Climbing Kilimanjaro

Are you thinking about climbing Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania? If so, you surely have 1,000 questions about it, right? We felt the same way before our big adventure. That's why we've compiled all the answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding climbing Kilimanjaro on this page. You will find all the information you need for preparation, the different routes, which provider we chose, what gear we brought, and general tips on weather, travel time, visas, and transportation.

It's truly an incredibly beautiful but strenuous experience. Therefore, it's important that you are well prepared.

Additionally, we will give you some tips on how to make the most of this trip. Are you ready? Then you can get started!

We also provide a comprehensive Kilimanjaro packing list (for every type: from the chilly type to the "I never get cold" type) and the travel report of our journey in 6 days on the Machame Route from Machame Gate to Mweka Gate.

Kilimanjaro, at 5,895 m high, is the highest massif in Africa, with Kibo being the highest peak.

From 1902 to 1964, the mountain was named Kaiser Wilhelm Peak, making it the highest mountain in Germany.

In Chagga, the name for Kilimanjaro is: kilima ndjaro, "Mountain of Waters".

Typically, the ascent takes five to seven days.

There are six main routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, Shira, and Umbwe. We chose the Machame Route.

The all-inclusive package costs between €1,500 and €2,500. The large difference is due to the varying duration and type of tour, as well as the included services of the provider.

We booked with Diamir (here for the trip description)

Successfully climb Kilimanjaro - Our experience & tips: preparation, route, and duration.

Machame Route on Kilimanjaro - Our report on the way to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m).

Kilimanjaro Packing List - Our gear: trekking shoes, clothing, and backpack.

Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is 5,895 meters high and is one of the Seven Summits, the highest mountains on each of the seven continents. Additionally, it is the highest free-standing mountain in the world. It is located in northeastern Tanzania, in the Arusha Province near the border with Kenya.

The mountain is a popular destination for many adventurers drawn by the challenge of climbing one of the highest peaks in the world, while also having the chance to see some of Africa's most spectacular landscapes. Right after the start, you will experience the tropical humid heat of the rainforest, then you enter a moorland, which later turns into an increasingly barren mountain desert. As you approach the summit, you should always expect snow.

The air gets thinner, and your appetite may diminish. Many suffer from insomnia.

The number of people attempting to climb Kilimanjaro has steadily increased in recent years. Approximately 50,000 people attempt to summit Kilimanjaro each year (a bit less since COVID, but the trend is rising again). While most climbers successfully reach the summit, a small percentage has to turn back due to altitude sickness or other factors.

Regardless of whether you reach the summit or not, climbing Kilimanjaro is an incredible experience that you will never forget.

After enduring the effort and standing at the summit, surrounded by miles of untouched nature, glaciers, and predominantly a cloud cover, you will feel as if you are on top of the world (and all the effort will be forgotten).

Since we also had many questions before our plan to climb Kilimanjaro, we have noted everything here. If you have further questions, please ask them at the end of the article so that we can address them and help other readers as well. View tips for preparing for the Kilimanjaro climb here.

(This seems important when reading offers from providers)

We will help you make your dream of climbing come true! After five out of five reached Uhuru Peak, we believe that it's possible for everyone. Anyone can do it. The success rate seems to be the most critical aspect of the providers, and it is always mentioned. In the book at the gate after the ascent, you must record your highest point. For statistics.

Additionally, your certificate states when you reached Stella Point and when you reached Uhuru Peak. Under the table, we learned that many coordinate with guides who then register the achievement. But what does that bring you? Nothing.

If we forgot anything, you can post your question as a comment at the end of the article. We will answer it as quickly as possible.

"Good" summit photos are overrated. None of us cared about whether everyone was looking at the photographer because we were simply happy and relieved.

Climate and Weather

Tanzania is located south of the equator in East Africa at the edge of the East African Rift (Eastern Rift Mountains at Rift Valley) and, due to its proximity, avoids the extreme temperatures of winter and summer. Instead, there are only two distinct seasons each year: a dry season followed by a heavy rainy season.

The weather on Kilimanjaro is unpredictable and moody. It can range from 2,100 mm of rainfall per year in the rainforest to only 120 mm at the summit. The daytime temperatures can also change rapidly with altitude.

Kilimanjaro has five distinct ecological climate zones that extend over heights of 1,000 meters each:

Farmland in the low elevations of the valley

Rainforest zone

Heath and moorland with alpine vegetation

Loose rock and barren wasteland

Summit with snow and melting glaciers resembling a lunar desert.

