Kilimanjaro FAQ’s

KILIMANJARO CLIMBING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the best route to climb Kilimanjaro?

The most popular climbing route up Kilimanjaro is the Machame Route. Rongai, Lemosho, and Shira are also more chosen compared to others but Machame is considered the best route to Kilimanjaro. The best Kilimanjaro Routes also depend on the experience of the climbers. For more experienced trekkers Umbwe or Lemosho routes are more preferred. For the new trekkers, our well-trained guides will help you prepare for the tough summit and help you choose the right route for you.

Is Kilimanjaro safe to climb?

Suricata Safaris offers a safe and secure climb to Mount Kilimanjaro.

You must however do adequate research and adequate preparation, as well as follow strictly our recommendations during the hike.Our trained professional guides help the climbers ascend the summit. They are trained to handle medical emergencies and altitude sickness on the route. We also have emergency rescue provisions for our clients on the summit.

How long does it take to train to climb Kilimanjaro?

The time needed (days, weeks, or months) to train for Kilimanjaro depends upon your level of fitness. But usually, it requires around a month to be prepared for your trek. It is advisable to do staircase training, cardiovascular exercises and upper body exercises. Eat right and do more of aerobic exercises before the trip. Also if possible you can climb a hill to practice for the trek. Overall it is not necessary to be perfectly fit for climbing the mountain. As apart from physical training, mental preparedness is more important for high success rate on the summit.

Is it hard to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

For experienced climbers, Mount Kilimanjaro will take around 5 to 6 days to reach the top and is not that hard. Even for new climbers, our guides will help you climb the mountain with ease. But you need to give extra days for acclimatization for maximum success rate at the summit. For new climbers however climbing Kilimanjaro becomes easier with our trained professionals and porters who help the climbers carry their essential equipment or gear up the summit.

Is climbing Kilimanjaro worth it?

It is definitely worth climbing this beautiful mountain at least once in a lifetime. You will get to see an impressive, unique scenery, varied and beautiful. The flora and fauna are mesmerizing and fill travelers with great enthusiasm and spirits.

How fit do you need to be to climb Kilimanjaro?

For climbing this gigantic mountain, you do need to get your body used to the particular demands of this hike but you don't need to be exceptionally fit. You can start training before a month of your trekking date. Try to eat healthily and maintain a balanced diet during this period. You can add aerobic exercises and staircase training along with cardiovascular activities for your physical training process. The first days will be very tiring for those who do not undergo physical training for the summit. To not lose energy it is important for your body to be accustomed to long walking training or climbing small hills. Walk with simple steps is what we recommend on the Kilimanjaro routes. 

How long does it take to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

The Kilimanjaro climbing takes usually a 5 to 9 days. It depends mostly on the route that you take and the days for acclimatization that you give for higher success rates. It is better to walk slow and take time to climb up the summit. This helps avoid altitude sickness caused due to change in climatic zones and weather conditions.

Can a beginner climb Kilimanjaro?

Beginner experience is not required in the Kilimanjaro climbing. With our Suricata Safaris experienced guides and professional trainers offering you guidance and help to climb the mountain, it is definitely easy for any beginner. The guides are well trained professionals and are good at handling any small medical emergencies as well. They help raise spirits of the climbers on the trek as an important task to the group achievement.

What should I wear to Kilimanjaro summit?

We recommend you wearing multiple layers of clothing. It is the best way to keep your body in the desired temperature range no matter what the environment is. The temperatures you may encounter on Mount Kilimanjaro can be over 37 °C (degrees Celsius); 100 °F (degrees Fahrenheit) to well below zero.

How cold is Kilimanjaro summit?

At the Uhuru Point, temperatures can range between -7 °C to -29 °C (degrees Celsius); 20 °F to -20 °F (degrees Fahrenheit). Mount Kilimanjaro has extreme, variable and impossible weather to predict. It is therefore advised to get many layers of clothing gears for the trek. Layering helps keep the body warm in extreme cold wave conditions on the summit. Suricata Safaris provides these gears as a rental option as well.

