Kilimanjaro National Park

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, so you may as well do it right! The best way to do it right is to choose a climb which gives you enough acclimatization time to reach the summit safely. We recommend that you climb one of the less-travelled routes on Kilimanjaro and take enough time to acclimatize.

While it is true that all tours operators need to be affirmed by the park authorities, and all the mountain guides have to be authorized, the fact is that climbing mountain Kilimanjaro is an experience which, whenever organized by unreliable or incompetent Kilimanjaro group tour operators, can immediately become risky and even life-threatening too. Be sure to ask the right questions and consider your safety first.

As you start planning your Kilimanjaro climb, there are several things to take into account:

• What is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro?
• Do I need to be fit to climb Kilimanjaro?
• What gear do I need to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
• Can I climb Kilimanjaro in 5 days?
• Do I need oxygen for Kilimanjaro?
• Can I use my phone in Kilimanjaro?
• Is 50 too old to climb Kilimanjaro?
• What vaccines do I need to go to Kilimanjaro?
• What should I wear to climb Kilimanjaro?
• How long does it take to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

When planning your climb on Kilimanjaro, it’s crucial to have answers to frequently asked questions. Having all your pre-safari inquiries answered would make things easier for you as you start planning your journey to Africa. The best part is that you will have the assistance of your Wito Africa Safaris expert to plan everything.

We can save you time, money, headaches and heartache by helping you plan your dream trek. To start planning your Kilimanjaro climb, please call us at 1-315.805.4040 or send our safari experts a message via email.

To help you prepare well for your climb on Mount Kilimanjaro and a trip to Tanzania, our safari experts have compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answered everything for you.

Knowing what to anticipate can help you have a once-in-a-lifetime experience on Mount Kilimanjaro and make sure you are well-prepared for your life-changing climb. Depending on the route you choose, Mount Kilimanjaro has different rates for entry and camping fees. A memorable experience will be ensured by careful planning.

Our unique approach to offering a stress-free trekking experience starts with ensuring that you are well-informed about the specific requirements of the country you visit so you know exactly what to expect.

A Wito Africa safari expert will help you plan your climb on Mount Kilimanjaro from start to finish and help find your hiking route as soon as your travel dates are confirmed, giving you peace of mind.

Your Accommodation On Kilimanjaro

Your stay on the mountain will either be in spacious but basic tents or huts. Apart from Marangu Route, all other trails on Kilimanjaro require trekkers to use tents that usually are set up at the allocated public campsites. The campsites are maintained by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA) and have basic amenities, including a wooden toilet and ranger’s huts.

The tents we use for your Kilimanjaro climb are spacious and can accommodate up to three adults, but we only allow double occupancy. Our tents are sturdy, wind and waterproof hardware designed for mountain treks. There’s nothing better than spending a night in cosy, warm tents under a blanket of billion stars overlooking the rooftop of Africa.

Our Kilimanjaro crew will carry the tents for you, and they are provided with your climb with us. At each of the public campsites you will stop during your trek, the porters will pitch your tent and set up the camp for you to enjoy a peaceful sleep after your long day of trekking. In the morning, they will pack your tents and carry them for the day. They are usually the first to arrive at the camp and the last to leave the campsite.

You will stay in tents if you climb Kilimanjaro on one of the designated routes, including Shira, Rongai, Machame, Northern Circuit, Umbwe, Western Breach, Lemosho and Kilema.

On the other hand, Marangu Route is the only one that offers huts. On the Marangu trail, you will sleep in A-shaped cabins offering dormitory-type accommodation with bunk beds. Typically, one dormitory can accommodate about 4 to 20 people. The huts are strategically positioned to allow guests to ascend and descend the mountain without the need to bring so much equipment. 

Moreover, climbers that choose to climb Kilimanjaro through Rongai and descend through Marangu are the only ones that can camp on Marangu. Marangu offers three options for your accommodation: Mandara huts, Horombo huts, and Kibo Huts.

