Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the iconic mountains in the world famously known as Mountains of the Moon are located in Tanzania East Africa and it stands as the tallest peak about 19341 feet above the sea level and its dominate stratovolcano and its unique features make it a popular destination for climbers and trekkers from all over the world .Kilimanjaro is made up of three volcanic cones ,Kibo ,the highest peak ,Mawenzi the second highest and Shira which is the lowest of the three .The mountain has several routes that climbers can take to reach the summit with the Marangu ,Machame ,Lemosho and Rongai routes being some of the most popular .
The journey to the top of Kilimanjaro offers a unique experience due to its diverse ecosystems starting from the base trekkers pass through lush rainforests ,move through alpine meadows and eventually reach the barren icy summit .One of the mountain most distinctive features is its shrinking glaciers and snow caped peaks which have been rapidly retreating over the past century due to climate change .Climbing Kilimanjaro doesn’t require technical mountaineering skills so it attracts a wide range of people from casual hikers to seasoned adventures however it’s a small challenging trek due to altitude sickness and the varying terrain and aside from its natural beauty ,Kilimanjaro had cultural significant for the local people and for the Chagga people who live on the slopes of the mountain have a long history of living in the area ,and Kilimanjaro is also featured in many African myths and stories which adds to its mystique .
Tips for a successful Kilimanjaro trekking
Protected by Kilimanjaro mountains national park, Kilimanjaro mountain stands as the highest mountain on the African continent and the highest free-standing mountain in the world with an altitude of 5895 meters above the sea level. The mountain is located in the northern part of Tanzania in the town of Moshi. Kilimanjaro is known for featuring three volcanic cones including Kibo that protects the highest peak – Uhuru.
To both first timers and experienced hikers, climbing Kilimanjaro is one of the most challenging though adventurous mountaineering experiences. Besides its rocky and glacial terrains, mountain Kilimanjaro can also be conquered by the first-time hikers and in this article, we share with you some of the tips that beginners need to know so that they can get started with planning the next expedition in the great Kilimanjaro mountains;
Choose an effective terrain/trail
There are six trails that can be used to summit the great Uhuru peak and these are; Shira, Machame, Marangu, Northern circuit, Umbwe and Lemosho route. From all the six, Marangu and Machame are the most effective and easy to use especially to the first-time hikers. This is because they are easy to be accessed, have an amazing scenery and the acclimatization opportunities are high.
More about Marangu route, it contains huts for the overnights during the hike unlike other trails where you will be using the ground tents.
Book a Kilimanjaro local guide
If you want to successfully climb Kilimanjaro on your first try, it is worth booking a local tour agency to help guide you along the way. Climbing to an altitude of nearly 5,000 meters is no picnic but can be accomplished by most hikers with the assistance of a guide that knows the terrain and local environment. As you prepare your hiking safari with the guide, he will equip you with some knowledge about the weather conditions in the mountains and safety checks as he will monitor your health-risks such as altitude sickness, fatigue, and other mountaineering protocols.
Therefore, as you are making preparations for your hike, make sure you do research and book with a trusted and professional tour operator with a high summit success rate like Primate Safari Experiences Limited.
Pace yourself and move on a low speed
Keeping the correct pace and heart rates at altitude is essential. When taking on a challenge like Kilimanjaro, you have to remember that it is a marathon, not a sprint.
Acclimatization to the low levels of oxygen in the mountains requires you to take your time, to slowly get your body used to lack of oxygen. This is absolutely key to your success on the mountain. Your goal each day should be to get from point A to point B, using as little amount of energy as possible. The summit night on Kilimanjaro is extremely difficult, any you will need every bit of energy you can muster up to complete it. So, lower on the trail, you don’t want to waste this valuable energy.
We have five guides and assistant guides in a group of ten trekkers on Kilimanjaro. On the summit night, we have one to one support going up. Our team is there to make sure you are safe and successful and will also set the pace. Nobody is allowed to go faster than the pace set out by our team. This gives everyone the chance to be safe and successful in reaching the summit.
Stay hydrated
As you are planning your hike to the summit, water should be your best friend. Keeping yourself hydrated at altitude is extremely important as your body dehydrates much quicker as you hike to a higher altitude. Therefore, you need to replenish your fluids and drink a lot more water than you may do back home.
We recommend drinking anywhere from 4 to 5 litres a day when at altitude. If your follow this rule, you will combat altitude sickness and keep yourself feeling good throughout the trip.
Pack the right gear like headlamp and extra batteries
During your overnights at different campsites, you will not have electricity or even internet. For that case, packing the right gear in preparation for the hike is very important. Among the essential items to pack for the hike include the headlamps and extra batteries in preparation for the low light situations. Also, remember that your eating area and the bathroom will both be a short walk from where you will be sleeping. So, you will need headlamps to help you find some areas. Other gears to pack include; trekking boots, jacket, bottle for your water and others.
Tipping is optional yet expected
Tipping is a good gesture, but not necessarily, a common practice. When hiking Kilimanjaro, tipping is a bit different. The crew that takes you up the mountain consists of a lead guide, assistant guide, chef, and a team of porters plays a huge role in the success of your summit, making sure that you take the proper precautions in what you eat, when you sleep, and how much you climb each day. Tipping guides and porters after the hike is important. You are directly helping their families and local communities with your tip.
In conclusion, following the above safety tips can amount to having a safe and enjoyable encounter on any hike regardless the hiking experience you have, especially when dealing with long-distance treks that reach an altitude as high as that of Kilimanjaro.