Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Hiking on Mt Kilimanjaro, trekking on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

“ There ahead, all he could see, as wide as all the world, great, high, and unbelievably white in the sun, was the square top of Kilimanjaro.”

At 19,341 feet, Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. The word “kilimanjaro” means “shining mountain” and on a clear day, as it glistens in the sun, you can easily see why. The mere mention of the word evokes passion, wonder and awe. It has been said that Mt. Kilimanjaro is one of the easiest mountains for a climber to reach such soaring heights. No technical climbing expertise is required, but individuals must be physically fit and well-prepared.

The Marangu Route is often referred to as the “easier” route. It is well-travelled and the huts available along the way offer reasonable comfort for climbers.The Machame Route is more difficult and uses tents along the climb. Both these climbs will be guided and accompanied by porters and a cook.

Although equipment (such as tents and sleeping bags) can be rented, climbers may prefer to bring their own light-weight tents and sleeping bags. Above all, proper clothing (including boots, gloves and socks) are key to a successful climb. We will provide a list of recommended packing upon booking.

Mt. Kilimanjaro – Wildlife and Climbing

Any physically fit person can climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. No climbing experience is necessary to get you to the top of Africa’s highest mountain 5,896M (19,340FT) with its magnificent gleaming glaciers, Flora and Fauna.

Weather: Mt. Kilimanjaro can be climbed any time of the year but there are two rainy seasons – late March to mid June and November. The best are December, January to March and July to October usually dry and minimum clouds.

Routes: There are several routes to get up the mountain but the most popular one is the Marangu route termed as the Tourist’s route. Other routes are Shira, Machame, Umbwe, Mweka and Loitokitok.

SKS 399 TZM - 7 Days Amboseli and Mount Kilimanjaro

DAY 1 NAIROBI - AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK:
On the first day enter Amboseli National Park via Loitokitok frontier of Tanzania/Kenya where you will enjoy the real atmosphere of an African Safari game viewing with drive of Amboseli Reserve is made in the afternoon with the background of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

DAY 2 MARANGU ROUTE: After breakfast checkout and drive to Namanga boarder where you will catch up your bus to Kilimanjaro. Arrive at Kilimanjaro and transfer to hotel / lodge for expert briefing on the climbing safari with your professional mountain guide. Check gear.

DAY 3 MANDARA: You start walking from Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1829m) with your guides and porters slowly (pole pole) through Mountain Forest Zone (rain forest) for 3hrs to Mandara Hut 2698M for dinner and overnight.

DAY 4 HOROMBO: From Mandara Hut trail a short stretch of forest and skirt of the base of Maundi Crater with a superb view of the mountain and its moorland zones for 6hrs to Horombo Hut at 3719M for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5 KIBO: Ascending past the “last water point” walking slowly for 6hrs on the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi on the Alpine Zone, you arrive at Kibo Hut 4685M for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6 SUMMIT: At about 8:00am, the guide will take you to the summit zone on steep and heavy scree for 5hrs up to Gillman’s point 5685M the highest point in Africa. Feeling tired but very happy as you descend down to Horombo Hut for overnight stay.

DAY 7 DESCENT: Descend down to Mandara Hut for lunch the to the park gate. Your guide will collect your certificate while you relax in the victory mood at the base shop for drinks and souvenirs. Drive back to hotel / lodge or camp.

DAY 8 DEPARTURE: Drive to Mombasa or Nairobi or proceed on a safari to see Wild Life in Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara and Serengeti or take a flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport.

NB: Normally, it takes 5 days 4 nights to climb this mountain but strong and physically fit climbers have taken fewer days to climb to the top. This will shorten the itinerary to about 5 to 6 days.

SKS 400 TZM - Roof of Africa Expedition

Day 1: Arusha - Marangu
Transfer to Marangu. Dinner and overnight at a Hotel.

Day 2: Marangu - Mandara Hut (2,744 M)
Distance: 9 kms. Estimated duration: 4 hours.
Depart from your hotel, drive straight to Marangu National Park gate, where the climb begins (1860m) on the edge of the mountain forest. Walk through the semi tropical dense rain forest, with camphor, cedar, juniper, wild olive and pillar trees festooned with lianas, lichens and Spanish moss. Flowers of various species delight the eyes, while monkeys shake trees and terraccos and other colourful forest birds sing in the forest profusion. The walking takes 4 hours covering 9 km to Mandara Hut, at 2744 m near Maundi Crater. Dinner and overnight at Mandara Hut.

Day 3: Mandara Hut - Horombo Hut (3,761 M)
Distance: 11kms. Estimated duration: 5 hours.
Starting early in the morning towards Horombo Hut you walk 5 hours, to cover the first 4 km or so, the dense rain forest now gives way to the rolling moorland, clothed in knee-high grass tussocks dotted here and there with giant heather trees, some standing upto 9 m high. Here is perhaps the most pleasant point, where the landscape is decorated with tropical flowers and the sun is refreshingly warm. From here, both Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks are magnificently viewed. Some animal species are found here, i.e. bush duikers etc. The landscape becomes more rugged and rocky, as you continue to Horombo Hut at 3761 m above sea level. Dinner and overnight at the Horombo Hut. You should have warm clothes due to strong winds here.

Day 4: Horombo Hut - Kibo Hut(4,700 M)
Distance: 10kms. Estimated duration: 5 hours.
After breakfast, continue to Kibo Hut through the euphorbia trees and here high altitude causes difficulty in breathing and tiredness is felt. The path leading you to Kibo Hut passes the water streams and skirts MAWENZI before opening out into the lunar landscape of the saddle. It forms a "U" between MAWENZI and KIBO Peaks. You will experience the winter nights as cold and icy winds encircle the huts accompanied by frost and snow. Dinner and overnight at KIBO Hut.

Day 5: Uhuru Peak - Horombo Hut (3,761 M)
Distance: 24kms. Estimated duration: 12-13 hours
Wake up soon after midnight for the final attempt to the summit. Walk for about 5 hours, the steepest and most difficult part of the route, to GILMAN'S POINT at 5681 m above sea level, on the Crater rim. Try again if your stamina allows, for UHURU Peak, reached in about 2 hours. This is the highest point in Africa. After signing the visitors book, descend to Horombo Hut, for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Horombo Hut - Marangu Hotel
Descend to Marangu Gate then transfer to Marangu or Kibo Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Marangu - Arusha
After breakfast, return to Arusha by company transport.