With increasing altitude, the amount of rainfall, temperature, and life in the individual climate zones steadily decline.

At the beginning of the ascent at the base of the mountain, temperatures are between 28 and 32° C. Shortly after, when leaving the rainforest, it continuously gets colder. At the summit, you have to prepare for anything: during the night, we experienced -12 degrees with snowfall and icy winds, making the feels-like temperature drop to -15 to -16 degrees. As the sun rose, it quickly became noticeably warmer.

You should generally always be prepared for any weather. We experienced every season at the summit, from wet and cold to sunny and warm. Layered clothing is ideal.

In general, you should avoid the long rainy season between February and May. Not only is it wet and slippery, making it significantly more dangerous, but visibility is also limited and less recommended. The short rainy season is in November until early December, but we weren't deterred and hiked Kilimanjaro at the beginning of December. According to the guides, we had tremendous luck: we rarely got wet.

A clear advantage: since many avoid December, it wasn't crowded either. (We generally prefer to travel outside of peak season.) The Kilimanjaro is best climbed during the dry season from June to October and January to March-but it can get really crowded then.

Are you planning a Tanzania round trip?

-> Here you will find adetailed report on the best travel time for Tanzania and Zanzibar, safari, and Kilimanjaro.

Here we have compiled some general information about traveling to Tanzania, choosing the route, and what else you need to know. A comprehensive list of tips for your successful Kilimanjaro climb (including preparation and on-site tips) is available here.

With Ethiopian Airlines, you can reach Kilimanjaro Airport via Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) depending on your first destination in Tanzania. For us, it was the Kilimanjaro climb. We booked the Kilimanjaro climb along with safaris in the Serengeti, Mkomazi National Park, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Nature Reserve, and subsequent relaxation in Zanzibar completely with flights through Diamir (including flights from the Serengeti with bush planes to Zanzibar).

If you want to book your flights independently, that's no problem; however, in case of a cancellation on your part, it will no longer be a package deal, and you will have to handle everything yourself. Check the flight search engine Kayak for the best connections andsee my tips here on how we book flights.

For entry into Tanzania, you need a visa, which you can obtain in advance online or directly upon arrival at any airport. The fees are always $50. We applied for the visa online in advance, as you can go straight to immigration with the printout (important because otherwise you have to fill out an entry document) and don't have to wait for a visa on arrival.

With the visa, you can stay in the country for up to 90 days. Therefore, check the date on your stamp in your passport to ensure it is correct.

Apply for your electronic visa online in advance here

Tanzania is a malaria zone, and malaria tropica can be transmitted up to an altitude of 2,000 meters. You start at 1,600 - 1,800 meters depending on the route. However, we did not want to take prophylaxis such as Malarone because we were already over 2,000 meters on the afternoon of day one and there are no mosquitoes at that altitude.

Additionally, many people feel tired or experience other side effects from taking Malarone. We wanted to stay fit and not take anything. During the safaris after, it was advised to spray and avoid black and dark blue clothing. These attract not only mosquitoes but also the tsetse fly, which transmits sleeping sickness in Tarangire National Park.

You will always get the best help on site, as locals often get malaria. But to be on the safe side, you should have your own opinion and consult your doctor. We have been to East Africa multiple times and take everything more casually.

For Tanzania, a vaccination against yellow fever is recommended, but it is only required if you are coming from a yellow fever country (like Uganda). A general vaccination against Hepatitis A and B is recommended for travelers.

There are six main routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, Shira, and Umbwe. These routes vary in difficulty and length of the hike. The Marangu Route is considered the easiest, but due to its popularity and overnight stays in huts, it is also the most frequented. Conversely, the Umbwe Route is regarded as the most challenging but offers some of the best views.

We chose the second most popular route (which is reportedly the most popular now): the Machame Route. It is one of the most scenic routes alongside Lemosho, which our guides prefer. However, for Lemosho, you need more days. So we selected the shorter Machame Route in 6 Days and successfully completed it.

The gear is important. Since the weather can change quickly, you should be prepared for all temperatures and conditions. From t-shirts and headwear to down jackets and warm gloves with wool hats or balaclavas, you should have everything. Layering is the way to go.

