Having a high level of physical fitness will make your climb easier and more enjoyable, but you don’t need to be extremely well trained to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Plenty of people who are not at the peak of physical performance have climbed this mountain. Nor do you require any real climbing experience; the routes may be long but they’re not technical.
As a rough guide for determining whether you are fit enough for the climb, if you are happy hill walking for six to seven hours, with an ascent of 1000m, do regular sport and can keep pace during an hour’s cardio class at the gym then you should be fine on the Kilimanjaro. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the climb!
Many health conditions don’t prevent a successful climb! But please inform us before departure about your health status and diseases, so we can take consideration on your health issues and make your climb safe and pleasant. Conditions not known to your guide might bring yourself and your team at risk.
This also applies to allergies. Inform us timely so our chef can do his groceries accordingly!
Some companies offer shared tours. These shared tours can consist of mixed groups of up to 10 people per tour. The groups often encounter challenges because the physical and mental fitness of the guests can vary widely. You will have to walk the pace of the slowest participants, making the tour a slow procession up the path. If you need your time, you might feel uncomfortable in holding up your team mates. If you are very fit, walking in a slow pace is very tiring and you won’t enjoy the mountain at the max.
If you want to walk your own pace and have the best chances of summitting, take a private tour. You will feel free on the mountain. The costs for two or more people are almost the same, the travel experience of a private tour is way better.
The success of your climb depends on good preparation and getting the right equipment together is essential in this. Around a month before your trip, your guide will have a videocall with you to discuss the equipment. During this call your guide will ask you to show your equipment so you have time to collect any missing things.
It is important to take most things from your home country. Specialized equipment can’t be purchased locally, the market of climbers is too small for specialized local firms.
We need to carry everything you take on the mountain so generally, less is more. Refrain from jeans, multiple pairs of shoes and heavy sweatshirts.
* can be rented from Genius Kilimanjaro
** can be purchased locally on the departure day
On most days we walk between 4-7 hours. Your feet will work hard. Be sure to break your boots in at least 4 weeks prior to departure. The porters will carry the heavy equipment and everything you don’t need during the day in duffel bags. Most things you use during the daily trek you bring from home:
Take from home
After the daily walk, we will settle in a tented camp. On most days we provide a bowl of hot water for washing after the walk. Make sure you can relax comfortably. We will not encounter any wall outlets, so power management for your device can be a challenge. Try solar chargers at home, many don’t work properly.
Take from home
We provide
The nights are cold on Kilimanjaro. Some nights it will be below -10’C. A good sleeping bag is a must and makes the difference for a successful climb. Get good advice at your local outdoor specialist. Some guests have taken double sleeping bags to keep each other warm. This works well. On the higher camps you will want to use thermo clothing and socks in your sleeping bag.
Take from home:
We provide:
On summit day we depart very early (around midnight!). We walk slowly, and you’ll feel the lack of oxygen so you don’t heat up. It is really very cold, also for people that are used to snow and ice! Don’t underestimate the cold, the chill factor will be way below -20’C. We can not stress enough: Warm clothing is essential.
Take from home:
We provide:
The Kilimanjaro is a relatively safe place.
Biting insects are hardly found above 3000m. The Malaria risk on the mountain and in Arusha (at 1600m) is minimal, but on the lower slopes and the cities the risk is not zero.
Take from home:
We provide:
Returning form the mountain, at the gate of the park, we will bring you everything you left in the valley. Don’t leave any valuables in the valley.
Take from home
(Duffel) bag or suitcase
Clean set of clothes
Swim wear
Everything you need for your holiday before or after our joint adventure
We provide:
Storage for your bag
About a month before our adventure, your guide or assistant guide will schedule a video call with you to discuss
Please inform your guide about any health conditions; be honest about it! Most conditions do not prevent a successful climb, but a condition unknown to your guide can result is serious risks on the mountain.