Kilimanjaro climbing advice
Budget advice
Andrew Appleyard of our supplier Exodus, experts in Kilimanjaro, has climbed Kili many times and is a font of information when it comes to Kilimanjaro climbing advice: “Altitude sickness is a complete unknown. But I would say that if you give yourself time to do a longer route and, therefore, have longer to acclimatise, your success rates are higher. My top tip is that if you’re going to do it, do not scrimp on cost. Don’t try and carry tons of your own gear so that you can cut down on porters, it’s just not worth it. I did it a decade ago and there were 11 in our group – I took ten of those to the summit. The other group had 19 people and only three made it. They told us they came up too quickly, had altitude sickness, didn’t eat enough food, ran out of water… ”
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Safety advice
Paul Deakin from our Kilimanjaro supplier, Private Expeditions:“On Kilimanjaro, if someone has altitude sickness, we will get them back down the mountain very quickly. It depends on the severity, of course. We use a pulse oximeter to test their oxygen saturation, and then there is a system called the Lake Louise altitude scoring system which has a whole list of questions with points allocated to them. The number of points shows whether their altitude sickness is mild, severe or critical. As soon as we get warning signs that it is moving from mild to severe, then we bring them down by putting a guide under one arm, and a porter under the other arm, and run them down. Very rarely with altitude sickness would you need to stretcher someone down. If they are being stretchered down for altitude sickness, then you have done something very badly wrong.”
Tips on keeping comfortable
Dr. Gotlind Blechschmidt , Vice President of conservationist organisation, Mountain Wilderness Germany: “Don’t expect hotels or any comfort! They should be used to sleeping in tents or lodges with simple facilities. Be prepared for darkness (long nights), cold, storms, and a large amount of dust all over the routes. I took the Rongai Route for going up and Marangu down, so I made a crossing of the massif. Because you get only little water for washing it is good to take some wet wipes with you; a big plastic bag is useful (one can take it as a poncho against rain and put it in front of the tent to have a clean “entrance”). Everybody should be friendly to the porters and guides. Don't forget a tip at the end. Take care of the porters if they are cold in the nights, especially when up at the highest points.”Packing advice
Chloe Knott is another mountain expert at Exodus, our leading supplier in trips to Kilimanjaro. She shares her Kilimanjaro climbing advice for keeping warm: “If you have a metal Sigg water bottle, you can fill it with hot water at night, put it in a sock and use it as a hot water bottle. I learned that one at Everest Base Camp - it was a life saver!”
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Small group travel:
2021: 7 Mar, 21 Mar, 17 Jun, 27 Jun, 11 Jul, 25 Jul, 9 Aug, 15 Aug, 29 Aug, 12 Sep, 20 Sep, 6 Oct, 13 Oct, 24 Oct, 12 Dec, 26 Dec
2022: 11 Jan, 23 Jan, 10 Feb, 19 Feb, 6 Mar, 19 Mar, 8 Jun, 16 Jun, 26 Jun, 7 Jul, 14 Jul, 28 Jul, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, 24 Aug, 4 Sep, 15 Sep, 22 Sep, 3 Oct, 9 Oct, 20 Oct, 8 Dec, 25 Dec
2021: 7 Mar, 21 Mar, 17 Jun, 27 Jun, 11 Jul, 25 Jul, 9 Aug, 15 Aug, 29 Aug, 12 Sep, 20 Sep, 6 Oct, 13 Oct, 24 Oct, 12 Dec, 26 Dec
2022: 11 Jan, 23 Jan, 10 Feb, 19 Feb, 6 Mar, 19 Mar, 8 Jun, 16 Jun, 26 Jun, 7 Jul, 14 Jul, 28 Jul, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, 24 Aug, 4 Sep, 15 Sep, 22 Sep, 3 Oct, 9 Oct, 20 Oct, 8 Dec, 25 Dec
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Kilimanjaro or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Health & safety
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Vacation reviews from our travelers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Kilimanjaro climbing advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Kilimanjaro climbing advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
do what the guides recommend, get to know them, and enjoy what’s to come because the guides and staff are the personality of the mountain. Don’t go overboard with the gear that you bring, a lot of people take too much with them.![]()
– Matthew O’Grady
“We all got sunburned on the backs of our hands during the trip very badly. This was due to holding walking poles. Try to protect your hands either with total sun block or a pair of thin silk gloves. Get sun block on at midnight on summit night. It sounds stupid but the glaciers and surface snow will burn you badly.” – Craig Lewis
“Practice putting your equipment and clothing for Kilimanjaro climb in and out of your bag, Make sure you know where everything is when you might need it.” – Lorraine Scott
