Kilimanjaro mountain climbing can be a bit tricky if you’re new to high altitudes, outdoor camping, and long marathons. More importantly, not knowing what to expect during your Kilimanjaro trek will cost you not only money but also time.
Did you know — only 60% of hikers ever reach the summit Mount Kilimanjaro?
Your attitude, fitness, and adaptability to high altitudes can make or break your summit attempt. In this post, you’ll go over the elements that lead to a successful summit at Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341ft) as well as the nuances that are frequently overlooked when beginners plan their Kilimanjaro climb. If you’re short on time and want to skim through the post, there are snippets in between paragraphs that summarize and drive home key points. To finish off, you’ll be able to identify routes that are best suited for beginners, as well as different expectations you should have when hiking the mountain. So now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s talk about a common scam.
Things to also know:
Step 1. Don’t Book A Full Moon Climb
Full moon climbs are a scam! You read that right: a full moon climb is capitalism working at its best to create scarcity in the marketplace in order to drive up hiking costs. If you don’t believe me, consider why your outfitter insists on you bringing a headlamp to your Kilimanjaro hike despite claiming a full moon would be enough to illuminate the trail leading up to the summit? Full moon hikes are just another ploy for companies to get into your coffers and maximize profits. So when you hear an operator touting this scheme, run!
Step 2. Don’t Forget To Bring A Pair Of Earplugs & Pee Bottles
Don’t think you’re safe hiking Kilimanjaro during the dry season because the mountain is known to sometimes have its own weather. This is why you should pack and be prepared for anything Mother Nature may throw your way. Therefore bring your raincoat, bag cover, insulated pants, shirts and, most importantly, a pair of earplugs and two pee bottles.
During cold and windy nights, earplugs and pee bottles will be some of your most prized possessions on Kilimanjaro. These items are often overlooked but have proven to be great assets at -6 degrees Celcius. If you don’t take anything away from this post, remember to bring earplugs and a few pee bottles.
Step 3. Make Sure Your Kilimanjaro Mountain Guides and Porters Are Certified
Not all Kilimanjaro mountain guides and porters are licensed or certified. More importantly, to save costs, companies use inexperienced tour guides and undercut staff wages on the mountain. As a result, hikers occasionally sustain injuries or face serious health risks at the hands of unqualified leadership.
A strong Kilimanjaro team should include 1 lead guide with 10-15 years of experience, as well as an assistant guide for every 2 additional hikers joining the expedition. It’s worth mentioning that guides are supposed to measure your oxygen levels using oximeters every evening after your hike. If your guide neglects this protocol, it may be a sign you’re dealing with a risky Kilimanjaro operator.
Porters, on the other hand, are in charge of carrying your luggage up Kilimanjaro and are limited to carrying no more than 20kg. The national park established this mandate to prevent mistreatment of mountain support staff. Every hiker on Kilimanjaro must have at least 3 porters to carry their belongings, as well as tents, propane tanks, and other mountain equipment. Companies that do not follow ethical guidelines will try to carry more weight and use fewer porters.
Step 4. Don’t Book Your Hike With Foreign Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Companies
Foreign Mount Kilimanjaro climbing companies grossly overcharge hikers for the same service that a local operator would have provided. To avoid this, work with local agencies and evaluate the components that contribute to Kilimanjaro climb costs. Addressing these factors will not only save you money but will also disqualify local operators who engage in risky activities and scams.
Step 5. Don’t Underestimate Mount Kilimanjaro Animals And Plants
To say Mount Kilimanjaro’s animals and plants are massive is a broad understatement. You’ll be able to spot gigantic groundsels, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and many other smaller but unique mammals such as colobus monkeys, white-tailed mongoose and porcupines. Short of reaching the summit, this will be one of the most memorable moments of your Kilimanjaro climb. If you’re not fond of animals, avoid routes that have forests and small vegetation (Rongai, Lemosho, Northern Circuit and Umbwe).
Step 6. Don’t Underestimate The Conditions Of Mount Kilimanjaro Toilets And Bathing Facilities
If you think your toilets at home are bad, wait until you see the toilets on Mount Kilimanjaro. That’s right; if you’re planning a Kilimanjaro hike and are unable to squat, you should think twice about renting a portable toilet. These are frequently hygienic and convenient to use while hiking the mountain.
While we’re on the subject of hygiene, you should also discard any notions of bathing on Kilimanjaro. The weather gets so cold that my fridge and freezer are put to shame.
Related topics to understand:
Step 7. Know Kilimanjaro Mountain Is Located In Which Country
I’m sure many of you reading this will be surprised to learn that Mount Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania, not Kenya. Because the Mountain is closely located south of the Kenyan border, many visitors misidentify its location. Every year, a large number of hikers are duped into flying to Kenya in order to cross the Tanzanian border for their Kilimanjaro climb. This is not only time-consuming but also costly. You will save significantly on your Kilimanjaro climb costs by eliminating unnecessary travel movements and middlemen who have no footing on the ground. Start your hike by flying into the Kilimanjaro region, which is only 330 kilometers from the equator, and begin your expedition. It’s really that simple.