Kilimanjaro Travel Guides
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro? This Guide Will Get You To The Summit!
Kilimanjaro towers at 5,895 m/19,340 ft above sea level. It is the highest free standing mountain in the world and the “Roof of Africa”.
Mt Kilimanjaro is one of the most popular travel attractions on the continent. Over 40,000 people visit it every year. It’s an incredibly beautiful trek where a climber doesn’t require technical climbing skills. To reach the summit, one needs only a healthy average fitness level.
We wrote this guide to help climbers prepare for their once-in-a-lifetime adventure. All the recommendations below are the results of our 10+ years of experience. Over this time we at Seko Tours Adventures have organized Mount Kilimanjaro hiking trips for over 20,000 people.
Why Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
- It’s an accessible adventure
- Porters do all the heavy-lifting
- Easy to reach
- Supports the local economy. From guides, Kilimanjaro Porters
- Great personal achievement.Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
- Breath-taking natural beauty.
Facts to know before your Kilimanjaro hike
Height
Peaks
Trekking Distance
Required Skills
Climate zones
First Climb
Kilimanjaro Routes
Lemosho, Machame, Rongai, Northern Circuit, Marangu, Umbwe
Mount Kilimanjaro climbing is something atop the list of many travelers’ bucket lists. Each year, the iconic mountain attracts thousands who spend days attempting to reach its snowy summit.
However, with a little planning and preparation, you can greatly increase your chances of reaching ‘the Roof of Africa.’ Here’s everything you need to know: a Kilimanjaro Climbing Guide to make the most of your trip.
How To Get To Mount Kilimanjaro?
There are a few different options for getting to Kilimanjaro. The nearest airport to Kilimanjaro is the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), located between Arusha and Moshi. Most people stay in Moshi before climbing Kilimanjaro, as it is the closest municipality, being a 45-minute drive from Kilimanjaro Airport.
Unfortunately, you cannot fly directly from the UK or US to Kilimanjaro Airport. However, you can fly from any of the main airports in the area – Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, or Nairobi in Kenya. Bear in mind that you will need an extra visa if you go via Kenya.
What should I pack for a successful summit?
We offer tents, thick sleeping mattresses, tables, tableware, chairs, and other equipment. However, you must bring your own hiking gear. This includes boots, a sleeping bag, duffle bags, pants, trekking poles, and other items from the packing list.
When you climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the temperature changes a lot. It can be as hot as 25°C/77°F and as cold as -15°C/5°F. It is essential to bring clothes for all kinds of mountain weather.
If you want to travel light or don’t want to buy gear, you may rent equipment from Seko Tours Adventures. We have an extensive inventory of quality gear in prime condition.
Kilimanjaro National Park
Rising in isolation out of the surrounding savannah to an elevation of 5,895 metres, ‘Kili’ is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
Its allure is undeniable, attracting seasoned trekkers and determined first-timers alike from all over the world. A trek to the snow capped Kibo peak is an unforgettable experience and an essential part of any Tanzanian adventure.
Choose Your Travel
Tanzania Travel Tips
Tipping
Weather
Visa
Popular questions about Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is in northern Tanzania, East Africa. It is just three degrees south of the equator. While some of the most iconic panoramic shots of Mt. Kilimanjaro have been captured from the Kenyan side, all trailheads lie in Tanzania. Therefore, tourists can only climb Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The closest airport is Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Many Kilimanjaro expeditions begin in Moshi, the capital of the same region
Late December to early March and mid-June to late October are the best times for a Kilimanjaro climb. This is when the Kilimanjaro weather is nearly ideal.
Although other months have rain, it doesn’t mean there are constant heavy showers. Typically, rains begin in the latter half of the day. This allows trekkers a significant window of clear weather every day during the rainy season. There are also days without any rain. Seko Tours offers discounted climbs during the wet season.
You may read more about the seasons of Kilimanjaro.
Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, stands tall at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet). Yet, this doesn’t mean you’ll be starting your climb from the very base. Most hotels near Kilimanjaro are at an altitude of 700-1,000 meters above sea level. The trailheads begin at elevations of 1,600 meters and above.
Due to its altitude, Mt Kilimanjaro is among the few places in East Africa to see snow. The snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro is truly a sight to behold!
We believe that after seeing it, Ernest Hemingway decided to name his famous story “The Snows of Kilimanjaro.” The title refers to the distant peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. It represents the unattainable, and the purity of idealist motives. In the story’s conclusion, the protagonist dreams of being taken to the summit of Kilimanjaro, symbolizing redemption.
The time it takes to climb Kilimanjaro depends on the route chosen. Most expeditions last 6 to 8 days. An experienced hiker with prior acclimatization usually climbs Kilimanjaro through an accelerated 5-day program. If you stay overnight in the crater, Kilimanjaro climbs can take 9 days or longer.
Among the Seven Summits, the Kilimanjaro trek is one of the shortest. For example, climbing Mount Everest takes 6-9 weeks, Denali and Aconcagua- 2-3 weeks. Kilimanjaro takes about one week only.
As of 2023, a comfortable and safe 7-day group climb costs about $2500-2700. A shorter 5-6-day adventure or a season-discounted trip comes at $2000-2300. This amount includes the park entrance fees, which make up about 40% of the total trip cost.
Any trekking companies offering below this amount should warrant caution. You may get low-quality guides and bad equipment. Such trips often lack medical kits and oxygen tanks, putting your safety at risk.
Also, low prices always correlate with the mistreatment of porters. None of those operators is a member of the KPAP. The crews of budget operators are often underpaid and poorly fed, putting their and hikers’ safety at risk.
Climbing Kilimanjaro is subject to the regulations of the Kilimanjaro National Park. The official rules dictate that a local guide must accompany all hikers. Rangers at the park will not permit entry to anyone without a professional Kilimanjaro guide.
Also, venturing up to the Roof of Africa solo involves certain risks. During the summit night in the peak zone, one may succumb to altitude sickness or get injured. If needed, the guides will assist with evacuations and other emergencies.
Finally, climbing Kilimanjaro is more than merely a physical challenge. You’ll go on a rich cultural journey with your guides. You will learn about Kilimanjaro’s plants, animals, and history. The guides will also share vibrant stories of the communities living in its shadow.
Anyone planning to climb Kilimanjaro should keep the park entrance fees in mind. As of today, they come at $140 per day per hiker. This amount includes several types of fees:
- ‘Conservation fees’ are for staying in the National Park and enjoying its nature.
‘Camping fees’, or ‘hut fees’ on the Marangu route. – The fees for pitching the tents or sleeping in the Marangu wooden cabins in the park.
‘Crew fees’ – there is a small charge for each crew member entering the National Park to support you on the trek.
‘Rescue fee’ – this is a sort of mandatory ‘insurance’ payment. The hikers pay it to use the Kilimanjaro rescue cars. Please keep in mind that this is not a substitute for a real insurance package.
Don’t worry about the park fees when planning your trip. Tour operators include them in the tour price and we will pay them to the park authorities on your behalf. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with Seko Tours you can be sure that we will take care of every detail.
Why Seko Tours?
Why Travel With Seko Tours?
Safe & Secure
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Fully supported Travel
Your dedicated and personal trip coordinator is available around-the-clock throughout your trip to accommodate requests, take care of the details, and handle any unforeseen situations.
Authentic & Unique
Go off the beaten track. Our award-winning licensed local guides provide incredible insights and insider tips, passionately bringing alive unique and exclusive experiences for you.
Personalized & Private
Discover our Seko Tours world your way. Our experts completely customize your private tour to match your interests and preferences through their comprehensive knowledge of each destination.
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