The Kilimanjaro management has set up a strategic plan to control the traffic on the mountain whilst allowing easy access for rescue. They have allocated the following campsites across Kilimanjaro mountain:

• Kikelelwa Campsite
• Kibo Huts Campsite
• Kibo Crater Campsite
• Karanga Hut Campsite
• Arrow Glacier Campsite
• Barafu Hut campsite
• Barranco Campsite
• Machame Hut Campsite
• Mandara Huts campsites
• Mawenzi Tarn Campsite
• Millenium Campsite
• Moir’s Hut Campsite
• Mti Mkubwa Campsite
• Mweka hut Campsite
• Pofu campsite
• School huts Campsite
• Second cave Campsite
• Third Cave Camp
• Shira 1 Campsite
• Shira 2 Campsite
• Shira Cave Campsite
• Umbwe Cave Camp

Regardless of which route you take or the camp you stay in, our Wito Kilimanjaro crew will look after you from start to finish, and they will provide you with friendly service, comfort, and delicious food.

Your safety is guaranteed with good service delivery because camp locations are always carefully selected. While all campsites on Kilimanjaro are public, meaning they are shared by other trekkers, our selection of where we set your tent is usually far away from the crowds, whenever possible.

If you need assistance, get in touch and let one of our Wito Africa safari experts guide you in choosing the best option for your needs and budget.

A Wito Africa safari expert can advise you on how many days to spend on each route when you’re ready to start planning your climb on Mount Kilimanjaro.

If all you need to do is book your international flight to Africa, we can recommend several reliable and cost-effective options for you! While most of our guests choose DELTA/KLM direct through Europe, other popular airlines are Emirates, Turkish and Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya and Qatar Airways.

Please let us know your exact requirements and we’ll do everything we can to meet them. If needed, we can even book a business-class flight for you if you’d prefer. Trust us, you’ll be all booked and on your way in no time!

Packing for Kilimanjaro? Here is a list of things you need to bring for your Kilimanjaro climb.

This list covers equipment and clothing required or recommended for a Kilimanjaro trek. Vehicles or porters will carry your primary bags, and you will only ever be walking with daypacks. Ensure your daypack is large enough to carry spare clothes, waterproofs, a camera, lunch, drink, etc.

Your primary bag should be a large kit bag, ideally a rucksack (American backpack) that makes it easier for porters to carry. 

This should weigh less than 15 kg / 33 lbs. when full of kit required for the mountain sections. A light kit bag can help store gear not needed on the trek. 

Your total baggage allowance on most airlines is 23 kg / 50 lbs. If you need more specific advice, please reach out to us, and we will be happy to help! 

Recommended Trek List

Please pack for any mountain trek in a large rucksack or duffel bag; no hard-shell suitcases or cases with wheels. Your gear should weigh a maximum of 15 kg / 33 lbs.

Clothing – The following list of clothing is provided as a guideline only. However, your clothes should allow you the flexibility to cope with the range of weather conditions you may encounter on this trip. Please note that at minus 10 Celsius and with a strong wind, it could feel quite cold, especially on the night of the summit attempt.

• T-shirts/wicking trekking tops – 5-8
• Loose long-sleeved shirt
• Warm jumper/good quality fleece
• Waterproof & windproof jacket-Gore-Tex or equivalent standard
• Down jacket
• Walking shorts/lightweight pants – 2 pairs
• Water & windproof trekking trousers – 2 pairs
• Tracksuit bottoms — suitable for sleeping in or as spares to trek in
• Thermal tops and bottoms — 2-3 varying levels of warmth recommended
• Undergarments
• Scarf

Footwear

• • Trekking socks, lightweight – 3-4 pairs
  • Trekking socks, medium weight — 2-3 pairs
  • Trekking socks, heavyweight — 1-2 pairs
  • Hiking boots; broken in
  • Trainers/spare footwear for the evenings (Crocs or Keens recommended)
  • Gaiters
  • Foot warmers (optional)

Hand-wear

• Waterproof gloves or mittens
• Fleece gloves
• Glove liners
• Hand warmers (optional)

Headwear

• Warm knit hat
• Baseball cap
• Balaclava/ski mask

Equipment

• Comfortable 35+ liter daypack (to carry items needed throughout the day)
• Rucksack/duffel bag, 90+ liter (or similar size)
• Waterproof covers for daypack and rucksack
• Sleeping bag (4 season minimum, warm enough to sleep at -10º C)
• Sleeping bag liner (silk best for warmth and weight)
• Rubber-tipped trekking poles (recommended)

