Mount Kilimanjaro

Highlights

• Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres, reached on foot without ropes or climbing experience
• Five distinct ecological zones in a single walk-up
• The Machame and Lemosho routes for scenery and better acclimatisation profiles
• Glaciers at the summit, much reduced and worth seeing while they remain
• Moshi and the surrounding coffee country as a base before and after

Getting around

• Fly into Kilimanjaro International, between Moshi and Arusha.
• All climbs are through licensed operators with guides and porters — independent ascent is not permitted.
• Moshi is the usual base town; Arusha is an alternative if combining with the northern safari circuit.

Good to know

• Six to ten days for the climb. The shortest routes have the lowest success rates, for the obvious reason.
• Pay for the extra acclimatisation day. It is the single biggest factor in reaching the summit.
• Altitude sickness is unrelated to fitness or age. Ascend slowly and be honest about symptoms.
• Ask how your operator pays and equips its porters before booking. It varies enormously and it matters.
• Proper kit is not optional — summit night is genuinely arctic.

Altitude is the serious risk and it affects the fit and unfit alike. Choose a longer route, tell your guide about headaches or nausea rather than pushing through, and accept a descent if advised. Confirm your operator carries oxygen and a stretcher.