Your provider will supply the tent (for 2 people), upon request the sleeping pad, and the food. You only need a warm sleeping bag (a comfort temperature of up to -8° C is recommended). Simone's and my sustainable down sleeping bag, Therm-a-Rest Parsec 0F/-18C, was perfect as it worked down to -18° C. For me, the sleeping bag, alongside good clothing, is the most important.

Check out our detailed Kilimanjaro packing list with photos of our gear here.

Before the trip, I particularly educated myself about breathing and climbing Kilimanjaro. I like to know what to expect and how to prepare perfectly. Anyone who has experienced altitude sickness will do everything to avoid symptoms.

Climbing Kilimanjaro With Africa's Top Guide (actually too American, especially the demands for tips, but it's good for an impression)

Breath - The New Science of a Lost Art

Success Factor Oxygen: Scientifically Proven Breathing Techniques to Enhance Health and Athletic Performance - Featuring the Buteyko Method (free with Kindle Unlimited)

The Wim Hof Method

Once it was clear that we would really take on Kilimanjaro, we asked friends for recommendations on providers they could recommend. Immediately, the name of thespecialist for adventure travel: Diamir came up, with whom we soon decided on the route and travel time. After that, we planned to visit the highlights in Tanzania: Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and a lesser-known hidden gem, Mkomazi National Park. Once this plan was finalized, the idea arose to spend a few days in Zanzibar. Everything was arranged, booked, and we were thoroughly informed byDiamir.

So, we did not have to worry about having good sleeping pads (you can borrow, they were from Friluft), tents (Salewa), and a local trusted provider and partner of Diamir on site. It was truly perfect.

Here you can inquire and book the Machame Route with Diamir (note that this includes travel to and from Germany).

Note: Some providers advertise bringing oxygen bottles up the mountain. My honest opinion: If your body can't acclimate, it's a natural reaction that you've probably gone too fast, haven't drunk enough, or haven't eaten enough.

Since it was clear to us that we not only wanted to fly this far for the climb (and we love East Africa), we visited the major national parks of Tanzania. In the end, we decided to extend our trip and fly to Zanzibar to relax by the sea for a few days. Overall, we spent 21 days (3 weeks) traveling and do not regret a single day. Here you can find our travel report for Tanzania with relaxation in Zanzibar.

Tanzania is one of the best countries to observe wildlife in nature and experience adventure.

Kilimanjaro is actually called Kibo and is the highest mountain of the Kilimanjaro massif. The highest point you can reach is Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters. Among the first climbers was even a German: the Leipzig climber and researcher Hans Meyer, along with his Austrian partner Ludwig Purtscheller. They reached the summit of Kibo on October 6, 1889, with local guide Muini Amani after two failed attempts (in 1887 and 1888).

The Kilimanjaro massif is made up of three interconnected stratovolcanoes: Shira, Mawenzi, and Kibo. Each of these volcanoes has a summit, with Kibo being the highest. Fun fact: The summit is as high as the base camp of Mount Everest.

Uhuru Peak (Uhuru means freedom in Swahili) is the highest point at 5,895 meters, where you can happily and exhaustedly take your summit photo (ideally).

A notable feature you can admire is the glacier in the summit area. This is only 350 km south of the equator and is the only place in the region where there is permanent ice and snow. Unfortunately, the ice here is melting faster than one would have thought. The original glacier now consists of two. Between them, the ice has melted away at least 200-300 meters. Global warming also threatens the glacier and snow on Kilimanjaro.

Due to its location at the edge of the Great Rift Valley (East African Rift), many fault lines formed millions of years ago, resulting in many mountain ranges made of volcanic rock. Kilimanjaro formed from two fault lines just 750,000 years ago (according to recent research).

The last eruption of Kibo was more than 10,000 years ago. Thus, it should pose no danger of becoming active in the near future. However, the volcano is still classified as active, as there is likely still hot magma below the surface.

If you're interested in more challenges, you can climb the other Seven Summits:

Mt. Everest, Himalayas; China and Nepal (8,848 meters, Asia)

Aconcagua, Argentina (6,962 meters, South America)

Denali in Alaska, USA (6,190 meters, North America)

Elbrus in Russia (5,642 meters, Europe)

Mt. Vinson (4,892 meters, Antarctica)

Carstenz Pyramid, Indonesia (4,884 meters, Australia-Oceania)

Tell us what you want to know or which route you completed or will complete. We welcome every comment.

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