KILIMANJARO CLIMBING
Thinking about Kilimanjaro Climbing? We know exactly how it feels. It’s a desire for the Roof of Africa. An unstoppable hunger for conquering Uhuru Peak and a craving for the raw adventure that a Kilimanjaro Climb comes with. Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the Seven Summits and although it is considered to be one of the easier ones, climbing it is by no means a walk in the park.
When you are Climbing Kilimanjaro you will make it to a point at a height of 5.895 meters altitude above sea-level. For the last 130 years, the mountain has been making the lives of climbers extremely difficult, but so worthwhile. With the right preparations and having the right questions answered you can make it to the highest summit on the African continent. Are you ready to climb Kilimanjaro? This is all you need to know.
As the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro makes up one of the Seven Summits (i.e. highest mountains on each of the seven continents). The other mountains on the Seven Summit circuit are:
- Mount Everest – Asia – First ascent 1953 – 8,848 meters
- Aconcagua – South America – First ascent 1897 – 6,961 meters
- Denali – North America – First ascent 1913 – 6,194 meters
- Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa – First ascent 1889 – 5,895 meters
- Mount Elbrus – Europe – First ascent 1874 – 5,642 meters
- Mount Vinson – Antarctica – First ascent 1966 – 4,892 meters
- Mount Kosciuszko – Australia – First ascent 1840 – 2,228 meters
WHICH IS THE BEST ROUTE TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO?
Having helped over 10,000 people Climb Kilimanjaro we know that for every one of them, the best route was the route which gave them the best chance to stand on the top of this awesome mountain. So there are seven Kilimanjaro Routes from which we will recommend 5 routes namely: the Machame Route, Lemosho route, Rongai route, Marangu Route and the Northern Circuit Route.
MACHAME ROUTE – This is our favourite route for a short climb as it offers a high chance of success over just 7 days. It has an interesting approach through all of Kilimanjaro’s diverse climate zones. Its downside is that everybody likes it, so in peak periods it can be very busy.
LEMOSHO ROUTE – Stepping up in cost and adding an extra day, this is the best 8 day route on the mountain. It has fantastic views and a really interesting approach from the West of the mountain.
NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE – If money and time are not an issue then it is worth checking out the Northern Circuit. It has the same attractive approach as the Lemosho but then heads north where you will find yourselves nearly alone.
RONGAI ROUTE – This route approaches Kilimanjaro from the north of the mountain close to the Kenyan border. It is a very quiet route, and is not normally our first choice as there is very little vegetation as it has much less rainfall. This means it is a good route to choose in the rainy season and it is always generally quiet.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO?
The short answer regarding Best Time To Climb Kilimanjaro is to either go between May and October, or December and March. You also can read lots more about the Kilimanjaro Weather.
Simply put, Kilimanjaro has a long monsoon season in April and May, and a shorter monsoon season in November. During these periods there is a high probability of rain every day. Outside these periods the weather is mainly dry and clear.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN CLIMBING MOUNTAIN KILIMANJARO
Before you embark on your Kilimanjaro Trekking adventure, you will meet with our Trekking Operations Manager for an extensive briefing. Route, safety procedures and health issues will be discussed in detail and you have enough time to ask any remaining questions. Your Kilimanjaro Climbing Gear will be inspected to ensure that you have everything you need to be safe and comfortable. If you are missing any gear, you can rent it from us.
During your climb, you only carry your backpack with essentials such as water for the day’s hike. Our porters will carry all equipment, food and additional luggage – they are tough climbers and the true heroes of the mountain.
Our permanent mountain guides will lead the way. They are responsible for your safety and will encourage you and lend a helping hand, but also call the climb off due to weather, altitude sickness or injury, if necessary. Your safety is paramount to us. Most of our mountain guides have been part of our team for many years, been up Kilimanjaro hundreds of times and all receive regular training. You are in good hands.
Our cooks are miracle workers. With simple gas cookers, they conjure up 3-course feasts, hot drinks and snacks to revive and nourish you when you need it most. Drinking water comes from mountain streams and is boiled before you drink it.
On most routes, you will sleep in high-quality two-person tents. The tents will be pitched and taken down by our team of porters. You can concentrate on getting to the top, one step at a time. When you arrive at camp after a long day’s hike, your tent will already be waiting for you. While there are no showers on the camping routes, you will be provided with a bowl of hot water in the morning to start the day fresh. When Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Marangu Route, you will overnight in mountain huts.
Fulfil a dream – To climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro, you need to be in a fit and healthy state with a good all-round condition, strong will power and a little bit of luck. All you really need is the ambition – we will do the rest.
PLAN YOUR PERFECT KILIMANJARO CLIMB
Kilimanjaro is also the highest mountain in Africa so is part of the very special club that mountaineers call the “Seven Summits” – the highest mountains on each continent.
Even with these awesome credentials, you can leave work on a Friday, climb to its summit and be back at work a week later. And more than anything this accessibility is what makes it so popular. So book your Kilimanjaro Climbing adventure now with the number one Kilimanjaro operator Riverstone Africa. If you climb with us, you are in safe hands – we have now helped over 500 climbers summit successfully.
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