Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is an inactive strato-volcano in northeast Tanzania, near the border with Kenya. At 5,895m (19,340 feet) above sea level, Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak and the world's highest free-standing mountain. Aided by its relatively easy ascent - Kilimanjaro has become a major destination for mountaineers and trekkers from around the world. It's also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Understand

The smaller Mawenzi summit of Kilimanjaro

Although positioned 330 km south of the Equator, Mount Kilimanjaro is famous as Africa's snow-capped mountain looming over the plains of the savannah. The snows have been fast disappearing. Kilimanjaro National Park protects the area above 2,700 m (8,850 ft), on the mountain and includes the moorland and highland zones, Shira Plateau, Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. The Park also has six corridors or rights of way through the Kilimanjaro Forest Reserve. The Forest Reserve, which is also a Game Reserve, was established in 1921; the park was established in 1973 and opened in 1977.

History

It is commonly perceived that Queen Victoria of England gave her grandson, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, Mount Kilimanjaro as a birthday present. However, this is not the case. In fact, Karl Peters, a German traveller in Africa and one of the founders of today's Tanzania, sneaked into Tanganyika and persuaded various Chagga chieftains to sign treaties in which they agreed to cede their territories to his Society for German Colonization.

During the First World War there was a campaign in German East Africa and the Germans fortified parts of Kilimanjaro.

Landscape

The mountain has snowy peaks, which are well renowned, although they are quickly disappearing.

Flora and fauna

Wildlife is abundant on and around Mount Kilimanjaro, much of which is unique to the region. Climatic conditions throughout the mountain vary starting from the bushland on the bottom to the Arctic ice region on top. There are tropical rainforests, evergreen forests, moorlands and the alpine desert regions in between. The climb feels like walking from the tropical equator to the North Pole in a matter of days. Although there are not many animals on the mountain itself, you will be able to see wild buffaloes, leopards and even elephants while traversing through the Lemosho Route. Armed rangers accompany climbers on the first day of the trek who are going via the Lemosho Route.

Climate

Due to Mount Kilimajaro's proximity to the equator, this region does not experience the extremes of winter and summer weather, but rather dry and wet seasons. January and February are the warmest months, April and May are the wettest months, June and July are the coolest months, and August and September are the driest months. January, February, and September are considered to be the best months to climb Kilimanjaro in terms of weather.

The journey from the gate to the peak is like travelling from the equator to Antarctica in a matter of days. This is because the routes to the Uruhu peak cross different ecological zones. Throughout the climb, temperatures vary considerably with the altitude and time of day. Mount Kilimanjaro has five major ecological zones, each approximately 1,000 m (3,280 feet) in altitude. Each zone is subject to a corresponding decrease in rainfall, temperature and life as the altitude increases. At the beginning of the climb, at the base of the mountain, the average temperature is around 27-32°C (70°F to 80°F). From there, the temperatures will decrease as you move through Mount Kilimanjaro's ecological zones. At the summit, Uruhu Peak, the night time temperatures can range between -18°C to -26°C (0°F to -15°F). Due to Mount Kilimanjaro's great height, the mountain creates its own weather. It is extremely variable and impossible to predict. Therefore, regardless of when you climb, you should always be prepared for wet days and cold nights.

Get in

The closest International Airport is Kilimanjaro (JRO ^IATA) and, if coming from Europe, KLM (Delta Air Lines) has a daily non-stop flight from Amsterdam to JRO.

If you are coming from Nairobi, Kenya, you can fly with Kenya Airways, which works with Precision Air, and that would cost you about USD400/person for a return ticket. Alternatively, you can schedule shuttle buses, which are daily at 08:00 and 14:00, for about USD25/person, one way, and it's a 5-6 hr bus ride.

If coming from Dar es Salaam, you can fly into JRO for USD320/person return; or take a 7-8 hr bus ride for USD20/person one way to Arusha or Moshi. In addition Ethiopian Airlines has nonstop flights from its hub in Addis Ababa Airport.