“I would recommend taking a nail brush (you won't believe how filthy your hands and nails get), and hiring a down jacket, sleeping mat and sleeping bag from the company as they are all good quality stuff and saves having to pack them.” – Catharine Gidney
“We did have a very special reason for wanting to climb Kilimanjaro - in 2003 our 24 year old son Neil was lost whilst climbing the second highest mountain in S. America (Mt. Pissis 23,000ft). After his death I set myself three challenges in order to raise money for the charity we set up in his name. Neil was a champion runner with an English rating, a long distance cyclist and a climber. My three challenges were to ...run for Neil.. I trained and completed the 2004 London Marathon in under 5 hours... to cycle for Neil....last August(2005) I cycled 1,041 miles from John O'Groats to Lands End in 15 days. The remaining challenge ... to climb for Neil....had to be to climb Kilimanjaro. I am absolutely delighted that I've actually been able to fulfil this challenge. The whole experience of being on the mountain will stay with me forever. Although our trip to Tanzania was born out of great sadness for us, we have certainly come back feeling ' on top of the world' ....and I have been!” – Gill Tucker
“Practice putting your equipment and clothing for Kilimanjaro climb in and out of your bag, Make sure you know where everything is when you might need it.” – Lorraine Scott
“I would recommend taking a nail brush (you won't believe how filthy your hands and nails get), and hiring a down jacket, sleeping mat and sleeping bag from the company as they are all good quality stuff and saves having to pack them.” – Catharine Gidney
“We did have a very special reason for wanting to climb Kilimanjaro - in 2003 our 24 year old son Neil was lost whilst climbing the second highest mountain in S. America (Mt. Pissis 23,000ft). After his death I set myself three challenges in order to raise money for the charity we set up in his name. Neil was a champion runner with an English rating, a long distance cyclist and a climber. My three challenges were to ...run for Neil.. I trained and completed the 2004 London Marathon in under 5 hours... to cycle for Neil....last August(2005) I cycled 1,041 miles from John O'Groats to Lands End in 15 days. The remaining challenge ... to climb for Neil....had to be to climb Kilimanjaro. I am absolutely delighted that I've actually been able to fulfil this challenge. The whole experience of being on the mountain will stay with me forever. Although our trip to Tanzania was born out of great sadness for us, we have certainly come back feeling ' on top of the world' ....and I have been!” – Gill Tucker
Go slowly (pole pole) right from day 1. This helps your body to get ready for the hard summit day... and really believe that you can reach the top![]()
– Marlene James
More about Kilimanjaro
The best time to climb Kilimanjaro if you want a reduced chance of rain and slightly warmer temperatures is in January, February and the first half of March.
Climbing the highest, free-standing mountain in the world is an extraordinary achievement - but as this climbing Kilimanjaro travel guide reveals - it's one that is not out of reach.
We highly recommend the Lemosho Route for reaching Kilimanjaro's summit. It's longer, which means it's pricier - but it gives you more days to acclimatise, so success rates are high.
Kilimanjaro's Rongai Route takes six to seven days to complete, and involves a fairly gentle ascent from the north. It's a great option if you want to avoid steep climbs, as well as other climbers.
The Machame Route is a seven day trek through varied landscapes, from jungle to heather-covered moors and glacial peaks - but Kilimanjaro’s most popular trail isn’t the easiest.
Many climbers opt for the five-day Marangu Route, the first established route for trekking Kilimanjaro. It’s the only one with huts, rather than tents, but it's often underestimated.
There are seven established routes for trekking Kilimanjaro and, while many climbers just opt for the most popular Marangu, Machame and Lemosho routes, each has their pros and cons.
Kilimanjaro may not be top of your list of family-friendly trips but, while this climb may be challenging, it’s perfectly doable for active children who love the outdoors.
Africa’s highest mountain is a popular but pretty challenging trek, only an estimated 65% of people make it to the top. If you're wondering “am I fit enough to climb Kilimanjaro?”, read on.
Porters' rights are one of the biggest issues when it comes to Kilimanjaro responsible tourism. Read on to find out how to ensure they are protected, and in the best shape to help you up the mountain.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: truebacarlos] [Budget advice: Masa Sakano]
[Packing advice: Gopal Vijayaraghavan]
[Health & Safety: Stig Nygaard]
[Matthew O’Grady quote: Stig Nygaard]
[Marlene James quote: Colin Mutchler]
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