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Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many visitors to Africa. Before reaching the glacier-covered summit, the climb passes through muddy rainforests, rare high-altitude plants, and alpine meadows. Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak and the world’s tallest freestanding mountain, standing at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet); it is one of the Seven Summits. Africa’s snow-capped peak is a dormant volcano in Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro National Park.

What is the altitude on Mount Kilimanjaro and will altitude sickness be a concern?

Kilimanjaro, at 5,895m/19,340ft, is not only Africa’s highest mountain but also the world’s largest freestanding mountain. It is freestanding if it is not part of a mountain chain. Mt Kilimanjaro is also a symbol of Africa. Many people associate the image of elephants in front of Kilimanjaro with Africa. While the size of the mountain is intimidating, it is surprisingly easy to climb as compared to other mountains like Everest. A week-long mountain climbing tour is also simple to incorporate into a standard East African Safari Tour.

If you suffer from altitude sickness, then that may be a concern; however, it should not discourage you taking on the challenge. Check with your doctor and make sure to get prescribed medicine for your altitude sickness.

Who Can Climb Kilimanjaro?

Anyone over the age of 10, as well as those in their sixties and seventies! All you need is determination and a strong desire to succeed. The actual difficulty of climbing Kilimanjaro is determined by the elevation and rate of ascent. Don’t be concerned; we’ll be with you every step of the way! Our advisors are highly skilled professionals who are critical to your success.

How long does it take to hike Mount Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro may be ascended using a number of various ways. Several of these are only for people with prior climbing expertise. The usual route is the Marangu Route, which is frequently marketed as a 4-night, 5-day return climb. Nevertheless, in actuality, you’ll be climbing approximately 6,000m/19,685ft.

This 5-day timetable does not provide for adequate acclimatization. This timeline should be extended by at least one day to allow for a safer climb. Better still, attempt one of the longer and calmer routes, which will allow for greater acclimatization.

Shira Plateau, Machame, and the Northern Circle Way (the longest of the three) are all safer ascents. In addition to being more rewarding, these all have a fraction of the crowds that Marangu has.

How difficult is the hike on Mount Kilimanjaro?

Mount Kilimanjaro is a challenging peak to scale. Kilimanjaro is a severe altitude mountain journey, with more than half of the climbers suffering from mountain sickness. You will need to prepare thoroughly and train before attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, which measures 19,341 feet (5,895 meters).

Do I need to be in good physical condition to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

Mount Kilimanjaro is a massive mountain, and climbing it should not be taken lightly. Having said that, this is one of the simplest mountains to climb at its height. No particular climbing expertise or equipment is necessary for any of the basic routes. It’s just a lengthy but steady ascent. Anybody who is fairly healthy and dedicated should be able to climb it. Warm gear is required, including a strong mountain jacket, thermals, gloves, and a cap. A very warm four-season sleeping bag is also required.

The most prevalent reason for failing to reach the top is altitude. The typical 5-day mountain climbing tour just does not allow enough time to completely adapt to altitude.

How much luggage can I bring on my hike?

For your challenge hike on Mt. Kilimanjaro, you will need two bags: a backpack to carry your daily necessities and a duffel to hold the 15 kilograms equivalent to 33 pounds, which your personal porter will carry for you. A duffel bag is recommended since it is easiest for the porter to hold on his head while carrying other luggage.

What about altitude sickness on Mount Kilimanjaro?

Many climbers on Kilimanjaro will have early signs of altitude sickness, such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, lack of appetite, and perhaps palpitations. Do not ascent if your symptoms do not improve. If symptoms worsen at the same altitude, descend.

Do I need medicine during my hike on Mount Kilimanjaro?

Yes, do carry your medicine in case you suffer from altitude sickness or any underlying illness such as high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. Make sure that you see your doctor for advice before embarking on your hiking trip to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

You simply cannot risk your life at 5000 meters above sea level with insufficient medical equipment, such as stethoscopes, pulse oximeters, rescue stretchers, oxygen regulators, cannulas, and so on. We make every attempt to provide the medical equipment required to ensure that all of our hikers have a successful and pleasant hiking vacation.

What are the safety measures during the hike on Mount Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro prioritizes safety over anything else. It absolutely must. This includes having the necessary equipment and gear, climbing with competent and responsible guides, eating nutritious meals, and choosing a trail that allows you to adequately acclimate. To ensure your safety during the hike on Kilimanjaro, sure that you have the following;

Pack your medicine for altitude sickness, malaria and any other medicines that your doctor has prescribed
Hire experienced Kilimanjaro guides
Have the right climbing equipment
Have enough food, snacks, and water for the duration of your hike on the mountain.

