Climbing Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa and one of the Seven Summits, is the lofty goal of lots of mountaineers. Kilimanjaro, affectionately called Kili, is a massive mountain that is often called the biggest freestanding mountain in the world. And Kili is big, towering 15,000 feet above the surrounding grassy plains and rising 4,845 feet higher than Mount Whitney in California. This hulking volcanic peak supports five distinct life zones, from tropical foliage and savannah to the glaciated alpine zone on the upper slopes.
Kilimanjaro has 3 Summits
Kilimanjaro, almost 40 miles long and 25 miles wide, culminates in three distinct summits: Kibo 19,340-foot (5,895-meter); 16,896-foot (5,149-meter) Mawenzi; and 13,000-foot (3,962-meter) Shira. Uhuru Peak, the highest summit on Kibo’s crater rim, is the ultimate goal of Seven Summit peakbaggers.
Kili is a Hiker’s Peak
Despite its size, 19,340-foot (5,895-meter) Kilimanjaro requires no special mountaineering skills to reach its summit but instead is a hiker’s peak. Don’t let that fact fool you though. Kilimanjaro is still a serious mountain, especially if the weather turns bad or you succumb to high-altitude sickness—the usual cause of failure.
Acclimatize Properly for Summit Success
Most climbers ascend Kilimanjaro very quickly, with some taking as few as four days. This makes the success rate very low since most climbers are unable to acclimate to the high altitude that quickly. It’s best to spend at least eight nights on the mountain. The more time you have to climb Kili, the greater your chances of success. Some guides, however, push climbers to spend the least amount of time on the mountain or to climb faster than they should for success. The longer trips, of course, also cost more money than the shorter ones. Budget accordingly if you want to increase your chances of reaching the summit. Find out more by reading How Much Does It Cost to Climb Kilimanjaro?.
Hired Guides are Mandatory
It is expensive to climb Kilimanjaro because you must hire and climb with a licensed Tanzanian guide. You also need to hire a porter to carry your guide’s gear. Climbers also hire porters to carry their personal equipment as well as a camp crew including a cook, although porters usually double as waiters. It’s customary to hire two or three porters per climber. Porters commonly carry 40 pounds plus their own gear. There are over 200 outfitters who can take you up the mountain. Some are good and some are bad. Check all outfitter references and reviews and ask questions before plunking down your cash.
Climbing Kilimanjaro is Strenuous
While Kilimanjaro is not a technically difficult mountain to climb, it is often underestimated by its suitors. You need to be in excellent physical condition with both strength and endurance to enjoy yourself and to reach the summit. Climbing Kili requires strong lungs and strong legs. You will usually hike six to eight hours every day on your ascent. The summit day is the most demanding since you will not only be climbing to a high altitude but you will spend at least eight hours on the ascent and another six on the descent. Make sure you get a medical check-up before you go to make sure you’re in good cardio-vascular health.
