Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro: The Ultimate Adventurous Journey To The Roof Of Africa!
Written By
African Scenic Safaris
28/02/2023
Trekking
Last updated on August 23rd, 2023 at 06:32 am
Conquering one of the World’s seven summits and accomplishing a remarkable task is the primary essence of Climbing Kilimanjaro. The highest free-standing mountain on our planet is on the top of every adventurous and trekking enthusiast.
Climbing Kilimanjaro is a challenging but rewarding expedition that attracts hikers from across the world. Below we’ll explore the various components of what makes a Kilimanjaro Climb the ultimate adventure you could ever hope for. We’ll cover everything from the preparation and journey to the summit, route options, the best time to climb the mountain, etc. This will help you prepare for one of the best trekking experiences.
Picking Out The Right Path – Kilimanjaro Route Options
There are 8 available options when it comes to Kilimanjaro Routes. All of them have a variety of natural splendor, difficulty, duration, and success rates. Your success could entirely rely on the route you select.
Machame Route – This is one of the most scenic routes of Kilimanjaro. The trail will take you through some of the most charming parts of the mountain.
Lemosho Route – This route strikes the perfect balance between beauty and the number of crowds. The route is a bit on the expensive side. But, if you don’t mind paying a bit more for lower traffic, then it’s one of the Best Routes on Kilimanjaro.
Marangu Route – If you’re short on time and money, then this is the perfect route. The trek from this route can be done in just 5 days. The route isn’t the most scenic or hardest, but it’s popular mostly due to how short it is.
Shira Route – This route is almost similar to the Lemosho Route but with more traffic. So, the costs will be almost the same and you’ll have plenty of time to acclimatize for the summit day.
Rongai Route – This is the only Kilimanjaro Route that approaches the mountain from the northern area
Umbwe Route – This route is only advised for experienced trekkers that are looking to challenge themselves.
Mweka Route – This route is only utilized for descending the mountain. No one is allowed to hike up this trail unless they are officials or rangers.
Northern Circuit Route – This is the longest Kilimanjaro Route and has the highest success rate. It has a great acclimatization profile and has an average of 9 days, though the 10 days itinerary is the most popular.
The Best Time To Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
The dry or warm season is generally regarded as the Best Time to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. This period is from December to mid-March and mid-June to October. This season offers the best trekking conditions alongside clear weather and the best sceneries.
But, Mt. Kilimanjaro can be climbed throughout the course of the year. Even the short wet seasons (March to May and November and December) have occasional showers that can be refreshing during the trek.
Prepare Yourself Both Mentally And Physically
Climbing Kilimanjaro isn’t a walk in the park! So, you shouldn’t take the trek lightly. It’s a challenging quest that requires physical and mental training. To prepare for the climb, it’s vital that you engage in some physical exercises. This includes cardio workouts and strength training.
Just as important is acclimatizing to the altitudes. This can be easily achieved by spending some time in high-altitude conditions or using altitude simulators before the climb.
One thing that shouldn’t be forgotten also is mental preparation, as the climb can be mentally challenging.
Trekkers must be fully prepared to push themselves to their limits and be ready for altitude sickness.
NOTE - One thing you may be concerned about is carrying your heavy bags and tent supplies up the mountain. But you don’t have to be worried as Kilimanjaro Porters will come to the rescue and do all of this for you.
Experience Of The Journey To The Summit
The saying goes ‘it’s in the journey, not in the destination.’ This is also the case when it comes to Climbing Kilimanjaro. The journey to Uhuru Peak is full of unique and rewarding experiences.
You’ll get to encounter varied surroundings – from lush rainforests and alpine deserts to icy arctic zones.
This won’t just be it though because you’ll be rewarded with spectacular vistas throughout your climb.
So, keep your cameras handy because photographic chances will be plenty.
The journey to the summit will take around 5-9 days, depending on which route you opt for. Each day will be spent hiking, with breaks in the middle for rest and meals. At nighttime, you’ll get to sleep in campgrounds, outdoor tents, or huts, again depending on the route.
Reaching The Summit – A Triumph!
Reaching the Uhuru Peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro is undoubtedly going to be an astonishing achievement and a milestone for trekkers.
Kilimanjaro’s summit is the highest point in the entire African continent, standing at an enormous 5,895 metres.
When you eventually reach the summit, the sense of accomplishment and the splendid views from atop will make all the challenges worthwhile.
Though it’s important to note that reaching the summit isn’t guaranteed. So, you must be prepared for the possibility of making it to the top. Remember that above all, safety should be your utmost priority on the mountain.
Moreover, we have other blogs on Kilimanjaro Climbing too, just follow the links below to get more insights about the Roof of Africa:
Climbing Mount Kilimanjarooffers an adventure that a few will have in their lifetime. Rewarding experiences are the essence of climbing the mountain. Some notable considerations that you have to make are choosing the right route, preparing yourself mentally and physically, and climbing exactly at the right time.
Whether you’re a complete novice or an experienced trekker, Kilimanjaro never fails to deliver a truly unforgettable adventure. The journey to the Roof of Africa is challenging. But the feeling of conquering a milestone and some of the most otherworldly panoramas make it all meaningful.
We at African Scenic Safaris have a range of Mt. Kilimanjaro Climbing Packages that will appeal to trekkers from all over the world.
