Tips for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Take your physical training very seriously

If you're going to climb Kilimanjaro, you'll need to up the ante during your workouts. And you should do so in a focused way, concentrating on stamina and leg strength. While you certainly don't need to be a fitness guru to summit the mountain, we do find time and again that many folks rock up having not done any training beforehand. They then really struggle with the physical demands of the climb.

You can make your climb so much more enjoyable and doable by putting in the time and effort in the months beforehand. Try to start your training at least two months before your climb. Even if you're already very fit, put in some trekking time beforehand to get your body used to this specific form of exercise.

Climbing Kilimanjaro during the dry season

Technically, you can climb Mt Kilimanjaro any time of the year, but should you? Nope. If you go during the wet seasons (March to May and November), your success rate will plummet, and you may not even reach summit day. The terrain is muddy, making the climb difficult, and storms are frequent, meaning you'll spend most of your time cold and wet.

Instead, swap the bad weather for the clear, sunny skies of the dry season. Between January to February and June to October, you'll have the best conditions to climb Mount Kilimanjaro successfully.

When on the trek, take it pole, pole

When you start your Kilimanjaro climb, we advise that you don't go blaring out of the gates. Instead, set a reasonable and sustainable pace for yourself. And don't be worried if your pace doesn't fit in with that of everyone else. Helpfully, the lead trek guides always set a relatively slow pace, as they want you to grow accustomed as gently as possible to the ever-higher altitude of the climb.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a rare opportunity to take time for yourself – time to take life a little pole, pole. We advise keeping a journal on your trek in which you jot down thoughts and reflect on what the trek and challenge mean to you.

Take it slow to avoid altitude sickness

Altitude sickness is your number one enemy on Kilimanjaro. It stops most people from reaching the summit and could be your undoing if you climb too quickly, as oxygen is needed at extreme altitudes.

During your trek, your guides often say "pole." It's Swahili for "slowly, slowly." The reason? The slower your ascent, the more time your body will have to acclimate to the high altitude as oxygen levels drop. If you go up too fast, you risk getting sick and being forced to descend to save your life.

Expect symptoms of altitude sickness

Altitude sickness can strike from anywhere around 3,000 m. On Kilimanjaro, this is when you're trekking through the moorland zone, usually on day two or three of your trek. You're aiming to climb all the way up to 5,895 m above sea level to reach Uhuru Peak. So it's very likely you'll experience at least mild altitude symptoms.

Taking medication for altitude sickness: Symptoms include sleeplessness, nausea, dizziness, and headaches. While you cannot prevent altitude sickness entirely, you can alleviate some symptoms through medication like Diamox (acetazolamide) as well as proper nutrition and hydration.

Pack layers for the different climate zones

One of the fascinating facts about Kilimanjaro is that it has five different climate zones. When you start the hike, you'll trek through a humid rainforest. It's home to wildlife, pesky mosquitoes, and high temperatures.

But the further up you go, the colder it becomes, and soon, you'll need to ditch your shorts for insulated layers to survive the freezing ice caps. When packing, opt for layers. It's one of the best tips for climbing Mt Kilimanjaro that'll make your life 10x more accessible.

Pack high-calorie snacks

Do you know what Kilimanjaro does not have? 24-hour pizza joints and cafe shops to satiate your hunger pains. While your chef will be whipping up three nutritious main meals, you must bring a few high-calorie and high-energy snacks to conquer the mountain.

Tip: Keep your snacks in the pockets of your backpack's hip straps. It will make it 10x more straightforward to reach for your beef jerky and help keep the effects of high-altitude trekking at bay.

Drink plenty of water & pack water bottles

Hands down, drinking lots of water is one of the most essential tips for climbing Kilimanjaro. The high altitude and physical exercise mean you'll sweat and become dehydrated – fast.

Bring a three-liter water bladder that straps to the back of your pack. After day one, you'll refill your water from nearby streams. Carry water purification tablets (iodine pills) and rehydrate sachets. Also bring a one-liter Nalgene water bottle for summit night when your bladder valve may freeze over.

Take your doctor's advice and bring meds

Visit your doctor before you board your flight and touch down in Tanzania. The lowland jungle is rife with mosquitoes, and malaria is a real risk here, so bring antimalarial medication if you can.

The further up you go, you might need the help of altitude pills to acclimatize, and unfamiliar bacteria can knock out your immune system. A visit to the doctor can help you prepare for any health hiccups and get you to the summit.

Break in your boots properly beforehand

This shouldn't need to be said, and yet every year, people head to Kilimanjaro in swanky new boots that aren't properly worn in, and blisters happen. A really bad blister can ruin your trek, so be sure to wear in the boots you intend to wear.

A good rule of thumb: Hike 100 km in them before heading to Kilimanjaro. Also, wear or carry your trekking boots on the plane. If your luggage goes missing, you're not without this most important item.

Also break in your socks

It's a good idea to also wear the socks you intend to use when you trek Kilimanjaro beforehand. You want to ensure your socks are comfy and suitable for the hike. This means considering things like fabric (in terms of wicking and warmth), seams, sock liners, and more.

And did you know you should pack more than one kind of sock for Kilimanjaro?

Take time to rest

Self-care is your number one priority while trekking Mt Kilimanjaro. Without it, you might push your body too hard and have to turn back. Make this tip your mantra: Take time to rest.

During the day, take a break if you need one. At camp, lie in your tent, relax, and eat dinner even if you don't feel hungry. Your body needs the calories to recover and have enough energy to get you up the mountain.

Find a reason

Take this advice to heart: deciding your reason for climbing Kilimanjaro is essential. Your reason is your motivation, and without motivation, where do you start? The days of hiking will take a lot of work, and for a successful climb, you'll need to stay motivated.

Listen to your body

There are some critical tell-tale signs regarding altitude sickness; if you ignore them, let's not go there. We want you to be safe, and to do that, you need to listen to and respect your body. Don't try to push yourself further than you know you can go.

Learn a few Swahili phrases

A great way to dive into your Kilimanjaro experience is to come to the mountain having learned a few Swahili phrases. Everyone appreciates it when someone else makes an effort to speak their language.

Bring wet wipes!

So yes, wet wipes. Glorious wet wipes. They are your friend. Because you aren't going to be having any showers on Kilimanjaro. While you'll be able to splash your face and wash your hands at camp, you won't have a chance to get any other parts of you clean.

Bring enough cash for tips

Everyone who completes a Kilimanjaro climb always raves about the invaluable help and support of their mountain crew, which consists of guides, porters, and a cook. The lead guide leads you up the mountain, encourages you, advises you, and ensures your safety. The porters display astounding strength and endurance as they carry all of the team's equipment.

The tipping ceremony

At the end of every Kilimanjaro climb is a tipping ceremony. This is an important tradition that involves singing and dancing. It's a wonderful moment of group togetherness that marks the end of the adventure. During the ceremony, trekkers tip the different crew members to show their thanks and appreciation.

Tanzania has a cash economy, and you won't have time before this ceremony to withdraw any banknotes, so you need to have the money you want for tips with you before you begin your trek.

Ensure you have the correct currency

You can tip your mountain crew in US dollars or Tanzanian shillings.