Which route?

Consider which route is best for you. Approaching from the south, the popular Marangu Route is well-worn and can be undertaken more quickly than others. Its popularity also means plentiful conveniences and busy paths, however, which will appeal to some visitors and not others. An attractive alternative is the Lemosho route, ascending from the west. This is a less-travelled and thus more intact Kilimanjaro trekking option, which takes longer than some of the others but accordingly makes acclimatisation more natural. Plus, taking the slower Lemosho route not only allows you to pace yourself, but offers some of the most picturesque natural beauty on the mountain; you’ll travel through wildlife-rich forests and enjoy the stunning vistas offered by the Shira Plateau before ascending to the summit.

When to go?

Kilimanjaro has its own micro-climate, its size and dense forests meaning that heavy rainfall is common. The ‘long rains’ run from March to June and the ‘short rains’ from November to early December. The weather depends on the day and altitude as well as the time of year, but there are drier months: January and February are the most pleasant, but July through September is also warmer and drier than much of the year. Remember to pack waterproofs as well as a hat and sunscreen to help keep the intense rays off at high altitude.

Take your time

Those who have the most successful and enjoyable Kilimanjaro trekking experiences are usually those who pace themselves. Some slight altitude sickness at these heights is hard to avoid, but can be minimised by taking it slowly and allowing yourself to acclimatise. Drink plenty of water and always walk to a point higher than that at which you are planning to sleep. Altitude sickness should be taken seriously so that it doesn’t ruin your trip, so familiarise yourself with the symptoms, such as headaches, and make sure that you listen to the advice of your guide.

Train yourself up

Training is twofold – physical and mental. Physically, train yourself to endure long, tough walks, and don’t forget to factor in things like inclines and the weight of the gear you’ll be carrying. Also, it is important to have a general health check-up before you go – you don’t want to be dealing with unexpected illnesses halfway up. To prepare yourself mentally, talk to people who have been or, if that’s not possible, read a wide range of accounts to get an idea of the kinds of challenges faced by participants in Kilimanjaro trekking. Remember that treks can push you to the limit, which makes the joy that much more exhilarating – as long as you don’t overstretch yourself. Looking after body and soul as you go will ensure that you have the magical experience you deserve.

Jude Limburn Turner is the Marketing Manager for Mountain Kingdoms, an adventure tour company who are specialists in Kilimanjaro trekking holidays. They now offer treks and tours worldwide, including destinations in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Central and South East Asia.

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Introducing Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro (5,892 m) is a mighty mountain and a worthy test for an enthusiastic trekker. Because it is the highest mountain in the continent of Africa it represents an obvious challenge and is ideal for people who want to experience dramatic trekking. Kilimanjaro is an inactive volcano located in the north of Tanzania near the border of Kenya, and close to the Equator. Its three peaks are separate volcanic cones called Shira, Kibo and Mawensi, with the icy Kibo reaching the furthest into the sky.

National Parks

What people who embark on a Kilimanjaro trekking holiday might not expect is the variety of wildlife they are likely to see during their trip. Those that climb Kilimanjaro above the tree-line (at around 2,700 metres) will trek through the mountain’s National Park zone, chosen by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, with the lower region designated a game reserve. The neighbouring Arusha National Park has plenty to offer visitors in the way of safari animals, and is more importantly a chance for some essential acclimatisation on the park’s Mount Meru (4,566 m) ahead of their Kilimanjaro trekking experience.

Arusha National Park lies just thirty miles from Kilimanjaro and is home to safari animals such as giraffes, buffalo, zebra, klipspringer and dik dik, which are species of tiny antelope. It is well worth visiting Arusha during a Kilimanjaro trekking holiday to see creatures such as blue monkeys and the playful black-and-white Colobus monkey, which are usually elusive on safaris but are easily found here. You might also spot a species of bird called a Turaco, which is green with a quiff.

Mount Meru – Kili’s Cousin

As well as inhabiting the lowlands of the park you might see these animals on the lower slopes of Mount Meru, which is the fifth highest peak in Africa, and the second highest in Tanzania after Kilimanjaro. Trekking up Meru is ideal preparation for a Kilimanjaro climb because it affords an opportunity to acclimatize properly, and many good Kilimanjaro trekking holidays will incorporate Mount Meru into their itinerary for this reason.

