounding environment.
The Kilimanjaro consists of three peaks: Kibo, the Mawenzi, and Shira, which are three inactive volcanoes, and between Mawenzi and Kibo is the ” Uhuru “, which is the highest peak.
The snow plates on the mountain are declining, having lost more than 75% of their mass since 1912. Scientists say the summit could be completely ice-free within the next 20 years.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT KILIMANJARO?
Although it can be done at any time of the year, the ideal is to visit Kilimanjaro in the dry season; from mid-December to March, or from May to early October. In this way, we will avoid the rainy season, which could complicate and make the climb even more demanding.
The best months to ascend Kilimanjaro are January and February, which are the driest and warmest months, and we will also find fewer tourists.
At any time of the year, you must bear in mind that the temperatures on Kilimanjaro drop one degree for every 200 meters climbed, so regardless of the time chosen to make the climb, as we move forward the temperatures will drop, and may reach the -15º at the top.
HOW TO PREPARE THE ASCENT TO KILIMANJARO?
Good training will help you reach the summit and enjoy this experience to the fullest.
If you are willing to conquer the highest mountain in Africa, it is important to prepare for the ascent to Kilimanjaro correctly, in order to face the climb in the best possible physical and psychological conditions and to be able to reach the summit without problems, while enjoying all the treasures that you will find in your path.
Although everything will depend on the physical condition of each person and their experience in trekking, the difference in altitude of almost 5,000 meters between the base and the summit of Kilimanjaro makes it necessary to have a good physical and mental preparation, encountering “altitude sickness” which can be our worst enemy, which can appear if we do not adapt correctly to the altitude.
From Sensation of Africa we will give you a series of recommendations to learn how to detect the most common symptoms so that, if they appear, we can prevent complications and act accordingly.
Physical training
The ideal would be to take advantage of the months prior to the ascent of Kilimanjaro to train, preparing yourself in mountainous climates if possible, in order to arrive as prepared as possible. Make ascents with a weighted backpack on your back to improve your conditions on the climb. It is also highly recommended to go for a run or walk, as well as do strength work in the gym.
Desde Sensation of Africa, con el objetivo de que puedas disfrutar al máximo de esta experiencia y evitar posibles contratiempos, incluiremos períodos de aclimatación durante la subida, lo que aumentará enormemente las posibilidades de hacer cumbre y de que puedas disfrutar cada metro recorrido.
And in case of fatigue, wear and tear, or altitude sickness preventing any member from reaching the summit, one of our guides will accompany you to the camp so that you can recover and rest in the best conditions.
Another way to prepare for the expedition is through long walks.
Do 4-6 hour walks with the shoes that you are going to use for the occasion, in order to avoid blisters when you get ready to climb Kilimanjaro.
With the backpack full of food and water, this will allow your back and your feet to get used to the weight, and to recognize what type of food you prefer while you walk.
Many people won’t have the time or resources to prepare for the altitude ahead of time, so we’ve put together a climbing route that will help you acclimatize as you climb, which will result in a better chance of success for the summit.
What to bring to Climb Kilimanjaro
Wearing the right type of clothing for mountaineering will make the ascent more comfortable for you, keep in mind that on the last nights on the summit, you will need thermal clothing, buffs, gloves, and a hat.
In your packing list, you can not miss a torch, a windbreaker jacket, and waterproof pants that allow us to adapt to changes in weather. But when the sun is out, lighter layers will be crucial to help you regulate your temperature.
Other things you will need are a 90L mountain backpack, a sleeping bag, and trekking poles.
You will be in five different climatic zones during the ascent to 5,895m. From the humid rainforest and arid desert land landscape area, before reaching the arctic conditions at the top. You should keep in mind that Kilimanjaro is only three degrees south of the equator!
Get ready, Kilimanjaro is waiting for you!
KILIMANJARO CLIMB: IS IT DIFFICULT?
You can go up walking, without climbing knowledge.
Although it is demanding, the climb to Kilimanjaro is not extremely difficult, and you can reach the summit without first having made an expedition of this type or having knowledge of climbing, since it is more similar to trekking than an alpine ascent, since that the entire route is done on foot.
The altitude and acclimatization are the biggest problems on specific to Mount Kilimanjaro, hence the importance of good preparation, in order to achieve the best physical shape and be mentally prepared.
Approximately 25,000 people attempt to reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro annually and about 2/3 are successful.
The climb to Kilimanjaro varies between 6-8 days, depending on the hardness. Traversing the mountain for about 62 km ascending from 2000 m to 5895 m and backward, past farmland, equatorial forest, and alpine heath, through a moon-like volcanic desert and up to a glacial summit.
It is not a technical climb and there are no precipitous drops along the way, no rock climbing, and no need for specialized equipment, but remember it is high! Varying time and temperature can make it tiring on the body. Muscles may feel more tired from having to work in an atmosphere with less oxygen.
A good intake of calories will be necessary to have the necessary energy. The strong sun during the day and cold nights can also be exhausting, but the trick is to eat well, drink enough water, sleep well, and go slowly. It may sound easy, but many people lose their appetite.
In any case, the Sensation of Africa mountain guides will be there to help you at all times to go up and down safely, they are trained in first aid to be able to detect any complications that may appear and act accordingly.
We are here for you, we will find the most suitable route to climb Kilimanjaro depending on your conditions since the difficulty will also depend greatly on the chosen route.
Check here the different routes that Sensation of Africa offers you:
SUMMITING KILIMANJARO WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
Summiting Kilimanjaro will change your life, as you will crown one of the “Seven Summits” of the world and have Africa at your feet.
From Sensation of Africa we accompany you in this hectic adventure, organizing the climb to Kilimanjaro in a totally personalized way, or with our routes adapted to your needs and physical-mental conditions, always accompanied by our guides, assistants, and cooks who will make this experience still better, living with them and making a great friendship.
We tell you some facts that will inspire you to reach the future summit:
The oldest person who has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to date is Dr. Fred Distelhorst, 88 years old from Wisconsin, reaching the top on 7/20/2017 after 6 days of ascent.
The fastest verified ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro was in 2001 by Italian Bruno Brunod, who reached Uhuru Peak in 5 hours 38 minutes 40 seconds .
And the fastest round trip in the world was completed in 2004, when a local mountain guide Simon Mtuy went up and down the mountain in 8h and 27min
Does it inspire you with motivation? Keep reading:
South African Bernard Goosen has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro twice in a wheelchair (he was born with cerebral palsy). He used 9 days on his first summit in 2003 and 4 years later it took him only 6 days to reach the summit. Bernard Goosen used a modified wheelchair, and especially without assistance to climb the highest mountain in the world “Ndio unaweza” a Swahili expression used in Tanzania that means “Yes you can”.
If you are a lover of trekking, nature, and Kilimanjaro has always been one of your goals, contact us and enjoy your dream of trekking in Kilimanjaro.