Accessories and Other Items

• Sunglasses
• Towel, small and quick drying
• Water bottles, 3 liters total capacity (if you prefer to use a Camelback or a bladder, please insulate the tube)
• Waterproof dry bags
• Poncho
• Torch and spare battery (head torch recommended)
• Camera & film/extra batteries/memory cards
• Alarm clock
• Snacks/energy bars/electrolyte drink powders
• US Dollars (dated 2009 or later) for tipping

Personal Care and Toiletries

• Sunscreen
• Lip balm
• After sun/skin moisturizer
• Hand sanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Deodorant
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Personal items (i.e., contact lenses and solution, sanitary napkins, etc.)
• Roll of toilet paper and small non-plastic bags
• Ear-plugs

Personal First Aid Kit

• Anti-diarrhoea tablets
• Anti-malaria medication
• Pain-relievers
• Antihistamines
• Throat lozenges
• Plasters/blister dressings/moleskin
• Rehydration powders/salts
• Any medication you regularly take or take while exercising
• Insect repellant

Written Documents

• Copy of passport and visa
• Immunization form/yellow booklet
• Health & travel insurance documents

Most importantly, bring a pair of sturdy, comfortable hiking boots. Try to break these in before your trip rather than wearing them outright because you risk getting blisters.

Pack appropriately for the altitude because the mountains are frequently chilly and wet; include a change of clothes, a warm fleece, sunscreen, and insect repellent in your daypack.

All important details and specific information will be provided in a booklet (along with your itinerary) to help you prepare well for your Kilimanjaro climb with us. See our Africa Safari Guide for more information on what to bring on a safari in other destinations.

Main International Airports

If your trip begins anywhere in northern Tanzania, such as Kilimanjaro or Serengeti, or if you are flying in for the northern safari circuit, Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA/JRO) is the best airport to use. Another gateway to take into account if you want to combine a trek or safari in Tanzania with time spent in Zanzibar and other east African nations is Arusha (ARK).

If your safari is in southern Tanzania, think about flying into Dar es Salaam (DAR). The airports in Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam provide direct flights to numerous significant European airports along with flights to other east and southern African nations. To combine a safari experience with some downtime on Zanzibar’s white beaches, Zanzibar offers a few international connections and some flights out of the Serengeti.

Safari flights are necessary for itineraries that connect Zanzibar and the north and south. These flights, which travel in small planes, stop at various parks and airports, dropping off passengers at different locations. A 33 pounds is the strict weight limit, and soft-sided bags should be used for luggage. The schedules are established and generally reasonably accurate.

Meet & Greet – Wito Africa Kilimanjaro Team

Upon arrival in Tanzania, you will find your private driver/guide at the airport holding a signboard with your group name written on it and a big smile! Next, our representative will help you gather your belongings and hop into the vehicle for a road transfer to your first overnight accommodation in Kilimanjaro or Arusha.

For all Kilimanjaro climbs, we use 4×4 Landcruisers for road transfers to and from the mountain. If you are trekking in large groups, we use shuttle buses that accommodate up to 20 guests. 

For your safari, game drives and guided road transfers are done in closed 4x4s with large windows and pop-up roofs. The vehicles we use for safaris offer maximum wildlife viewing and uninterrupted views of the African wilderness. Two to three rows of seats are typical in a closed 4×4 game drive vehicle, along with a pop-up roof hatch that can be raised for game viewing and taking pictures.

Depending on your travel party, we have two types of spacious, luxury Land Cruisers; a 6-passenger seater (three rows) and a sub-extended 4-passenger seater (two rows). The jeeps are driven by an experienced safari guide and are fitted with everything one might need to enjoy game viewing or wildlife photography.

When you book exclusive use of a safari vehicle and private safari guide, there will not be any strangers/new members joining your safari in Tanzania unless it has been previously arranged by the people travelling in your group.

To enhance your experience on safari in Tanzania with us, we will also include a tea/coffee basket for your picnic while you are out and about in the bush, bottled drinking water, some snacks and soft drinks!

Kilimanjaro Landscape & Wildlife

A Wito Africa safari expert can advise you on how many days to spend on each route when you’re ready to start planning your climb on Mount Kilimanjaro.

