Why do we climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro at night?

Several times a year people who are looking to climb Kilimanjaro write to me and ask the same question:  

Why is it that most people climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro at night? 

What’s it like climbing at night? 

It’s a reasonable question. After all, that night-time climb to Kilimanjaro’s Uhuru Peak is the most difficult and dangerous part of the entire hike. It’s also the most unpleasant. The cold is usually biting, you’re tired, and in all likelihood you may be suffering from one or more of the many symptoms of altitude sickness, usually either nausea or a headache. 

There’s not much to look at and distract you from your discomfort either. Unless you’re walking under a full moon, it’s usually just too dark to see much beyond the small circular patch of ground that’s illuminated by your head torch. 

And if you do look up for a few seconds, then what you see may not fill your heart with glee either. Guides huddled around an unconscious trekker. Somebody vomiting behind a boulder. A tearful trekker being led by a guide back down the slopes. 

It’s for this reason that, whenever I climb at night, I tend to not think about where I am at all. Instead, I like to go to my happy place. I imagine I’m back in England walking through a wildflower meadow with my dog, or being on safari with my family in the Serengeti. Anything that fills me with happiness – and makes me forget the hell I am currently in!

It’s for this reason that I say that climbing Kilimanjaro is fun for about 90% of the time. But that other 10%, when you’re pushing for the summit, well that’s where you earn your certificate. 

So if it’s so unpleasant, what are the advantages of climbing to the summit at night? 

Well, in the two decades that I’ve been writing the guide book I’ve never really come up with a definitive answer. But here are the top three most common ‘reasons’ that I’ve heard down the years: 

1. It’s easier.

As you get towards the Crater rim, you’ll notice that the ground is largely made up of shale – tiny bits of stone/gravel. During the day, ascending on shale can be like climbing a sand dune. That is to say, every time you take two steps up the slope, the shifting sand/gravel moves you back down the slope again. This soon becomes exhausting. However, at night the shale freezes in place – which makes it easier to ascend. 

2. If something goes wrong, you’ve got an entire day of daylight to get down off the mountain.

The most likely place where you are going to get into trouble, and the most remote place, is the very summit itself, of course, known as Uhuru Peak. After all, this is where the air is at its thinnest. So if you are going to get into trouble there, it’s best you arrive at dawn, so your team has got the maximum amount of daylight available to evacuate you. 

3. The idea of reaching the very highest point in Africa as Dawn breaks across the continent is a romantic and alluring one

This is perhaps the most obvious and persuasive reason.  Even if the reality doesn’t always match up to that romantic notion!

The question is, do the above arguments actually hold any water?

Well, I’m not sure about the first one. In my experience the ease with which one can ascend to the Crater Rim is only marginally improved by walking at night. But I suppose the other two are more persuasive. Certainly, there are few things more magical on this planet than watching the sun rise. And watching it after spending perhaps the longest and most exhausting night of your life only adds to the occasion. 

Can you climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro during the day? 

Yes, absolutely. If you’re on a private trek (ie it’s just you and your friends and family), it should be straightforward. All you need to do is have a word with your agency when you sign up. (That said, often there’s no reason why you can’t just negotiate with your guide while you’re on the trek.)

If you’re on a public trek, however, things are slightly more tricky. In this instance, you have to get all the other trekkers to agree with your plans – or, at least, the majority. But again, it might well be possible to persuade them of the wisdom of a daytime summit. 

The important thing is to let your company know as soon as possible – preferably well before the start of your trek. Sometimes, opting for a daytime summit attempt may involve reworking the itinerary for the rest of the hike. So it’s important to let your trekking company know as soon as possible of your desire for a daytime summit.

Of course, climbing to Uhuru Peak during the day isn’t any easier than climbing at night. And I don’t think it will improve your chances of getting to the top. But at least there is more to distract you from the effort, aches and agonies of ascending Africa’s highest mountain.  

<< On the mountain 

Your Kilimanjaro crew: The porters >>

Advice for organising a group trek on Kilimanjaro

Are you planning on climbing Kilimanjaro with a group of friends or family?

Are there at least four of you in your group?

Have you been nominated as the person to organise everything?

In which case: you have my sympathies. 

Why? Because the truth of the matter is that you’ll be working harder than anyone to make your trip a reality.

Organising any trek on Kili is always a little complicated. Buying flights; organising insurance; purchasing equipment; finding and booking the trek itself; sorting out visas and inoculations…..  Indeed, there’s so much stuff to do before you even get to Tanzania that we’ve written a timetable for preparing for your Kilimaniaro trek. 

But if you’re planning on taking a group up Kilimanjaro, that work is multiplied. 

Most of your time will be spent sorting out your group – getting them to buy kit, get fit, buy flights, provide passport numbers and other personal details to the trek. And that’s before you even approach them for money as their share of the deposit and final balance – in my experience, often the most difficult thing of all.

So to help you, here are a few tips to help you organise a group trek on Kilimanjaro – to make your roles slightly less taxing. 

Organising a group trek on Kilimanjaro: 11 invaluable pieces of advice

1) Plan your trip far in advance

Hopefully, arrange your trek at least a year in advance. True, you can organise a trek at the very last minute. At Kilimanjaro Experts we can arrange a trek in as little as 24 hours. But it’s not ideal. And if you organise a group trek late in the day, the chances are you may have to take different flights (as there aren’t enough eats left on the same flight). You may have to stay in different hotels (because no hotel has enough room to accommodate you all). 

At the beginning, you’ll need to meet up with the entire group several times. On the first occasion, you can just find out who’s interested, and maybe get some idea of when you can all go. Other details such as what route up Kilimanjaro you are going to take and which company you might go with (and what sort of budget people are comfortable with) can also be discussed. It’s also a good idea to see if anyone wants to go on safari or to Zanzibar afterwards. 

Given all these things that need to be sorted out, it’s a good idea if you already know something about climbing Kili so you can lead the conversation. This website is obviously a good place to start. At the risk of sounding like a salesman, getting hold of a copy of the Kilimanjaro guide book, perusing it beforehand and and maybe even bringing it with you to the discussion makes a lot of sense too.

On this first meeting, it would also be good if you made sure your fellow climbers know what they are signing up for; and making sure they realise that climbing Kilimanjaro is not your regular holiday. 

2) More than four of you in your group? Then have a private trek. Three or less? Then join a public trek.

And if there are exactly four of you…well, it’s up to you really. If there are more than four of you in your group and you join on a public trek, then it can be uncomfortable for other people to have a large team of people who already know each other in their group.  If there are three or less of you, in your group, however, then having a private trek can feel slightly quiet and isolating – so we think it’s better to join a public trek on this occasion.

And if there four of you exactly in your group? Well, it’s up to you, really.

By the way, do make sure, if there are four or more of you and you want a private trek, that the company you are trekking with doesn’t charge you more because it is a private trek. That would be silly – though plenty of companies do charge more for a private trek!

3) Approach trekking companies

After that initial meeting, you should have a rough idea of the numbers in your party and the amount they are willing to pay for a trek. It’s now time to make that initial  approach to suitable companies. 

The first thing to remember is this: you are in a strong bargaining position. After all, a group brings in more money for an agency, and for only a little more effort. 

Remember, too, to arm yourself with the advice we give in the guide book and on our Booking your trek section. 

So it’s always worth negotiating with the company you’re talking to. Now most companies, including Kilimanjaro Experts, offer a cheaper per-person price for groups – and the bigger the group, the lower the person price.  

With these companies, it’s unlikely that they will drop their price any further. But they may be flexible in other ways; providing, for example, some rental equipment free of charge. Some companies may even send someone to meet you and talk through the trip. This is a great way to encourage people to join, and to reassure those that have signed up that there’s little to be scared of. 

4) Make sure your company is flexible

The larger the group, the more likely it is that the numbers of people in the group will change. If you have a group of 50, for example, there’s every chance that some  will drop out because of injury or other misfortune. So make sure, when you choose your company, that they are willing to be flexible. 

Ideally, find a company that won’t charge you if one of your party drops out- and will also drop the price if someone else joins.

If I can recommend our own company here, Kilimanjaro Experts, we have what I believe is the most flexible policy of them all. If someone drops out, for example, and they’ve already paid a deposit, then that deposit remains with the group and can still be used when paying off the total balance. In other words, you lose nothing. Similarly, if someone is added to the group, we are happy to offer the discount that comes with having more people in your group.

5) If it’s a charity climb, check the company very carefully

Some companies say they specialise in charity climbs, and even offer big discounts to people who raise a certain amount of sponsorship money. 

But I must say that in my 20 years of writing the guide book, I have received more complaints about companies that advertise charity climbs than any other sort of company.

It’s got to the point where, to be honest, I wouldn’t go near them.

But if you do, because you find their offers irresistible – well, just be careful, and look at their conditions closely. In particular, ask yourself whether you really can raise the amount of money they want you to. Because if you can’t – and many people don’t – you’ll probably end up paying a lot of money for what is, at the end of the day, a pretty average (or worse) trek.

6) Study, learn, take responsibility and make decisions (but do still have regular meetings) 

Eventually, you’re going to have to make a call on the big decisions. With most of your choices, such as when you’re going to climb, for example, it’s pretty straightforward to come to some sort of agreement. 

But other decisions, such as which company you’re going to go with, for example, or which route you’ll take, are less straightforward. To make the best decision, you need to read up on the subject. You can look on this site for a comparison between the routes. While for a choice of suitable companies, you can look at the reviews in the guide book. 

Now assuming you have some consideration for your fellow trekkers, you’ll seek their input. But remember: you probably know more than anyone else in the group about Kilimanjaro, the companies that work on it and the routes that go up it. So, in all probability, it’s you that should have the final word on these decisions.  

7) Set up a WhatsApp group (or similar)

Setting up a social media or WhatsApp group just makes sense. By doing so, you’ve made it easy for your fellow trekkers to ask questions, and for others can answer them. It will also help to develop a strong esprit de corps by helping ‘outsiders’ – ie those who aren’t part of the core group, such as a partner or friend of someone – to get to know the others and feel more of a part of the team. 

Setting up a group like this also enables you and the rest of your team to see what other people are up to, whether they’ve started buying kit, got their flights, had their inoculations etc. (And if someone isn’t joining in, you can decide whether they just don’t like social media, or whether they’re just not preparing properly.) 

8) Tell them to send in questions 

Your group will only feel truly comfortable about the idea of climbing Africa’s Highest Mountain if they know exactly what it entails. So encourage them to send in their questions, either to you (so you can forward them to the operator) or, perhaps better, directly to the operator. 

9) Remember to distribute all documents you receive 

If not, there’s a chance you could be liable should anything go wrong, as you won’t have passed on all the information to your group. 

10) Make sure everyone has everyone else’s email addresses. 

Again, if nothing else this will help to foster a team spirit amongst your group. 

11) Ask people to send in their medical conditions, personal details, and dietary requirements to the operator themselves

People may be too shy to share ‘personal stuff’ with other members of the group. They may not want to tell you of their injuries, illnesses, complaints or dietary peculiarities. And it’s only sensible not to share passport numbers and other personal details unnecessarily.

But your operator does need to know this stuff – so ask your group to send in such details to your operator themselves.

In summary

The above rules make it all sound pretty straightforward. But trust me, it probably won’t be. With large groups, people are always joining the trek, leaving the trek, wanting to add a safari, forgetting to book their flights – all manner of stuff. 

Indeed, it’s fair to say that you’ll be working harder than anyone in your group. And harder than anyone in your Kilimanjaro company too (and I write this as someone who’s been organising treks for almost two decades). 

But at least you know that, once you have managed to get your team to Tanzania, your work is pretty much done. Because at the airport, it’s time for your trek operator to take the reins. 

You probably won’t be paid anything for all the effort you’ve made. You may not even receive much in the way of gratitude for all the extra work you’ve had to do. But you can, at least, take some satisfaction from a job well done. 

Because without your endeavours, your group won’t have even got to Tanzania – let alone stand at the very highest point on the entire African continent. 

Solo travellers on Kilimanjaro – advice and tips >>

Kilimanjaro may be the biggest mountain in Africa – but where does it rank amongst the world’s highest mountains?

There is no doubt that one of the main attractions of climbing Kilimanjaro is that afterwards you can boast to your friends that you have stood at the highest point on an entire continent with Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro, a magnificent 5895m above sea level. Indeed, it’s pretty much the easiest of the so-called Seven Summits (the highest mountains on each of the seven continents) to conquer: Everest in Asia (8848m; 29,029ft)and Aconcagua (6980m; 22,837 ft) in South America are both at least a kilometre higher (and in Everest’s case, almost 3km taller!); Mount McKinley (aka Denali) in North America may be only slightly taller than Kili at 6168m (20,237 ft) but is more inaccessible, positioned as it is in remote Alaska, and is a more technical climb too; inaccessibility is also a major problem with The Carstenz Pyramid, in the heart of Irian Jaya, Australasia’s highest peak at 4884m/16,023 ft, and Vinson in Antarctica (4897m, 16,067ft); while Mount Elbrus – Europe’s highest peak at 5,642 metres (18,510 ft) – is a straightforward climb but is also a little remote (being in the western Caucasus mountain range) and, being in Russia, the permit situation can be a little tricky too.

But while Kilimanjaro may be the highest peak in Africa, where does it rank amongst the world’s highest mountains. The answer is, I’m afraid, not that high at all. Indeed, given that the individual peaks in the Himalayas and the neighbouring Karakoram and other central Asian ranges account for all the top 100, and that lofty Aconcagua in the Andes only comes in at a lowly 189th according to one source, you probably won’t be surprised when I tell you that Mount Kilimanjaro doesn’t even rank in the top 200(!) of the world’s highest mountains.

Given the different ways that people measure a mountain, and that people have different ideas as to what is a mountain and what is a peak (ie a second summit on the same mountain, such as Mawenzi on Kilimanjaro), it’s actually quite difficult to determine where exactly Kilimanjaro comes in the list of the world’s highest mountains; the best guess we can come up with is position 234. But this, of course, is open to debate. For example, Jill Neate’s book “High Asia: An Illustrated History of the 7,000 Metre Peaks” , lists no less than 400 peaks between 7000 and 8000 metres – which obviously means that Kilimanjaro wouldn’t even feature in the top 500 if we were to use her definitions and measurements.

So far, so bad for those of you who thought that by conquering Africa’s highest mountain you’d also conquered one of the world’s highest mountains too. But don’t despair just yet: for as we said above, there are many ways of measuring altitudes and the height of a mountain. For while Everest and co may be the highest mountains above sea level, they are not usually the highest mountains above the surrounding terrain. By this measurement, Mount McKinley, Nanga Parbat and, yes, Kilimanjaro, are said to be the highest – though with no precise definition of what the ground level should be, there is no way of accurately deciding which of these is the highest of them all.

What is more certain is Kilimanjaro claim to be the tallest free-standing mountain in the world (ie one that is not part of a mountain range: Nanga Parbat is at the western end of the Himalaya range, while McKinley is part of the Alaska range). And this, we think, is very important. For while Everest and her neighbours may be a couple of kilometres taller than Kili, because they’re surrounded by peaks that are almost as high they look somewhat less impressive because of it; while Kilimanjaro stands all by itself in the middle of the East African plain, it’s nearest neighbour, Mount Meru, over 60km away and, at 4566m, over a kilometre shorter too.

And with beautiful cloud forest bearding its lower slopes and a crown of snow at the summit, no mountain, in this author’s humble opinion, is more magnificent than the Roof of Africa.

<< Kilimanjaro statistics 

The most popular trekking routes on Kilimanjaro – the latest figures >>

Coming to Tanzania alone to climb Kilimanjaro? 

People who have a burning desire to climb Kilimanjaro comes in all shapes and sizes, are all ages and from every country in the world. Their motives for doing so are similarly many and varied. The problem is, what do people do when they can’t find anyone to go with them? The short answer is, of course, not to worry. You can still climb Kilimanjaro. And it won’t be a lonely experience either. Just because you’re travelling alone to Kilimanjaro doesn’t mean you have to walk up Kilimanjaro by yourself too.

For one thing, you can always join a group trek – either for companionship or simply to make the expedition cheaper (because it will nearly always be cheaper to join a group climb than to have a private trek just for yourself). 

And if you’ve come to Tanzania by yourself because you want to climb Kilimanjaro by yourself too – well that’s possible as well (though you will still have to go with a team of porters and guides etc. You can’t literally climb Kilimanjaro by yourself anymore as we discuss in this link.) Though it’s more expensive, trekking companies can book private treks for just one person too. 

 Below we look at the pros and cons of joining a public trek versus booking a private trek just for yourself – as well as offer some invaluable advice for following either method:

Tips for choosing the right public trek on Kilimanjaro

Choose your company carefully

Perhaps the most important piece of advice here is to choose your Kilimanjaro company carefully. Don’t just choose them because they have a trek that fits with your schedule and on a route up Kilimanjaro that you’d like to take too.

Obviously, those are very important factors to take into consideration. But you should also confirm the company’s policy towards running treks. Some companies, for example, may run a trek only if there is a minimum of two people on it. Which is a worry if you are the only one who is currently booked on it. Because if nobody else signs up for that trek, all your plans may come to nothing.

So ask your company to confirm that other people are already booked on the trek, or that the trek will definitely run even if nobody else does join. And don’t pay any money until they can confirm this. Otherwise, you may end up paying for a trek that isn’t going to happen; and even if they give you your money back following this cancellation, you won’t be able to get any compensation from your airline if you decide to cancel your flights because the trek isn’t running.

Not all companies treat solo trekkers the same.

For example, at Kilimanjaro Experts we provide all ‘solo trekkers’ with their own tent – so you don’t have to share.  We also make sure you get your own single room when you’re in Arusha before and after the trek. Because while it’s lovely to meet strangers and enjoy the camaraderie that builds when climbing up Africa’s Highest Mountain together, it’s also lovely to have a place to get away from them too! We also provide airport transfers from and to Kilimanjaro (and/or Arusha Airports) free of charge, even if you’re the only one travelling on those flights. 

But we accept that this is unusual. Because most other companies will either try to make you share a single tent. Some may even ask you to share a room in Arusha/Moshi before and after the trek. And some may agree to provide airport transfers, but will then ask you to wait at the airport on arrival for a couple of hours until their other clients turn up. Or, at the end of the trip, ask you to travel to the airport unnecessarily early so they can drop off their clients who are on an earlier flight.

So make sure you know exactly how your company is going to treat you. And if they are going to charge a single supplement, ask them how much it will be, and what you will get for this extra payment. It’s only fair that they make it clear what you’re getting for your money.

Ask your company if you can contact the other trekkers beforehand.

If they are unwilling to do that, then, if it’s important to you, ask if you can get an idea of your fellow climbers’ approximate ages, their gender and nationality? And if you have specific requirements when it comes to your fellow companions then ask if they have a certain trek that will be more suitable for you. 

For example, if you’re a female, would you prefer it if you weren’t the only woman on the trek? Or maybe you would prefer to trek with other climbers who are of a similar age to yourself? Or possibly you don’t want to be the only solo trekker on the climb, but want to climb with others who also booked and are travelling by themselves? (For example, next month – October 2019 -on our trek schedule we have a full moon trek running that just happens to be filled with nothing but solo trekkers, ie people who have never met, and who all joined this trek separately.)

Just contact your trek agency and ask them if they have a trek that will meet those criteria – by getting on the right trek for you, you’ll almost certainly have a much happier time.

Ask your trek company if they have any safaris that you can join.

Unlike treks, safaris are often arranged privately and it can be difficult to find a public safari that you can join. However, if you have a company that’s amenable and flexible, they may be able to pair you with someone else who is also travelling by themselves and wants to go on safari. Or perhaps they can put you with a group that doesn’t mind your joining them. It will certainly make it cheaper for you.

Choose a hotel that is more lively and sociable

I realise that this is probably tricky, as in most cases you’ll have no idea how lively a hotel is until you get there. But again the company with which you booked your trek should be able to help you.

For example, they may also be able to tell you where the other climbers on your trek are staying. If not, then look at the photos of the hotels on the internet. Choosing one with a pool, bar or somewhere else where people can congregate, is also a good idea. If none of them appeal, then at least choose one that’s close to the centre of Moshi or Arusha.

Because few people want to be stuck in a soulless, empty hotel in the middle of nowhere, with no-one but the receptionist for company.

Be more aware of any safety and security issues both on Kilimanjaro and in Tanzania

Because you’re travelling by yourself, so the chances are you’re going to be by yourself more often too. This applies both on the mountain, and before/after the trek in Moshi and Arusha. So it’s essential that you know how to keep yourself from harm. Because there won’t be anyone else looking out for you.

On the mountain there isn’t much crime (except, sad to say, for a recent spate of robberies from tents). This, we think, may be caused by larger companies thinking it’s neat to put all their tents in a single long row. Which does, admittedly, look impressive. Though it also makes these tents more difficult to watch over and police. Eventually, these companies will learn that one’s priority shouldn’t always be how something looks on Instagram…

But before and after your trek, when you’ll probably be based in either Moshi or Arusha, the potential for harm is that much greater.

Both of these places are fairly safe during the day. But it’s not advisable to walk around after dark. This is especially true if you’re by yourself, of course, when you’re essentially a sitting target just asking to be mugged (or worse).

So make sure you read the advice about these town in our Kilimanjaro guide book. We also talk about safety and security in Tanzania on this website. Please read – and keep yourself out of harm’s way on your holiday.

What about trekking solo on Kilimanjaro? A private trek just for yourself?

The above advice assumes that you want to be social and meet other travellers. But for some people, the whole point of travelling alone is because they want to be alone. 

And while it’s impossible to trek up Kilimanjaro completely by yourself, it is possible to have a trek just for yourself. There are advantages with adopting this approach too.

For one thing, planning to go on your own means you can arrange exactly the trek that you want. You choose the trail to follow, the time to go and for how long. You can also dictate the pace of the walk, the number of rest-stops, and when to go to bed. These are all your decisions, and yours alone. You are the boss. You have nobody else’s feelings to consider but your own.

You’re never truly on your own

Secondly, even if you do book a private trek for just yourself, you’ll never truly be on your own. In addition to your crew, you can always meet other trekkers at the campsite in the evening. And if you would rather not meet anyone else, well, that’s your decision. Let’s face it, there won’t be anybody around to judge you. 

Thirdly, because you share the mountain crew with nobody else, so you’ll build stronger friendships. In particular, a stronger friendship is almost inevitably built between you and your guide. So if you want to ‘bond with the locals’, having a private trek just for yourself is a great way to facilitate this.

If you can also join in with the running of the trek, you’ll help to build that bond faster. For example, why not help put up the tent, or assist in preparing the food on your Kilimanjaro climb. You’re not obliged too, of course, or even expected too. But it will make the whole expedition feel like more of a team effort.

In summary, trekking by yourself is fun and not the lonely experience many imagine. Unless, of course, you enjoy the bliss of solitude and want to be alone. That’s the beauty of walking solo: everything is up to you.

Advice and tips for women coming to Kilimanjaro>>

Advice for female trekkers on Kilimanjaro

Tips, advice and information for women planning to climb Africa’s Highest Mountain 

Currently just under a half of our climbers in 2020 were women. This figure includes over a dozen solo women climbers, That is to say, women who have booked by themselves and were joining one of our public treks. So, having already written posts for elderly climbers, solo climbers, LGBT trekkers and those bringing children to Kilimanjaro, it’s only right that this post looks at the experience of women on Kilimanjaro.

And yes, I do recognise that I have one distinct disadvantage in writing this. Because, at the end of the day, I am not a woman. But I have been climbing Kili for almost 20 years. I have led many climbs with women on them. Furthermore, while researching for the guide book, I have also read a lot of books and blogs written by female climbers too. It is, after all, my job. So, hopefully, there is still something here that you’ll find useful!

How safe is it for women on Kilimanjaro and in Tanzania?

The first thing to point out is that I have never heard of any cases of women being attacked on the mountain.

There has been the odd rumour. But they’ve always turned out to be nothing more than that: rumours.

But that’s not to say, of course, that bad things can’t happen in the future. So how can you make sure that, if anything horrific does happen, that it doesn’t happen to you?

Choosing your company

Well the first thing to do is, of course, to choose your trekking company carefully. In addition to the generic, gender-neurtral advice we give if you follow that link, there are some extra aspects to consider if you’re a solo woman. 

One of the ways to choose between trekking companies, perhaps, is to ask them if their treks have any other solo women booked on a trek. If there is, and that appeals to you, then why not ask if you can contact her directly. That way, you can see if you get along. If you do, you can even request to share a tent (and maybe even a hotel room before/after the trek).

It is also worth asking the trek operator if they have any solo women climbers who have completed their climb. If they have, ask if you can contact them to find out what it was like. Any company worth its salt will be able to do that. If they can’t then maybe look elsewhere.

Do they have female staff?

But even if there are no other female climbers on your trek, don’t despair. Ask if your company can employ a female guide on the trek, either as chief guide or as an assistant) If they can’t, then at least see if there’s a female porter they can employ on your trek. Unlike a guide, a female porter probably won’t speak much English. But hopefully she’ll provide some sort of brake on the rampant machismo that exists on many treks.

And in the unlikely event that you are hassled by any member of your crew, do not hesitate to tell your guide. And if for some reason you don’t trust any of them, then speak with one of the rangers based at the campsites along the way. Or if they’re not available, speak with a guide on another trek. Or your fellow trekkers. Anybody, in fact – because your safety is paramount and you should be worrying about getting to the top, and nothing else.

Safety away from the mountain

As for your safety when you’re not on the mountain, the rules are the same for both men and women. During the day you can pretty much wander where you want. Watch out for pickpockets at busy places (eg markets) and maybe leave your valuables with your hotel reception. But, other than that, feel free to wander around Moshi, Arusha (and Dar) as you wish.

But after dark, don’t head out alone. Either go with a group (preferably) or take a taxi booked by your hotel/restaurant. These cities and towns turn into entirely different beasts after dark. Indeed, a few years ago we had a climber who was held up at knifepoint. The chance of being attacked are small, but it’s just not worth the risk.

What should women bring for their Kilimanjaro climb? 

Clothing

For clothing, the packing list we provide is as relevant for women as for men. Though when it comes to underwear you’ll probably want to wear a bra: the best option here is a non-cotton sports bra that wicks the sweat away from your skin. If nothing else, this will stop you from getting cold. 

Other items

As for other female-specific items that you may consider? Well I’ve looked at various blogs written by women on Kilimanjaro and most of the items they suggest bringing have to do with hygiene and cosmetics. Do remember, however, that on Kili you’ll probably get nothing but two hot bowls of water to wash with each day. And after the second day everybody reeks anyway. It’s a situation that is mercifully ameliorated by the fact that everybody is wearing several layers, thus preventing body odours from escaping.

Other stuff to bring? Well, in my experience women tend to feel the cold more than men. If you fall into that category, some of those hand warmers may be a good idea. They’re not just for your hands, either. You can put them in your boots before you put them on, in your gloves and in your bra. And remember to keep some aside for the summit night. Don’t use them all on the first evening or you’ll regret it.

Panty liners, min-pads, hand and vaginal wipes are all recommended too.

If your period coincides with your climb then, firstly, my sympathies. Climbing Kilimanjaro is hard enough without all that going on too! Bring your usual sanitary stuff. One blogger recommends Diva Cups – whether they were sponsored for this I don’t know (she also recommended coco-butter vaseline, which sounds rather specific). But you may want to  investigate them anyway.

Note, too, that the high altitude may trigger your period earlier than you expected!

Do remember to bring paper bags or zip-lock bags with you to collect your used sanitary products and toilet roll. (Tanzania has banned plastic bags, of course, and you can no longer bring them into the country.)

The she-wee

Click on this link to find our packing list for Kilimanjaro. In addition, the most useful item to bring is what is marketed as a ‘she-wee’ (or shewee, or she-pee, or miss-piss). As the manufacturer says, this is a device that allows you to wee into a bottle. I’m a huge fan of a pee bottle, ie something to wee into when you’re in your tent at night. It saves you having to get dressed and brave the freezing cold every time you want to pee. An on Kili you’ll want to pee a lot, particularly if you’re acclimatising well, and even more so if you’re taking Diamox, which is a diuretic.

So it’s only fair that women can enjoy the same convenience and comfort as men. Which is where the she-wee comes in.

It does, apparently, take a bit of  practise to use a she-wee successfully, so try it in the shower at home before you head off to a big mountain in Tanzania. But the reviews are largely positive. Two women on the last trek I led had the following critiques of their she-wees. The first said it had ‘changed her life’. Which does at least convey her enthusiasm for the product. The second woman, however, was less enthusiastic, describing it as a ‘bit dribbly’.

Make-up? Really?

I know of some women who brought lipstick and mascara with them. Simply because, in their words, they’d feel naked without them. And I actually think that’s a good idea. If you’re used to wearing make-up every day, and you’d feel uncomfortable without it, then bring some.

I’m a firm believer in trying, within reason, to make your trek as comfortable as possible for yourself. And if that means putting a bit of slap on in the morning, then so be it. But don’t expect to look like you’ve just stepped out of the salon, of course. And you should expect some of your make-up to be covered in dust and grit by the end of the trek. But if you want to do it, then do it. 

As for your hair, well if it’s long then bring something to tie it back. There are dry shampoos that you can buy – but test them first to make sure they actually work.

On the subject of lipstick, do remember to bring some strong sun protection for your lips. You don’t want to look like you’ve got some sort of facial leprosy in all your summit photos.

If you want to look your best – or, at least, you want to avoid looking too filthy – then trim your nails short before you arrive. Everything gets grimy on Kili, including you, and dirt gets under the fingernails that can be difficult to shift. The alternative is to wear a very dark nail varnish. Cutting your toenails, too, has a couple of benefits. Not only will it avoid the build-up of toe-jam, but it will stop them hurting you when your feet jam into the front of your boots on the descent.

What’s it actually like for women on Kilimanjaro?

The experience of women on the mountain should be pretty similar to that enjoyed – and endured – by men. You’ll be walking the same trail, enjoying the same jokes and eating the same food. (And remember, you’ll be burning calories on the mountain. Indeed, one of our climbers recently wrote to me to say that she’d lost 4kg on the trek!  So eat as much as you want and don’t worry about gaining weight. I can pretty much guarantee that won’t happen, no matter how delicious you happen to find the food.)

You’ll also, hopefully, feel the same sense of euphoria as everyone else when you get to the summit. 

Going to toilet on the mountain

But there is one area where women are at a distinct disadvantage. Going to toilet on the trail. Outside of the campsites, public toilets are few and far between on Kili. Given that many of them are in a fairly parlous state, it’s probably best to avoid them anyway. That means, unfortunately, finding a convenient boulder or bush to go behind.

Men, of course, being the disgusting pigs that we are, are quite happy to wee pretty much anywhere and everywhere. For most women, however,  a greater degree of privacy is usually preferred.

If you have the gumption, you can always announce loudly to your group that you’re going for toilet behind a particular boulder/bush, and you would prefer solitude for the next few minutes. This should both ensure your privacy and give you time to wee, clean up (putting used toilet paper in a paper bag, of course) and return to the group at your leisure.

If you haven’t got the bottle to do that, then at least tell your guide. That way, he can keep the other trekkers away from your chosen boulder/bush. It also guarantees that he won’t forget about you and set off with the rest of the group, leaving you chasing after them with your trousers still wrapped around your ankles.

Overall

In all probability there won’t be any female members of staff on the mountain with you. (Because few companies are as enlightened as Kilimanjaro Experts!). But please don’t feel shy of telling your guide about any problems you have. Remember that many have worked on the mountain for several years, They are used to dealing with everything both Kili, and their climbers, can throw at them. So don’t be timid. It’ll make your life more comfortable, and may just keep you safe too.

Taking children on Kilimanjaro>>

Should you take your child on Kilimanjaro?

Contemplating whether to take your family on Africa’s highest mountain? We’ll discuss whether you should – and how best to go about it? 

Last week we received an email from a British woman. She contacted us as she was hoping to take her six-year-old child up Kilimanjaro.

The main obstacle was, of course, officialdom. For the rules clearly state that only children aged ten or over are allowed to the summit of Kilimanjaro.

The park authorities, KINAPA, do sometimes grant special permission for those under ten to climb. This is why the record for the youngest person to climb Kilimanjaro is held by a six-year-old boy from Albuquerque.

But it is impossible to predict whom the authorities will grant this permission to.

But perhaps the first question we should be asking, is not how we should get this permission. Instead, perhaps we should begin by considering whether we should take young children on the mountain at all.

Who actually wants to climb the mountain: your child, or you?

Before I became a father myself, I always said that if I ever did have any children, I would want them to set a record as the youngest person to climb Kilimanjaro.

Of course, this was just my hubris and ignorance talking. Because of my long association with the mountain, I assumed that any child of mine would want to (literally) follow in my footsteps. And this would include climbing Africa’s highest mountain.

Now I am a dad, however, I can see just what a stupid thing to say that was. My son is four now, and he’s on the autistic spectrum, which perhaps clouds the issue still further.

Neverthelesss, he has also, quite rightly, shown no interest in climbing Kilimanjaro. But even if he did, would it be right to let him try? Because if any child says that they want to climb Kilimanjaro, you have to ask yourself where this desire comes from? Are they saying it because they are genuinely interested in climbing mountains? Indeed, do they have any experience, indeed any idea, of exactly what getting to the top of a mountain entails?

Or are they saying it just to please you?

Before I continue, note one thing. This is not in any way a criticism of people who have taken their young children on a mountain. This is just my personal take, and is based almost entirely on my feelings surrounding my own four-year-old autistic son, who has shown no desire to climb it anyway!

My own experience with taking children on Kilimanjaro

Indeed, it’s hypocritical of me to criticise anyone who wants to take their children on an expedition. Because in my time as the author of the Kilimanjaro guide, I have advised plenty of people who want to do just that. Indeed, I have arranged several treks for families with children too.

In fact, I was on the expedition that took a five-year-old to the top, as well as his seven-year-old sister and nine-year-old brother. They were the children of one of the directors of a trekking company, who wanted photos of them on top of the mountain in order to publicise their treks.

And, I must say, what a thoroughly miserable experience it was too. The children clearly didn’t want to be there, and the parents were screaming at each other most evenings. (Mainly because the mum didn’t want to be there, and rightly had misgivings about the children being there too. Though as I put my earplugs in early every evening to try to block out their arguments, so the exact details of their conflict remain uncertain.)

I can safely say that it was my least enjoyable experience on Kilimanjaro. And given that I still occasionally suffer from altitude sickness, fellow AMS sufferers will have some idea of how miserable a climb it must have been.

But by not speaking out, I guess you could say I gave my tacit approval to the whole expedition. So it’s wrong of me to judge other people who want to attempt a similar thing.

(In case you’re wondering, the five-year-old in question did not merit a place in the record books as he and his siblings were carried for much of the way on the shoulders of porters.)

Only take your child up Kilimanjaro if you’re sure they want to climb it; and if you’re sure they can climb it too!

But as unpleasant as this trek may have been, it is a timely reminder of the most important factor to consider when contemplating climbing Kili with your child. One that should go without saying, but it’s so important that I’m going to say it anyway:

Please, only arrange for your child to join you on Kilimanjaro if you are sure that they want to.

Check, too, that your motivations for taking them up are sound. Because Kilimanjaro is not the place to act out with your son or daughter your own thwarted ambitions of climbing Africa’s highest mountain as a child.

I personally think unless the child has said, independently, that he or she wants to climb Kilimanjaro, then you shouldn’t be taking them on the mountain. In other words, the desire has to come from them.

If all you’ve done is ask them whether they’ve wanted to climb Kili, and they’ve assented, well in my opinion that’s not good enough.

Make sure your child truly understands what it’s going to be like on the mountain

But your questions should not stop there. Because you also need to make sure they know exactly what being on Kilimanjaro is like.

Tell them that they will have to sleep in a tent, and that they’ll have to walk for hours each day. Explain to them, too, that it’s going to get very, very cold. Discuss with them, too, that they are probably going to have to walk through the night. That they will probably get a headache. And that it’s going to be so cold that their water bottles will freeze. And that they may not feel hungry, or, if they do, they may not like the food they’re served. And that there’s a high chance of failure – and worse. 

If I know anything about how children’s brains work, many of them will probably dismiss all these concerns. Indeed, they’ll probably even think that all these hardships are going to be ‘fun’. Which is why it’s important to take your child on a camping expedition first. And not to an organised facility-filled campsite, but to somewhere a bit wilder.

And preferably for a few days.

With some strenuous walking in between.

And, if possible, with a (little) bit of high altitude too.

And some cold.

Because only then can you truly see if they really don’t mind all the suffering and deprivation that comes with any expedition.

Tips for taking children on Kilimanjaro

If none of the above has dissuaded you or your child from climbingand believe he or she is determined to go too, then below I’ve compiled some essential advice for taking children on Kilimanjaro.

Note that some of these will apply to younger children only. Though we think that anyone thinking of bringing someone under-16 with them to Kilimanjaro will find the following useful.

1) Be brutally judgmental about your child, and your relationship with them.

In particular, do you and your child truly have an honest and open relationship? One where he or she is always truthful with you when it comes to telling you how they’re feeling? Or will they try to hide any symptoms they may have, because they don’t want to let you down or they don’t want to stop before the summit. 

You also need to examine whether your child really up for this challenge? Are they really made of the ‘right stuff’ for such a challenge? Or is it you who is, perhaps unconsciously, pushing them towards Kilimanjaro because you have your own agenda? 

2) Make sure you emphasise to your child the importance of listening to the guide and the necessity of telling him the truth too.

Because if your child is not going to tell you honestly how he’s feeling, your guide is the only hope you’ve got. And it’s important that when the guide tells your group to go slowly, that your child obeys, despite his or her natural inclination to hare off as fast as possible.

3) Ask your company if they have a guide who has worked with children on Kilimanjaro before

Or who, in the eyes of the agency, may have a particular empathy with children.

4) It’s vital that your child understands the importance of telling you or the guide of any symptoms he or she may have.

It’s essential that he or she informs you of when he has a headache, or feels nauseous, or dizzy, or is having difficulty breathing, or eating, or sleeping.

5) It may sound obvious, but please make sure that the child is sharing a tent with you.

That way you can keep an eye on them both day and night.

6) Take them on a private trek rather than join a public, group trek.

This is sensible, and not only from a security viewpoint. By booking a private trek, the guide can concentrate on your family alone, and nobody else. What’s more, a few companies, including our own Kilimanjaro Experts, offer to arrange private treks that cost exactly the same as if you had joined a public treks. Just get in touch if you want to know more.

7) Emphasise to them that there is absolutely no shame in not getting to the top.

This may be difficult for them to comprehend and believe. So it might be worth telling them that it is OK to use you as an excuse as to why they didn’t get to the top. For example, your child may worry about what they will say to their friends. So tell them that it’s OK if he or she tells their that they ‘failed’ because you fell ill with altitude sickness. As a result, the entire family had to come down.

I know that some of you will be uncomfortable with giving your child permission to lie. But in a possible life-or-death situation, let’s be sensible. Because it’s important that the child is absolutely comfortable with the idea of descending without reaching the summit.

8) Bring plenty of toys/books

There is a lot of ‘down-time’ on Kilimanjaro. If you’re lucky, all they require is a puzzle book; if you have to bring mountains of lego or something that needs power, however, then obviously this is a more complex prospect that may require extra porters and a bank of battery chargers.

9) If your children are under 10 you need special permission from KINAPA

The park authorities, before you’re even allowed to set foot on the mountain. Your trekking company that is organising your trip should make this application on your behalf. But make sure you understand what their terms are (ie how much they will charge for this service). Make surem, too, that they are 100% confident that they can secure the necessary permission.

If possible, try not to commit any more money than is absolutely necessary until they have this permission. You don’t want to pay a large deposit on your trip, only to then discover your youngest can’t join you on the mountain because he or she is not allowed!

10) And if your child is six or under, prepare for disappointment.

At the present time it seems KINAPA have decided that children must be seven or over to climb Kilimanjaro. You still need to get special permission for them, of course. But in our experience it is impossible for children aged below seven to get the necessary permission to climb. 

11) Anyone under 16 is entitled to considerable reductions in the park fees.

But make sure your agency passes on these discounts in full. For example, if you’re taking a seven-day trek on a camping route, the discount amounts to US$590.

Plus 18% VAT.

Which pushes it to a rather impressive US$696.20!

Odd, isn’t it? On the one hand the park authorities are discouraging young people from climbing the mountain. Then they offer this significant financial incentive to persuade them to do exactly the opposite. But that’s just the way it is.

If you are unsure how much you should get as a discount, or you’re suspicious about your agency, just get in touch. I’ll let you know how much the full discount should be.

12)  The food on Kilimanjaro will almost definitely not be what they are used to at home.

So to help keep their sprits up on the mountain, bring their favourite sweet/candy. (Even if it is a sweet/candy that, at home, they are allowed only sparingly due to concerns about their dental welfare.)

If your company is particularly accommodating, you may also like to ask them if it’s OK to bring a few of the child’s favourite ingredients so that they can use them in the meals they serve on the mountain. Maybe you can even contact your operator in advance and request your child’s favourite meal or even send them a recipe. It’s remarkable what the cooks can conjure up on Kili, so take advantage of their ingenuity.

13) Contemplate hiring an extra porter to help carry the child’s gear.

You don’t want him carrying all his/her own water, sun cream, sweets, and waterproofs all by him/herself.

14) Thinking of taking the child on safari afterwards?

Great! What a fantastic experience for them, and what a fabulous opportunity for all of you to see for yourself Tanzania’s breathtaking national parks. But do make them aware of the fact that they may see some shocking things. It’s great that you’re encouraging your child’s innate wonder about the natural world. But that wonder will be short-lived if they’re forced to watch Mrs Zebra and her two young foals being ripped apart by greedy Mr Lion and his friends.

15) Impress upon your child the importance of staying in the vehicle until the driver says it’s OK to leave.

Young animals are particularly vulnerable in the Serengeti. Well, young people are too, and nobody wants to see the little Johnny being attacked by a hungry leopard.

16) Younger children may appreciate a chart where they can tick off the animals they see

In other words, a more spectacular version of a Nature Hunt that they may do at home. You should find one on the internet. If not, it shouldn’t be too difficult to construct one.

Older climbers on Kilimanjaro – advice and tips >>

How do senior trekkers fare on Kilimanjaro?

Some facts, advice and tips

In July 2019 Anne Lorimor, from Phoenix, Arizona, reached the summit of Africa’s Highest Mountain aged 89. In doing so she became the oldest person ever to reach Uhuru Peak, the true summit of Kili. It was actually Anne’s second successful assault on Kilimanjaro, having first climbed it four years previously aged 85. Indeed, it was hearing that she was no longer the oldest person to reach the top that prompted Anne to climb it for a second time. Proof, if any were needed, that older climbers on Kilimanjaro fare just as well as anyone else.

Age really is no barrier on the mountain

Ms Lorimor’s achievements provide a welcome reminder that age really is no barrier to climbing the Roof of Africa.

Indeed, this year over 40% of climbers who are climbing with our own company, Kilimanjaro Experts are aged 40 or over. And 19% are aged 50 or more.  And four of our climbers were over 70 years of age when they trekked up Kilimanjaro.

Their success on the mountain proves something that we have known for a long time. That in our experience, older climbers are just as likely to get to the top of Kilimanjaro as those of any other age group.

Indeed, according to a statistic published by the park authorities many years ago, the category of people who are most likely to fail in their attempts to climb Kilimanjaro are men aged between 20 and 30. 

Nobody is really sure why this is the case, nor is it the purpose of this article to examine this fact. (Though it may be that young men tend to be more confident and thus less likely to both prepare properly. This means they’re less inclined to listen to the guide when he tells them to slow down. They may also be more reluctant to take Diamox, feeling that to do so would be to cheat. But let’s examine the reasons why younger men ‘fail’ more often for another time and another article.)

Senior climbers on Kilimanjaro are just as likely to get to the summit as younger people

It just take us longer! Just to reiterate: if you are over 50, you are just as likely to get to the summit of Kilimanjaro  as those who have yet to reach their half century. Indeed, perhaps more so.

But there are differences in how senior climbers perform on Kilimanjaro compared to their younger counterparts.

For one thing, older climbers tend to take longer to get to the summit that those under 50. This isn’t a problem: as long as the operator that has organised the trek is following the rules, there will be one guide for every two climbers. So there will always be a licensed guide available to trek with anyone who is falling behind the group.

If you thought it was tough climbing up, wait ’til you have to come down again

However, the slower pace set by older trekkers doesn’t usually make much difference on the way up. After all, everybody is advised to go slowly when going up Kilimanjaro, to give their body time to acclimatise. It’s on the descent, when people can finally go at their own pace, when older trekkers may feel left behind.

Our advice is simply this: don’t worry. You’ve paid a lot of money for this trek, and in all probability this will be your only time on this mountain. So make the most of your leisurely pace to take in the views and enjoy the experience. And sure, you may feel lousy when you’re coming down from the top. It might also be a little frustrating to see your fellow trekkers skip effortlessly down the slopes while you crawl along like an arthritic tortoise.

But that doesn’t matter. Because you’re also the arthritic tortoise that has just, that very same morning, stood at the very highest point in Africa. And the sense of pride you should feel at achieving that feat should keep you going as you manoeuvre your weary old bones slowly back to camp – and well beyond too!

Advice for older climbers on Kilimanjaro

Do make sure that your body is still able to trek for a few hours a day, and for several days at a time

You also need to make sure you are happy sleeping in a tent between each day’s trek. The obvious way to do this is to undertake a trek in your own country. If you can find somewhere to trek that is at altitude then so much the better. But if not, don’t worry: the point of the exercise is to determine whether you can trek and camp over the course of several days. (And no, don’t assume that, because you could do this thirty years ago, so you can still do it today. That doesn’t necessarily follow – and Kilimanjaro is no place to discover that you can no longer bear camping, and don’t much like walking now either!)

Don’t be afraid to join a public trek, even if you are travelling alone

Indeed, especially if you’re travelling alone. As we mention above, you won’t be slowing down the group. The fact that there is one guide for every two trekkers mean everyone can go as fast as they like, subject ot the pace set by the guide. It also means you can go as slow as you like. Besides, in my experience older trekkers tend to be the most popular members of any trekking group. Senior climbers are seen as more trustworthy, more socially adept, more patient and, well, often more fun too. It’ll also be much cheaper than having a private trek for one person.

Don’t worry that your slow pace will mean that you’ll be walking after dark sometimes

That’s unlikely to happen. The distance you cover each day is surprisingly short (usually about 8km). In addition, you usually start early, because you’ll probably be camping, so it’s difficult to have a lie-in. And besides, as you probably already know, everyone goes slowly when climbing Kilimanjaro. They do this in order to give their bodies time to acclimatise. So don’t worry about holding back your group, or being left behind.

Do visit your doctor before you go

Do this to make sure that he’s happy for you to attempt the climb. If nothing else, visiting him will make you more confident about the climb. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, he may be able to advise you how (and when) to take any medication when you’re on the mountain. He’ll also be able to check that there is no contraindications between your existing medication and your malaria tablets or Diamox.

Do let your agency know of any pre-existing medical conditions you may have

You also need to bring any medication you may be taking. Furthermore, you need to know, and inform your crew, of any special arrangements that your doctor has advised. The guides on Kilimanjaro aren’t qualified physicians, of course. But any information you can give them regarding your health may help them to make an informed judgement. Which, in turn, might just save your life.

Don’t try to pack too much into your itinerary.

Give yourself a day between landing in Tanzania and starting the trek. Less essential, but perhaps a good idea if you have the time, is to take a day in between the trek and safari.

Take walking poles.

Your knees will thank you.

Insurance for older climbers on Kilimanjaro

One of the difficulties older trekkers run into when preparing for a Kilimanjaro climb is that insurance for such an adventure can be really difficult to find. You can ring up an insurer, tell them of your plans to climb Africa’s Highest Mountain, followed by a safari, and they’ll readily provide you with a quote. However, when you tell them that you’re over 70 (for example), the last thing you’ll hear before they slam the phone down is the sound of the blood draining from their face.

We have found one company that does insure older trekkers. Silver Nomads are something to do with World Nomads (I’m not quite sure what), and they in turn will direct you to TripAssure, who specialise in insuring older trekkers. (I should point out that I do not, of course, have any arrangement with them, nor make any money from mentioning them here. They just happen to be one of the few companies willing to insure older trekkers.) I should point out that the reader who pointed them out to me – a sprightly 76-year-old who is clearly still very fit – was quoted US$975 for his cover!

LGBTQ travellers in Tanzania >>

If a company advertises a near 100% success rate for getting people to the summit of Kilimanjaro, should you believe it?

This week I was contacted by a reader who had just got back home after an unsuccessful attempt to climb Kilimanjaro. The person had climbed with one of the top operators on the mountain. Indeed, it’s one that we praise highly in our Kilimanjaro guide. They are also pretty much the most expensive operator on Kilimanjaro too. Furthermore, this company was advertising almost 100% success rates on Kilimanjaro for getting people to the top.

In other words, pretty much everybody who took this route got to the summit.

The reason he got in touch was that he had not managed to get to the summit of Africa’s highest mountain. Nothing exceptional about that, of course. Lots and lots of people fail to reach Kili’s highest point, Uhuru Peak. Because, as anybody who has attempted it will tell you, it’s really hard.

Usually these ‘failures’ are due to altitude sickness (also known as AMS or mountain sickness). Bur fatigue, injury, illness and other factors can also prevent people from reaching their goal.

What was puzzling this climber, however, was whether these success rates on Kilimanjaro can actually be trusted? Particularly as he knew of other climbers who had climbed with this company who had also failed to reach the top?

So can you trust them?

The short answer to this is: no. There is nothing to stop a company simply lying. They can claim to have a very high success rate for getting climbers to the summit, even if it’s untrue. By doing so, they will inevitably attract more custom.

The companies are not obliged to produce these figures or even calculate them. What’s more, there is no way for anybody to check them either.

Thats not to say that all companies that advertise their success rates on Kilimanjaro are lying, of course. But the temptation to publish false figures, or to massage them, is huge.

They could for example, also include in their ‘success rate’ those people who got to Stella/Gilman’s Point. Though you get a certificate for reaching either of these points, and deservedly so, they are not the summit.

Or the company could discount those who start the trek but descend before actually attempting to reach the summit.

Or, of course, they could simply make all their figures up and invent a success rate of nearly 100%. After all, what’s to stop them?

And that’s the problem. When you have statistics that can’t be checked, the temptation for companies to massage those figures for commercial gain is just too great.

The fact that these figures could be false is not the main reason why I dislike them, however. It’s because I think they could be dangerous too….

Not just unverifiable – but possibly dangerous too

Imagine, if you will, a company that prides itself on having a high success rate for getting people to the top. An honest, decent company that doesn’t want to advertise success rates that simply aren’t true. Imagine, next, that you’re a guide working for that company. You’re a loyal, professional guide that wants to do the best he can for his employers. You also know that the company is proud of its almost 100% success rate for getting people to the summit.

So, of course you do your utmost to make sure everybody in your group gets to the top. But as a result, you could be pushing some of the climbers beyond their natural limit, and endanger them as a result.

And yes, of course you’d like to think that any guide would be sensible enough to recognise when they are pushing their climbers too hard. But remember that it’s quite a cut-throat world out there if you’re a guide. There are more licensed guides than there are treks running at any one time. As a result, competition for work is fierce.

So if you manage to get a job leading a trek, you’ll want to do your best. Now that should mean you want to help your clients perform the best they can and get as high as they can on Kilimanjaro. But it also means you should do so without endangering them by taking them beyond their natural limits. But that goal can be easily skewed if you have a company that advertises a near 100% success rate on Kilimanjaro. As one of their guides, you would feel pressure to make sure everyone in your group got to the top too.

Remember: your choice of trekking company will have only a marginal impact on whether you get to the top or not

Before I go, I think it’s worth reiterating something that we mention in our Kilimanjaro guide book and which sums up what we’ve been writing here. That you shouldn’t choose a company based on its advertised success rate.

Because the truth is, companies can have only a small impact on whether you get to the summit or not. There are other factors that are more important when it comes to determining whether you’ll get to the top or not. These include:

• The number of days you spend on the mountain
• The route you take up Kilimanjaro
• Whether you drink enough water and eat enough food
• Whether you have the right physical fitness and are not sick when you begin your climb
• Whether you get enough sleep on the mountain
• Whether you take Diamox or not
• pure luck

I believe that all the above factors have more of a bearing on whether you get to the summit than which agency you choose to climb with.

But it’s still better to book with a decent company, even if you don’t believe their success rates on Kilimanjaro

That’s not to say, of course, that you should just sign up with any old agency. Otherwise we wouldn’t have spent so long reviewing the main operators on Kilimanjaro in the guide book!

Because a decent trek operator will  make sure that the above list is all ticked.

For example, they’ll try to persuade you to take a longer trek on a route that has proven to be good for acclimatisation. (At Kilimanjaro Experts, for example, it’s no coincidence that many of our climbs are on the Alternative Lemosho Route. This offers climbers, in our experience, the best chance of acclimatising successfully. We also do not run treks of just five days, even though the park allows it on certain routes. Instead, we insist on a minimum of six days for each trek.)

Indeed, if I’m being honest, maybe this is one reason why we have such high success rates ourselves. It’s not because of anything we particularly do on the mountain. It’s more that we don’t run treks of such a short duration that are inevitably more dangerous and have lower success rates.

Decent companies will use good camping equipment to make sure you’re warm enough on Kili and get a good sleep. They’ll also make sure hygiene standards are maintained on the trek. This will minimise your chances of falling sick while on the slopes. And they’ll also employ only good, experienced guides. Guides who know how far to push you. when it’s safe to allow you to continue – and when you need to descend.

(A good company that charges a little more will also, of course, be more likely to treat their staff well. Porter welfare is, of course, a separate issue and one we’ve dealt with elsewhere on this website and in the book.)

Good companies really come into their own when things go wrong

As we point out in the book, when you sign up with a more expensive agency, it’s really for their experience and know-how. You’re also paying for their procedures when things go wrong.

Because, truth be told, there aren’t too many differences between a good agency and a bad one when everything is going well. It’s when people need to be evacuated because of illness or injury that you really see the difference. That’s when a good company stands out.

So if you’ve already signed up with one of the more expensive agencies that have a good reputation on Kili, and are regretting it because of what you’ve just read, well, don’t.

Because not only will you have a better experience on the mountain, you can rest assured that your company be treating and paying its staff better. And if things go very wrong for you, there’s a greater chance they could also save your life.

Should you book with an overseas agent or a local Tanzanian company? >>