Kilimanjaro FAQ

Kilimanjaro is a long, high walk rather than a technical climb — there is no rope work or scrambling — but it is demanding: five to eight days on the trail, six to eight hours of walking most days, and a summit night that involves seven or more hours of uphill in the cold and dark. You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be a regular hiker and train for a few months beforehand. See our Training for Kilimanjaro page.

It depends almost entirely on how many days you spend acclimatising. Rushed five-day climbs have success rates well below 50%; six-day climbs are around 65%; and seven- to nine-day routes such as Lemosho and the Northern Circuit report rates of 85–95%. This is why routes of seven days or more are strongly recommended.

For most people, Lemosho (7–8 days) is the best balance of scenery, gentle acclimatisation and high success. The Northern Circuit (9 days) has the best acclimatisation profile and the fewest people. Machame (7 days) is scenic and popular but busy. Rongai (6–7 days) approaches from the drier north and is a good choice in the rainy season. Marangu (5 days, or 6 with an acclimatisation day) is the only route with huts rather than tents. Umbwe is steep, fast and for experienced, well-acclimatised trekkers only.

Seven or eight days on the mountain is the sweet spot — long enough to acclimatise properly without dragging on. Six days is the practical minimum for a reasonable chance of success; nine days (the Northern Circuit) maximises it. Add a night before and after the climb for briefing, kit checks and rest.

The two dry seasons — January to mid-March and June to October — are the most reliable, with clearer skies and better trail conditions. The long rains (late March to May) and the short rains (November) are climbable, quieter and cheaper, but you should expect wet days, and some prefer the northern Rongai route then. Full-moon dates are popular for the summit night.

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is the body reacting to thin air — headache, nausea, poor sleep and loss of appetite are common above about 3,000 m. It is managed by climbing slowly ("pole pole"), choosing a route with good acclimatisation, drinking plenty of water and eating well. On a well-run climb the crew checks your oxygen saturation and pulse twice a day, carries emergency oxygen and a first-aid kit, and the lead guide has the authority to turn you around if serious symptoms (HACE or HAPE) appear. Some climbers take acetazolamide (Diamox) — ask your doctor.

No technical skills, and no ropes, crampons or ice axes on the standard routes. You do need proper gear: broken-in waterproof hiking boots, warm layers down to about −15 °C wind chill, a four-season sleeping bag, trekking poles and a head torch. You will get a full kit list when you book, and most items can be hired in Moshi or Arusha if you would rather not buy them. See our Packing & Gear List.

The lower forest is warm and humid. It gets progressively colder with altitude: nights at high camp are typically −5 to −15 °C, and summit night, when you set off around midnight, can feel like −20 °C or lower with the wind. Daytime temperatures at the summit are usually a little below freezing.

A typical climb includes park and rescue fees, a qualified mountain guide and support crew, all camping equipment and meals on the mountain, transfers to and from the gate, and a night either side in Moshi or Arusha. You bring your own personal clothing and gear (or hire it), travel insurance that covers trekking to your route's altitude, and money for tips. Your exact inclusions are listed on your quote.

Tips are a significant part of the crew's income and are expected. As a widely used guideline, budget roughly US$250–350 per climber for the whole team (guide, assistant guides, cook and porters combined), pooled and handed over at a small ceremony on the last morning. You will get a suggested breakdown before you start.

The national park minimum age is 10, and there is no upper limit — people in their seventies summit every year. Many climbers have never done a multi-day trek before; what matters is arriving fit, choosing enough days, and walking slowly. Children and anyone over about 60 may be asked for a doctor's letter.