On Kilimanjaro
The following section deals with matters that are of particular interest to those who have booked their trek and are about to begin their climb up to the Roof of Africa. In this section we try to describe what it’s actually like to be on the mountain. This includes pages in which other trekkers describe how they felt, what you’ll eat and drink, where you sleep, who you’ll be walking with (ie your porters and guides) and how you can minimise your impact on the environment.
In this section you’ll also find advice on how to stay safe on Kilimanjaro (including plenty of information on altitude sickness (or AMS), how to prevent AMS, what the symptoms of altitude sickness are, and what you should do if you succumb to it), what to pack in the bag that you carry on the mountain, how much you should tip your crew.
Once again, this information is taken largely from the Kilimanjaro Guide Book, abridged and edited for the website. You’ll find a menu of the subjects on the left of the page.
Hope you find these pages useful! As always, if there’s anything you don’t understand, want clarification on or think is inaccurate, just get in touch and we’ll do our best to respond as soon as possible.
Other pages in this section
Minimise Your Impact While Trekking >>
What’s it like on the mountain? >>
Overnight accommodation on the mountain >>
What to put in your daypack when trekking >>
About the porters on Kilimanjaro >>
Chapters on this website
We have divided it into four main sections, which together provide you with all the basics you need to know to plan and prepare properly for your Mount Kilimanjaro trek:
Information about the history, geography, geology, flora and fauna of the mountain. Not essential, but (hopefully) interesting.
Vital information for anyone planning a trek, from when to go to the best route to take and what to pack.
What’s it like on the mountain? What do you eat? Where do you sleep? Who’s in your crew? How much should you tip?
Information for those looking to explore the country in greater depth, with plenty of useful info for Kili trekkers too.
In addition, you’ll also find details of our own climbing outfit, Kilimanjaro Experts, where all my favourite guides, cooks and other mountain crew staff that I’ve climbed with over the past two decades have been gathered into one great value, ethically-minded company.
Don’t forget the book!
Still want more info? Well you can’t beat our bestselling guide book, which provides comprehensive advice on climbing, including REVIEWS OF ALL THE MAJOR TREKKING COMPANIES. You’ll also find guides to the towns and cities that will act as the base for your trek, plus, of course, detailed descriptions of all the routes on both Kili and Meru, written by somebody who has climbed them all. Many times. The book has now been published since 2001 and is currently in its fifth edition.
Oh, and I don’t think we’ve mentioned our blog yet, which has all the latest news from the mountain and lots of useful advice.
And if you still can’t find the information you require, then just email us. We can be reached at henry@climbmountkilimanjaro.com or henry@kilimanjaroexperts.com and I’ll be happy to help in whatever way I can.