Cost

It is required to have a licensed guide to climb Kilimanjaro. Park entry and camping/hut fees are over USD100 per day. Most climbers are accompanied with porters. All inclusive trips range from about USD800 to USD5,500. Over and above the amount you pay to the tour operator, it is obligatory on the part of the trekkers to pay tips to the guides, cooks and porters who accompany you on the mountain. though there is no set guidelines as to how much you should pay, it is sufficient if you can pay around 10% of the amount you pay to the tour operators with the guide getting the major share and equal distribution of the remaining amount to the porters. Since the porters are the least paid by the tour operators and the ones who take the maximum load during the trek, your generosity would be of much help to them. But, it is not advisable to give the whole amount to one person and expect him to distribute it among the others. Chances are high that he may pocket the whole amount. It would be wise to give tips directly to individuals. Also, the gear used by the porters is mostly substandard and in fact not at all fit for the trek. It would be generous if you could spare some of your gear if you think you can do it.

See

Down in the caldera of Kilimanjaro with the high point of the rim to the left just as the suns was rising

The snows of Kilimanjaro

Do

Trekking routes

There are six routes sanctioned for climbing Kilimanjaro and two routes used for descent. These are:

• Machame
• Marangu
• Rongai
• Lemosho
• Umbwe
• Shira
• Mweka (descent only)

Warning: These ~6 day schedules are common but too fast – there is very high risk (75%!) of altitude sickness, and it is quite likely that you will not be able to summit the mountain on these schedules. In order to safely acclimatize, you should ascend more slowly than indicated.

Marangu Route Commonly called the Coca-Cola Route, because it is the easiest route and vendors sell Coca-Cola at some of the huts. Marangu is by far the most popular route to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Typical duration is either 5 or 6 days depending upon whether you elect to spend an extra day for acclimatisation to the altitude. This is the only route that offers huts versus tents.

• Day 1: Marangu Gate (1980 m) - Mandara hut (2700 m). Hiking time: 5 hours
• Day 2: Mandara hut (2700 m) - Horombo hut (3720 m). Hiking time: 6 hours
• Day 3: Horombo hut (3720 m) - Acclimatisation day (if necessary)
• Day 4: Horombo hut (3720 m) - Kibo hut (4700 m). Hiking time: 6 hours
• Day 5: Kibo hut (4700 m) - Uhuru Peak (5895 m) - Horombo hut (3720 m). Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru - 6 hours to descend to Horombo
• Day 6: Horombo hut (3720 m) - Marangu Gate (1980 m). Hiking time: 6 hours

Machame Route Some call this the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. Where accommodation on the Marangu route is in huts, the Machame route offers strictly tents only This makes Machame (also referred to as the "Whiskey route") better suited to the slightly more adventurous hiker, however rewarding him with a scenic splendour such as not seen on the Marangu route.

• Day 1: Machame Gate (1490 m) - Machame camp (2980 m). Hiking time: 7 hours
• Day 2: Machame camp (2980 m) - Shira camp (3840 m). Hiking time: 6 hours
• Day 3: Shira (3840 m) - Lava Tower (4630 m) - Barranco camp (3950 m). Hiking time: 7 hours
• Day 4: Barranco camp (3950 m) - Barafu camp (4550 m). Hiking time: 7 hours
• Day 5: Barafu camp (4550 m)- Uhuru Peak (5895 m) - Mweka (3100 m). Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak 7-8 hours to descend to Mweka

Lemosho Route Little used and more remote than other routes. The route is one of the few where groups may be accompanied on the first day by an armed ranger, as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are rich in buffalo, elephant and other big game animals.