Can you climb Kilimanjaro without training?

It depends on your level of fitness and mental stamina if you require training for Kilimanjaro or not. The Bottom Line is that Kilimanjaro is a popular climb, and you do not let the training and hardships put you off. For all begginers, guides and porters are necessary to climb the mountain.

For climbing the mountain there are special permissions required which only trained professionals, experienced climbers, possess.

What is the best month to climb Kilimanjaro?

The best time to climb Kilimanjaro are from January-March and June-October. Generally January-March is colder than June-October and there is a higher probability of encountering snow on the summit. It depends on the climbers whether they want to experience the snow covered peaks of the summit or the more pleasant time period after June. The beauty of the mountain is at its best during the dry season of June-October. It is advisable to climb the mountain during this time.

How do you train to climb Kilimanjaro?

A good mix of stair masters, uphill treadmill climbs and breathing exercises is the recommended physical training for Kilimanjaro. Along with this good food, healthy diet, aerobic exercises and more are also great choices to add in your training program. Upper body and lower body exercises can also be added to the training program. Apart from physical training, mental preparedness is more important. According to an estimate, the people who succeed in climbing the summit depend on the determination to reach the peak. Our trained Suricata Safaris guides will help you achieve that.

Where do you sleep on Kilimanjaro?

A comfortable sleep is very important to get reenergize at next morning to continue the trek. Kilimanjaro gears is necessary for a cosy sleep. Essential gears like k-way sleeping bag, foam mattress, and Kilimanjaro pillow can be carried in the trek. Suricata Safaris also provides these gears on rent for which it is necessary to apply beforehand. You can speak to our staff personally regarding any queries about the Kilimanjaro gears.

Can an average person climb Kilimanjaro?

Any average person being able to effectively climb and summit Kilimanjaro is absolutely attainable. You don’t need to be particularly fit (indeed being too fit can be detrimental because then your body tends to consume more oxygen) and you do not need any technical climbing skills. All you need is determination and the will to get to the summit. Our trained Suricata Safaris guides will help and accompany you achieve that. Also with various important Kilimanjaro gears the trek is comparatively easier for average climbers as well.

What is the success rate of climbing Kilimanjaro?

On an average, Kilimanjaro success rate across all climbers and routes is 65%. It depends however on the type of route chosen and acclimatisation days given during the climb. The dry season is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro and also the success rate is higher during this time.

How many people make it to the top of Kilimanjaro?

More than 35,000 people attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro every year. In the past only 40% of them successfully reached the summit though. This could be due to many reasons: beginners take time to cope with the changing weather conditions on the route and face acclimatisation or altitude sickness. Nowadays the success rate is rather around 75%. The climbing process is tough mentally and physically and is highly challenging. Suricata Safaris success rate for climbers is much higher though than the average.

How do I prepare for Kilimanjaro?

Firstly you have to choose a route that best suites you. You have to then prepare yourself mentally and physically. You have to then pack the right Kilimanjaro gears and equipment’s for the trip as they play an important role in your summit success rate.

The need for vaccination is something that can change and needs to be consulted before travel. At the moment for example yellow fever vaccine is not needed if you come from a country where there is no yellow fever. Before traveling to Tanzania que recommend you to take yellow fever and malaria vaccinations, after consulting your doctor.

Lastly, enjoy your fascinating journey to the summit!

Suricata Safaris provides the best Kilimanjaro Hiking Package and customizes as per your hiker needs. We will let you know about the best time to hike Kilimanjaro so that you can experience the best that the summit has to offer. During the hiking our guides will provide you with Mount Kilimanjaro facts and details that you would have never heard of before!

Get in touch with us on info@suricatasafaris.com and we will plan together your Mount Kilimanjaro hike accordingly to your expectations.