Kilimanjaro 101: What You Need to Know Before You Climb Africa’s Highest Peak
- Brooke Barber
- Jun 9
- 11 min read
There’s something extraordinary about Kilimanjaro. Maybe it’s the way it rises dramatically from the plains of Tanzania, or maybe it’s the fact that—despite standing at 19,341 feet—it’s one of the most accessible high-altitude climbs in the world. No ropes. No technical mountaineering skills. Just you, your boots, your determination, and the adventure of a lifetime.
But don’t be fooled: climbing Kilimanjaro is no walk in the park. It takes preparation, grit, and knowledge. If this bucket-list summit is calling your name, here’s your comprehensive guide to what to expect—and how to prepare—for your journey to the Roof of Africa.
Getting to Tanzania: Visas
To enter Tanzania, you need a visa. Depending on your tour operator, you might need to apply for the visa yourself. This process is relatively straightforward, but it should be completed well before your trip to ensure your visa is approved on time.
Permits & Guiding: No Solo Summits Allowed
Mount Kilimanjaro is a protected area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You cannot hike it independently; the Tanzanian government requires that all climbers be accompanied by a licensed guide. That means going with an authorized trekking company is not just a smart choice—it’s the only choice.
Your trekking company will handle your park permits, porters, guides, cooks, and logistics. Choose wisely. A good company doesn’t just get you to the top; they look after your health, your safety, and your experience along the way.
Route Options: Choose Your Adventure
There are several routes up Kilimanjaro, each offering a unique experience in terms of scenery, difficulty, and acclimatization. Most of these routes can be shortened or extended to accommodate different acclimatization needs of a group or hiker. Some routes can be extended to up to 12 days on the mountain. Here are the most popular:
Machame (6–7 days): Scenic and popular. A good balance of acclimatization and challenge.
Lemosho (7–8 days): Quieter, longer, and arguably more beautiful. Great for acclimatization. You see the west, south, and east sides of the mountain on this route, arguably making it the most comprehensive experience on the mountain.
Marangu (5–6 days): The only route with hut accommodations. Sometimes called the “Coca-Cola Route.” Can be very difficult due to short acclimatization times.
Rongai (6–7 days): Approaches from the north, drier and less crowded.
Northern Circuit (8–9 days): The longest and most gradual route—ideal for acclimatization and success.
If you want a higher chance of reaching the summit and a more scenic journey, choose a longer route with good acclimatization profiles like Lemosho or the Northern Circuit.
What's The Bathroom Situation??
Let’s be real: you’re not climbing Kilimanjaro for the bathroom experience. Campsites have outhouses—squat-style toilets in wooden or metal huts. They are primitive, but functional. These outhouses are highly variable in cleanliness and tend to be less cleanly the higher you get on the mountain as routes merge resulting in more hikers, and resources become more limited. Some trekking companies provide private portable toilet tents at an additional cost for added comfort and hygiene.
Whatever setup you encounter, always carry your own toilet paper or wet wipes, hand sanitizer, and perhaps some "wag bags" or sealable bags for emergencies on the trail. You’ll be thankful you did. It's so important to clean up any trash you use on the trail. Please be a part of keeping the mountain beautiful, which includes packing out your wet wipes, toilet paper, or other hygiene items.
Water Access & Safety
On the mountain, porters collect water from mountain streams and boil or treat it before giving it to hikers. Most companies ensure your drinking water is safe, but if you feel more comfortable you can bring your own backup treatment method (like iodine tablets or a SteriPEN) just in case. You will be given clean water at breakfast, lunch, and dinner to fill your water bladders or water reservoirs.
Drink more than you think you need—hydration is one of your biggest defenses against altitude sickness!
Gear and Luggage
When you arrive in Tanzania, you'll likely have quite a bit of luggage with you, especially if you plan on safaris or coastal adventures after your climb. Most hotels in the area have secure luggage rooms to store your additional luggage safely until you return from the mountain.
