Climbing Kilimanjaro — everything you need to know

Mount Kilimanjaro. The name alone sounds like an adventure. At 5,895 metres it is the highest mountain in Africa, and remarkably you don't need technical climbing experience. No rope, no ice axe — just fitness, determination and the right preparation.

We regularly combine Kilimanjaro climbs with a Tanzania safari. The logistics are logical: Arusha is the base for both the mountain and the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. You can easily climb first, then safari — or the other way around.

Which route do you choose?

There are 7 official routes to the summit. Our recommendation for most travellers: the Lemosho route (7–8 days) or the Machame route (6–7 days).

The Lemosho route is the most beautiful and least crowded route. You start in the west, traverse four climate variations (rainforest, heath, desert, arctic), and with the longer acclimatisation have the best summit success rate. Our absolute recommendation for a first climb.

The Machame route ('Whiskey Route') is more popular and slightly cheaper. 6 days is technically possible but 7 days is more comfortable and gives better success rates. Beautiful, varied landscapes.

Avoid the Marangu route ('Coca-Cola Route') if you are in good shape. Although the cheapest and most popular, it has the lowest success rate due to insufficient acclimatisation.

Success rates — an honest look

On average 65–70% of climbers reach Uhuru Peak on a 6-day route. On an 8-day Lemosho this rises to 85–90%. The difference is entirely in acclimatisation — time at altitude is everything.

Altitude problems often begin above 3,500m. Symptoms: headache, nausea, fatigue. This is normal. It becomes problematic with HACE (cerebral oedema) or HAPE (pulmonary oedema) — both rare but serious. Our team has years of experience recognising and responding to these.

What equipment you need

You don't need special climbing equipment, but clothing is crucial. The temperature difference between the base (25°C) and the summit (down to -20°C with wind chill) is enormous. Layers are the key.

Essential: good hiking boots (ankle support), a warm down jacket, gloves, balaclava, sunglasses with UV400 (the UV at altitude is extreme), and trekking poles (strongly recommended for the knees).

Combining with safari

The ideal order is: safari first, Kilimanjaro afterwards. Why? After the safari you are acclimatised to the altitude of the Arusha area (1,400m), you've found your Tanzania rhythm, and climbing is the ultimate finale.

Summit night

I want to be honest about this. Summit night is hard. You depart at midnight, walk 6–7 hours in the dark, at temperatures down to -20°C with wind chill, at an altitude where oxygen is 50% less than at sea level. Your steps are small, your pace is slow.

And then — when you emerge above the clouds and the sun rises over Africa — you know exactly why you did this.