How To Plan A Kilimanjaro Climb
When planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, there are
several considerations you need to work out before arranging a trip.
In this article, we will discuss these factors and provide
some insight into booking your expedition with us.
- Pick
a Time to Visit
- Choose
a Climb Duration
- Select
a Kilimanjaro Route
- Group
Climb or Private Climb?
- Choose
a Guide Company
- Assemble
Your Teammates
Pick a Time to Visit
While many parts of the world have four seasons – spring,
summer, fall and winter, Mount Kilimanjaro does not. Instead, the peak
experiences wet and dry seasons.
The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the two
dry seasons.
- 🌤️Short
Dry Season: from middle of December through mid-March
- 🌧️Long
Rainy Season: from end of March to early June
- 🌤️Long
Dry Season: from mid-June to the end of October
- 🌧️Short
Rainy Season: from beginning of November to beginning of December
Within the two dry seasons, there is not much variability
between the months. So you can visit anytime during the dry seasons and
expect relatively nice weather. Note that the summit
conditions are almost always cold and windy, and that it can rain at any time
especially on the lower slopes.
We discourage most people from climbing during the two rainy
seasons though there are exceptions. Hardy, experienced backpackers may enjoy
the solitude of coming during the quiet off-season in return for some
precipitation. Sometimes, climbing during the rainy season is the only chance
people have to visit. If that’s the case, go for it. Finally, it’s entirely
possible that it doesn’t rain at all during your climb, or rains only after
you’ve already made it to camp.
Choose a Climb Duration
The routes up Kilimanjaro range between five to ten days.
The length of your expedition has a large, positive
impact on the success rate. The biggest obstacle in climbing
Kilimanjaro is its extremely high altitude. If you have trouble acclimatizing
to the low oxygen in the atmosphere during your trip, you could develop
symptoms of acute mountain sickness that can cause you to abandon your climb.
So, for that reason, we recommend itineraries
that are 8 or 9 days in duration. Most of our clients opt for 8- and
9-day routes with great success. This added time gives your body the best
chance of sufficient acclimatization – to perform well and feel good.
If you choose to do a shorter route, you should be confident in your ability to
acclimatize while trekking at high altitude.
Ultimately, we want everyone to have a fulfilling trip – to
make it to the summit and return home safely.
There are seven established routes to climb Mount
Kilimanjaro. Although they all go to the same destination, Uhuru Point, there
are considerable differences between them. Some routes are shorter and steeper
while others are longer and more gradual.
As discussed above, the duration of your trip is quite
significant. So, in the interest of client safety and enjoyment, we always
advise our clients to use the longer routes.
Our top pick is:
We highly recommend using this route for your
climb. We consider this to be the best Kilimanjaro route not
only because of their high success rates, but also because they have beautiful
views, scenic variety and fewer hikers.
Our secondary picks are:
These are very good routes, though success rates are a
little lower because of the shorter duration.
Most of our group climbs utilize 8-day Northern Circuit. However, we do schedule a limited number of group
climbs on the 6-day Marangu route as well as the 7-day Machame route.
We offer group climbs and private climbs.
Group climbs are open climbs that are scheduled to
depart on specific dates and routes. They are for anyone who would
like to share their experience with others. People who book our group climbs
are typically solo travelers, couples, or friends who want to engage with
friendly, like-minded people from around the world.
The composition of our group climbs usually includes a
majority of Americans, plus a number of international participants from English
speaking countries such as Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
The ratio of males to females is generally about 1:1.
Note that all of our group climbs take place during
Tanzania’s dry seasons.
Private climbs are closed groups that consist only of
members of your party. You have the flexibility to choose whatever
date and route you like. People who book our private climbs are typically those
whose dates or route choice do not match our group climb schedules, those who
want to climb with a limited sized group, or those who want to spend time
solely with their fellow teammates.
We can organize private climbs on any route, for any length,
on any dates, for any size group, subject to staff availability.
Choosing a guide company is the most important decision
you can make when planning a Kilimanjaro climb.
Climbing a peak that is 19,340 feet high is not without risks. There are real dangers to being in remote, alpine environments at high elevations. Unfortunately, the majority of Kilimanjaro outfitters are poorly run companies with low standards and shoddy operations..
The cost for a Kilimanjaro climbs ranges from high
to low. We can confidently state this – there is no such thing as a high
quality, yet budget-priced operator. The cost of running a professional
climbing company cannot be supported by low prices, even when executed
efficiently on a large scale. On the other hand, just because a company charges
high or mid-tier price does not mean they are a good operator.
The characteristics of a high-quality Kilimanjaro guide
company include:
- Proven
Expertise – a long-standing reputation for excellence in the industry
- Professional
Guides – experienced guides with extensive and continued training
- Safety
Focused – strict safety protocols to minimize the risks of high-altitude
trekking
- Quality
Equipment – brand name, quality camping gear for protection against the
elements
- Nutrient
Rich Meals – fresh, hot meals designed to sustain the rigors of climbing
Kilimanjaro
We encourage everyone to do their research when it comes to
selecting a guide. Dig deep, beyond their website and emails. Verify what
operators say as much as possible. Be sure that your guide is a competent
one before you book.
There are hundreds of operators that service
Kilimanjaro. However, only 15-20 are professional, established, and well-run
companies. Therefore, the deck is stacked against you when
choosing a guide company.
Assemble Your Teammates
If you’re reading this, then it’s safe to assume that you are
interested in climbing Kilimanjaro. Who else might want to join you on this
once-in-a-lifetime trip?
Usually, a “trip leader” gathers all the relevant
information from us. Our recommendation is for the trip leader, or a
small group of committed individuals, to make the main decisions and iron out
the details. Then, once an itinerary is set, reach out to others
who might be interested in participating. This way, there aren’t too many cooks
in the kitchen.
Close friends and family members almost always make
fantastic teammates. However, you might be surprised by who else might want to
come. So, talk about your trip. Post about it on social media. Sometimes the
people you least expect are the ones who have been yearning for an epic outdoor
adventure.