For the mountain, you will carry a daypack (30-40L) with your water, snacks, rain gear, and additional layers or anything you might need while hiking during the day. A porter will be assigned to carry a duffel bag (100-120L) of your additional luggage. This typically has a weight limit which your tour operators will inform you of. Inside the duffel bag will be additional clothes, supplies, summit equipment, and anything else you might want to have with you, but not in your day pack. There are strict weight limits with this duffel bag for the safety and well-being of the porters.
Service and Power
Don’t count on cell service or reliable Wi-Fi while trekking Kilimanjaro—this mountain is a place to unplug. While you may catch a weak signal in lower elevations or near certain camps, connectivity is not guaranteed, and even the routes with huts (like Marangu) do not ensure access to working outlets for charging devices. That said, if you're on an Authentica Travel trip to Kilimanjaro, your guide will carry a satellite phone for emergencies, and your loved ones will be able to track your progress through a dedicated GPS link we provide before the trek. Think of it as a chance to disconnect from the digital world and fully immerse yourself in one of the most awe-inspiring experiences on Earth.
Tipping Your Mountain Team:
The porters, guides, chefs, and other workers on the mountain have a very difficult job. They work tirelessly to ensure safety on the mountain as well as often tending to additional extras that just make the experience more comfortable for hikers. You will be amazed and humbled by their generosity, their work ethic, and their resilience on the mountain. A standard tip to your team once you have completed the mountain is $250-$300. If a guide, or porter gave you exceptionally outstanding care, feel free to tip them separately from your group tip amount.
Climate Zones: One Mountain, Five Worlds
Climbing Kilimanjaro is like trekking from the equator to the Arctic. You’ll pass through five distinct ecological zones:
Cultivation Zone (2,600–6,000 ft) – Farmlands and villages.
Rainforest Zone (6,000–9,200 ft) – Lush, green, and often misty. Home to monkeys and birds.
Heather/Moorland Zone (9,200–13,200 ft) – Giant groundsels, open landscapes, and cooler air.
Alpine Desert (13,200–16,500 ft) – Dry, rocky, and stark. Windy and cold at night.
Arctic Zone (16,500+ ft) – Glacier-covered summit. Oxygen is limited, temperatures are well below freezing, and often well below zero.
This rapid transition through climates is breathtaking—literally and figuratively. You’ll need to layer appropriately for hot, wet jungle conditions at the bottom and sub-zero temperatures near the summit. Averages temperatures in the rainforest zone are between 70-80 degrees fahrenheit, and temperatures at summit can commonly be down to -15 degrees fahrenheit. It's important to be prepared for both extremes!
Training & Physical Preparation
Don’t underestimate Kilimanjaro. It’s not technical, but it is physically demanding. Long hiking days, cold temperatures, and the effects of altitude all add up. Here are some tips on how to prepare:
Hike regularly with a loaded pack on varied terrain. Get your feet trail-tough.
Train your endurance—think long, slow, difficult workouts. You need to build endurance, both for your muscles and your cardiovascular system!
Cross-train with stairs, strength training, and mobility work.
Test your gear ahead of time. Blisters at 15,000 feet are not fun.
Medication & Altitude Awareness
High altitude is your biggest challenge on Kilimanjaro. Everyone reacts differently, and you can’t predict how your body will respond. Consider the following and discuss with a doctor:
Diamox (acetazolamide): A popular prescription that helps prevent acute mountain sickness. Talk to your doctor.
Bring over-the-counter meds for headaches, nausea, and stomach issues.
Include Imodium, Tums, and rehydration salts—especially if new foods or altitude upset your system.
Know the symptoms of altitude sickness: headache, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. If they worsen, descending is the only remedy. Communicate any symptoms early with your guides or trip host.
Sunrise over Africa after a challenging night’s climb, with the morning light bringing hope and illuminating the clouds and landscape below.
