10. Choose the Route and Season carefully
There are seven established routes to the summit, but most climbers
pick among three. The Rongai route takes six to seven days and
approaches the mountain from the east. Compared to the other two, this route lacks
on the scenic factor. The Machame Route charges up the southern flank of the
peak in six to seven days and has good views of the mountain. The Lemosho
Route is a scenic journey up the long western ridge of the mountain and
relatively new, lasting from seven to nine days and has a high success rate.
Remember, fewer than half the climbers who attempt a five-day ascent
successfully make the summit, so choose wisely.
There are two rainy seasons on
Kilimanjaro – March through to end of May and November through to February. The
south is wetter than the northern slopes, making the Rongai route a favourite during the rainy months.
Typically rain is less prevalent above 3,000m, which means you are only likely
to experience rain on Day 1. You may however experience snow and sleet on the
upper reaches of the mountain
9. Choose operator providing private toilet tent
Always
choose a tour operator who provides you with a zippered, waterproof, and portable
bathroom tent - a convenience that people do not realize how important it is
until they camp on the mountain. Having a private group toilet can
sometimes make or break your experience. Otherwise, you are stuck with the
scant shelter of volcanic outcroppings, and the old hole-in-the-floor
wooden outhouses that are scattered around each trail camp.
8. Weigh your bags
The general rule on the mountain is that no porter
should have a load of more than
15 kg (33 pounds) per porter. It’s a rule strictly enforced. Your bags will put
on scale when you arrive and on each time the porter leaves the camp on the
mountain. Therefore, pack well and light and your bag should not be more than
15kgs or you will have to pay for an extra porter. The rule is in force to
protect the porters from being forced to carry too much. Your daily usables,
camera, etc, can be carried in your day bag. Try to keep the day bag under
5kgs. Most operators will provide you a list of items to pack with you for the
trek, you would be wise to follow their advise.
7. Fitness
You do not have to be “super
fit” to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Of course, having good level of health and
fitness is important but you do not need to be an experienced ultra-marathon
runner to climb it. In fact, many fit people struggle to reach the summit
because they exert themselves too much during the early stages of the trek and
therefore don’t give themselves enough time to acclimatize
during the ascent. On Kilimanjaro you will be
trekking approx. 5-7 hours a day (summit day being a lot longer). Preparing for
these treks through practice hikes in your home country is a great way to build
up your fitness level or through cardiovascular exercises at the gym, such as running
and cycling. Only the summit day will truly test your fitness – both physical
and mental.
6. Take time to acclimatize
Acclimatizing well to the mountain and the high altitude is
like getting a key to the door. “Pole
pole” (pronounced po-lay po-lay)
is a Swahili phrase meaning “slowly slowly,” and you will hear these
words repeated throughout your journey. You will be quite surprised with the
slow pace set by the guides but Slow and steady should be your mantra on the
mountain.
It is always wise to add an extra day to the climb and choose
a route which follows the 'walk high, sleep low' formula. If you climb too fast
and exert yourself at high altitude, then your body will have difficulty in
adjusting to the thin air and low oxygen leading to altitude sickness.
5. Water on Kilimanjaro
Water
is critical on the mountain and helps with the acclimatization. Every day you
will be given 2-3 liters from your guides and you should aim to finish it by
the time you reach your camp. Dehydration is a key cause of AMS so make sure
you remain hydrated. Not being well hydrated will also result in headaches,
something you don’t want on the last day. So hydrate up!
You
should probably buy some flavoring or energy tablets to your water to make it
more palatable.
4. Respect
the mountain
Never take the mountain lightly. The
walk up the mountain is demanding and at high altitude it gets even more
difficult. Don’t forget you are climbing from almost sea level to 5900m above
sea level. This is the highest free standing mountain in the world!! It
requires determination and effort to get to the top and across the exposed mountainside,
you may encounter wind, rain, snow, and scorching sun. Guided tours make for a safer trek, but
this is still a challenging endeavor that is not to be taken lightly. Only
about 60 percent of climbers are able to successfully summit the peak. Keep
that in mind when you are preparing for the trek, as this will help ensure that
you are one of them.
3. Kilimanjaro Guides and Porters
The
Kilimanjaro guides and porters are your greatest asset on the mountain. Most guides and porters are
locals who speak Swahili. The Guides usually have a good command of the English
language, so communication should not be an issue. Typically, every climbing
group has at least 1 guide, and each climber has three porters. Porters carry
all gear, tents, cooking supplies and water. Over the course of your climb, you
will learn to respect these guys – each porter carries approx. 15 kg of kit on
their back and still comfortably “overtake” you every day!!
Keep
at least USD 250-300 per person in the group for the tips to guides, kitchen
crew and porters. Good companies have a
protocol and tipping ceremony on the last day of camping.
2. Determination
Getting
to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro has a lot to do with determination. There will
likely be a point during the summit attempt where you might feel like giving up
– typically around Stella Point or
Gilman’s Point. You might be feeling awfully sick and/or exhausted. At that
lowest point, it is important that you remain determined to get to the top
– one step at a time! However, your determination must not supersede your
health. Monitor AMS symptoms closely and talk to your Guides if you feel
something is wrong. More often than not, these can be easily resolved, but ONLY
if you communicate it to your Guides.
1. Enjoy the experience!
It isn’t every day that you get time to get
away from the rigmaroles of your daily life. Even if it is only for a week, once
you are on the mountain you are free and alone with nature. Listen to the quiet
noise of the forest. Smell the godly scent of rain on dry ground. Feel the air brush your cold cheeks. Taste it’s freshness.
Stare at the breathtaking views above the clouds. Stargaze at night. Relish the
company of your solitude. LIVE. BREATHE. ENJOY