How big are groups for hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro?

The number of hikers in one group varies between 5-10 individuals. You will share the same mess tent for all meals, be guided and portered throughout the way, and offer advice for the crew at the end of the adventure.

Do I need a guide to hike Mount Kilimanjaro?

Yes! Anybody climbing Kilimanjaro must be accompanied by a guide who is licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. Usually, climbers have a crew of crew members that includes a lead guide, assistant guide, chef, and porters.

What are the accommodation options on Mount Kilimanjaro?

All hiking trails on Mount Kilimanjaro offer the same accommodation options with most trails having campsites and public toilets and bathrooms. However, the Marangu trail also offers communal huts with dormitory-style bunk beds. All this option provides you with a solid roof over your head, it also means that you will get to share a room with other hikers.

Which is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro?

Machame, Marangu, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai, Northern Circuit, and Umbwe are the seven established routes to Mount Kilimanjaro. The Marangu, Machame, and Umbwe routes all ascend from the south (Mweka is used only for descent). The Lemosho, Shira, and Northern Circuit routes all approach from the west. The Rongai path approaches from the north. The photos below show a three-dimensional representation of Kilimanjaro’s climbing routes as well as a close-up of the summit approaches.

The majority of people find it difficult to choose a path. Examine the landscape, difficulty, foot traffic, and altitude acclimation qualities of the route to find the best Kilimanjaro route for you.

The seven recognized routes for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro are the Lemosho route, the Machame route, the Marangu route, the Shira route, the Rongai route, the Umbwe route, and the Northern Circuit route. The Marangu route is by far the most affordable of the seven options because it can be completed in less than five days.

Rongai Route

The Rongai trail ascends more faster than the others and is ideal for hikers who want to put their physical abilities to the test because it requires a higher degree of physical condition. This route ascends Mount Kilimanjaro from the northeast, close to the Kenya-Tanzania border. This trail is ideal for trekkers seeking an unspoilt wilderness experience with the chance of encountering elephants and buffalo.

Lemosho Route

The Lemosho route is by far the best for trekking Mount Kilimanjaro because it allows climbers to travel high and sleep low, which provides for better acclimatization. This path parallels the Shira trail and is ideal for hikers who want to spend more time taking in the sights. This is the most picturesque trail, with views of the mountain on both sides. Mountain climbers will see minimal traffic on this path until it merges with the Machame route.

Machame Route

The most popular way up Mount Kilimanjaro, often known as the “whiskey” route. The Machame trail is difficult and should only be undertaken by mountain climbers with prior trekking and backpacking experience. The minimum number of days required for this route is six, although we recommend climbers allow seven days.

Shire Route

This trail, like the Lemosho Way, approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west and begins at the Shira ridge. Hikers on this route link up with hikers on the Lemosho Way at the Shira Trail. The Shira route is not ideal for trekkers with high altitude trekking experience because it begins above 3600 meters.

Umbwe Route

The Umbwe path starts in the south. Climbers will be transported to the Umbwe gate at 1600 meters. The Umbwe route follows a forested track and takes 7 days to complete.

How much does it cost to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

Climbing Kilimanjaro may be a costly endeavor. All trekkers must be part of a group that includes a guide and at least one porter. The typical cost of climbing Kilimanjaro ranges from $2000 to $6000, with prices ranging from low-cost budget operators to huge Western travel agencies providing outsourced expeditions at exorbitant prices. Each trip operator has a number of inescapable fixed costs, so if a climb appears to be excessively inexpensive, you should question why.

What else can I do after hiking Mount Kilimanjaro?

To help you complete the northern circle after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, we’ve provided wildlife viewing safaris to other national parks in Tanzania like; Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater Conservancy, Lake Manyara National Park, and Tarangire National Park.

Mount Kilimanjaro hiking tour costs are heavily influenced by a variety of things like Kilimanjaro National Park fees, Kilimanjaro Potter salary, Accommodation prices, and equipment costs. To go to Kilimanjaro, you must fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is located to the southwest of the airport. If direct flights to Kilimanjaro airport are not available, you can fly to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar Es Salaam or Nairobi (Kenya). Mount Kilimanjaro is far closer to Nairobi than it is to Dar es Salaam. Nairobi has far more flight traffic than Kilimanjaro Airport, allowing it to provide cheap pricing.

Depending on where you start your Mt Kilimanjaro trekking journey. Kilimanjaro flying fees will increase enormously, adding to your Mount Kilimanjaro hiking expenditures.