Essential Gear Basics
Packing for Kilimanjaro is about layering, comfort, and durability. You’ll want:
Base layers (wool or synthetic)
Insulating layers (fleece, down jacket)
Summit Coat
Rain poncho
Waterproof shell (jacket and pants)
Hiking boots (Durable, waterproof, appropriate arch and ankle support)
Hiking socks (medium weight, and at least one pair of heavy duty mountaineering socks)
Gaiters
Medium weight gloves
Sun hat/buff
Sunglasses
High-SPF sunscreen
Headlamp (with extra batteries)
Daypack (30-40L)
Hydration system (nalgenes or water reservoir or both)
Insulated water bottle (for summit night--your reservoir hose will freeze at some point on this night)
Sleeping bag (rated to 0 degrees Fahrenheit)
Backpacking pillow
Basic Med Kit (moleskine, bandaids, eye drops, tylenol, ibprofen, neosporin, etc.)
Mountaineering gloves (for summit night
Toe Warmers/Hand Warmers
Snacks
Electrolytes
Microspikes
Trekking poles
Wet wipes
Hand sanitizer
Hand/face lotion
Power pack
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. Your tour operator will provide you with a packing list, including gear that is available to rent.
A Day On The Mountain
What is it really like? While each tour operator offers a unique experience, traveling with Authentica Travel typically unfolds like this: Each day begins with an early wake-up call, followed by long, slow paced hikes. "Pole Pole" is a phrase you'll hear a lot on the mountain and it means "slowly slowly" or "slow and steady". Slow hiking is encouraged to aid acclimatization—no matter your fitness level, you can't rush big mountains. You'll have numerous scenic rest stops where your team will provide tea and cookies, along with a hearty lunch break in the dining tent. Often, you'll hike to higher elevations before descending to camps at lower altitudes, gradually making your way upward, which aids acclimatization. You'll enjoy the camaraderie of camp life with delicious meals, hot drinks, and baskets of camp popcorn. You'll get to experience tent camping under the stars and sleep in the shadow of Africa's tallest peak. It's an experience that's unlike any other.
What's Summit Night Like?
Summit night on Kilimanjaro is, without question, the most physically and mentally demanding part of the trek—and also the most rewarding. Around 11 PM to midnight, your group will leave camp and begin the slow, steady climb to the summit. The temperatures are bitterly cold, often well below freezing, and within hours your hydration pack hose will freeze. That’s why it’s critical to carry insulated water bottles tucked deep in your daypack, wrapped in extra clothing like a fleece or puffer jacket to prevent them from icing over. Conditions on summit night can be incredibly variable, but there's no question that it will be COLD, STEEP and WINDY. Of course, snow is not uncommon and we've summited in wind and snow that were so intense that it felt like you were inside a ping pong ball, and if you stood still for too long, even your warmest summit coat would not keep the cold wind from reaching your bones.
The trail ahead is steep, dark, and would be silent except for the crunch of boots on frozen ground, the sometimes deafening sound of the wind, and the encouraging songs and chants from your Tanzanian team—"One Team, One Dream! Non-stop, To the Top! Hakuna Matata!" (Their swahili phrases may sound like a chant from Lion King to you, but are genuine and authentic from these native Swahili speakers). You’ll climb by the beam of your headlamp, watching your own boots shuffle forward, one determined step at a time. Every hour and a half or so, your guides will pause for short breaks so you can sip water, adjust your layers, eat a snack, and catch your breath. Over the course of this night, you’ll gain over 4,000 feet of elevation in just 4 miles—an incredibly steep ascent made even harder by the thinning air.
Nausea, headaches, and exhaustion are common, and it’s essential to communicate openly with your guide and take any medication you may need, such as Tylenol or Zofran. The higher you go, the slower you'll move. But as dawn begins to break and the sky turns pink and gold, you’ll reach the rim of the crater—first arriving at either Gilman’s Point or Stella Point. From here, the final stretch to Uhuru Peak is more gradual but still taxing due to the altitude.
