THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR CLIMBING MOUNT KILIMANJARO
Chris, my community manager, has invited me to share his tips with you to save money and increase your chances of climbing “the Roof of Africa”.
It was the most incredible feeling I have ever experienced, standing on top of Kilimanjaro in the dawn. I reached the summit after a week of hard work, including 17 hours of hiking in one day. In a brief moment, I was the highest person on the continent. It was truly a magical moment.
Kilimanjaro is a very special place in the world of travel. One of those activities draws a special traveller — such as Everest base camp, Machu Picchu or the Camino. They are those who want to challenge themselves and push themselves to the limits.
Although Kilimanjaro is now more accessible to tourists, it remains a difficult climb. Every year, people still get hurt and even die on Kilimanjaro mountain. Only 45 to 65% of hikers make it to the summit.
The Routes
Six routes lead to Kilimanjaro. Each has a different length, difficulty, and success rate. Your budget, time frame, and the company with which you are booking your expedition will all play a part in your chosen route.
Here is a list of the main routes.
Marangu – This is the “Coca-Cola Route”, named after the fact there are huts on the route where you can stay and purchase things, such as a cold Coke. The success rate is low because people underestimate the difficulty and rush to reach the top in five days rather than taking longer to adjust.
Machame is the most well-known route. It can be completed in just seven days and has a success rate exceeding 60%. This is why it is so popular. It is called “the whiskey route” because it presents a greater challenge than the Coca-Cola route.
Rongai – This is the simplest route to Kilimanjaro. Although it is less scenic and more costly (there aren’t as many budget operators), this route approaches the north. It is also less crowded.
Shira – This route takes you to high altitudes before connecting with the Machame route. This route is more difficult and costly because it starts in the west before connecting with the main route.
Lemosho: This is my favourite route up the mountain. It is varied and challenging. However, it is one of the most expensive routes.
Umbwe This route is for experienced climbers who are looking for extreme challenges. This route is more difficult than regular hiking and involves a lot of climbing and scrambling.
No matter your route, I recommend no less than seven days. Do not rush your trip. It will be more expensive, but your body will adapt to altitude better if you take the time. This is the best thing you can do for your success.
Prices
There are many price points for travel. You can find luxury companies that will transport a full-size bed up a mountain for you or super-cheap companies that don’t pay their porters fair wages to keep costs down.
For two reasons, I recommend choosing a company that is more middle-of-the-road:
They will also have more experienced guides to get more information during your hike. You can also be sure that your porters are being paid fairly by these companies.
You’ll also know that the company doesn’t cut corners. You will know that there is plenty of competition for Kilimanjaro treks. If one company is too expensive to be true, they may be skimming on something. Don’t spend too much on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Prices for a single person range from $1,000 to more than USD 5,000. I would not book with any company that charges less than USD 2,000 per person (I paid about $2,200 before tipping — more details below). Anything below that will be considered bare-bones.
Around 10 people are killed annually, and many others are seriously injured. Do not cut corners! Look for a company that has good reviews and is reputable. You’ll enjoy your trip more and feel safer.
Locating a Tour Operator
You can’t climb without porters, so you will need to hire someone to provide you with all the gear, guides, porters, paperwork and everything else you might need.
There are many companies to choose from. But how do you choose which company to work with?
Here are some tips:
See reviews. Once you have narrowed down your options based on your budget, look for companies with positive reviews. Although online reviews are not to be taken lightly, they can help you make a first impression. Pay attention to details regarding the equipment and the food.
Please find out about their client/porter ratio. How many other travellers will your group be travelling with? And how many porters/guides/assistant guides will be included? If you have any questions or concerns, you don’t want your attention to be snuffed out by a large group.
What’s their success rate on the route? They can’t control the weather, but they can do their best to help their clients reach the top.
Is this a responsible company? The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project maintains a list that includes tour operators who meet their standards of responsible and ethical travel. Make sure you book with a company on this list to ensure fair treatment of your porters. This list was something I did not know about before I travelled, and it is one of my biggest regrets.
Choose a company that offers accommodation – Many companies offer a complimentary hotel stay for the night before your trek and the night following (as well as pick-up/drop-off). This will ensure you get a good night’s rest before you hike and after spending a long day on the mountain.