There are seven park gates and approach routes, and they all converge onto only three trails to the summit. Of the three trails to the top – the least travelled (and most challenging and beautiful) is the Western Breach, a 1,000-meter steep scramble from camp at 4,900 m (Arrow Glacier Camp) to the crater rim, then another hour onward to the summit.

The other two routes to the top – Marangu and Mweka, lead up the more gently (relatively) sloping east face, trudging through scree (volcanic ‘gravel’) on thousands of switchbacks. These latter two receive a high percentage of the foot traffic vs the Western Breach. 

Umbwe Route is the most challenging route. It has unique terrain, and the climb is usually done via the Western Breach.

No! While we cannot guarantee that climbers will reach the summit of their chosen route (this is mainly dependent on the climber), we can assure you that our Kilimanjaro trekking team know how best to exploit a climber’s strengths and fortify them at times of weakness, and will offer them the maximum summit opportunity possible.

No specialist equipment is required, just standard walking gear. Exceptions to this are four or 5-season sleeping bags, which can be rented locally. A warm jacket is needed, but can be hired); and sturdy boots — well-worn in, but not too heavy!

The best months to climb Kilimanjaro are December, January, February, March, June, July, August, September, and October. On the other hand, April, May, and mid-November are rainy season months. We tend to avoid trekking during the wet season.  

If you wish to stay out of the ‘crowds’, it’s best to avoid the following:

• For affordability, consider climbing after Christmas time and the new year. Generally, this is our peak tourist season, and prices are the highest.
• Avoid starting your climb on a Saturday or Sunday since many groups start on these days.
• If possible, do not climb the Machame Route (it’s by far the busiest route) – we do have a scheduled group climb for the Machame Route only to meet the demand for a short trek, as this is the only route that can be done in 6 days. 
• If possible, consider going to the summit at least a week after the full moon for the best lighting on the summit trail during the twilight.

No matter when you decide to trek, superb guides, first-rate lodgings, and amiable locals who share your passion for the trip will guarantee a truly exceptional and unforgettable experience.

Select your preferred time to travel, then let a Wito Africa safari expert create an itinerary that meets your needs for a trek and incorporates the top attractions of that season.

Even if you feel fit enough to handle the terrain, altitude, humidity, and even the daypack during your Kilimanjaro climb, it is mandatory to use porters during your trek. The porters will help carry all gear: tents and other camping gear, safety gear, food and cooking supplies, and all your personal gear and luggage. You are only responsible for carrying a pack containing items you need access to during the day.

The minimum required number of Kili crew per trekker is 9. Your team will consist of 1 lead guide, assistant guide, cook, 1-2 special porters and 4-5 porters.

As a rough example, with a group of four trekkers climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, there would be 18 local staff to accompany the group. This would break down into:

For each additional guest on the mountain, we are demanded to add more crew members as needed. The porters association recommends we keep a minimum of three porters per additional trekker. 

The Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA) has a maximum carrying weight per porter of 25 kg /50 lbs, which includes the porter’s company and personal gear, which is approximately 5 kg /11lbs, plus 5 kg / 11 lbs of company gear. Thus, the load they carry for the climber should not exceed 15 kg / 33 lbs.

The work of a porter is gruelling and physically demanding and requires a lot of experience and physical training to handle the job’s demands. Porters must be able to ascend the mountain rapidly to make it to the camp several hours before the guests arrive. Upon arrival at the base camp, the porters immediately need to set up the tents for the guests to sleep in, the mess tent for the guests to relax in and dine, the toilet, the kitchen to prepare the meals, and assist with meal preparation.

We are a local tour operating company, and all the team members—including the guides, porters and drivers—are natives of Tanzania. We grew up in the African tourism industry, so we understand that tourism can be a force for good. Our mission is to help contribute to the local economy by ensuring that the money from tourism stays in the area. The restaurants, lodges, and other establishments we will be visiting are all locally owned, so the money spent on the trip will go directly to support the communities you will be visiting.

The WITO Effect!