Like Kilimanjaro, Mt Meru was formed from volcanic activity, but Meru is still active, with its last recorded eruption in 1910. A major explosive eruption thousands of years ago is responsible for Mt Meru’s unique shape. The eastern slope has collapsed leaving a concave shape called a caldera. Viewed from above, from a plane or by satellite imagery, it resembles a crescent moon. This caldera side faces Meru’s larger cousin to the west, Kilimanjaro. Trekking up Meru, you will be able to stop at the huts along the way, and you will pass through woodland and forests with animals and plants you will probably never have seen before.

Between Meru and Kilimanjaro

Facing east from the summit of Meru you will see ‘Kili’ in the distance, and on a day with good visibility you may be able to make out some of the features that lie between the two great peaks. You’ll be able to distinguish between the grasslands and the savannah scrub. The Jekukumia River runs from one mountain towards the other. There are also the Momella Lakes which are tinged with algae colouring them blues and greens, with wading birds such as pink flamingo. And of course, the horizon will be dominated by Kilimanjaro climbing into the clouds.

After summiting Mount Meru, hopefully you will be ready for trekking Kilimanjaro, which will be the peak of your holiday in Africa.

Jude Limburn Turner is the Marketing Manager for Mountain Kingdoms, an adventure tour company that specialises in Kilimanjaro trekking and trekking holidays in various destinations including North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Central and South East Asia.

The Kilimanjaro Ambition

Rising abruptly from the Tanzania plain, Mount Kilimanjaro (5,892 m) is an awe-inspiring sight. A climb of Kilimanjaro is a rewarding adventure, taking you to the roof of Africa. Depending on the pace of your group and the route plotted, it’s possible to get to the Uhuru summit and back within five days, staying overnight in huts and camps on the mountain. But trek durations vary. For example, the Lemosho route takes between 6 and 8 days and the Marangu route takes between 5 and 6, depending on the rest days incorporated.

The idea that Kilimanjaro trekking routes can be completed in five days (rather than seven or eight) is part of the reason why so many summit attempts fail. Guides frequently have to tell people on a Kilimanjaro trekking holiday to slow down, since ambition and over-exertion can make the difference between reaching the summit or not. It’s worth considering: why rush anyway? Taking a slower approach on a Kilimanjaro climb will be less tiring and consequently more enjoyable.  A steadier pace is more likely to lead to a successful summit, as well as giving you more time in a beautifully foreign environment.

The importance of acclimatisation cannot be overstated. People react differently to the unfamiliar conditions at altitude, and even very fit people might experience symptoms like headaches and nausea. The key is to take things gradually on a Kilimanjaro climb, incorporating time to for your body to adapt.

Some Kilimanjaro trekking holiday itineraries begin with a preparatory and enjoyable climb of the neighbouring Mount Meru. At 4,566 metres, Mount Meru is a good appetizer and acclimatizer. A few days climbing this moon-shaped volcano will allow you to see the safari wildlife of the surrounding Arusha National Park, and from the summit, you can see ‘Kili’ thirty miles to the east, towering into the horizon.

Kilimanjaro Trekking Routes

There are seven well-established routes for trekking up Kilimanjaro – Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Mweka, Shira, Rongai and Umbwe – with several of the routes overlapping and sharing the same trail further up the mountain.

Approaching Kilimanjaro from the East is the Marangu trail. This is the oldest and one of the easier routes, and consequently it has a well-established infrastructure to assist climbers. However, its popularity can be detrimental to the experience; known as the ‘Coca Cola’ route, the huts along the Marangu sometimes struggle to accommodate the traffic. Some claim its scenery is not as interesting as on other Kilimanjaro trekking routes.

The Machame “Whisky” route is also very popular. It approaches Kilimanjaro from the south and then turns east towards the summit. This is more difficult than the Marangu and takes longer, but trekking Kilimanjaro via this route brings the rewards of beautiful forests and great views of the glaciers on the south face.

If you are able to commit more time to your trekking Kilimanjaro adventure, the Lemosho route is recommended. It takes longer than the other routes and is by no means easy, but its gradual approach, with more rest stops and steadier acclimatization makes reaching the summit successfully more likely. Furthermore, this route is newer and less used than the others and is relatively unspoiled.

Lemosho approaches from the west. Trekking Kilimanjaro via this route provides you with views of the mountain from a variety of angles, taking you through forests with alpine flowers and along a ridge past a collapsed volcanic crater: a stunning scenic trek.

Jude Limburn Turner is the Marketing Manager for Mountain Kingdoms, an adventure tour company that specialises in Kilimanjaro trekking and trekking holidays in various destinations including North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Central and South East Asia.