• Day 1: Londorossi Gate (2100 m) - Mti Mkubwa camp (2750 m). Hiking time: 3 hours
• Day 2: Mti Mkubwa camp (2750 m) - Shira 2 camp (3840 m). Hiking time: 6/7 hours
• Day 3: Shira (3840 m) - Lava Tower (4630 m) - Barranco camp (3950 m). Hiking time: 7 hours
• Day 4: Barranco camp (3950 m) - Barafu camp (4550 m). Hiking time: 7 hours
• Day 5: Barafu camp (4550 m) - Uhuru Peak (5895 m) - Mweka (3100 m). Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak 7-8 hours to descend to Mweka
• Day 6: Mweka camp (3100 m) - Mweka Gate (1980 m). Hiking time: 3 hours

A variation on the Lemosho Route inserts two to four extra days in the itinerary for acclimatization and also to avoid having to climb up to the summit in the dark

• Day 4: Barranco (3950 m) to Karranga Valley (4000 m). Hiking time: 4 hours. This segment takes you up the infamous 'Barranco Wall'
• Day 5: Karranga Valley (4000 m) to Barafu camp (4550 m). Hiking time: 3 hours
• Day 6: Barafu camp (4550 m) - Uhuru Peak (5895 m) - Crater Camp (5640 m). Hiking time: about 8 hours
• Day 7: Crater Camp (5640 m) - Mweka (3100 m). Hiking time: 7/8 hours to descend

You can also sleep in Shira 1 camp (3610m) and climb Shira Peak (3872m) with great view of Shira Plateau the next day.

• Day 2: Mti Mkubwa camp (2750 m) - Shira 1 camp (3610m). Hiking time 4 hours
• Day 3: Shira 1 camp (3610m) - Shira Peak (3872m) - Shira 2 camp (2840m). Hiking time 5 hours

Rongai Route The Rongai route ascends Kilimanjaro from the northeastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya.

• Day 1: Rongai Gate (1950 m) - 1st Caves camp (2600 m). Hiking time: 5 hours
• Day 2: 1st Cave (2600 m) - Kikelewa Cave (3600 m). Hiking time: 6/7 hours
• Day 3: Kikelewa Cave (3600 m) - Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330 m). Hiking time: 3/4 hours
• Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330 m) - Kibo hut (4700 m). Hiking time: 4/5 hours
• Day 5: Kibo hut (4700 m) - Uhuru Peak (5895 m) - Horombo hut (3720 m). Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru - 6 hours to descend to Horombo
• Day 6: Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980 m) . Hiking time: 6 hours

Trekking operators

• Joy Climbers Expedition (Arusha), Info@joyclimbersexpedition.com. Locally owned and operated, Joy Climbers provides safe and successful summits on Mount Kilimanjaro. Costs are based on group size and trip length.. (updated Mar 2019)
• 7summits.com Expeditions (Moshi). Only private dates and private groups (1-25 persons), for group prices, all routes. Offers Crater Camp and 6-10 day routes. Costs depend on group size and trip length.. 
• Globeinter Safaris Ltd (Kilimanjaro Machame), Goliondoi Road (Arusha), ☏ +255767288514. 08:00-18:00. This is Kilimanjaro’s longer, more scenic, “Whiskey Route.” The typical duration for this trip is 6 days. However, you can also add an extra acclimatization day and make it a 7-day trek. USD1,566/person; USD1,516/person for groups of 6 or more; Extra days on the mountain: USD200/person/day; Low Season: USD50/person discount from 1 Apr-15 Jun, and November. 
• Meru Wellness Retreat, ☏ +255 684 193 612, service@meruwellnessretreat.com. Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru treks. Safaris at all popular national parks and cultural excursions. Volunteerism. Wellness retreat with bootcamps, yoga classes, etc. Vegetarian considerations. Eco-retreat and fair pay employer. USD1400-1600. 
• Kilimanjaro Tanzanite Safaris Ltd (5895m), Moshi (Kilimanjaro Airport - JRO), ☏ +255 755 316 283. 24. Mount Kilimanjaro climbing trip, while you are on climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, you get many other opportunities for sightseeing. You can see natural waterfalls, like Kinukamori in Marangu or Materuni off Moshi town. Other natural attractions to see are volcanic Lake Chala, cultural and local farm activities. Other things to do in Kilimanjaro are camel safaris, wildlife viewing and horse riding safaris. When planning your Kilimanjaro climbing adventure in Tanzania, consider also acclimatization day, to be used to weather and discover other tourist destinations. 1400. 
• Climbing Kilimanjaro, Moshi Himo road, Kimandolu (45km from Kilimanjaro Airport JRO), ☏ +255784876744, info@climbing-kilimanjaro.com. Climbing Kilimanjaro offers all-inclusive Kilimanjaro climbing packages all year round. Group and private climbs 
• Altezza – Climbing & Safari (Altezza Travel), ☏ +255 786 350 414, office@altezza.travel. Organizing Kilimanjaro treks, safaris in the national parks of Tanzania and Kenya and Zanzibar beach holidays. (updated Nov 2017)
• Ernest Magic Tours & Safaris, info@ernestmagictours.com. Safari tours, Zanzibar beach holidays, climbing Kilimanjaro, day tours, weekend getaways, and cultural tours (updated Jul 2020)