Arriving at summit is a feeling that's difficult to describe. If you're struggling with the impacts of altitude, you may feel like your head is inside a fish bowl...which really adds to the feeling that you are in a dream. Standing at the sign of Uhuru Peak is a humbling and victorious feeling--a battle won within yourself!
If your body allows, you can continue beyond the summit sign to explore one of Kilimanjaro’s disappearing glaciers. But once the photos are snapped and the summit has sunk in, it’s time to descend. The way down is steep, dusty, and often slippery, so you’ll need to tread carefully. If it’s a sunny day, cover up well—UV exposure at this altitude is intense and can lead to severe sunburn.
By lunchtime, you’ll be back at high camp to celebrate with your team, but don’t get too cozy—these summit camps are crowded, and permits only allow short stays. You’ll continue descending another 5–6 miles that afternoon to a much lower elevation, which will dramatically help your body begin recovering from the altitude.
Summit night on Kilimanjaro is not technical, but it is grueling. It demands patience, endurance, and mental grit. And for most trekkers, it becomes one of the proudest accomplishments of their lives.
What Else Can You Do in Tanzania?
Kilimanjaro is just the beginning of an unforgettable journey in Tanzania. While you’re in this magnificent country, consider expanding your adventure with a variety of experiences that showcase the incredible beauty and diversity of the region:
Safari in Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater or Tarangire
Embarking on a safari in the renowned Serengeti National Park is an experience like no other. This vast savannah is not only famous for its annual wildebeest migration but also for its rich wildlife, including lions, elephants, and cheetahs, which roam freely across the landscape. Alternatively, the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers a unique opportunity to witness a variety of species in a stunning volcanic caldera, where the ecosystem is remarkably diverse and well-preserved. Tarangire National Park, known for its large herds of elephants and iconic baobab trees, provides a different yet equally captivating safari experience, especially during the dry season when animals gather around the Tarangire River.
Relaxing on Zanzibar’s white sand beaches
After your thrilling adventures on safari, unwind on the idyllic shores of Zanzibar. This beautiful archipelago is famous for its pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and vibrant coral reefs, making it a perfect destination for relaxation and rejuvenation. Spend your days lounging on the beach, swimming in the warm Indian Ocean, or indulging in water sports such as snorkeling and diving to explore the rich marine life. Don’t forget to visit Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can immerse yourself in the island’s rich history and culture, characterized by its narrow winding streets, bustling bazaars, and stunning architecture.
Cultural visits to local villages and markets
To truly appreciate the heart and soul of Tanzania, take the time to engage in cultural visits to local villages and markets. These interactions offer a unique glimpse into the everyday lives of Tanzanian people, their traditions, and their customs. You can participate in local ceremonies, learn about traditional crafts, and taste authentic Tanzanian cuisine, which is a flavorful blend of influences from various cultures. Visiting vibrant markets not only allows you to shop for handmade crafts and souvenirs but also provides an opportunity to interact with locals, exchange stories, and gain insights into their way of life.
Tanzania is a country rich in culture, biodiversity, and adventure, offering a plethora of experiences that cater to all types of travelers. From the majestic heights of Kilimanjaro to the serene beaches of Zanzibar, and from the thrilling wildlife safaris to the enriching cultural encounters, there is so much to explore. Don’t miss the opportunity to delve deeper into this enchanting land and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Final Thoughts
Climbing Kilimanjaro is about more than reaching the summit—it’s about the journey, the people, and the personal growth that comes from testing your limits. Whether you're just starting to dream about it or actively planning your ascent, we hope this guide gives you the confidence to move forward. You can do this—with the right preparation, mindset, and support.
If you'd like to leave the logistics to us, consider joining our upcoming Mt. Kilimanjaro and Safari trip from June 6-19, 2026!
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