If you have spare items of clothing, boots, or gear which you do not use anymore and some unused baggage allowance, please bring them specifically to give to our local members of staff (porters, guides, etc.). The staff and the local community in Kilimanjaro will greatly appreciate it! People often overlook these items only to regret it when they are out in Africa and realize how beneficial their things would have been to the locals.

Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss any necessary travel vaccinations and other medications, such as those to prevent malaria or yellow fever, that you may need to take both before and during the trip. You may also need a Yellow Fever certificate if your travel takes you to other African countries; you can find out more information on the CDC website.

While we will help you book all your domestic flights within Africa, our personalized service takes the hassle out of finding and booking the best international flights for your upcoming vacation. Our Wito Africa experts will help you through the entire planning of your safari experience.

Finding the ideal flight for your trip is made simple by using the same personalized service you can get from planning a trip with Wito Africa. We offer support and a free consultation on flights and ticketing.

Once you’ve committed to your ideal safari adventure, it’s strongly advised that you get travel insurance. You must have comprehensive coverage for the unexpected, and starting your journey with that peace of mind is a wise choice.

When you reserve your safari with Wito Africa, you’ll get paperwork that includes a thorough packing list. But suffice it to say that you should dress comfortably and casually. Wearing clothing in shades of khaki, olive, brown, and tan improves your chances of spotting wildlife and has the added advantage of hiding dirt. Additionally, you should resist the urge to overpack because laundry services will be available in a lot of the locations we visit.

Absolutely. We would like to extend a warm welcome to you as one of our valued visitors to our country. After clearing customs at the airport of your arrival, a member of the Wito Africa Safaris staff will welcome you and drive you as quickly as possible to the convenience of your hotel.

It’s not easy to say precisely which is the best route to trek Kilimanjaro. Kilimanjaro management has set up a strategic plan to control the traffic on the mountain whilst allowing easy access for rescue.

Some routes are harder to go up, very steep and need extra energy to conquer them. On the other hand, you may find a shorter trail to make it to the top, but it may lack some much-needed acclimatization time. Moreover, some routes are so crowded and not suitable for some trekkers. 

We recommend climbing one of the less-travelled routes and taking enough time to acclimatize. You’ll likely only climb Kilimanjaro once, so you may as well do it right! The best way to do it right is to choose a climb which gives you enough acclimatization time to reach the summit safely. 

Here are the success rates for some route 

• Marangu 80% – 85%
• Machame 88% – 95%
• Lemosho 90% – 96%
• Rongai 86% – 93%
• Umbwe 50% – 60%

Our favourite route is the Shira Route via the northern circuit; it’s the last vestige of true wilderness left on Kilimanjaro. There is low traffic and no well-worn trails here on this circuit, and only rock cairns mark the route. It’s common to see eland, and other animals, including mountain reedbuck, klipspringer, and silver-backed jackals. It is unheard of to see signs of leopard and civet cats (from their nocturnal forays). However, the northern circuit does require a minimum of 7-8 days. Done in nine-to-ten days from the Lemosho trailhead, it allows a complete ‘grand traverse’ of Kilimanjaro from west to east, and the views are stunning.

CLIMB/ROUTE SPECIFICATIONS – KILIMANJARO 

GENERAL CLIMB YEAR  

You would be pleased to know that we have had guests who were 60 – 72 years old that made it to the roof of Africa. Strangely, sometimes the younger people below 18 years old and those older active folks (above 60+ years) are the ones that have a higher success rate on Mt. Kilimanjaro. Those guests who are 20-30 years old tend to struggle on the mountain. Sometimes, it is only because they are overconfident and want to rush to the top. With this in mind, one would conclude that age is not a barrier to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

No experience whatever, though some time spent trekking during your preparation phase will maximize the likelihood of your summiting. The ascent of Kilimanjaro via the trekking routes we offer is not technical, requiring only a little scrambling at times.

Kilimanjaro is a walk-up mountain, meaning a trekking peak that can be done without an ice axe, ropes, or harnesses. You don’t need any technical mountaineering skills at all.

While it is true that no technical ability or experience is required to successfully summit Mount Kilimanjaro, even those who have summited more than once still treat the mountain with respect and caution. The final 600 vertical meters are very challenging and need enormous resolve, however strong or experienced you may be.

If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, we invite you to contact us by email. We’ll always get back to you within 12 – 24 hours.