Eat

The various food requirements are met by the cooks and porters who come along with you on the mountain. However, the quality of the food depends on the reputation of the tour operator you use. The quality of the food tends to decline towards the end of the trek due to the food becoming stale and the rations carried by the porters being reduced. It is recommended to carry along some high energy food like nuts and chocolate in order to survive and successfully complete the trek. It would be worthy enough to carry along some ready made noodle packets and similar easy to cook meals, which can be cooked and eaten at the conclusion of the trek.

Drink

A lot of water. Also, a lot of oral rehydration salts (ORS) are recommended for preventing dehydration while trekking on the mountain.

Sleep

Lodging

Lodging options on the mountain are limited to designated camp sites. It is prohibited to sleep in the caves. There are huts available, but are generally not recommended. Pre-climb lodging is generally found in the cities of Arusha and Moshi.

Camping

It is permitted to camp on Mount Kilimanjaro for as many days as you want by paying the designated fees to the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities. You are allowed to camp in any of the nearby camps including the Machame Hut and Mweka Hut.

Connect

GSM mobile phone coverage is available on the summit of the mountain. Various networks like Vodacom, Tigo and Airtel operate in the region and can be accessed from various high points on the mountain. Airtel seems to have the best signal. However, with no electric supply on the mountain, it is advised to carry portable mobile travel chargers along for accessing the mobile services atop the mountain.

Stay safe

Several immunizations are recommended for yellow fever, tetanus, typhoid, polio, and hepatitis. An anti-malaria prophylactic is also needed.

WARNING: There is a very high risk (75%!) of altitude sickness on the standard ~6 day schedules, which are too fast for safety. It is quite likely (50% for novices) that you will not be able to summit the mountain on these schedules. In order to safely acclimatize (air at the summit of Kilimanjaro contains only about half the amount of oxygen that it does at sea level!), you should ascend more slowly, taking perhaps 4 extra days. Summit day poses particular risks, as it features both high altitude and significant ascent (per “climb high, sleep low”). Consider other preparation: check with a doctor, read the article on altitude sickness, consider taking acetazolamide (ACZ) beforehand, and consider taking dexamethasone on summit day (warning: potent drug, check with doctor!) Kilimanjaro is one of the highest risk destinations for altitude sickness, due to the height, technical ease, and usual rapid ascent.

This type of altitude sickness is known as Altoxia, a term which is used almost exclusively on Kilimanjaro, since this is the only commonly trekked mountain where these extreme altitudes are encountered so quickly.

There are seven main factors that affect the incidence and severity of Kilimanjaro altitude sickness:

1. Rate of ascent
2. Altitude attained
3. Length of exposure
4. Level of exertion
5. Hydration and diet
6. Inherent physiological susceptibility
7. Use of oxygen systems or drugs

Always be prepared and use a tried and tested kit list. Make sure that you do your homework and that you have all the essentials. Keep up to date on the weather on Kilimanjaro. Conditions can be very serious and a well planned trip has to take the average weather patterns into consideration.