Flying to Kilimanjaro from the USA, Europe, and the UK

Climbers traveling to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania from the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom should travel from a large local airport hub near their location to Amsterdam, most major airports in the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom offer flights to Amsterdam and then take the KLM Airlines to JRO connection flight.

Cost of International Flight Tickets

Air Tanzania, KLM, Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways, Condor, Qatar Airways, Uganda Airlines, RwandAir, and Ethiopian Airways fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Kilimanjaro flights from the United States typically cost between US$2000 from the West Coast and a significantly cheaper US$1100 from the East Coast. Flights to Kilimanjaro from Europe range from $558 to $851.

Domestic Flights Within Tanzania and Zanzibar to Kilimanjaro Airport.

For climbers who are staying in Tanzania, there are a number of airlines that offer domestic flights to Kilimanjaro Airport like; Precision Air, Air Excel, Regional Air, Coastal Aviation, Zan Air and Fast Jet to mention but a few.

Tanzania Visa Cost for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Online visa applications for the United Republic of Tanzania are now available (both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar). Tanzania visa fees are the same for all nationalities except Americans and North Koreans. This is due to a special travel arrangement between Tanzania and certain nations. Visa charge variations are given below;

Entry visa for Tanzania

US$50 per passport holder for nationals from South Africa, Uk, Canada, Belgium etc.
US$100 per visa for USA passport holders and North Korea.

How much should I Tip My Guide/ Porter at Mount Kilimanjaro?

Tipping all Kilimanjaro crew members costs between $250 and $500 USD, depending on the number of crew members and days spent trekking Mount Kilimanjaro.

The chart below shows the cost per crew member as well as the minimum tipping suggested by Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) that influences your overall travel budget.

Members of the Crew	Tip in USD (per day)
Guides	20
Cooks	15
Porters	10

What are the Entry Fees to Kilimanjaro National Park?

Your Mount Kilimanjaro climbing trip costs are mostly determined by admission fees to the Kilimanjaro National Park, which includes camping fees, rescue fees, conservation fees, and crew member pay.

Kilimanjaro National Park Fees	Cost in USD
Conservation Fees	70$ (per day)
Camping Fees	50$ (per night)
Rescue Fees	20$ (Per person per trip)
Crater Camping fees ( if you want to camp at the crater)	100$ (Per person per night)
VAT	18%

Do I need to carry my own food when Climbing Kilimanjaro?

Every tour operator’s itinerary will include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as snacks. You may, however, carry a few snacks in your bag, such as almonds and Pringles. Meals are necessary for your hiking experience, and because hiking is an energy-sapping activity, you should take calories as needed.

What sort of meals are provided during the Mount Kilimanjaro hike?

Rice, potatoes, and pasta are the main carbohydrate sources in meals provided for hikers on Mount Kilimanjaro. Every meal includes fresh fruits and vegetables. Meat is offered on the mountain, but in small quantities, since it is difficult to digest at high altitudes and does not keep well.

How are toilets like during the hike on Mount Kilimanjaro?

You can be confident that there will be public toilets at each campsite while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. But don’t expect fancy toilets, marble sinks, or hot water in these rustic public restrooms. On Kilimanjaro Mountain, public toilets often consist of a wooden cabin enclosing a large pit on the ground, forcing visitors to crouch and endure zero privacy while emptying themselves. But, park rangers make every effort to maintain these restrooms clean.

Is there internet or Wi-fi on Mount Kilimanjaro?

Yes! There is internet connectivity on Mount Kilimanjaro. The broadband network was deployed last week at an altitude of 12,200 feet by the state-owned Tanzania Telecommunications Company, with the goal of reaching the pinnacle of the 19,300-foot mountain by the end of the year.

What Equipment/Gear do I need to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

Camping equipment should be the least of your worries because we will provide you with the majority of the required equipment, such as sleeping bags and camping equipment.

Sun hats, windproof jackets, camping shoes, sleeping bags, lanterns, hiking poles, and a huge duffel bag are all included. It is better to carry your own camping equipment to be on the safe side.

Do I need travel insurance for the Kilimanjaro Climb?

We strongly recommend that you obtain insurance for high-altitude climbing disasters, off-mountain illness, and accidents. Depending on the insurance company, this coverage will cost between $50 and $200 USD or more.

In conclusion, Mount Kilimanjaro is a great natural icon. It is the world’s highest freestanding mountain, towering nearly 5km/3mi above northeast Tanzania’s hot arid plains. Every year, the rugged glacier peaks that encircle the gaping Kibo Crater are blanketed in snow. Despite the fact that it is only 400 kilometers/249 miles south of the equator.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro