MOUNT KILIMANJARO TRAVEL INFORMATIONS

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa (19,325 ft, 5,895 metres above sea level).  Although only 330 kms south of the Equator, on the northern boundary of Tanzania, its location on an open plain close to the Indian Ocean, and its great size and height, strongly influence the climate and this its vegetation, animal life and the climbing conditions.

It is composed of three extinct volcanoes, Kibo 19, 340 ft (5,895 metres), Mawenzi 16, 896 ft (5,149 metres), and Shira 13,000 ft (3,962 metres).  It is also one of the world’s highest free-standing mountains.

To assist with your preparations we have compiled the following information dossier, which we hope you will find helpful.

General Introduction

The Mt. Kilimanjaro Climb is considered a strenuous and physically demanding trip (reaching altitudes exceeding 19,000 ft above sea level).  It is imperative that you are fully prepared (both physically and mentally) for this trip and you must ensure you have all the appropriate equipment and clothing, which can greatly affect the overall enjoyment of your tour.

You will experience equatorial to arctic conditions.  The range begins with the warm dry plains with an average temperature of 30C, ascends through a wide belt of wet tropical forest, through zones with generally decreasing temperature and rainfall, to the summit where there is permanent ice and below freezing conditions.  The altitude and seasons determine weather conditions.  The fact that for most months of the year there are so few rainy days makes it possible to climb in relatively good conditions all year round.  The rainy season is from March to June, with short rains in October and November.

Mt. Kilimanjaro has five altitude/climate zones; the lower slopes, forest, heather and moorland, highland desert and the summit.  Within each zone there is an association between altitude, rainfall, temperature, plants and animals.  The zones occupy belts of approximately 3,281 ft (1000m) of altitudes each.  In general the temperature falls about 1C for every 656 ft (200m) increase in altitude, rainfall also decreases steadily with altitude from the forest upward.  Plant life is abundant in areas of high temperature and high rainfall.  As you climb you will see that plant life decreases, not because of the height, but because conditions are colder and drier.  As animal life is dependant on plants, fewer animals live at high altitude.

The lower slopes 2,624 – 5,906 ft (800 – 1800m) were originally scrub, bush and lowland.  This has been cultivated and is now used for livestock grazing and local crops.  In this cultivated zone you will not see large wild animals.

The forest 5,905 – 9,187 ft (1800 – 2800m) is the richest zone on the mountain.  A band of extremely beautiful montane forest encircles the whole of Kilimanjaro, frequently covered in cloud.  Protected from the sun by clouds the moisture cannot easily evaporate so there is high humidity, dampness and fog.  Although flowers are not plentiful in the forest those seen are often striking.  The forest is the home of most of Kilimanjaro’s wild animals although often hidden from view. However, you are likely to see both blue monkeys, and black and white Colobus monkeys.  Leopards live throughout the forest, preying on antelopes, monkeys and rodents, duiker and bushbuck.

The heather and moorland 9,187 – 13,124 ft (2800 – 4000m) is a low alpine zone with a cool clear climate except for mist and fog near the forest.  Heather and heath-like shrubs grow in this area, as well as gorse-like bushes, attractive grasses and flowers.  There are not many large mammals here and those that do visit the moorland are usually in transit to other areas, although eland, duiker, dogs, buffalo and elephants have been seen.  You may see Augar and Mountain Buzzards, the Crowned Eagle, Lammergeyer and the White-necked Raven.

The highland desert 13,124 – 16,405 ft (4000 – 5000m) is the alpine zone.  There is intense radiation, high evaporation and huge daily fluctuations in temperature, nights can be below 0C and in the day time as high as 40C in direct sun.  Under these harsh conditions only the hardiest lichens, moss and tussock grasses can exist.  This area does not offer much in the way of wildlife buts its views are spectacular.

The summit area above 16,415 ft (5000m) is characterised by arctic conditions – freezing cold at night and burning sun during the day.  Oxygen is about half that at sea level and there is little atmosphere to protect you from the sun’s radiation.  Creatures large and small are rare in the summit zone, although a leopard has been found frozen in the snow.

Additional Health Information

Only travellers in excellent physical condition should attempt to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.  As a guideline, you should be able to run or jog for half an hour or more without feeling short of breath.

Each prospective climber should consult a doctor about high-altitude travel.  After a brief period of acclimatisation, most people do not suffer from altitude sickness; but elderly travellers or those with high blood pressure or heart conditions need to exercise extreme caution at high altitudes (see section of information on acclimatisation for travellers for areas of high altitude).

The best advice to climbers is not to hurry and to proceed at a steady, comfortable pace that will facilitate your acclimatisation to the altitude.  Having the right mental state is also important.  Do not push yourself to go on if your body is exhausted.  Take it slowly, and do not force your body to exert itself. Although the Park has a reliable, equipped rescue team on the Machame route (guides are also trained in rescue procedures), please keep in mind that professional medical attention is NOT readily available in the remote areas visited during a climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Additional Information on Weather

Although Mt. Kilimanjaro can be climbed at any time of year, January, February and September are considered the best months.  July, August, November, and December are also good months.

During the rainy period of March to May, clouds tend to pile up and over the summit, dropping snow on top and rain at the base.  Visibility can be limited by cloud cover even when no rain falls.  The temperature at this time of year is relatively warm.

The dry season, beginning in late June and extending through July, can be very cold at night; but is usually clear.  August and September are also cool and may have completely clear days — however, it is not unusual for a dripping cloud belt to girdle the mountain above the forest and moorland.

The summit can be totally clear, but the successful climber may look down on a vast sea of clouds with distant mountain peaks poking through like islands.

The shorter rainy period of October to December often has thunderstorms that pass over the mountain, dropping rain as they go.  Typically, the clouds disappear in the evening; so the nights and mornings are clear with excellent visibility.

January and February are usually dry, warm, and clear with brief showers that make for good climbing conditions.

Additional information on clothing and accessories

Here is a suggested list of clothing and accessories for a climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro:

  • Insulated, waterproof hiking boots with rigid uppers and thick soles (Boots must be well broken in)
  • 3 pair of warm socks
  • 3 pair of lightweight socks (to wear under warm socks)
  • 1 or 2 pair of lightweight walking or running shoes for walking around camp (with appropriate socks)
  • 1 warm hat (or balaclava) with brim to keep the sun off face and neck and a sun hat (you will need both types)
  • 1 pair of insulated hiking or ski gloves
  • 1 down-filled, hooded parka or Gore-Tex anorak
  • 2 sets of thermal underwear (preferably a lightweight pair to wear next to the skin and a heavier second pair for extra warmth)
  • 1 pair of warm, windproof slacks
  • 1 pair of lightweight slacks
  • 1 pair of shorts
  • 2 woollen or flannel shirts with long sleeves
  • 1 or 2 warm sweaters (fleece-type)
  • 2 lighter-weight shirts (or tee shirts)
  • 3 or 4 sets of underwear
  • Lightweight rain gear with hood (Rain can occur at any time on the lower slopes.)
  • Lightweight personal water container
  • A water purification kit and/or iodine pills
  • A lightweight daypack for carrying your own water, lunch, camera, film, etc.; (A pack that has a hydration system with an insulated water bladder is suggested.)
  • A medium-size, sturdy duffel bag to contain all your gear and clothing (Porters will carry this for you, but they will NOT carry framed backpacks.)
  • Well-insulated sleeping bag suitable for temperatures of 20-degrees Fahrenheit (The sleeping bag should fit in your duffel bag.)
  • Camping pillow (if desired)
  • Emergency foil blanket (optional)
  • Flashlight (with extra batteries); a head lamp will be especially useful for the last part of the climb, which is done at night
  • 1 or 2 walking sticks
  • Pair of mud gaiters
  • Dark sunglasses with high UV ray protection or snow goggles; (Polarising glasses are not sufficient to prevent snow blindness.)
  • Sunscreen with high SPF
  • Lip balm containing a sun block
  • Small hand towel, soap, and 2 rolls of toilet paper
  • Tissue and “wash and dry” wipes
  • UV filter for your camera (which is necessary for high-altitude photography)
  • High-energy snacks (such as muesli bars, chocolate, or instant hot drinks)
  • A small reference book on plants (if you are interested in botany), as guides are not especially knowledgeable about this aspect of the climb
  • In addition, it is suggested that you assemble a basic medical kit. Your doctor can advise you on specific items to include.  The following items may be useful:
  • A good supply of aspirin (for altitude headaches)
  • Altitude medication — as prescribed by your doctor
  • An antibiotic to use if needed (such as Septra DS) as prescribed by your doctor
  • Anti-biotic cream (for cuts and scrapes)
  • Band-aids and bandages
  • Moleskin
  • Scissors, tweezers, and a thermometer
  • Cold/flu tablets and throat lozenges
  • Medicine for stomach ailments and rehydration salts
  • Clothing of various weights is suggested, because you will want to dress in layers (removing layers as you heat up from walking, adding layers as you cool down from resting). During the first two days, climbers may find it comfortable to wear shorts and tee shirts.  However, temperatures will change at higher altitudes.  By the third day of your climb (Shira Camp to Barranco), it can be very windy and the temperature can fall to freezing at night.

A limited selection of equipment is available for rental at the base of the mountain; however, Herbivores Expeditions cannot guarantee the quality or condition of any items rented locally.  It is, therefore, suggested that climbers bring all of their own equipment.

 

Additional Baggage Information

During a climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro, travellers should plan to travel with only what is required for the climb.  (Excess luggage can be left behind in Arusha and claimed after the climb.)

 

  • As previously mentioned, porters will carry only duffel-type bags during the climb (no framed backpacks or suitcases). You need only carry a daypack with the personal items you will require during the day (your personal supply of water, your lunch, your camera and film, and any clothes you may want to put on or discard).  Your passport, money, and permit papers should be kept with you at all times during the climb and also carried in your daypack.
  • Please be advised that luggage carried by porters is available to travellers only while in camp and is NOT accessible during the day.

Additional Information on Laundry

  • Laundry service is NOT available during a climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and it is necessary to take a sufficient amount of clean clothing for the duration of the climb.

Additional Information on Food and Drink

  • On most days of the climb, camp breakfasts are served at approximately 6:00 AM. Breakfast is usually a hearty meal consisting of porridge, fruit, hard-boiled eggs, and toast with jam.  Lunches generally consist of sandwiches and fruit; occasionally soup may be served as well.  Tea and biscuits or cake are served on arrival in camp at the end of the day’s climb.  Dinner, which is served in the early evening, usually consists of soup, meat, potatoes, a vegetable, and fruit.
  • At all stages of the climb, it is important to drink as much liquid (water and tea) as possible to help your body acclimatise.

Additional Information on Gratuities

  • Many travellers view tipping as a difficult subject, though this need not be the case. The first thing to remember is that tipping is not compulsory, nor are there any fixed amounts.  The bottom line in determining whether and how much to tip is to ask yourself how much the individual did to make your travels more enjoyable.  You will accompanied by a head guide, assistant guide, and porters. Your gratuity should be presented at the end of the climb and should be given to the head guide, who will distribute it amongst those who have assisted you during the climb.

 

Description of the Climb

The awesome site of the Kilimanjaro Mountain is breathtaking.  With its glittering peaks rising from the high Tanzanian plateau, this immense dormant volcano seems to watch over the fauna of East Africa. “Kili” is actually made up of three different craters; the little Shira in the west, Mawenzi, in the east, and in the centre, the enormous cone of Kibo, whose summit, Uhuru Peak, set in a spectacular background of hanging glaciers, is the climbers goal.

The less frequented Machame route includes seven days (six nights) on the mountain, allowing additional time for altitude acclimatisation.  Climbers ascend and descend by a different route, encountering more wild and varied scenery along the way.  Additionally, climbing the route does not present any particular technical difficulty.

Accommodation is in comfortable and private igloo-shaped tents, which allow our travellers to bypass the very rustic mountain huts where most other trekkers spend their nights.

Our climbs are equipped with the finest climbing and camping apparatus, safety equipment and communications network on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Alternate independent itineraries and other routes are also available.

 

Avoiding Altitude Sickness

Sensible precautionary measures include:

  • Sticking to a schedule of mild activity;
  • Drinking plenty of non-alcoholic fluids (one to five litres per day are recommended);
  • Not smoking; and avoiding sedatives (such as sleeping pills or tranquillisers), which tend to depress respiration and limit oxygen intake.

You might also consult your personal physician about taking the prescription drug Diamox (acetazolamide), a mild diuretic that stimulates oxygen intake.  (It is used by the Himalayan Rescue Association.)

 

Herbivore African Expeditions, strongly advises all travellers to high altitudes to consult with their doctor prior to travel.

 

Please Note: All the information contained in these pages is intended for guidance only and is believed to be correct at the time of printing.

As circumstances may change at any time you are strongly recommended to check with us or the appropriate authority prior to travel for up-to date information, especially health.